Customer Reviews

100 Silliest Things People Say About Dogs

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Those who favor the positive dog training methods such as clicker are also usually familier with the work by Karen Pryor and her followers, so they have a certain idea why they want to train their dogs the way they do. They also know that these positive methods work not only for teaching tricks, but also for working on everyday situations in which we'd like our dogs to behave other than they behave, for example not pulling on the leash, not barking excessively etc. If they've really delved into the subject, they know also that positive methods have been successfully used to help cases of aggressiveness. And they certainly approve of these non-violent methods as opposed to the choke collars, shock collars, water throwing, kicking, Alpha-Rolls of other so-called experts.

But what are the scientific reasons for the successes of positive training? Is positive training better than the TV methods of some quick-fix alpha professors? What does "Alpha" mean? What is a dominant dog? What role do the wolf and wolf packs play in training our dogs? What are the scientific proofs of which methods?

The interesting thing about this book is that the author takes the most common things said about dogs and gives the researched reasons why these things are silly. She gives source material for just about all of her explanations. I would have liked specific page numbers and quotes of these sources though - would have made the cross-checking a bit easier in some cases.

This book is however NOT a training manual. It give very few concrete suggestions as to what to do, but it sure gives exceptional examples as to why what people have done as a result of the violent-type trainers' methods are not only (potentially) short-term at best or even counter-productive, but can even be dangerous to dog and dog-owner.

The book has forced me, as a cross-over owner (one who raised previous dogs with the rolled-newspaper method to "mostly" positive to now simply positive) rethink even my present methods, question my own "knowledge" and as result forced me to delve even deeper into some of the source material she quoted or paraphrased from or used to support her findings. IMHO, this is what any really good book on any subject does - it entices us to dig deeper, not only into the subject, but also into ourselves.

There are things that at first glance I could not accept at face value, also a couple of formulations that may, in their manner of how presented, perhaps reflect a little too strongly on a personal POV, but I think we're all adult enough to accept that and the fact there there is no truely non-personalize sterile research, it's all done to prove one's own POV and disprove the other's. And here, what I've been able to determine is that our POVs (mine in my gut and from other sources) and her's (also perhaps from her own gut but supported by much more research and actual pertinent observations) are pretty much at the same wave-length.

Your mileage may vary, depending upon what you're looking for.

An excellent, well written entertaining and incredibly thoughtful book for people of all ages who care about the best interests of their dogs in the modern community of people and domestic dogs! Many unique invaluable observations based on +14 years of studying and living with a group of diverse canines. The Author like Archimedes lacks a Ph D but her facts are more accurate and precisely based on real-world observations and science than many others authors's about Domestic dogs that I have read in 20 years. In addition, the author has a delightful sense of humor "lancing" those who deserve it and saluting those who deserve compliments. Each Chapter stands on its own. Although it is Not (or not just)a training book, the author makes many brilliant suggestions and reommendations that we have already tested and benefitted from with our two dogs. We purchased +7 copies already for friends who needed the author's insights for reforming their"nagging" dog, educating their pup, and withstanding dangerous people and their dogs.

There are a LOT of dog books out there nowadays, but this is a book which anyone involved with dogs--personally or professionally--really should read! We know much more today, based on actual research rather than just "beliefs," about canine learning and behavior. Unfortunately a great deal of older misinformation remains in vogue, even among dog trainers or other canine "experts," misinformation and myths which can lead to misunderstanding, ineffectiveness, and even damage in dealing with human-dog and dog-dog interaction. It continues to be popular, probably based on OUR human nature, to see dogs as a reflection of human society, with dominance theory, the need for human intervention in and punishment of "bad behavior," etc., as keys to dealing with domestic dog behavior and problems. Semyonova's work, based on much research and observation, gives information on how some of these popular views of dogs have arisen, helps to discredit such myths, and brings a more scientific understanding of actual canine nature and normal dog behavior. Whether you consider yourself traditional or modern in your approach to understanding and training dogs, this book is a must-read.

I have read this book from cover to cover and found it to be truly outstanding. In fact, it was a page-turner, which I find unusual for a nonfiction book. I had trouble putting it down! The book is not only informative and well written, it is enjoyable and entertaining to read.

