Do Over Dogs: Give Your Dog A Second Chance For A First Class Life

by Pat Miller

What exactly is a Do-Over Dog? It might be a shelter dog you re working with to help her become more adoptable. Perhaps it s the dog you ve adopted, rescued, or even found running stray who is now yours to live with and love...forever. Or it could be the dog you ve lived with for years but you realize he still has issues that make him a challenging canine companion. A Do-Over Dog is any dog that you think needs make that deserves a second chance in life.
Noted author and trainer Pat Miller has spent her life working with both people and shelter dogs, family dogs, and dogs with behavior problems. In her newest book she shares the wisdom of her years in the field of force-free, positive dog training to help give people and pets a first class life together.
It s not too late to begin again
Learn how to assess any dog in order to anticipate his behavior and training needs.
Find out how to make the best use of the Honeymoon Period when it s important to teach new behaviors and establish good habits.
Discover the best way to deal with problem behaviors that are common in Do-Over Dogs including fear, resource guarding, and separation anxiety.
Educate yourself about using a combination of positive training and common sense management techniques to bring out the best in your new dog.

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction, Animals

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2010

Reviews

[Hannah (Granny) J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the other day I thought I would enjoy reading a book about Millie Bobby Brown.

Apparently not.

[AnnieM · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a great read! A must for anyone who has a rescue dog that poses so tricky traits. My boxer/pit bull cross has a fear of loud noises, men, cars, trucks and much, much more. We are making great headway, but weather and travel have stymied our dog obedience classes.

I have read the Dog Whisperer books and they are good, but often he doesn't address some of the same issues I'm facing. I found this book very attainable and readable. After a short time trying to integrate some ideas I have seen some improvement.

I love this book so much I'm buying a copy for myself and my library. I still love Cesar's books, but feel this one has a place right next to them.

Highly recommended.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pat Miller doesn't shy away from what makes "Do Over Dogs" so difficult to work with but easy to love. Her philosophy of positive behavior therapy is present throughout the book. What I loved was the actual tips on how to work with or train a do-over dog. I also loved how the book ended with people sharing their own experiences with rescue dogs, because after reading the book and struggling with my own new addition, I really needed that hope. Everything will turn out okay if I just keep working at it, and it may take a year or more to get to a point where we won't have to worry.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Pat Miller delivers amazing insights in this book. Pat's training methods (socialization, clicker training and positive reinforcement) are tried and true - on malleable puppies and dogs with unfortunate pasts.

[Aggis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive overview of the most common problems encountered with "do-over" shelter dogs. Every issue mentioned was given a brief overview of potential solutions without being bogged down with intricate protocols.

A good read for a new trainer or an owner who is maybe for the first time experiencing a dog with "issues".

My favorite part with the brief discussion on genetically predisposed OCD behaviors in certain breeds as well as the then and now stories/testimonials highlighting the progress of a handful of reactive dogs.

Owning two rescues with a handful of issues themselves it is always interesting to read behavior profiles of other dogs in similar positions.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fills an important and timely niche in dog training literature - more and more dogs here in the NE are rescues from the S and SE. Lots of gaps in the book though. Reading the sections on how to teach an adult rescue how to come when called, and how to get an adult rescue not to pull on the leash, the former was basic and the latter was just silly - give the dog so many treats that it is more interested in you than the rest of what is going on...There was also almost nothing on specific breeds, in spite of the wide range of behaviors, personalities, learning abilities that breed influences.

[Donna Owczarek · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you adopted or are thinking of adopting a new dog and you can only read one book....this should be it! I've read quite a few training books and I think this one is the most helpful that I've found.

[Irena McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has helped me immensely with my newest rescue, a two year old former feral dog who is afraid of people, loud cars and trucks, people walking towards us, etc...

[Lauhren · Rating 5 out of 5]

really great read as a rescue dog worker!

[Mary Nelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Miller's contributions to the field of positive dog training have always been leading edge and extremely helpful to dog guardians. Do Over Dogs is no exception but especially timely for the many folks who are rescuing and adopting, now. Have to add very quickly that this book will also be helpful to someone who needs to rehabilitate some behaviors in their long term dog which could still be problematic. The ideal reader would be someone contemplating adoption as the suggestions for handling introduction to the household and capitalizing on the honeymoon period would be great to have under your belt on day one! Of course that will not be the case with most readers and the book still holds a wealth of suggestions and ideas to help. Loved especially hearing the suggestion that if the dog is startled by and afraid of the sound of a clicker that another sound such as a mouth click can be used to mark a good behavior that has earned a treat.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of us who have adopted dogs from the shelter or other rescue organizations, this book gives a detailed and honest look at some of the problems you might face. There is also a ton of useful information, practical advice and training tips. My favorite part, though, was all of the stories of real "do over" dogs at the end. I had to get out the box of Kleenex!

[Peg Thon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Pat Miller thinks and I love the fact that she never gives up. Just with I had read this before I botched up a rescue by introducing her into the house the wrong way. Well, you live and learn and thanks to this book, I will be much better prepared!

[Lisa Eirene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I skimmed and hit the highlights because it was a library book and I think it's worth buying!

[Rescue Me! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noted dog trainer Pat Miller shares many great tips for training a "do-over dog" - a dog that's been rescued, found as a stray, or has developed behavior problems.