This delightful dog training book is written in the form of questions and answers, so it's as if we readers are privy to a long advice column with questions that have been sent in to a dog expert and clever, compassionate answers provided to every one. You can dip in to this book anywhere, as the subjects are varied and arranged in no particular order -- but that is also my main complaint about the book, as there is no index to help me find all the sections on, say, housebreaking. However, if you're already familiar with the basics of dog training and just want an extra book full of fun nuggests of wisdom, this one will work well for you.
The author of the book, Arden Moore, is clearly an expert, and her answers are all sensible,, clearly written, and helpful. One problem with the advanced reader copy I was provided by Netgalley, is that there is no demarcation between questions and answers; they all flow together. I imagine this was cleaned up before the final copy was printed.
Here are a few quirky little insights I gained: dogs circle before pooping to flatten the grass around them so that their poop drops down rather than sticking to their bottoms. Also, and weirder, dogs circle to feel the Earth's magnetic pull and align themselves north to south, which they prefer to east to west. (Whoa, crazy.)
Your pet may prefer toilet water to the water you put in his bowl because plastic absorbs odors and may smell funny, while the cool ceramic toilet has a fresh load of clean water in it every time you flush. To make the water bowl more attractive, use ceramic or stainless steel, and keep the bowl in a cool spot so it stays as cool as the toilet water.
Coprophagy (kaa-pruh-faa-jee) is poop eating. New mama dogs do it to keep their dens clean. Other dogs do it because they're omnivores and have no inhibitions and some poop smells like the food the pooper ate. Keep dogs well-walked and stimulated with learning tricks every day so they don't eat poop out of boredom.
For ball fanatics, make sure they know YOU are in charge. Put balls away at night. You choose when they come out.
Terriers and other dogs bred to spot and chase small prey are more likely to show interest in your television set than hounds bred to smell and sniff their prey out.
This author believes in the Nothing In Life Is Free method: you decide when to play fetch and when to stop. You get the dog to do tricks before giving them their food. You decide when grooming and petting sessions will take place. You give a cold shoulder if the dog asks you for a cuddle. (Awww, that one seems harsh.)
To teach come, play hide and seek: someone holds your dog in one room while you hide in another then call Lola, come! and praise and give treat when Lola finds you.
Treat any aggression with a bathroom time out.(Fewer than five minutes, plus ignore her for 30 seconds after she's out.)
Teach "find your spot!" -- something you want your dog to do when company is coming or someone is ringing your doorbell -- by putting premium treats on the bed you want her to find and rest on as company is arriving. Practice a lot before company comes.