The Well-Adjusted Dog: Dr. Dodman's Seven Steps to Lifelong Health and Happiness for Your BestFriend [Hardcover]

Nicholas H. Dodman BVMS (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 9, 2008

One of the greatest myths in dog ownership is that once a puppy is housetrained and has graduated from a puppy training class, an owner’s work is done. In fact, that work is just beginning.
Forty-two percent of dog owners in this country report problems managing their dogs’ behavior. Our nation’s pounds and shelters are teeming with dogs who have been given up for just this reason. But it doesn’t have to be this way. As Dr. Dodman points out, almost every dog problem can either be treated or, better yet, prevented. Every dog has the potential to be happy and well adjusted.
In The Well-Adjusted Dog, Dr. Dodman shows you how, offering what he calls “continuing education” for dogs and their owners. A comprehensive, seven-step approach takes on the whole dog—his health, behavior, and environment—and lays the groundwork for the proper care and training of your best friend, for life. You will discover • how much exercise your dog really needs (and why) • how diet can affect behavior • how to communicate clearly with your dog and understand dog body language • how to lead your dog, not dominate him • how to prevent or deal with fearful conditions • how to optimize your dog’s environment • how to address medical problems that might underlie unwanted behavior In this essential new book, Dr. Dodman draws on some twenty-five years of clinical experience to bring together the art—and science—of dog ownership. His approach is based on the latest research as well as a unique understanding of the whole dog. It’s also proven to work, and to work long term. Only in The Well-Adjusted Dog will you truly find what every good dog owner should know.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Dogs, like humans, need a well-rounded life for happiness and health, says author and animal behaviorist Dodman (The Dog Who Loved Too Much, Dogs Behaving Badly) in his latest. Many of his seven steps-enough exercise, the right diet, proper corrective measures-will be familiar, but Dodman's clear delivery and insight make this a worthwhile cover-to-cover read. A strong advocate for positive reinforcement (nixing measures like choke chains and shock collars), Dodman's techniques may strike some as coddling, but his supporting arguments and anecdotes are strong and sensible. The latter half covers topics like conflict resolution and unwanted behaviors (anxiety around strangers, compulsive tail chasing), giving dog lovers multiple suggestions for each problem point-with the notable exception of storm phobia, a multifaceted fear-generating experience that's almost impossible to defuse (though the new static electricity-blocking Storm Defender cape offers promise). Dodson refrains from sweeping pronouncements, frequently pausing to explain that different breeds have different needs, enabling readers to fine-tune their regimens. While this handbook isn't the be-all end-all (and of course doesn't replace regular trips to the vet), it's thorough and informative enough to benefit any dog owner.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Dogs, like humans, need a well-rounded life for happiness and health, says author and animal behaviorist Dodman (The Dog Who Loved Too Much, Dogs Behaving Badly) in his latest. Many of his seven steps-enough exercise, the right diet, proper corrective measures-will be familiar, but Dodman's clear delivery and insight make this a worthwhile cover-to-cover read. A strong advocate for positive reinforcement (nixing measures like choke chains and shock collars), Dodman's techniques may strike some as coddling, but his supporting arguments and anecdotes are strong and sensible. The latter half covers topics like conflict resolution and unwanted behaviors (anxiety around strangers, compulsive tail chasing), giving dog lovers multiple suggestions for each problem point-with the notable exception of storm phobia, a multifaceted fear-generating experience that's almost impossible to defuse (though the new static electricity-blocking Storm Defender cape offers promise). Dodson refrains from sweeping pronouncements, frequently pausing to explain that different breeds have different needs, enabling readers to fine-tune their regimens. While this handbook isn't the be-all end-all (and of course doesn't replace regular trips to the vet), it's thorough and informative enough to benefit any dog owner.
  (Publishers Weekly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 1 edition (July 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618833781
• ISBN-13: 978-0618833788
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #666,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Animal Psychology

More About the Author

Nicholas H. Dodman is a world-renowned animal behaviorist and the best-selling author of the immensely popular The Dog Who Loved Too Much, The Cat Who Cried for Help, and, most recently, The Well-Adjusted Dog. He has appeared on Oprah, the Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, and CNN, among many other television and radio programs. He is a professor and the director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Compelling Recommendations for Your Dog, November 9, 2008

By 

Maureen Harmonay (Sterling, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Well-Adjusted Dog: Dr. Dodman's Seven Steps to Lifelong Health and Happiness for Your BestFriend (Hardcover)

When dogs are behaving badly or inappropriately, their people often don't know where to turn, or what to do.

