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Pets on the Couch: Neurotic Dogs, Compulsive Cats, Anxious Birds, and the New Science of Animal Psychiatry
The “fur-and-feathers Oliver Sacks” ( New York Times ), pioneering veterinarian Nicholas Dodman recounts his “riveting stories” (Judith L. Rapoport, MD, author of The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing ) of treating animals with all-too-human problems in this “fascinating read for anyone who wants to know how the animal mind works” (Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs ).Internationally renowned veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman breaks new ground with the practice of One Medicine, the profound recognition that humans’ and other animals’ minds and emotions work in similar ways.Racehorses with Tourette’s Syndrome, spinning dogs with epilepsy, cats with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, feather-plucking parrots with anxiety, and a diffident Bull Terrier with autism—these astonishing cases were all helped by One Medicine. Traditional treatments did not cure the behaviors because they treated the symptoms as disorders of the body, rather than problems of the mind. “This book itself is powerful medicine,” writes Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus . “Compelling…Dodman injects empathy into a world where sympathy previously reigned,” praised Publishers Weekly .“With much charm and compassion” (Susan Richards, author of Chosen by a Horse ), Pets on the Couch raises our understanding of our pets’ complex interior lives and mental abilities, leading to a greater appreciation of them and the bonds we share.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2016
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October 31, 2025
Veterinarian Nicholas Dodman has spent years diagnosing and treating dogs...as if they were human.
Can we treat animal behavior with the same medicines, therapies, and approaches we use on humans? To me, the answer is an obvious yes.
This book recounts his toils and troubles as he takes care of our four-footed family members.
Early on, Dodman experienced quite a bit of backlash as he proposed that animals could get depression, anxiety or even tourettes, but he was always quick to point out:
You could effectively teach medical students brain anatomy using the brains of dogs.There are so many anatomical correlations between animals and humans that he believes that it's ridiculous to completely dismiss that animals can (and do) suffer from mental ailments.
Dodman does point out that it will be difficult (if impossible) to 110% prove whether animals can get the same mental disorders as humans, but if the treated animals are healthier and happier than they were before, then that's all we can ask for.
This book was really interesting - I loved the core message that our furry friends are more like us than we originally thought.
And I feel like his logic makes sense.
If there are enough correlations to a human disorder and the animal's symptoms go away when treated with medication used for the human disorder, that it is likely they do have it.
I really loved how the author treated the dogs almost as if they were nonverbal humans.
It always bothers me so much when animals are put down rather than worked with - and yes, I can see the argument that there are some animals that just can't be treated - but I'm of the mind that if you adopt, you need to be prepared for all the possibilities.
Reading this book really reminded me of when we adopted my first dog.
My dog, Squamish, was a wonderful little fella to me when we first adopted him a year ago but ohhhh baby, did he act out. It took work and dedication and three obedience classes to turn him into the lovely little citizen he is now.
Luckily we didn't need to medicate him, but we often found that we were treating his phobias as if they were human-phobias, and used exposure therapy to turn him around. Which was reinforced as I read this book.
Overall, this book was quite catchy and I enjoyed it.
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July 13, 2016
Too many animals are euthanized for "bad" behaviors. There comes a point where many just can't take it anymore, and veterinary services and training haven't helped. I have been there a couple times myself it is devastating. What is these behaviors could be controlled through medication, if it was a medical issue ? The author Dr. Dodman studies animal behavior and has a revolutionary method of treatment that uses the same drugs given to help our behaviors regulate. Yes, human medicines for animals. Think about it, we are animals, our brains and bodies function much the same.
The doctor treats, animals (horses, cats dogs, birds) with OCD, depression, turrets, anxiety, autism...many common human mental issues. He explains in easy to read details about the possible causes of the animals problems and we follow him as he tries different doses of medicines used only for humans before. I was riveted to the pages, the transformation was so amazing for most it broke my heart for all the lives that never had this chance. As a breed rescuer I recognized many of the puppy mill issues and it gives me hope for an easier transformation for them.
This book should be on every animal rescuer, lover, veterinarian, vet techs, breeder's shelf. Priceless information and education. Great work, excellent writing, I'm a fan of this Dr.
