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In a Dog's Heart: A Compassionate Guide to Canine Care, from Adopting to Teaching to Bonding
AN INDISPENSABLE GUIDE FOR ANY DOG OWNER—NEW OR SEASONED
Jennifer Arnold has come to a unique understanding of the human-dog bond over the two decades she has spent raising and training service dogs for Canine Assistants. She developed a methodology—Choice Teaching—that pairs scientific and behavioral knowledge about dogs with gentle incentive and encouragement to extraordinary effect. Here Arnold shares
• how to choose the puppy that’s destined for you and what to have on hand before you bring that puppy home
• best practices when it comes to teaching your dog essential and even lifesaving commands
• what to stock in your doggie first-aid kit
• how to keep your pet safe from dangers at home and in the outside world
• how to help your dog overcome anxious behavior, from separation anxiety to thunderstorm phobia
• the challenges and rewards of adopting an older dog
Throughout the book are captivating stories of the extraordinary ways in which dogs prove themselves worthy of our care and devotion—and how we can, and why we should, help them achieve what they so deserve.
“This guide is as practical as it is wise, a keeper book for ready reference.”—Susannah Charleson, author of Scent of the Love and Partnership with a Search-and-Rescue Dog
“An informative and entertaining book . . . [Arnold’s] insightful words provide knowledge every dog owner needs.” —Publishers Weekly
Jennifer Arnold has come to a unique understanding of the human-dog bond over the two decades she has spent raising and training service dogs for Canine Assistants. She developed a methodology—Choice Teaching—that pairs scientific and behavioral knowledge about dogs with gentle incentive and encouragement to extraordinary effect. Here Arnold shares
• how to choose the puppy that’s destined for you and what to have on hand before you bring that puppy home
• best practices when it comes to teaching your dog essential and even lifesaving commands
• what to stock in your doggie first-aid kit
• how to keep your pet safe from dangers at home and in the outside world
• how to help your dog overcome anxious behavior, from separation anxiety to thunderstorm phobia
• the challenges and rewards of adopting an older dog
Throughout the book are captivating stories of the extraordinary ways in which dogs prove themselves worthy of our care and devotion—and how we can, and why we should, help them achieve what they so deserve.
“This guide is as practical as it is wise, a keeper book for ready reference.”—Susannah Charleson, author of Scent of the Love and Partnership with a Search-and-Rescue Dog
“An informative and entertaining book . . . [Arnold’s] insightful words provide knowledge every dog owner needs.” —Publishers Weekly
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
49 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 27, 2011
'In A Dog's Heart' by Jennifer Arnold is a very special book. I am putting my recommendation at the beginning this time. I think everyone who has a dog in their family or is thinking of adding one should get this book.
The subtitle of this book is "What Our Dogs Need, Want, and Deserve and the Gifts We can Expect in Return. Jennifer Arnold covers that and more. I have several books about dogs but after I read them, there were several unanswered questions. She answered them and more questions than I could think of. After you have read it, I think it would be a reference book to keep in your library for future questions or situations.
All through the book, the author demonstrates her love for dogs and show people how to express that to dogs, how to protect them, how to feed them, how much water they should drink, how to keep them healthy.
Most of all, she discusses how to train them. She objects highly to the method advertised by Caesar Milan I have seen his advertisement on TV and was shocked at the manner that he was treating the dogs. I was very happy to see that she spoke out strongly against his methods several times in this book. His method is one of control and mastery, her method is an adaptation of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. She understands that a dog needs food and water before anything else. The dog needs to be safe and you are the one to protect it. At the top of the pyramid is “A Good Life” and this book tells how you can work towards your dog’s good life. You can read more about what a dog needs in her book.
There is an extremely thorough discussion what the dog needs to eat in order to be healthy. In that she discusses the quantity of food and water, the type, whether or not there should be preservatives in it, even what to how to do if your dog doesn’t want your hand anywhere near its food bowl.
This book covers everything from the time that you first start thinking about adding a dog to your family to when you must part. I cannot think of anything about taking care of dogs that I missed seeing in this book. I would give it 7 stars on a five star rating system.
I received this book from Library Thing but that in no way influenced my review.
The subtitle of this book is "What Our Dogs Need, Want, and Deserve and the Gifts We can Expect in Return. Jennifer Arnold covers that and more. I have several books about dogs but after I read them, there were several unanswered questions. She answered them and more questions than I could think of. After you have read it, I think it would be a reference book to keep in your library for future questions or situations.
All through the book, the author demonstrates her love for dogs and show people how to express that to dogs, how to protect them, how to feed them, how much water they should drink, how to keep them healthy.
Most of all, she discusses how to train them. She objects highly to the method advertised by Caesar Milan I have seen his advertisement on TV and was shocked at the manner that he was treating the dogs. I was very happy to see that she spoke out strongly against his methods several times in this book. His method is one of control and mastery, her method is an adaptation of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. She understands that a dog needs food and water before anything else. The dog needs to be safe and you are the one to protect it. At the top of the pyramid is “A Good Life” and this book tells how you can work towards your dog’s good life. You can read more about what a dog needs in her book.
There is an extremely thorough discussion what the dog needs to eat in order to be healthy. In that she discusses the quantity of food and water, the type, whether or not there should be preservatives in it, even what to how to do if your dog doesn’t want your hand anywhere near its food bowl.
This book covers everything from the time that you first start thinking about adding a dog to your family to when you must part. I cannot think of anything about taking care of dogs that I missed seeing in this book. I would give it 7 stars on a five star rating system.
I received this book from Library Thing but that in no way influenced my review.
January 28, 2013
A Goodreads First Reads review:
This seemed to me to be a book for first time owners of dogs. I'm always curious about these books and want to see if I can glean things that I may have not thought of before. However, after reading the chapter, "Keeping Our Dogs Healthy", I would not recommend this book to a first time dog owner. I don't just sort of disagree with what was said, but disagree to an extent that it bothered me.