As the whimsical title suggests (and what a great cover photo!), this book is written for the lay person. But don't be tempted to think the content might be fluff - my opinion is that the book is authoritative, as the numerous footnotes and references to texts and studies suggest, and as my experiences over a lifetime with dogs of all sorts supports. The book is first and foremost an authoritative but easy to read explanation of canine behavior. The whimsy is just icing on the cake.

True to the author's claim, each chapter stands on its own, and is easy to understand and apply without having to read the entire book. But do read the entire book! As a complete work, it is very comprehensive, follows a logical progression, and covers every important topic a dog owner would be interested in.

The author obviously has strong opinions about canine behavior theory (which shows through in her literary/editorial style, and after all the word "silly" is central to the title), but by and large her views are balanced and thoroughly supported by authority. Her disfavor of fighting breeds shows through at times, but one can hardly claim with any credibility that this attitude is unjustified - everywhere in the world people are coping with the problem of dangerous breeds. It is evident from reading the book, however, that her opinion about fighting breeds did not influence the formulation of her theories of canine behavior. Quite the opposite, in my opinion, it seems to me that her theories about canine behavior, and the conclusions to which those theories lead, really leave her little room but to feel displeasure with those who would choose to perpetuate such breeds or take that path of dog ownership. The book has had that effect on me.

Nevertheless, I am surprised by the negative reviews of this book, so much so that I think these reviewers must have an agenda. Indeed, the book says some unflattering things about fighting breeds and those who would choose to own such dogs, but the venom in the reviews is entirely unjustified and many of their statements are simply factually incorrect. "Poorly written, poorly edited, bad grammar?" Hardly. "No credentials, education, scientific background, or canine expertise," "completely baseless and amateurish?" No; the author gives her credentials and they are extensive (Johns Hopkins University, University College London), she amply cites her authority and provides extensive references. These reviewers' statements reflect emotion and lack objectivity, but most importantly are simply untrue on their face, which tells me there is an agenda.

The final word on this book is that it is interesting, informative, authoritative, and fun to read. You can't beat that.

I had seen this book but the cover threw me, as I assumed it was just another book of silly junk. But I was so wrong. It is written in a very scientific manner with referrences at the end of each myth. There is also a summary at the end of each myth so you can quickly go back to review.
I am only to Myth 13 but I have already learned more from this book than I have in a long time. For Example I had no idea that the concept of the canine hiearchy came out of the Nazi regime. Some of the information seems subjective like the issue of communication. But it makes way more sense than the way we have been labeling their actions.

Because of the scientific nature of the book it would be very difficult to read but so far none of the myths have taken more than may 5-7 pages to explain. Then you come to the next two that are a page each. It moves just fast enough so you can't wait to see what awaits you.

Strange to write a review before you finish a book but from where I sit the first 13 chapters are worth the purchase and I don't think I have even gotten to the good stuff yet.

Semyonova doesn't dub herself with catchy egotistical titles like dog whisperer, listener, guru, maven or savant - she doesn't have to. Simply put, she has the most profound understanding of the domestic dog of any of the dog behaviorists that I have read. This is a great book for anyone who is serious about dogs. Don't be swayed by the one star ratings. The negative reviews here reflect the pit bull adovcates' smear campaign against anyone who dares to speak or write anything the least bit negative about their beloved fighting dog, no matter how honest.

My mother bought this book and raved about it, so I decided to pick it up and give it a read. I must admit, it is the best dog book I have ever read!

Amazing information...you will never look at Fido the same way again! Each section is annotated, the scholarship is evident and clear, the author is an accomplished and brilliant person. It is scientific, yet very enjoyable to read.

This book is a must read for every dog owner. There is so much misinformation out there in regards to dogs and how they think that we are damaging our dogs left, right and center, physically, emotionally and mentally. Please! Let's stop it!!!

I have not read the whole thing, but her viewpoint on dog food is a bit odd for me. She does not seem to care about if a dog food is made with high quality or low quality ingredients, but maybe I will find more about this as I read more about of the book.

I do not expect a behaviorist to also be a nutrition specialist (just like how a vet's specialty is healing pets, not training them), so I kept that in mind as I read a few comments on her viewpoint that dogs should be on a commercial dog food.