Psychological Dog Training: Behavior Conditioning with Respect and Trust (Paperback)

by C. W. Meisterfeld (Author) "It took over 3,000 years of selective breeding to create the characteristics in our domestic dogs we value so much..." (more)
Key Phrases: psychological dog training, negative training methods, leash signal, Jelly Bean, Seventh Week, Gotcha Zone (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
An untrained dog "has only his instinctive behaviors, many of which are unacceptable and very dangerous." Canine behavior analyst Meisterfeld shows owners how to teach their dogs to curb their instincts and to obey. His technique, always positive, never dominant, fosters a relationship of mutual trust and respect without fear. Meisterfeld takes readers through eight imaginary sessions of basic obedience. He explains each exercise, points out its usefulness, and corrects errors made by fictional handlers. Libraries that already have Linda Colflesh's Making Friends ( LJ 10/15/90) or Barbara Handler's Positively Obedient (Alpine, 1987) can skip this. Others should consider purchasing it.
- Helen Sondrol, Lincoln Univ. Lib., Pa.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"remarkable book that shows how humans create canine problems and how positive reinforcement can salvage the lives of many dogs." -- American Kennel Club Gazette fall 1991

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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: M-R-K Publishing (January 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096012926X
• ISBN-13: 978-0960129263
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #793,971 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meisterfeld is the Einstein of dog training, April 6, 2003

By A Customer

Five years ago this book totally changed our dog's life---and ours, for the better. The book does take some study, notetaking, researching and retraining of your own attitudes and behavior, but once understood, it is the most effective and compassionate, mutual respect training system I have ever tried. It can save problem dogs. In my book, Meisterfeld is the Einstein of dog training. Now, in our travels, we often meet people struggling with problem dogs (straining-at-the-leash, inattentive, disobedient), and with their permission, after a 5-15 minute training session, they are heeling and paying attention. The owner's reactions are of amazement and disbelief and they usually call their spouses over to witness the new behavior for themselves. Meisterfeld stresses that both owners AND their dogs need to be trained. When talking to people with problem dogs, we always recommend Meisterfeld. Meisterfeld gives hope and solutions to owners of "problem" dogs (actually, untrained owners are the source of problems). Once you witness the effectiveness of his system it would be impossible to criticize his principles and logic.

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to save your dog, November 21, 1999

By	James Webster (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The provider for a dog can be considered, in the occupation of, behavioral management. The pet is entirely reliant on the provider for its physical and psychological needs. What "Crazy Dogs & Crazy People" does describe to the reader what those needs are and what happens when there are not met. Being aggressive in our human society is rewarded. Being violent is not rewarded. But violence is taught. It has been shown that children have learned violence form watching violence against other people and animals they literally learn that life (animal or human) has little or no meaning. Crazy Dogs describes the difference between aggression and violence what happens when you use violence on a dog (physical and mental). Through case histories of humans and dogs the reader is shown how similar our social minds are alike IE We (both dog and human) need contact with human species in order to survive. The behavioral tools necessary to change your behavior and that of your dog are explained. What I have learned from this book is the human ego is the dogs worst enemy in dealing with mans best friend. That's why there are so many dogs in our shelters. My search through 50 dog training books (that did not work) has lead me the Meisterfeld philosophy of mutual respect that has worked to save my dog.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Psychological Dog Training, September 9, 2003

By	Karyn KT "safeK9" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This book is the best dog training book I have read. The 8 week training course taught me how to train my dog without pain, and explains common problems on the way though each step - I learnt training a dog takes time and patience. In the past I was told force or dominance was the only way to train, I found after reading Jelly Bean Verses Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde the dominate training and yelling was most likely what was causing the problems. My dogs no long fight or bite which is great. This book and Dr Meisterfeld's other books (Jelly Bean Verses Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dog Whisper, and Dog and Human Behavior) has not only changed my dogs life but my life too. I am so thankful for Dr Meisterfeld's information and knowledge of the domestic dog. When I put his philosophy in to practice, my dogs problems faded away. Well worth reading.