One of the things I disagree with is soy. She says that dogs can become vegetarian if you provide a complete protein in the diet. This is true, however she suggested soy as the substitute. Dogs cannot completely digest soy, so therefore it is not a good substitue for the protein. Second, she actually advocated synthetic preservatives. That was the huge NO to me. Ethoxyquin, a common synthetic additive and is used as a pesticide and a agent in making rubber. It is not allowed in any human foods we consume. BHA is also commonly used and is allowed in human food, however, it is currently under attack and is on a possible list of those that may be removed one day. She made the point that natural preservatives have a much shorter shelf life and that you should be aware of dates and how often the foods either sold or refreshed on the shelf. That is true, but not a reason enough for me to even consider the synthetic preservatives over natural, especially ethoxyquin.
She also suggested that the brands she listed and any others who are large dog food companies are safer than a local brand. Not sure what those local brands are since the ones I see are all big or med companies. She suggested that the big brands are safer because they manufacture the food and ingredients. This is false. Big companies buy from other companies parts of their ingredients like most packaged foods. Some of these companies they buy from are very bad. There have been recalls because some of these ingredients were manufactured in China and had rat poison (which is legal in China) traces in the ingredients. There is also a recall of some treats because of antibiotic residue which is not allowed in America, but is, again, in China. So what she claims is completely not true and the foods she recommends are ones I stay away from.
The other thing in that chapter she attacked was raw diets. It is a huge commitment to do a raw diet but it is not dangerous as she suggests. Her biggest complaint was the possibility of salmonella poisoning (I'll specifically talk about that one although it can apply to other things she said). Samonella is a consideration especially if you have small children or do not like washing your hands and dog bowls. Second, you can get that same poisoning from even dry dog kibble. There was a recent recall of dry dog food and treats because it contained salmonella. It's one of the reasons very small children are discouraged from handling/eating any dog food. So, again, her reasoning is faulty if that is her main complaint. It is false to suggest that commercial foods are extremely safe in comparison. She had suggested learning from a nutritional veterinarian about cooked home diets (I actually have consulted one about raw food diets). I think she should have done the same before writing that whole chapter.
Sorry for climbing on my soapbox. Not the forum for that, but a book review. So, let me continue on with that...
*gets off soapbox*
I also have to question her methodology she supposedly created called "Choice Teaching". It is a good methodology, but not one she created. It is basically positive reinforcement. Karen Pryor has a great website and training articles that are great for anyone wanting to learn this method of training. I do like what she says and how she trains, it's just not original. She also bashes dominance training. I don't disagree with her about that, but I could do with a little more information and less bashing is all. It wasn't her examples and then what she thought was wrong with it but how she continually bashed one particular well-known person. It was the continual bashing that got old quickly.
Now if you think I hated this book (aside from the nutrition chapter) then you are wrong. I actually loved the stories she had about the canine companions. The dogs who assist people with disabilities and how they came together. This is where the book shines. It also had a great story of one of the Vick dogs that I really enjoyed. I actually think she should have made it a book about those stories and have her positive training tips for the average dog owner. I think the book may have then made it to one of my fave dog books. However, as it is, I have to say that I have to give it 2 stars. The stars are for the stories because they are stellar. I can recommend it for those stories which are quite moving and will often put a smile on your face.
This seemed to me to be a book for first time owners of dogs. I'm always curious about these books and want to see if I can glean things that I may have not thought of before. However, after reading the chapter, "Keeping Our Dogs Healthy", I would not recommend this book to a first time dog owner. I don't just sort of disagree with what was said, but disagree to an extent that it bothered me.
One of the things I disagree with is soy. She says that dogs can become vegetarian if you provide a complete protein in the diet. This is true, however she suggested soy as the substitute. Dogs cannot completely digest soy, so therefore it is not a good substitue for the protein. Second, she actually advocated synthetic preservatives. That was the huge NO to me. Ethoxyquin, a common synthetic additive and is used as a pesticide and a agent in making rubber. It is not allowed in any human foods we consume. BHA is also commonly used and is allowed in human food, however, it is currently under attack and is on a possible list of those that may be removed one day. She made the point that natural preservatives have a much shorter shelf life and that you should be aware of dates and how often the foods either sold or refreshed on the shelf. That is true, but not a reason enough for me to even consider the synthetic preservatives over natural, especially ethoxyquin.
She also suggested that the brands she listed and any others who are large dog food companies are safer than a local brand. Not sure what those local brands are since the ones I see are all big or med companies. She suggested that the big brands are safer because they manufacture the food and ingredients. This is false. Big companies buy from other companies parts of their ingredients like most packaged foods. Some of these companies they buy from are very bad. There have been recalls because some of these ingredients were manufactured in China and had rat poison (which is legal in China) traces in the ingredients. There is also a recall of some treats because of antibiotic residue which is not allowed in America, but is, again, in China. So what she claims is completely not true and the foods she recommends are ones I stay away from.
The other thing in that chapter she attacked was raw diets. It is a huge commitment to do a raw diet but it is not dangerous as she suggests. Her biggest complaint was the possibility of salmonella poisoning (I'll specifically talk about that one although it can apply to other things she said). Samonella is a consideration especially if you have small children or do not like washing your hands and dog bowls. Second, you can get that same poisoning from even dry dog kibble. There was a recent recall of dry dog food and treats because it contained salmonella. It's one of the reasons very small children are discouraged from handling/eating any dog food. So, again, her reasoning is faulty if that is her main complaint. It is false to suggest that commercial foods are extremely safe in comparison. She had suggested learning from a nutritional veterinarian about cooked home diets (I actually have consulted one about raw food diets). I think she should have done the same before writing that whole chapter.
Sorry for climbing on my soapbox. Not the forum for that, but a book review. So, let me continue on with that...
