Outwitting Dogs: Revolutionary Techniques For Dog Training That Work! (Paperback)

~ (Author), Kirsten Mortensen (Author) "If you're going to get a dog, there's something you need to face: Some amount of accommodation is inevitable..." (more)
Key Phrases: outwit your dog, reactive dog, calming signals, Preparation Step (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Outwitting Dogs] is basic enough to be useful to the novice dog owner, but smart enough to engage even the savviest dog lover. Read it, and you'll more than likely recommend it to your friends."--Dog World

"...the techniques work..."--Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Product Description

Training dogs has traditionally been done by using negative reinforcement and brute force (take the choke collar as an example). But the tide is turning, and Terry Ryan, well-known dog trainer, is at the forefront of a revolution. OUTWITTING DOGS draws on her twentyfive years of hands-on experience helping people understand and train dogs, and solve dog behavior problems using kinder, gentler methods. OUTWITTING DOGS uses more brain than brawn to motivate dog behavior with positive training techniques, and helps readers truly understand the minds of their canine friends (and even enemies).

Chapters cover: . outwitting puppies . housebreaking . curing the chronic chewer . how to cure the leash puller, the dog that jumps on people, the dog that hates to be left alone, the dog that won't come, the dog that barks too much, the biter, the aggressor . how to outwit the neighbor's dog . how to teach your dog tricks . how to outwit dog trainers . and even a chapter on outwitting dogs and kids at the same time, and much more.

No sensible dog owner will want to be without a copy.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592282431
• ISBN-13: 978-1592282432
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,134 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Standout in the Crowd, February 25, 2006

By	citywulf (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

In the growing library of truly *positive* training books, this one is at the front of the class. This book is clearly written for the every-person who wants a well-mannered dog in their life without having to go to college first to understand the instructions. I LOVE training theory, but that's my personal quirk, and not everybody has the time to remind themselves of the difference between negative punishment and negative reinforcement, or variable reinforcement versus interval...etc. etc. while their dog is chewing the sofa or barking her head off at the neighbors. Outwitting Dogs is written in straight-forward, simple but not simplistic language that is easy and pleasant to read.

Not only that, but it is organized *perfectly.* View the Table of Contents - you'll see a book organized not by commands, but by behaviors. Not, teach your dog to sit/down/stay/heel because that's what show dogs need to know, but teach your dog to sit in _this_ context because it helps you get _this_ result. We teach dogs because we want to get (or to get rid of!) certain behaviors. This book is organized with those oh-so-important behaviors in mind.

The authors aren't stuck in a "one best way" mindset, either. They realize that not all methods work for all dogs, and give sound and proven alternatives that fit into your daily life. They don't expect you to be able to invite 20 friends over for a "puppy party." They tell you how, in day-to-day life, you can socialize, manage, and teach your dog the things s/he needs to know to succeed in a human world. Bravo!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Book might be OK if youve never owned a dog before, August 23, 2007

By	R. Smith "CajunKid" (Milpitas, Ca.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

However, if you are an experienced dog owner then forget it. This entire book merely expounds on the obvious and common sense solutions that we all know and have already tried. I was hoping for some new insights to common problems but no such luck.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Positive, but a bit difficult to apply, July 21, 2007

By	F. Church "Vet In Training" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love that this book offers a completely positive training method. However, some of the training ideas seem like they would take a very long time to teach, and I don't know how "rock-solid" your dog would be afterward. I like that the author advocates teaching exercises in such a way that your dog cannot fail (for example, don't try making your dog SIT outside until he has done it 90% perfect in the house without distractions). I don't like that it does not offer many suggestions on what to do if you do happen to say "SIT" and your dog completely ignores you. And I truthfully didn't think it had very many effective ways to change "bad" behaviors. It would be great for your average dog without many bad habits who is willing to please and endlessly interested in treats.
The book was easy to read, but I actually got very annoyed with some of the long "funny" descriptions. A bit too much padding for me; get to the point.