Customer Reviews

Ruff Love: A Relationship Building Program for You and Your Dog

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been training seriously since 1996, and this book was just the shake-up I need. Susan Garett does NOT recommend crating dogs all day long! This is a program about controlling reinforcement in the environment so that as the dog shows increasing self-control, s/he earns increasing privileges. My dogs are very soft. I have a genetically shy/reactive waterdog, and a bichon (he's the toughest one!) and a formerly feral dog (a dog who was born on a beach in PR, and lived wild there for the first year of his life). For the past year, I let them sleep in my bed, on the furniture, rough house etc, and they trust me, they're happy, plus, they take me and my training opportunities for granted! Though that period of permissiveness I think was good, as they are very creative and happy and playful, now I want them to have a deeper self-control, simply because I want to give them even more privileges eventually. I want my dogs to respond dependably and instantly off leash around big distractions. I want their performance skills to snap on quickly, so that we can go new places and have fun. So this program helped me to see the times that my permissiveness is not working in our training favor. I went for a training walk today (actually doing this program isn't easy. I am training recalls three times a day! And I'm supposed to do that for at least six or seven weeks!) and when I got home instead of just letting my dog loose to play in the yard, I crated him for an hour while I worked with the other dog and had lunch. I notice that these short little crating periods during the day are making my dogs far more eager to work. It seems to help them value training periods, as the training periods are now the "best" part of their day -- rather than the part they want to rush through so they can get to dig in the garden! Garrett is asking us to shift our own "permissiveness" level in accordance with our dog's behavior, and teach dog to earn privileges rather than just beg or steal them. Every trainer will need to adapt the program according to what they have time to do, and what they really want out of their lives with their dogs.Reading her book through the lens of what I already understand about operant and classical conditioning, stimulus and response, her program is about being disciplined enough to pull unintentional reinforcements out of our training environments, and then putting those reinforcements back in when and where we want them. If you are a serious trainer, and your ultimate goal for your dog(s) is to really give your dog(s) the kind of self-control that makes a life full of privileges possible, get this book, read it and give it a try.

The book is not too text heavy and a short read which is big plus for folks on the run. The book discusses some behaviorist concepts that may be best reviewed with a trainer for the first time dog owner or those inexperienced with training a canine companion. The guide can be used as supplemental hand book that accompanies training with a good instructor.

I found the techniques very useful for implementing a management structure to start the relationship building on the correct paw. The techniques can be as rigid or flexible as needed based on the training stage of pet, its development, temperament, and specific behavior issues to be addressed. I found the NILF backed strategies and tips a sound approach for working with the most willful of dogs. I have referred back to the book on more than one occasion for different dogs with successful results. The down side is the lack of a simple definitions glossary for training terms used in describing some of the techniques (i.e. targeting, reinforcement, extinction, trigger). Overall, it is a good book that can be paired well with a sound obedience training program with a qualified instructor.

This is an underead book from a great trainer that is honest! I am a trainer and I use a lot of these techninues to get the spoiled dogs of the world to start listening. You can still buy this from dog wise for a reasonable price.The woman who blew it off does not have the creditals to review this book.
I wish a had a copy, mine was stolen by a client.
This is much better than "Control Unleashed".

Yes, this is a tough love book but if a dog may loose it's home or even it's life for want of proper manners do what is necessary to prevent it from happening. Use what is approprite to the situation and get professional help if needed.

No, you should not buy "Ruff Love" as a day-to-day training guide. The program in this book places serious restrictions on your dog that most dogs don't need, and most people will not have the heart or conviction to implement. The technique strips your dog of every privilege and makes him completely dependent on you (at the risk of ruining any indepence and confidence he may have...).

Why would anyone use such a program? Because every once in a while, a dog grows up with the notion (usually encouraged or at least allowed by the human) that HE is in charge of the house. Retraining this dog from the ground up may wind up saving his quality of life (such dogs often end up on a chain, locked away, or given up to a shelter) or, should he become aggressive, his life.

The author also suggests that the program be used for canine athletes to build bonding. Here I'm not in agreement; it's a pretty severe way to build co-dependence.

[NOTE: This book does not contain harsh, force-driven techniques.]

well thought out book - holds interest for experienced to beginner dog owner - gives many scnenarios and hints and outright suggestions. Good book if one follows it!

This book is not about relationship building. The suggestions in this book are extreme. Crating a dog 24 hrs a day...why have a dog? There are plenty of other books out there that will actually teach you how to have a better relationship with your dog. This is NOT one of them. I wish I had read the reviews before I spent money on this book.

Don't waste your money on this book. What a joke, this book isn't a relationship building program. It is more like a prison sentence for a dog. Just lock your dog up in a crate 24/7 except to allow your dog to eat and relieve him/herself (while on a leash, of course). There you have this book's "relationship buliding program" - SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!! In good conscience I wouldn't even give this book away!