The Social Lives of Dogs by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
- Thread starter mancin
- Start date
- Status
JulieM
Boxer Insane
Not my favorite book. If you're looking for training suggestions, I'd skip it entirely - it's been some time now since I read the book, but I seem to recall it being mostly about how the dogs just did what she wanted without her ever teaching them anything. It's really story-telling more than anything else, and gets a bit radical towards the end - very anti-purebred dogs, neutering, leashes, etc.
If you're looking for storytelling, get Suzanne Clothier's "Bones Would Rain From the Sky" - which does address training, as well, in a sense, but is a compelling and touching read regardless. (The subtitle, which is quite apt, is "Deepening our Relationships with Dogs".)
If you're looking for storytelling, get Suzanne Clothier's "Bones Would Rain From the Sky" - which does address training, as well, in a sense, but is a compelling and touching read regardless. (The subtitle, which is quite apt, is "Deepening our Relationships with Dogs".)
Another great one is The Other End of the Leash which looks at how we as primates bungle communication with our canid friends 
It's not the least bit dry or boring -- Dr. McConnell peppers it with case studies she's seen in her behavior clinics as well as her own experiences with her own dogs. She's funny as well as compassionate.
It's really fascinating to ponder how we manage to be so close to our dogs when so many of our primate instincts (grabbing, staring, reaching, holding, chattering) are viewed as aggressive in normal dog society. Dogs learn to tolerate a LOT of disrespectful behavior from us, and she points out where our natural instincts (leaning toward a dog we're trying to coax to us) are actually sending the opposite body language message (a dog sees you leaning forward and views it as a command to stay back). We send mixed messages all day long, and they still mostly manage to figure out what we want!
It's not the least bit dry or boring -- Dr. McConnell peppers it with case studies she's seen in her behavior clinics as well as her own experiences with her own dogs. She's funny as well as compassionate. It's really fascinating to ponder how we manage to be so close to our dogs when so many of our primate instincts (grabbing, staring, reaching, holding, chattering) are viewed as aggressive in normal dog society. Dogs learn to tolerate a LOT of disrespectful behavior from us, and she points out where our natural instincts (leaning toward a dog we're trying to coax to us) are actually sending the opposite body language message (a dog sees you leaning forward and views it as a command to stay back). We send mixed messages all day long, and they still mostly manage to figure out what we want!
kassa said:Another great one is The Other End of the Leash which looks at how we as primates bungle communication with our canid friends
It's really fascinating to ponder how we manage to be so close to our dogs when so many of our primate instincts (grabbing, staring, reaching, holding, chattering) are viewed as aggressive in normal dog society. Dogs learn to tolerate a LOT of disrespectful behavior from us, and she points out where our natural instincts (leaning toward a dog we're trying to coax to us) are actually sending the opposite body language message (a dog sees you leaning forward and views it as a command to stay back). We send mixed messages all day long, and they still mostly manage to figure out what we want!
I have just finished reading "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell and I found it an excellent read - definitely not dry or boring, very informative. Like Kassa, I found the body language and hard wiring behaviour that we do and how our dogs perceive it, engrossing. I have just started reading Suzanne Clothier's book "Bones would Rain ....." and so far I am enjoying it.
- Status