*I was lucky enough to have received an advanced copy of this book for a unbiased review from the publisher
The doctor treats, animals (horses, cats dogs, birds) with OCD, depression, turrets, anxiety, autism...many common human mental issues. He explains in easy to read details about the possible causes of the animals problems and we follow him as he tries different doses of medicines used only for humans before. I was riveted to the pages, the transformation was so amazing for most it broke my heart for all the lives that never had this chance. As a breed rescuer I recognized many of the puppy mill issues and it gives me hope for an easier transformation for them.
This book should be on every animal rescuer, lover, veterinarian, vet techs, breeder's shelf. Priceless information and education. Great work, excellent writing, I'm a fan of this Dr.
*I was lucky enough to have received an advanced copy of this book for a unbiased review from the publisher
December 5, 2017
As a behavioral neuroscientist interested in the mental lives of animals, I felt like a small child finding a new toy when I stumbled upon this book and saw the great reviews it had received. When I picked it up to read it I was certain I was going to like it a lot. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm was slowly quashed. Each chapter focuses on a different category of mental illness, but the story is the same. If you ask me, the book can be summarized in the four following points
- The author really loves animals.
- Almost everyone else thinks human and animals are completely different…
- … But in fact, humans and animals, to everyone’s’ surprise, are very similar…
- And therefore, animals can be given the same medication that humans get
That’s it! More or less. Beyond that, you will get some half-charming anecdotes about animals that the author has either helped or rescued from negligent, naïve or abusive owners. And then there is the recurring straw-man argument in which the author claims that other scientists think that there is an essential difference between humans and non-human animals. The author claims to frequently encounter scientists and veterinarians who believe that animals don’t have emotions and that you can never generalize between animals and humans. Having worked in neuroscience for 10 years I have so far not encountered a scientist with this set of beliefs. On the contrary, a core assumption in life science is that you can generalize findings in non-human animals to humans. I am sure that there are exceptions to this, but if you only read this book there is a risk you will walk away with the belief that scientists, in general, believe that animals are machines and humans are not, and that is definitively not the case.
Having ranted away, I will grant that the authors undoubtedly does a lot of good and I completely agree with his approach to mental problems in animals. Indeed, I would have been more surprised to learn that animals don’t have mental peculiarities just like humans. And it feels like a no-brainer that animals with OCD benefit from OCD medication that we normally give to humans.
In short, buy this book if you want to read stories about animals with mental handicaps and a somewhat self-absorbed author who will make the average pet owner feel cruel and petty. These stories are occasionally charming but I still don’t think reading this book was worth the time investment.
- The author really loves animals.
- Almost everyone else thinks human and animals are completely different…
- … But in fact, humans and animals, to everyone’s’ surprise, are very similar…
- And therefore, animals can be given the same medication that humans get
That’s it! More or less. Beyond that, you will get some half-charming anecdotes about animals that the author has either helped or rescued from negligent, naïve or abusive owners. And then there is the recurring straw-man argument in which the author claims that other scientists think that there is an essential difference between humans and non-human animals. The author claims to frequently encounter scientists and veterinarians who believe that animals don’t have emotions and that you can never generalize between animals and humans. Having worked in neuroscience for 10 years I have so far not encountered a scientist with this set of beliefs. On the contrary, a core assumption in life science is that you can generalize findings in non-human animals to humans. I am sure that there are exceptions to this, but if you only read this book there is a risk you will walk away with the belief that scientists, in general, believe that animals are machines and humans are not, and that is definitively not the case.
Having ranted away, I will grant that the authors undoubtedly does a lot of good and I completely agree with his approach to mental problems in animals. Indeed, I would have been more surprised to learn that animals don’t have mental peculiarities just like humans. And it feels like a no-brainer that animals with OCD benefit from OCD medication that we normally give to humans.
In short, buy this book if you want to read stories about animals with mental handicaps and a somewhat self-absorbed author who will make the average pet owner feel cruel and petty. These stories are occasionally charming but I still don’t think reading this book was worth the time investment.
September 16, 2016
I think that Dodman has a really good and important message about pets: how similar they are to people, how they can have mental and emotional problems and how in spite of the treatment options available pets are often put down instead of helped.
I have a neurotic cat who over-grooms. The vet quickly diagnosed a potential emotional problem and prescribed SSRIs and she's much happier. I've also done a fair amount of reading about this stuff already.