*gets off soapbox*
I also have to question her methodology she supposedly created called "Choice Teaching". It is a good methodology, but not one she created. It is basically positive reinforcement. Karen Pryor has a great website and training articles that are great for anyone wanting to learn this method of training. I do like what she says and how she trains, it's just not original. She also bashes dominance training. I don't disagree with her about that, but I could do with a little more information and less bashing is all. It wasn't her examples and then what she thought was wrong with it but how she continually bashed one particular well-known person. It was the continual bashing that got old quickly.
Now if you think I hated this book (aside from the nutrition chapter) then you are wrong. I actually loved the stories she had about the canine companions. The dogs who assist people with disabilities and how they came together. This is where the book shines. It also had a great story of one of the Vick dogs that I really enjoyed. I actually think she should have made it a book about those stories and have her positive training tips for the average dog owner. I think the book may have then made it to one of my fave dog books. However, as it is, I have to say that I have to give it 2 stars. The stars are for the stories because they are stellar. I can recommend it for those stories which are quite moving and will often put a smile on your face.
May 8, 2016
I cannot recommend this book highly enough (and her first: Through a Dog's Eyes). If you have or want a dog, read this book. If you have or want a child who might ever come into contact with a dog, read this book. If you have or know somebody who has medical issues making it difficult to function in the wide world, read this book. If you think animals are sentient beings like us, read this book.
Yes, it will probably make you cry. I wouldn't dare read this book in public, for all the tears. There are some stories about the awful things humans do to dogs, but mostly it's the stories of the amazing things dogs do for humans that make me cry. All of the stories included to add to the lessons in this heartful book made me love dogs more. Some of the stories (shocking idiocy & cruelty, usually taught to pet owners by trainers!) made me love humans less. Some of the stories, & the book itself, made me love humans more.
I fear that those who really need this book won't read it, wouldn't hear it. I wish Cesar Milan would read this book & share its wisdom. I wish all people considering a dog would read this book. It is full of very practical advice for all the most important training situations, more useful than most dog books I've read. I wish I had read it before I brought mine home, but I am relieved to find that I have done many things right for my big-hearted boy. We are a team.
You might call the tidbit that follow "spoilers" but if you won't read the book, read and consider these quotes from it. Don't worry, I'll end on a positive note!
"Worst of all, dominance implies an adversarial relationship, placing people on one team and dogs on another. This is a terrible loss for the people, who miss the opportunity to experience the joy of teaming up with their dogs. It is unfortunate for the dogs as well, often with more serious consequences."
"Dogs rely on our protection. They have no one else. We must socialize them, teach them bite inhibition, and keep them out of situations, such as being left alone with a young child, where they might do unintended harm. We must demonstrate that humans are trustworthy companions , and honor that trust in all that we do. We should use our brilliant human brains, taking responsibility for those who need us, and realize that dogs are dogs -- sometimes they have to growl, snap and even bite. Most important, we must move past the notion that dogs and humans are somehow adversaries and that we must dominate them before they dominate us. It's a concept that is killing our dogs."
"I spent an hour trying to explain to [man] that engaging in a battle with [dog] wouldn't be a fair fight -- it would be bullying. It's precisely what bothers me most about the alpha model and similar methods. These models assume dogs are dumb animals until a problem arises, at which point dogs suddenly become worthy opponents who must be defeated.
"... Our dogs are always on our team. Always. They place no conditions on their attachment. It is one of the very best parts of dogness. It is what allows them to forgive us our transgressions and always remain clearly on our side. It's called loyalty."
"I've never seen a dog abandon someone because that person got grumpy, injured, or sick, but I've seen the reverse many times."
Then there are the stories... the stories of dogs racing through crowded airports or across busy cafeterias to help a lost child or a stranger having a seizure... I have a friend who made me laugh by saying, "Humans are overrated." I would add, "Dogs are underrated -- though certainly not mine!"
Pippin is my forever dog, the dog of my life. I've only had two dogs & I fell in love with the first, but my bond with Pippin, our shared days & communication, are magic. He's almost 13 (not too old to teach new tricks!) so I know our time is winding down. When I have thought about life AP (After Pippin), I've never been able to see a dog in it. Even as I wonder who's going to make me go for my daily walks, I haven't been able to imagine another dog. This book, both of her books, have made me realize... there will have to be another dog. I trust that he will be as wonderful as Pippin is, but I know for certain that I will be much more wonderful. Because of all that he has taught me, because of how he has changed me, opening my heart & eyes more fully than anything else in my life. Also because of books like this, that teach me how to communicate with & understand my Pip.
Yes, it will probably make you cry. I wouldn't dare read this book in public, for all the tears. There are some stories about the awful things humans do to dogs, but mostly it's the stories of the amazing things dogs do for humans that make me cry. All of the stories included to add to the lessons in this heartful book made me love dogs more. Some of the stories (shocking idiocy & cruelty, usually taught to pet owners by trainers!) made me love humans less. Some of the stories, & the book itself, made me love humans more.
I fear that those who really need this book won't read it, wouldn't hear it. I wish Cesar Milan would read this book & share its wisdom. I wish all people considering a dog would read this book. It is full of very practical advice for all the most important training situations, more useful than most dog books I've read. I wish I had read it before I brought mine home, but I am relieved to find that I have done many things right for my big-hearted boy. We are a team.
You might call the tidbit that follow "spoilers" but if you won't read the book, read and consider these quotes from it. Don't worry, I'll end on a positive note!
"Worst of all, dominance implies an adversarial relationship, placing people on one team and dogs on another. This is a terrible loss for the people, who miss the opportunity to experience the joy of teaming up with their dogs. It is unfortunate for the dogs as well, often with more serious consequences."
