You CAN Train Your Dog! Mastering the Art & Science of Modern Dog Training

by Pamela Dennison

What do science and art have to do with dog training? The science teaches you the nuances of how dogs learn. The art helps you to be more clear and inventive if your dog doesn’t quite understand what you want. You will learn about breaking down behaviors using a positive, proactive approach which is a big part of the modern process of dog training.

Genres: Dogs

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Dave Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, worthwhile read, though not entirely "for me." While I believe in positive training, there are some instances where allowing the dog to make bad choices can't be tolerated long enough (like gnawing on furniture, nipping a baby's feet, etc.) to offer an alternative if (s)he's really deep into the behavior. Sometimes the dog just needs to know that (s)he can't do that, immediately, which a shaker can helps with (so far, in my experience). I LOVE the clicker training and shaping aspects from this book and am absolutely amazed at how quickly my dog learned new behaviors. It's like finding a common language with a foreigner, and "oh wow we can talk". I don't like the sheer quantity of treats necessary (if your dog isn't motivated by their regular food)-- 60 treats a session-- and for how long you're supposed to do it ("repeat this every week for the rest of the dog's life"). At some point, I'd rather just have a closer-to-regular dog who's "good enough". I recommend blending what you read here with some of the other books such as, "How to Raise A Puppy You Can Live With".

[Ellen Broadhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really grand book. I have the basics already, so there wasn't any need to convince me that Ms Dennison's approach is effective. I borrowed this book from my library to 'check it out,' but I am now buying a copy to keep on my nightstand for reference. Our dogs are pretty well behaved, but this book is going to help us make sure that their lives aren't 'boring.' There's so much more they could be doing!

[Sarah Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite

You Can Train Your Dog: Mastering the Art & Science of Modern Dog Training by Pamela Dennison is a clear and comprehensive guide for anyone who owns a dog, is thinking about buying a puppy, or adopting a dog from a rescue centre. Eighteen chapters are packed with advice that, on first reading, seems too much for the average person to follow. Ms Dennison even tackles that with practical ideas about how training can be incorporated into a busy working life. The emphasis is on positive, non-confrontational, methods; punishment for “bad” behaviour does not work. It is completed by an appendix containing links to every website a dog owner might need, whether they want an obedient pet that may be accepted by a pet therapy group or a dog able to compete in one of many disciplines, from agility to dancing.

Pamela Dennison’s book, You Can Train Your Dog: Mastering the Art & Science of Modern Dog Training, explains the science, and the art, behind successful dog training so her methods can be seen to be rock-solid. “Punishment is like a nuclear bomb; if the blast doesn’t get you, the fallout will.” As a dog trainer, for obedience competition and the stage, I agree 100%. This is an excellent guide for any dog owner, illustrated throughout with photographs that show exactly how a dog demonstrates its reaction to handling, strangers, aggressive dogs, and a great deal more, and the saying “ a picture paints a thousand words” has been used to full advantage. If I could award ten stars to You Can Train Your Dog, I would.