So while there are some very interesting anecdotes Dodman's emphasis on how unusual and revolutionary his approach to animal psychiatry is seems a little forced. I understand, and am very glad that, he was a pioneer in this field - but I'm not sure that's still the message that needs to take centre stage.
I have a neurotic cat who over-grooms. The vet quickly diagnosed a potential emotional problem and prescribed SSRIs and she's much happier. I've also done a fair amount of reading about this stuff already.
So while there are some very interesting anecdotes Dodman's emphasis on how unusual and revolutionary his approach to animal psychiatry is seems a little forced. I understand, and am very glad that, he was a pioneer in this field - but I'm not sure that's still the message that needs to take centre stage.
November 29, 2021
This book has a lot of interesting information on dysfunctional animal behavior, its causes, and ways to ameliorate it.
The author has a main thesis that animals have emotions, thoughts, and memories similar to those of people, as they are closely related to us. Which is obvious to me, but not to everyone. He talks a lot about the school of thought that animals are more like unfeeling mechanisms, and all their behaviors are hard-wired and don't involve actual feeling. I think the cultures of science and philosophy have come around more to his viewpoint in recent years, but it can't hurt to emphasize it. Especially in the face of animal experimentation and other mistreatment, which are still prevalent. Yet the author seems enthusiastic about testing (drugs, at least) on animals, especially mice and dogs, which put me off a bit.
The stories were interesting. He's treated dogs, cats, horses, and other animals with problems that present similarly to human anxiety, phobias, seizure disorders, OCD, PTSD, and more. Like psychiatrists for humans, the author relies a lot on drugs. And apparently the same drugs work about the same on animals as they work on humans, for the same problems. He also uses diet and behavioral/training methods, and the drugs are used when those don't work. He's done drug studies and has apparently influenced his field in drug uses and dosages.
But there were things about the book that I didn't like. He presents his One Medicine (basically, the same medicines for humans and other animals) in kind of a marketing manner, like a trademark. He enjoys being a celebrity in his field, drops well-known names, and seems, while compassionate, somewhat self-important. I would definitely want him for a vet for a troubled animal, and would trust his advice and prescriptions, but I don't trust everything he writes as a fact. For example, he says that certain stereotypical disturbed behaviors, like horses chewing on the wood in stalls and certain types of aggression in dogs, comes from not being able to do the kinds of behaviors they evolved to do in the wild. This is the type of evolutionary psychology that I think (in people anyway) will turn out to be untrue, and he presents it as fact rather than theory. And he states that 60% of human phobias are agoraphobia, which a Google search showed to be not accurate.
I would recommend the book to anyone interested in the subject, but with reservations.
The author has a main thesis that animals have emotions, thoughts, and memories similar to those of people, as they are closely related to us. Which is obvious to me, but not to everyone. He talks a lot about the school of thought that animals are more like unfeeling mechanisms, and all their behaviors are hard-wired and don't involve actual feeling. I think the cultures of science and philosophy have come around more to his viewpoint in recent years, but it can't hurt to emphasize it. Especially in the face of animal experimentation and other mistreatment, which are still prevalent. Yet the author seems enthusiastic about testing (drugs, at least) on animals, especially mice and dogs, which put me off a bit.
The stories were interesting. He's treated dogs, cats, horses, and other animals with problems that present similarly to human anxiety, phobias, seizure disorders, OCD, PTSD, and more. Like psychiatrists for humans, the author relies a lot on drugs. And apparently the same drugs work about the same on animals as they work on humans, for the same problems. He also uses diet and behavioral/training methods, and the drugs are used when those don't work. He's done drug studies and has apparently influenced his field in drug uses and dosages.
But there were things about the book that I didn't like. He presents his One Medicine (basically, the same medicines for humans and other animals) in kind of a marketing manner, like a trademark. He enjoys being a celebrity in his field, drops well-known names, and seems, while compassionate, somewhat self-important. I would definitely want him for a vet for a troubled animal, and would trust his advice and prescriptions, but I don't trust everything he writes as a fact. For example, he says that certain stereotypical disturbed behaviors, like horses chewing on the wood in stalls and certain types of aggression in dogs, comes from not being able to do the kinds of behaviors they evolved to do in the wild. This is the type of evolutionary psychology that I think (in people anyway) will turn out to be untrue, and he presents it as fact rather than theory. And he states that 60% of human phobias are agoraphobia, which a Google search showed to be not accurate.