"Dogs rely on our protection. They have no one else. We must socialize them, teach them bite inhibition, and keep them out of situations, such as being left alone with a young child, where they might do unintended harm. We must demonstrate that humans are trustworthy companions , and honor that trust in all that we do. We should use our brilliant human brains, taking responsibility for those who need us, and realize that dogs are dogs -- sometimes they have to growl, snap and even bite. Most important, we must move past the notion that dogs and humans are somehow adversaries and that we must dominate them before they dominate us. It's a concept that is killing our dogs."
"I spent an hour trying to explain to [man] that engaging in a battle with [dog] wouldn't be a fair fight -- it would be bullying. It's precisely what bothers me most about the alpha model and similar methods. These models assume dogs are dumb animals until a problem arises, at which point dogs suddenly become worthy opponents who must be defeated.
"... Our dogs are always on our team. Always. They place no conditions on their attachment. It is one of the very best parts of dogness. It is what allows them to forgive us our transgressions and always remain clearly on our side. It's called loyalty."
"I've never seen a dog abandon someone because that person got grumpy, injured, or sick, but I've seen the reverse many times."
Then there are the stories... the stories of dogs racing through crowded airports or across busy cafeterias to help a lost child or a stranger having a seizure... I have a friend who made me laugh by saying, "Humans are overrated." I would add, "Dogs are underrated -- though certainly not mine!"
Pippin is my forever dog, the dog of my life. I've only had two dogs & I fell in love with the first, but my bond with Pippin, our shared days & communication, are magic. He's almost 13 (not too old to teach new tricks!) so I know our time is winding down. When I have thought about life AP (After Pippin), I've never been able to see a dog in it. Even as I wonder who's going to make me go for my daily walks, I haven't been able to imagine another dog. This book, both of her books, have made me realize... there will have to be another dog. I trust that he will be as wonderful as Pippin is, but I know for certain that I will be much more wonderful. Because of all that he has taught me, because of how he has changed me, opening my heart & eyes more fully than anything else in my life. Also because of books like this, that teach me how to communicate with & understand my Pip.
October 26, 2011
In a Dog's Heart is partially a book about the unconditional love that a dog has for all humans, partially a blasting of most of the training methods that are popular today, and partially a resource for training your dog.
The author has presented a very well written and well organized book for anyone who loves dogs. She kept the focus on the issue at hand in every chapter and highlighted her points well with true stories.
The unconditional love and first hand stories were well written and touching. I enjoyed reading about the lives changed by the service dogs that have been trained by the authors sanctuary. But I think that mentioning other people involved in the dog training industry in a negative light was a little over the top. Subtle use of the styles of training would have worked much better.
The training tips and appendixes at the back of the book would be helpful to a new dog owner when bringing the dog home for the first time.
I would love to see Jennifer write a book full of stories about the love of dogs that she has experienced or heard about in her organization. That was more what I was expecting out of this book.
I received this book free from the Goodreads giveaway program.
The author has presented a very well written and well organized book for anyone who loves dogs. She kept the focus on the issue at hand in every chapter and highlighted her points well with true stories.
The unconditional love and first hand stories were well written and touching. I enjoyed reading about the lives changed by the service dogs that have been trained by the authors sanctuary. But I think that mentioning other people involved in the dog training industry in a negative light was a little over the top. Subtle use of the styles of training would have worked much better.
The training tips and appendixes at the back of the book would be helpful to a new dog owner when bringing the dog home for the first time.
I would love to see Jennifer write a book full of stories about the love of dogs that she has experienced or heard about in her organization. That was more what I was expecting out of this book.
I received this book free from the Goodreads giveaway program.
September 3, 2019
In a Dog's Heart by Jennifer Arnold is one of those books that all dog guardians/owners should read and own. Her thoughtful observations and excellent advise would be helpful to anyone who lives with and loves dogs. My family has raised service dogs for Canine Companions for Independence (www.cci.org) for many years and even though I personally know a lot about the how-to's of puppy raising I still learned a quite a bit from this book. CCI has a very similar method of training to Canine Assistants and I was happy to see that.
One word of caution though, make sure you have tissues at hand! I can't tell you how many times I would tear up while reading in restaurants from some of the wonderful and touching stories the author shares about dogs. This book has made me appreciate and love my four dogs even more. Highly recommended.
One word of caution though, make sure you have tissues at hand! I can't tell you how many times I would tear up while reading in restaurants from some of the wonderful and touching stories the author shares about dogs. This book has made me appreciate and love my four dogs even more. Highly recommended.
April 18, 2018
Listened to the audiobook which was read by the author herself. It was a great mix of stories and ideas and helpful suggestions. She is very critical of the “alpha” method of dog training and very outspoken against Cesar Milan. Interesting stuff.
February 1, 2019
Book was ok. As others mention, better for first time dog owners. I really did not like the chapter on euthanasia- telling owners not to be with their dog in their last dying moments- I couldn’t believe that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2017
Loved this book! An alternate way of looking at dog training that makes so much more sense.
December 10, 2018
In a Dog's Heart was not the tear-jerker I feared. It has a lot of training and great dog guardian information.
October 24, 2020
Love Jennifer Arnold’s approach to dog training. Leading with love for all the love our dogs give us.
January 31, 2012
This is Arnold's second book, the training-oriented book that I had expected Through a Dog's Eyes to be. I had really looked forward to this, and I'm sorry to say I have mixed feelings about the result.
Arnold builds the book around her experiences in building and running Canine Assistants, and that's a fascinating and rewarding tale in itself. She covers every aspect of dog care, including both training and feeding. As a trainer, she's knowledgeable, practical, and positive-oriented. She makes excellent use of both her Canine Assistants experience and her experiences with Golden Retriever rescue to tell stories illustrating both how well dogs can be trained with positive methods to perform even very complex behaviors and to exercise judgment and choice, and the negative effects correction-based methods (used incorrectly) and a failure to understand the dog's point of view and the dog's body language can do to a normal, healthy dog. One interesting point is that Arnold is strongly in favor of changing the name of an adopted dog. The old name may have negative associations, and the new name can be a fresh start. I can certainly see her point, and I know from my own experience that a dog will quickly learn a new name if it's associated with fun and positive things.
