Product Details

• Actors: Dr. Ian Dunbar
• Directors: Steve Ray
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Ark Features
• VHS Release Date: October 31, 1998
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001LQL9C
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,213 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #21 in	Video > Special Interests > Home & Garden > Pets & Pet Care
  #54 in	Video > Kids & Family > Animals > Educational

Editorial Reviews

About the Actor

This video is written and hosted by veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and author Dr. Ian Dunbar — the world's leading authority on dog behavior and training. Dr. Dunbar is the original creator and popularizer of off-leash puppy classes, which sparked the revolution for positive, reward-based, dog-friendly dog training. Dr. Dunbar is the founder of several dog-training organizations, including the Center for Applied Animal Behavior; the Association of Pet Dog Trainers — the largest and most influential worldwide association of professional pet dog trainers; and Sirius Puppy Training — the leading provider of puppy training classes in the San Francisco Bay Area. "Some fields are lucky enough to be granted a giant: a figure whose contributions inspire awe and are unsurpassable. Ian Dunbar is that in dog behavior. There is no single person on the face of the planet to whom dog trainers and owners (not to mention dogs) owe more." Jean Donaldson (author of The Culture Clash)

Product Description

Veterinarian and animal behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar addresses one of the most worrying behavior problems any dog owner can face - dogs that bite. Dealing effectively with canine aggression necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its underlying causes. In his characteristically entertaining and enlightening style, Dr. Dunbar offers a thoughtful analysis of why dogs bite, outlining numerous common-sense preventative measures and a variety of practical remedial training techniques. Topics include: The relative influence of nature (genetics) and nurture (learning) on the development of canine aggression. An in-depth review of the many stimuli and situations that may provoke a dog to bite. How to recognize warning signs and how to defuse potential triggers. A comprehensive classification of dog bites on the basis of severity and owner’s responsibility. A suggestion for fairer, more effective legal sanctions. A detailed program of simple and effective behavior modification and temperament training techniques to prevent dog bites.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Primarily focused on puppy socialization, April 9, 2006

By	A. Solomon (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This video did not live up to my expectations. I have a five-year-old Chihuahua who is somewhat afraid of people and lunges and bites when strangers get too close.

The description of the video promised a simple behavior modification program to help deal with his aggression. Instead, Ian Dunbar simply says that behavior like this in old dogs is very difficult deal with, and focuses on puppy socialization in the video.

Well, that's great if I had a puppy, but I adopted an older dog, and I need help now.

I don't recommend this video for owners of older dogs with biting problems. If you have a puppy, it might be somewhat helpful, but there are better books.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resolve for many biting issues., June 28, 2009

By	gbshopper (Central CA USA) - See all my reviews

While the video does emphasize puppy socialization (as mentioned by previous reviewer) the video is not ABOUT puppy socialization. This is, however, a 1.5 hour video whereby the importance of socialization is certainly mentioned...because it's the crux of the behavior problem. It's the crux of a LOT of behavior problems. It SHOULD be mentioned. It SHOULD be emphasized.

The 1.5 video hours is that of a seminar in which Dr. Dunbar discusses this and several other causes of a biting behavior. He quite formidably describes the grades of a bite, which certainly has a bearing on how one should perceive the problem. He discusses potential causes and offers techniques to work through each one. The viewer determines which cause is most suitable to his own circumstance.

Previous reviewer also mentions that Dr. Dunbar says behaviors like this in old dogs are very difficult to deal with. Though I don't recall such a comment in the video, I think it is an honest expectation for the viewer. I think it goes without saying, biting is MORE difficult to resolve the longer it goes on, as it is with any bad habit. But it is not an impossible feat, nor does Dr. Dunbar imply that it is.

I, too, am a behaviorist and I support Dr. Dunbar's approach in resolving a biting problem by reconditioning the behavior, NOT by aggressively reacting to it with any form of punishment. I fear one is attracted to a video with such a title with expectations of traditional forms of punishment as a means for resolution. If this is what you're looking for...keep looking. It won't be found on this video. Positive reinforcement is what will be found here. And resolution for a dog already displaying the problem IS found within if you follow Dr. Dunbar's instructions.

Dr. Dunbar is one of the forerunners in the early 90's movement in motivational training. I jumped on that bandwagon myself at that time and can assure you that your relationship with your dog will be much better with techniques offered by Dr. Dunbar and supporters of motivational training. This is not to say a dog should never be punished (humanely). I am merely supporting the way Dr. Dunbar resolves aggressive issues. Any behaviorist will tell you, fighting aggression with aggression (or bullying) will not end well.