The Other End of the Leash
Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs
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4.3 • 69 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language
“Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post
An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them.
After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover:
• How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog
• Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems
• Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief
• How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!”
Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"It matters greatly that people who love dogs understand enough about them to provide a good environment," writes McConnell (Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage Your Multi-dog Household) in her thoughtful exposition on improving human-canine communication. An animal behaviorist and adjunct professor of zoology at the University of Wisconsin Madison, McConnell offers sound advice for dog owners: "Pay attention to your own behavior. Believe me, your dog is." Drawing on anecdotes from her professional practice (she specializes in canine behavior problems), research into the work of other dog trainers and personal experiences with her beloved Border collies, the author explains how a dog might be misinterpreting signals from its owner. For example, although humans express affection through hugs, a dog may feel threatened by them. McConnell also provides tips on how to play safely with dogs (she recommends games of fetch rather than rough-and-tumble wrestling) and how to get them to do what you want (the best way to get a dog to stop demanding attention is simply to break off visual contact). She has harsh words for trainers who tell owners to establish "dominance" over dogs by behaving aggressively to them when they are young, and also for owners of puppy mills. These "dog factories," she says, create damaged animals and unsuitable pets. This is a helpful guide for pet owners by a specialist who clearly loves her work. B&w photos not seen by PW. National publicity; author tour.
Customer Reviews
A perspective-changing read
What a fantastic read. We expect so much of our dogs and yet understand so little about them and ourselves. Patricia makes a great case - to truly be best friends with our dogs, we must strive to understand not only canine behavior, but perhaps more importantly our own. I learned so much from this book, and will refer back to it frequently!
The other end of the leach
The book was wonderful. It was informative and endearing. If you are looking for something strictly on dog training this might not be your first choice. But if you love your dogs this can help you to better understand how they think. I loved it and will buy a copy for my daughter since I'm not going to give her my iPad.
Very I formative
I have read Patricia's book "for the love of the dog" which taught me a lot about my lovable reactive dog, Sox. This book is just as helpful. It gave me a lot of great ideas & good insights. She writes very reader friendly! Love this book.