Where Arnold and I part company is on feeding. She's strongly convinced that the only really safe choice is major, name-brand commercial dog food. She's sure that raw feeding or home cooking is just too hard for the average person to get right, and should only be attempted with the assistance of a veterinary nutritionist. That's not really a surprise. I know too many people who successfully raw feed or home cook for their dogs who have happy, healthy animals to agree, but it's hardly an unusual or out-there opinion.
More surprising is the fact that she regards high-end "holistic," "natural," or "super-premium" foods perhaps even more negatively. This is based on a highly negative experience she had, in the earlier years of Canine Assistants, of receiving a "donation" of a high-end, holistic dog food for the Canine Assistants dogs. Suddenly her dogs were all getting sick, vomiting, having diarrhea. After some investigation, in proved to be the food, which was rancid. Being the cynical person that I am, I leap to the suspicion that the "donation" consisted of food past its use-by date. Arnold, on the other hand, leaped to the conclusion that all these high-end, "holistic" foods aren't safe and you should stick with major brands. I'd be less irritated and annoyed by her insistence on that point if this book hadn't been published in late 2011, over four years after the pet food poisonings and recalls of 2007. Foods at every price point and in every category--the major, standard brands, the really cheap foods, the expensive brands of "natural," "holistic," and "super-premium" foods--there were recalls. Thousands of dogs and cats sickened and died. We spent the entire spring and early summer waiting for the latest Friday night dump-and-run recall announcements, which were always preceded by Friday afternoon FDA announcements that all the foods still on the store shelves were safe.
It literally didn't matter what you were feeding, how you approached the question of "how to feed the dog and cat;" if you were feeding a commercial food of any kind, you couldn't rest easy that spring that you weren't poisoning your pets with melamine every time you fed them. And yes, Hill's and Iams, two of the most respected major brands, were heavily affected by these recalls.
I'm amazed and distressed that, four years after that horrible spring, Jennifer Arnold has no hesitation about saying "feed major brands only," condemning anything that isn't a major brand, and telling people they can't risk home cooking or raw cooking because they'll make their pets sick. What we learned in the spring of 2007 is that, however you are feeding your pets, you need to be careful, you need to be alert, and you cannot blindly trust any food source--not even, as some home cookers and raw feeders would have it, the human food sources because there are not two food supplies.
So while I definitely recommend this book for its perspective on training and its great stories about Arnold's experience, I would say get your food advice elsewhere, and whatever you are feeding, don't blindly trust any source. Be alert, follow the pet food news online, and watch your pets for any unusual reactions to whatever you are feeding them.
I borrowed this book from a friend.
Arnold builds the book around her experiences in building and running Canine Assistants, and that's a fascinating and rewarding tale in itself. She covers every aspect of dog care, including both training and feeding. As a trainer, she's knowledgeable, practical, and positive-oriented. She makes excellent use of both her Canine Assistants experience and her experiences with Golden Retriever rescue to tell stories illustrating both how well dogs can be trained with positive methods to perform even very complex behaviors and to exercise judgment and choice, and the negative effects correction-based methods (used incorrectly) and a failure to understand the dog's point of view and the dog's body language can do to a normal, healthy dog. One interesting point is that Arnold is strongly in favor of changing the name of an adopted dog. The old name may have negative associations, and the new name can be a fresh start. I can certainly see her point, and I know from my own experience that a dog will quickly learn a new name if it's associated with fun and positive things.
Where Arnold and I part company is on feeding. She's strongly convinced that the only really safe choice is major, name-brand commercial dog food. She's sure that raw feeding or home cooking is just too hard for the average person to get right, and should only be attempted with the assistance of a veterinary nutritionist. That's not really a surprise. I know too many people who successfully raw feed or home cook for their dogs who have happy, healthy animals to agree, but it's hardly an unusual or out-there opinion.
More surprising is the fact that she regards high-end "holistic," "natural," or "super-premium" foods perhaps even more negatively. This is based on a highly negative experience she had, in the earlier years of Canine Assistants, of receiving a "donation" of a high-end, holistic dog food for the Canine Assistants dogs. Suddenly her dogs were all getting sick, vomiting, having diarrhea. After some investigation, in proved to be the food, which was rancid. Being the cynical person that I am, I leap to the suspicion that the "donation" consisted of food past its use-by date. Arnold, on the other hand, leaped to the conclusion that all these high-end, "holistic" foods aren't safe and you should stick with major brands. I'd be less irritated and annoyed by her insistence on that point if this book hadn't been published in late 2011, over four years after the pet food poisonings and recalls of 2007. Foods at every price point and in every category--the major, standard brands, the really cheap foods, the expensive brands of "natural," "holistic," and "super-premium" foods--there were recalls. Thousands of dogs and cats sickened and died. We spent the entire spring and early summer waiting for the latest Friday night dump-and-run recall announcements, which were always preceded by Friday afternoon FDA announcements that all the foods still on the store shelves were safe.
It literally didn't matter what you were feeding, how you approached the question of "how to feed the dog and cat;" if you were feeding a commercial food of any kind, you couldn't rest easy that spring that you weren't poisoning your pets with melamine every time you fed them. And yes, Hill's and Iams, two of the most respected major brands, were heavily affected by these recalls.
I'm amazed and distressed that, four years after that horrible spring, Jennifer Arnold has no hesitation about saying "feed major brands only," condemning anything that isn't a major brand, and telling people they can't risk home cooking or raw cooking because they'll make their pets sick. What we learned in the spring of 2007 is that, however you are feeding your pets, you need to be careful, you need to be alert, and you cannot blindly trust any food source--not even, as some home cookers and raw feeders would have it, the human food sources because there are not two food supplies.