I would recommend the book to anyone interested in the subject, but with reservations.
February 8, 2017
I don’t understand why anyone is reluctant to acknowledge that animals share some characteristics, behaviors, and susceptibilities, across species lines. Of course, one of the local colleges has recently started a huge cross-species cancer effort, working to save dogs and also maybe humans. Library copy.
October 2, 2019
I was excited to read this book. I am an animal advocate and am fascinated by the fields of animal behavior and psychology. I have cared for a lot of animals in my life and recognize that they have complex emotions and social relationships. I know they can suffer from mental illnesses similar to humans' and they suffer the impacts of abuse as well.
Therefore, I was so disappointed in this book. It seemed to be more of an argument about how so many animal mental issues can be treated with medication similar to that of humans. Also, humans can be treated with meds used for animals. I think it's called the One Medicine view.
I get it, I totally believe that has grounding, but I felt that the book was more of a huge thesis supporting this idea rather than a book for readers who wanted to learn about the New Science of Animal Psychiatry as mentioned in the title. Even worse, I often felt like the author was presenting business ideas that he never got funding for and, oh, if only he were a better businessman.
o_o
I give this two stars because I did learn a bit about different ailments from which animals suffer, like PTSD, OCD, etc. But, again, I just kept feeling like I was reading a proposal that should have been presented in an hour-long version of Shark Tank. Not what I had wanted.
Therefore, I was so disappointed in this book. It seemed to be more of an argument about how so many animal mental issues can be treated with medication similar to that of humans. Also, humans can be treated with meds used for animals. I think it's called the One Medicine view.
I get it, I totally believe that has grounding, but I felt that the book was more of a huge thesis supporting this idea rather than a book for readers who wanted to learn about the New Science of Animal Psychiatry as mentioned in the title. Even worse, I often felt like the author was presenting business ideas that he never got funding for and, oh, if only he were a better businessman.
o_o
I give this two stars because I did learn a bit about different ailments from which animals suffer, like PTSD, OCD, etc. But, again, I just kept feeling like I was reading a proposal that should have been presented in an hour-long version of Shark Tank. Not what I had wanted.
October 22, 2016
So disappointed. I skimmed through this in about 20 minutes.
First, only three of the ~12 chapters are about cats, despite the species' second billing in the title. The chapter on emotions of rescue pets was about the back story of his two rescue dogs. Not bad as a start to the chapter ... but there was precious little else about the emotions of rescue pets. The chapter on "blue" critters had stories about two depressed cats, but those were brief and didn't contain anything generalizable. The chapter on senile pets included a brief bit about his cat's last day(s), but that was very brief and not generalizable; the chapter finished with several pages about his mother's final days of life.
if I had known this would be more of a memoir, I'd have approached it differently (tho' probably wouldn't have liked it more; what I read wasn't especially well-written). I was very disappointed, especially because one of our cats' vets is a wonderful behavioral vet & I had hoped this would complement what we have learned from Dr. Heinze.
After I was done, I needed to continue reading my novel as a chaser.
*I borrowed this book from the library, at no cost to me, and at no expectation that I would write a positive review. :-)
First, only three of the ~12 chapters are about cats, despite the species' second billing in the title. The chapter on emotions of rescue pets was about the back story of his two rescue dogs. Not bad as a start to the chapter ... but there was precious little else about the emotions of rescue pets. The chapter on "blue" critters had stories about two depressed cats, but those were brief and didn't contain anything generalizable. The chapter on senile pets included a brief bit about his cat's last day(s), but that was very brief and not generalizable; the chapter finished with several pages about his mother's final days of life.
if I had known this would be more of a memoir, I'd have approached it differently (tho' probably wouldn't have liked it more; what I read wasn't especially well-written). I was very disappointed, especially because one of our cats' vets is a wonderful behavioral vet & I had hoped this would complement what we have learned from Dr. Heinze.
After I was done, I needed to continue reading my novel as a chaser.
*I borrowed this book from the library, at no cost to me, and at no expectation that I would write a positive review. :-)
September 19, 2016
Generally, this is a good book and pretty unique. The general thesis was hit over the head several times: "Dogs (cats, pets) are like people and have similar emotions so the same drugs will work across species barriers."
