LIPSTICK and the LEASH: Dog Training a Woman's Way

by Camilla Gray - Nelson

Winner of the 2012 USA Best Book Award, Pet Training
Winner of the Gold Medal, 2012 Living Now Awards

 

An instruction guide for women who need help controlling their dogs, the lessons here use personal wisdom to show how humans can use the same methods relied upon in the animal world—quiet focus, feedback, and follow-through with a cool, calm, and collected demeanor. The book is filled with anecdotal stories from a farm-girl childhood surrounded by animal mentors, with the country upbringing providing a fluency in nonverbal language, quiet strength, and effectiveness. Stressed is the importance of powerful body language, eye contact, a calm voice, and consistent enforcement of rules, while also outlining specific types of behaviors that can undermine a woman’s natural power. Numerous photos throughout show dogs communicating nonverbally with each other and illustrate how women can use these same techniques to instruct their dogs more naturally and effectively.

214 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2012

Reviews

[Liz Stiverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the content that made assumptions about women's roles in families was borderline offensive, but the content specific to training dogs was really useful.

[Katie Tockey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tricks of the trade on training a dog!

[Leesgoodfood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably useful for someone new to training a dog - a first pet, for example. She does explain about dog behavior, and she has her own system for training. She does note that some dogs/owners need more specific advice form.
Catchy title (which drew me in), but the behaviors she describes in the owners and their misunderstanding of dog's behaviors, are not limited to women, in my (somewhat limited) experience with local classes and 5 trainers over a few decades of owning dogs..

[Katharine Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid dog training book. Better than the title might lead you to believe. Really liked the Leadership Walk method.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Very helpful. I volunteer with dogs at an animal shelter and will definitely be able to apply the methods. Came highly recommended.

[Trista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly title, great book. The author explains her method of dog training in a fun easy to read format. I found the chapter on Asking vs Teller dogs to be very interesting.