So while I definitely recommend this book for its perspective on training and its great stories about Arnold's experience, I would say get your food advice elsewhere, and whatever you are feeding, don't blindly trust any source. Be alert, follow the pet food news online, and watch your pets for any unusual reactions to whatever you are feeding them.
I borrowed this book from a friend.
November 1, 2011
I don't remember agreeing to review In a Dog's Heart, but when I received my review copy from the publisher, I was less then enthused. After briefly researching the author, I discovered that Jennifer Arnold is the founder of a non-profit that provides free guide dogs to people who need them but can't afford them. While that's certainly the kind of thing I'm into, I still dreaded reading this book, as I assumed it would be a somewhat cheesy and/or ridiculous book.
Instead, it was extremely well researched and clearly written by an expert on the topic. I've owned dogs in the past, but will likely never do so again, and yet I was completely fascinated by much of the information in this book. Where I thought she would use generalizations, she really got into specifics. For example, when she's talking about socializing a new puppy, she provides an extremely thorough and comprehensive list of different things to expose your puppy to, like children of various ages, men with hats and beards, people with packages, etc.
There were a few things in this book that I already knew, but that she really dug deep and gave more information. There was a section on pet food that was particularly enlightening, as I thought I knew the dangers of certain types of food, but the details she gave were really thought-provoking.
She also covers the domestication of dogs, and their evolution from wolves. Really, some very well written and fascinating stuff.
I would absolutely recommend this book to someone who was thinking about getting a puppy, adopting a pet from a shelter, or that already has a dog. If I enjoyed it as a non-pet owner, I feel pretty confident that it would be an invaluable resource to people who are involved with pets.
September 28, 2011
First of all, let me start this by saying I never read books like this. I only read it because I won an advance copy of the book. But I am so glad that I did read it.
I think this book is a must read for anyone contemplating getting a dog, or anyone who has a dog already. I truly love and agree with her assessment of earning your dog's good behavior with mutual respect, and not with fear from the dominance ideas. Jennifer also gives good arguments as to why the alpha model is flawed. She truly does seem to understand dogs, and what they really want out of life, and how what dogs want and what is best for us are usually the same things.
The books deals a lot with how both humans and dogs mutually benefit from our partnership. I think Jennifer has a unique perspective in that she trains 'companion animals' for people with disabilities. I think this adds a lot of credibility to her insights, because the best behaved and happiest dogs I have ever met are 'companion dogs' for those with disabilities.
I have a really great dog, that we did a lot of training with as a young dog. I think this book made me realize how much I take for granted how awesome my dog truly is. I just wanted to hug her and thank her (my dog) for being the good companion that she is. This is a book that I will use again and again when trouble arises with dogs, as well as when the sad time comes and my dog dies, to choose another dog.
I also have to say that I was in tears on multiple times in this book. The stories that Jennifer relates really touched me and illustrated the points she was trying to convey.
My favorite quote from the book is: "Dogs care about people. The 'why' of it is irrelevant." This book helps us humans to care for out dogs the way they should be cared for, and gives us humans the WHY we sometimes so stubbornly feel the need to have.
I think this book is a must read for anyone contemplating getting a dog, or anyone who has a dog already. I truly love and agree with her assessment of earning your dog's good behavior with mutual respect, and not with fear from the dominance ideas. Jennifer also gives good arguments as to why the alpha model is flawed. She truly does seem to understand dogs, and what they really want out of life, and how what dogs want and what is best for us are usually the same things.
The books deals a lot with how both humans and dogs mutually benefit from our partnership. I think Jennifer has a unique perspective in that she trains 'companion animals' for people with disabilities. I think this adds a lot of credibility to her insights, because the best behaved and happiest dogs I have ever met are 'companion dogs' for those with disabilities.
I have a really great dog, that we did a lot of training with as a young dog. I think this book made me realize how much I take for granted how awesome my dog truly is. I just wanted to hug her and thank her (my dog) for being the good companion that she is. This is a book that I will use again and again when trouble arises with dogs, as well as when the sad time comes and my dog dies, to choose another dog.
I also have to say that I was in tears on multiple times in this book. The stories that Jennifer relates really touched me and illustrated the points she was trying to convey.
My favorite quote from the book is: "Dogs care about people. The 'why' of it is irrelevant." This book helps us humans to care for out dogs the way they should be cared for, and gives us humans the WHY we sometimes so stubbornly feel the need to have.
September 23, 2011
I cried when I read this book. A lot. In A Dog's Heart is both inspiring and humbling. In the book, Jennifer Arnold shares the most touching stories of service dogs who have gone above and beyond the call to duty, simply out of pure love and devotion to their people. It's enough to make us wonder, perhaps there is far more to dogs than we give them credit for.
If I had one gripe with this book, it was a small one. The recommended brands of kibble are very poor quality, though not the worst. (I've had many dogs get sick from these brands, and I no longer feed ANY kibble after learning what's actually in it). She did cover all feeding options, however, and had some great information on home-made diets, so no harm no foul :)
I have received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads
What made this book so wonderful was not just the heart-warming stories, but the practical advice on caring for your dog, and the refreshingly kind-hearted approach to training which the author reccommends. As someone who has used positive methods for years, I found myself nodding in agreement as I read along, especially as she heavily criticized "dominance" or "alpha" style training. I have seen many dogs ruined through these methods, and spent years trying to build up the confidence of my poor greyhound/husky rescue who was scarred, physically and emotionally, from this heavy-handed type of "training". I am so happy that someone has chosen to speak out against this!