Sometimes, an animal communicator can help to assuage a conflict, ease an anxiety, or curb a bad habit by discovering exactly why the dog is doing what he's doing, from his perspective, and that "direct from the source" input can often be extremely helpful in restoring a sense of normalcy.

But for the chronic offenders, it can be useful to consult an animal behaviorist, and Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University's Cummings School, is one of the best.

One of the most important contributions of his new book, "The Well-Adjusted Dog," is that it dispels prevalent myths and misconceptions about what works and doesn't work to curtail unwanted or destructive behavior patterns. Dr. Dodman's philosophy is simple and straightfoward:

"Your job as a dog owner is to try to understand your dog's life from his point of view, and to lead and protect, not to dominate, punish, and force a dog into submission. . .Real leaders do not dominate; they listen, think, and often defer. Real leaders do not intimidate; they instill confidence. . .

"The human-companion animal bond is not forged through the metal of the choke chain or prong collar but rather through mutual trust and respect."

Even compassionate, well-intentioned, and experienced canine caretakers may be astonished to learn that some of their assumptions about what their dog requires for nutrition, exercise and training are just plain wrong. For example, the amount of exercise a dog really needs may really blow your mind. Let's just say that a stroll around the block twice a day isn't enough.

When it comes to dogs who display territorial aggression, Dr. Dodman's pioneering research has been able to prove that there is a direct correlation between the amount of protein in a dog's diet and his tendency to lash out. In his controlled study, there was a demonstrable reduction in aggressive behavior when dogs were fed a low-protein (17%) diet:

"Territorial aggression was significantly reduced on the lower-protein diets. The decrease in aggression was almost linear when plotted against protein level--less protein equaled less aggression and the finding was statistically significant. A subset of territorially aggressive dogs motivated by fear or anxiety responded particularly well."

There are excellent chapters on "The Fearful Dog" ("The first rule of desensitization is not to expose the dog to whatever he fears"), "Environmental Enrichment" ("The worst-case scenario for a dog is to be raised alone and live alone"), and "Healing Potions" (When pharmacological intervention becomes the last resort).

You may disagree with some of Dr. Dodman's prescriptions (he's skeptical about the efficacy of Rescue Remedy, for example), but all in all, The Well-Adjusted Dog is a practical, compelling set of recommendations for anyone who puts a premium on her dog's well-being, and I'm glad it's part of my library.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Dodman's latest book does alot for dogs (and people), September 25, 2008

By 

rabsparks "rabsparks" (MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Well-Adjusted Dog: Dr. Dodman's Seven Steps to Lifelong Health and Happiness for Your BestFriend (Hardcover)

With many dog owners having behavior problems with their 4 footed friends, it's no surprise that the shelters end up with too many dogs. And with the economy struggling, shelters even get more abandoned or "give up" dogs.

Dr. Dodman has authored chapters on understanding your dog, what constitutes proper behavior when on a lead, and how to deal with fear-producing situations. There's also a section on medical problems, that may have an adverse effect on the dog's behavior.

The advice in the Dodman book will aid dog owners in training their dogs, ensure that the dog is getting adequate exercise, and is on the right diet-all of which are crucial to making their pet a "well adjusted dog".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best dog behavior book in ten years!, June 21, 2009

By 

D. E. Marsden "Elizabeth Marsden" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Well-Adjusted Dog: Dr. Dodman's Seven Steps to Lifelong Health and Happiness for Your BestFriend (Hardcover)

As a certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) I am constantly seeking the latest information on dog behavior and training. Dr. Dodman does not disappoint! If you want to start off on the right track, to understand your puppy and prevent behavior problems, add this great book to your library! If you have a dog with moderate to severe behavior problems, this is THE book to get! Read it, then if you think you need to, consult with Dodman via Tufts University's in-person or remote remote Petfax or Vetfax service in cooperation with your vet and a qualified professional trainer, and your issues will be addressed to the utmost. Don't waste your time relying on flashy TV shows, go to the the real experts!