Manage It!: Hacks for Improving Your Dog’s Behavior

by Juliana DeWillems

Most of us see dogs as part of our family and love nearly everything about them. However, there are always going to be behaviors from our dogs that we might want to change. This book outlines simple, effective ways to change your dog’s behavior that do not fall under conventional training recommendations.

Known as management, these solutions focus on preventing unwanted behaviors from occurring, leading to a more harmonious life with your dog. Each chapter dives into a different behavior issue that dog guardians commonly face,

Getting into the trash

Dashing out doors

Jumping on guests

Barking

Pulling on leash

Counter-surfing

And more...

Management can give a family immediate relief from the challenging behavior they are experiencing from their dog and allow for progress to be built from there. Sometimes, implementing management prevents dog training services from being needed at all. While some dog training books touch on the concept of management, there is no other book that focuses as much on using this powerful technique as this one does.

In this book, you will gain an understanding of what management is and how to use it, as well as learn about dog behavior and the science of learning. Ultimately, Manage It! is about supporting and enriching the human-canine bond through behavior-change solutions that work for both ends of the leash.

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Finally! A much-needed book about what every professional trainer The management of a behavioral problem can be just as important as training, and often more practical. Kudos to DeWillems for giving us this essential book! Patricia McConnell, PhD, CAAB, author of Other End of the Leash

This book speaks with clarity to the average pet guardian, but it's a great resource for the professional trainer as well. It will be a welcome addition to any dog lover's library. Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President and Chief Training Owner of Karen Pryor Clicker Training, author of Animal Training

Management is the cornerstone of preventing behavior problems, and it is also the first step to changing emotions about particular triggers or modifying concerning behavior. This book takes a practical look at management hacks that owners can implement TODAY with their pups. There is just a wealth of information, pictures, and experience from a trusted behavior consultant here - I can't wait to share this book with my clients! Amy L. Pike, DVM, DACVB, CDBC, Veterinary Behaviorist, owner of Animal Behavior Wellness Center

Finally, a book that concisely and compassionately communicates the power of small environmental changes to improve our dogs’ behaviors. In it, you’ll find dozens of actionable tips to create a happier home & to further any training plan. What a relief! Kathy Sdao, MA, author of Plenty in Life is Reflections on Dogs, Training and Finding Grace

I am a huge fan of management for unwanted dog behaviors and strongly agree with author Juliana DeWillems that management isn’t given enough credit in the canine behavior and training world. This book is a delightful blend of science-based and useful information presented in a well-written, easily accessible style, jam-packed with great management solutions that any dedicated dog guardian will be able to understand and implement with reasonable ease. A great addition to any dog-lover’s bookshelf! Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA author of Beware Of The Dog - Positive Solutions For Aggressive Behavior In Dogs, owner of Peaceable Paws

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction

196 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2024

Reviews

[Lynn Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read for those of us who are trying to figure out ways to help our puppies behave in ways we want them to. It was refreshing to know we're doing some things correctly! An easy understandable read with great tips!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliana DeWillems identified a gap in dog training books, what dog trainers call management, and she did a fantastic job filling it by bringing this book into the world. This book sums up so much of the common advice that I have both heard and give to dog guardians who are dealing with behavior challenges with their dog, all in one place that is easy to reference. In addition, DeWillems writes in a voice that is relatable, empathetic, easy-to-understand, and persuasive. Too often, it is easy to feel guilt about the ways in which we have treated our dogs before we knew better ways to manage (pun intended). It provides relief to hear that even a very experienced and successful dog trainer has struggled with similar problems, and that management isn't "cheating." The language and examples in this book also provide a good template for trying to have a conversation with others, who may be skeptical or resistant to implementing management.

I want to recommend this to all my family members and friends with dogs. If I could gift pet dog guardians any two books, it would probably be this one and Canine Enrichment for the Real World: Making It a Part of Your Dog's Daily Life. So many of the "problems" that humans have living with their dogs seem to magically disappear when simple, effective management and enrichment plans are implemented, which gives us more time and energy to enjoy our relationship with our dogs.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and informative read on the use of management for various behavioral issues, complete with pictures, real life examples, and helpful worksheets to see which strategies will work best for your dog. Each chapter covers a different behavioral problem, with insights into what needs the dog is trying to meet by performing the behavior, what appropriate alternatives we can use to meet those needs, along witha few easy and effective management solutions we can use to prevent the behavior (with a simple recap of options at the end, which I really appreciate).

[Lizz Otero · Rating 4 out of 5]

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is SO true, especially when it comes to working with animals. Sometimes, as a professional trainer, you get stuck in the same recommendations over and over again. This book helps you rethink and get new ideas as well as refresh the concept that not everything has to be trained. Management can often lead to the dog learning an alternative behavior even without the owner putting in dedicated training time to change it.

[S. Chavous · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all dog owners.

This books is packed with useful tips to make life easier for us and our canine friends. I also love how it encourages us to consider the dog’s perspective/experience and arrange the environment to help them be successful.