If I had one gripe with this book, it was a small one. The recommended brands of kibble are very poor quality, though not the worst. (I've had many dogs get sick from these brands, and I no longer feed ANY kibble after learning what's actually in it). She did cover all feeding options, however, and had some great information on home-made diets, so no harm no foul :)
Over all, I absolutely loved this book! I'm so hapy to have won it, and I'd like to thank the Author/Publisher for giving me the opportunity to read it. Everyone who loves dogs should read this book!
I have received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads
December 13, 2011
If you’re not a dog lover now you surely will be after hearing Jennifer Arnold’s illuminating story of the unique bond between humans and dogs. She lists many valid reasons why canines are often referred to as “man’s best friend.”
Most of us are familiar with seeing eye dogs but there are a myriad of ways in which dogs assist children and adults with disabilities and special needs. We learn of some of these through the stories Arnold tells, and we also become aware of what dogs expect and most assuredly deserve from us.
As the founder and executive director of Canine Assistants based in Milton, Georgia, Arnold, a non-profit organization that trains service dogs, Arnold is not only highly knowledgeable regarding dog training but she also has a unique understanding of the bonds between man/woman and their dogs.
She shares her 20 years of experience in working with dogs through the stories she tells, and we gather much helpful information as we live with and love our own pets. There is much to be learned from In A Dog’s Heart, as well as a great deal to be enjoyed.
It’s a special treat to have the book narrated by the author. Listening to her is very much like having a one-to-one with Jennifer Arnold - her respect, passion and love for dogs is contagious.
Highly recommended.
- Gail Cooke
Most of us are familiar with seeing eye dogs but there are a myriad of ways in which dogs assist children and adults with disabilities and special needs. We learn of some of these through the stories Arnold tells, and we also become aware of what dogs expect and most assuredly deserve from us.
As the founder and executive director of Canine Assistants based in Milton, Georgia, Arnold, a non-profit organization that trains service dogs, Arnold is not only highly knowledgeable regarding dog training but she also has a unique understanding of the bonds between man/woman and their dogs.
She shares her 20 years of experience in working with dogs through the stories she tells, and we gather much helpful information as we live with and love our own pets. There is much to be learned from In A Dog’s Heart, as well as a great deal to be enjoyed.
It’s a special treat to have the book narrated by the author. Listening to her is very much like having a one-to-one with Jennifer Arnold - her respect, passion and love for dogs is contagious.
Highly recommended.
- Gail Cooke
February 12, 2017
real rating: 4.75
I really admire J. Arnold's Canine Assistance program, enjoy her books and will highly recommend them to anyone investigating non-aggressive dog training and care.
I really admire J. Arnold's Canine Assistance program, enjoy her books and will highly recommend them to anyone investigating non-aggressive dog training and care.
November 10, 2011
Jennifer Arnold has spent over two decades raising and training service dogs for disabled people. Her method is a gentler one of using incentives and encouragement to train the dogs, with good results.
Her book could be broken into 3 sections: training tips, pet care, and heartwarming stories from her work. She has definitely done her homework, yet doesn't go into a lot of details on any given topic. Helpful diagrams and photos are placed in the material to aid in understanding the points she is trying to make. Helpful appendix at the back of the book, which covers such material as veterinary emergencies, to dealing with mild separation anxiety and more.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free through Goodreads. (Thank you Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this book). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Her book could be broken into 3 sections: training tips, pet care, and heartwarming stories from her work. She has definitely done her homework, yet doesn't go into a lot of details on any given topic. Helpful diagrams and photos are placed in the material to aid in understanding the points she is trying to make. Helpful appendix at the back of the book, which covers such material as veterinary emergencies, to dealing with mild separation anxiety and more.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free through Goodreads. (Thank you Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this book). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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March 1, 2013I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This book is both a guide to canine care and training, in addition to being a compilation of anecdotal stories about canine/human relationships. The book is full of helpful suggestions for understanding your dog's behavior from the dog's perspective. This would be an invaluable guide for new pet owners, as the author provides extensive suggestions ranging from how to choose a puppy, training, keeping your dog safe, to how to help get rid of problem behaviors. This book will appeal to both new dog owners, people considering getting a dog, and those who have had dogs in their lives for years. The stories are heartwarming and illustrate the bond we have with our beloved companions. Even though I have been a dog owner for my entire life, I learned many new helpful training tips along with general information I was never aware of before. Overall, this book is an excellent guide, full of insight and knowledge about how to select, raise, and enjoy a healthy, loving relationship with your dog.
March 4, 2012
I'm torn between a two and three for this book. Mainly, it's disappointing, because it is really just one woman's collected ramblings about her feelings for dogs. That's nice, but I like a work to be a little more directed. I appreciated the heartwarming stories about how valuable therapy dogs are and I deeply appreciated her thorough and well-expressed critique of Cesar Millan and dominance trainers like him and the irreparable damage they have done to dogs all across America. However, she still thinks puppy temperament testing means something (even though we've known since the early 1990s that it doesn't) and she praises Purina and Hill's Science Diet for producing quality kibble, even though it is very clear that all they produce is chemically laden refuse. So, good and bad feelings. She's well-meaning. She does know a lot about dogs. But it's not an excellent book.
December 31, 2011
This was a librarything giveaway. In a Dog's Heart is a well written book. I had misgivings when she brought up disagreements with off shoots of Ceasar Milan's principles of alpha dog or dominance, but I do in the end agree with her. Some of the interpretations of Alpha male theory she has come across are disturbing and cruel, although she is not suggesting that Milan would be cruel.
There are many sections that are inspiring and thought provoking. One letter from a canine assisted adult described her seizures and the compassion from her dog, like I'd never really heard before. But probably her most sound advice is to train your dog so that it is protected from trouble and misunderstanding. When we expect too much or are too dominant we scare our dogs, and they respond in fear.
Great book.
There are many sections that are inspiring and thought provoking. One letter from a canine assisted adult described her seizures and the compassion from her dog, like I'd never really heard before. But probably her most sound advice is to train your dog so that it is protected from trouble and misunderstanding. When we expect too much or are too dominant we scare our dogs, and they respond in fear.
