Dogs on the Couch: Behavior Therapy for Training and Caring for Your Dog

by Larry Lachman, Frank Mickadiet

In clear and lively language, Lachman successfully debunks many of the most pernicious myths of dog training -- for instance, that one person in the family should be responsible for training the dog, or that dogs shouldn't be trained until they're at least one year old -- and instead advocates a method where the entire family is part of the training process, where chains and chokers are replaced with safer and more effective harnesses, and training takes place in a variety of environments instead of just the home and obedience class. Through Lachman's system of positive rewards and gentle encouragement, training your dog will become a process that is fun and exciting instead of fear-producing or painful. It will also work!

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Dogs

352 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best dog book I've ever read, and when I had my dog I read many dog books. The couch in the title isn't the living room couch but the psychiatric couch. This is for people who care about their problem dogs. I read it 17 years ago and still remember much of the advice. For example, most of the dog fights encountered on walks are due to owners not having control of their dogs. Your leash, used properly, is what controls your dog. It's like the reins on a horse. Learn how to use it the right way. This book makes you feel pretty good about your dog because many dogs in it are a lot worse than yours, such as the dog who chewed through sheetrock from the garage to the house when left alone, etc. Love this book, and it is not boring!

[Bobby Jo Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

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