Great book.
March 10, 2023
Great read for dog owners and especially puppy parents
February 2, 2012
Despite the title, this is a quite practical and down to earth book for dog owners. It offers an antidote to the dominance and control model of Cesar Millan, a model that has probably done untold damage to lots of dogs and dog owners. Arnold's approach is to recognize that a) dogs depend on us for their well-being, and b) dogs know that they depend on us, so when they piss us off or misbehave it's not because they want to piss us off or misbehave. And getting into a pissing contest with a dog is a no-win situation.
Most of the book is aimed at practical considerations for choosing the right dog, ensuring the dog's safety and well-being, caring for the dog, etc. Lots of good information.
Most of the book is aimed at practical considerations for choosing the right dog, ensuring the dog's safety and well-being, caring for the dog, etc. Lots of good information.
March 14, 2012
Clearly I am partial to books about dogs. However, that doesn't mean they aren't good. I found this book particularly insightful, given my status as a somewhat new pet guardian. Arnold explains the reasons behind our inability to understand dogs, and also how to bridge that gap of understanding. She takes the time to describe what dogs need, and how we can give it to them, creating a relationship in which each party gets what it wants. Also included in the book are various helpful appendices regarding pet emergencies and training schedules. Definitely worth the read, even if you are still in the process of choosing a dog (there's a chapter on that!).
October 10, 2020
This was a Goodreads First Reads book. I received this book seven years ago (I apologize ahead of time for being that far behind). I am so lucky to have been able to win this book.
All I can say is WOW! This was an amazing book about how to keep your dog happy and healthy. I took so many notes. Jennifer did a wonderful job about teaching proper techniques to help your dog live a better life and everything from treats to training to loving all types and ages of dog. She even provided stories to match her findings. If you are a first time dog owner, or just a dog owner in general, then this is the book for you.
All I can say is WOW! This was an amazing book about how to keep your dog happy and healthy. I took so many notes. Jennifer did a wonderful job about teaching proper techniques to help your dog live a better life and everything from treats to training to loving all types and ages of dog. She even provided stories to match her findings. If you are a first time dog owner, or just a dog owner in general, then this is the book for you.
December 31, 2011
Good tips and a great organization she runs.
Her stories are heart warming also.
I would have given this book 4 stars but I am always disappointed when author's slander other people in their books. I am sure she has good intentions when she names Cesar Milan as a trainer she dislikes and then goes on and on about it. The repetition of her dislike made me not appreciate her overall goodness. She did qualify her dislike at the end but by then it was too late. I compare her to the Christians that show toleration of others.
Her stories are heart warming also.
I would have given this book 4 stars but I am always disappointed when author's slander other people in their books. I am sure she has good intentions when she names Cesar Milan as a trainer she dislikes and then goes on and on about it. The repetition of her dislike made me not appreciate her overall goodness. She did qualify her dislike at the end but by then it was too late. I compare her to the Christians that show toleration of others.
July 13, 2012
This was an OK book and an interesting listen for the car. The author's diction is excellent (she has a strong Southern accent, but is easy to understand). There are some good training suggestions, and several heart warming stories.
She often takes on a preachy tone, no doubt due to her love for the subject matter. If I felt as passionately about dogs as she does, I might be nodding my head along with her. However, since I don't feel as strongly about the subject, there are moments when I felt like she was scolding *me*.
She often takes on a preachy tone, no doubt due to her love for the subject matter. If I felt as passionately about dogs as she does, I might be nodding my head along with her. However, since I don't feel as strongly about the subject, there are moments when I felt like she was scolding *me*.
September 23, 2011
This brought back memories of my beloved dogs. I like the statistics,diagrams,pictures plus the the do this, do that, what’s not, know how, pet care, training, basic facts and so on I learned a lot and I'm fascinated by all these amazing collection of stories so moving,inspiring and very insightful. I highly recommend it! especially to animal lovers and dog owners.
I won and received this book for free thru Goodreads First Reads.Thank you so much
I won and received this book for free thru Goodreads First Reads.Thank you so much
September 22, 2011
Another giveaway winner from Goodreads - thanks!
Not really sure what this book was going to be about - thought maybe more stories about dogs (along the line of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books).
If you are looking for an in-depth book about dog behaviors or training, this is not it. Touches briefly on a lot of topics. Some good information in the Appendices. Author is definitely not a fan of Cesar Milan.
Sorry - but really wouldn't recommend this book to my friends.
Not really sure what this book was going to be about - thought maybe more stories about dogs (along the line of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books).
If you are looking for an in-depth book about dog behaviors or training, this is not it. Touches briefly on a lot of topics. Some good information in the Appendices. Author is definitely not a fan of Cesar Milan.
Sorry - but really wouldn't recommend this book to my friends.
October 30, 2011
A Giveaway winner from GoodReads and Random House Publishing - Thank You.
Just received a copy in the mail and can't wait to start reading it.
Just finished. Great insights and great information on bringing a dog into your life, so that it's successful and fulfilling for both of you. A book to keep on the bookshelf to re-read and have for a reference. I would recommend reading everytime you get a new dog in your family, and then using as a reference.
Just received a copy in the mail and can't wait to start reading it.
Just finished. Great insights and great information on bringing a dog into your life, so that it's successful and fulfilling for both of you. A book to keep on the bookshelf to re-read and have for a reference. I would recommend reading everytime you get a new dog in your family, and then using as a reference.
December 9, 2011
I didn't agree with everything Arnold had to say in this book (in my opinion, she was a little too concerned with spending thousands of dollars to extend the life of a terminally ill, in pain dog by a few months and not nearly concerned enough with the massive pet overpopulation issue and the problem of people purchasing rather than adopting their pets) but it did contain some interesting and useful tips and advice about dog behavior and psychology.
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