There were several stories that linked to animals and mental disorders: anxiety, ADHD, depression, Tourette's, etc. They were mostly short vignettes and some did tug at the heartstrings. Others were sad because the owners were neglectful or chose to put down their beloved pets.
There were several stories that linked to animals and mental disorders: anxiety, ADHD, depression, Tourette's, etc. They were mostly short vignettes and some did tug at the heartstrings. Others were sad because the owners were neglectful or chose to put down their beloved pets.
January 11, 2019
This is the perfect book to help me with my dear cat, Lucy. Pets experience seizures, ADHD, compulsions and obsessions just like us. Dr. Dodman thinks that some drugs and behavior therapy can help our animals instead of euthanizing them. I like his concept of One Medicine. I will definitely buy this book and will ask my vet if she has read it.
September 6, 2018
636.0887 DOD
eAudio
Book Summary: Are animals like us? Are we like animals? Do they have intelligence? Do they have emotion? Can animals suffer as we do? Current behaviorists think no based on Morgan's Canon. But author think yes, and advocate One Medicine approach: all life is related, the medical commonalities between humans and animals. Although book is merely medical issues of our pets, it let me think about future of Home Sapiens, with Homo Sapiens descending comes with fall of almost all species in life kingdom. Dogs and cats may benefit but at the cost, our number continue climbing. We occupy all lands, use all resource,hoping the current growth economic model will fix all problems before ecological collapse. Homo Sapiens should change our conducts.
4Es approach
--Enhance your pet's environment with toys, distraction, and stimulating activities.
--Employ a sensible diet to match your pet's needs.xi
--Exercise your pet daily
--Empathize with your pet's sate of being. -- the most important.
Book Contents:
--The dog who ate wineglasses : when the brain short-circuits
--The horse who chewed on fences : obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
--The dog who came back from the war : post-traumatic stress disorder
--The emotional wounds of rescued animals
--The dog who couldn't stop licking : compulsive disorders
--The dog who was afraid of puddles : autism, epilepsy, and rage
--The horse who went "harumph" : equine Tourette's syndrome
--The dog who hated surprises : the many faces of aggressive behavior
--Two spaniels and the baby : predation and pharmacological fixes
--Animals who fear too much : anxiety and panic disorders
--Dogs who hate bugs and storms : the trouble with phobias
--Senile dogs, cats ... and cheetahs : dementia and Alzheimer's disease
--The beagle with ADHD : behavioral problems with medical roots
--The narcoleptic horse : night terrors and other sleep problems
--The listless pet : the thyroid and anxiety, aggression, and mood
--Blue dogs and cats : depression and mood medicines
--Epilogue : hope for us all.
=================
Mental health issues from animals.
1. horse cribbing: free-ranging horses graze for 60-70 percent of day. Cribbing is a condition of confinement, the product of an unnatural lifestyle with fettered natural outlets.
Stable vices are stereotypies of equines, especially horses. They are usually undesirable habits that often develop as a result of being confined in a stable with insufficient exercise, boredom, hunger, excess energy or isolation.
Weaving represents an abbreviated form of walking to and fro, in which the horse swing his head from side to side as he walks in place.
Most zoo animals pace, stall-walk, or fence-walk, Zoo is unnatural habitats for the animals, they suffer.
acral lick granuloma (lick dermatitis) in dogs, psychogenic alopecia 脱发 in cats, feather plucking in birds, appears to be a skin disease, is actually an anxiety-driven compulsive disorder with fundamental origins in the brain.
2. PSTD: post traumatic stress disorder
war neurosis: 战争时神经症 later known as shell shock: 弹震症，战斗疲劳症（长期作战引起的精神疾患）a mental illness that can affect soldiers who have been in battle for a long time.
=================
notes from the book
1. Primary emotion: fear, anger, sadness
Second emotion: affection, contentment, suffering
Tertiary emotions: eagerness, frustration, jealous, guilt, shame, depression, dismay, empathy
Second emotion, Tertiary emotions arise after an initial blast of primary emotion, are widely considered a human-only realm.
2. Morgan's Canon
In no case is an animal activity to be interpreted in terms of higher psychological processes if it can be fairly interpreted in terms of processes which stand lower in the scale of psychological evolution and development.
In other words, Morgan believed that anthropomorphic approaches to animal behavior were fallacious, and that people should only consider behaviour as, for example, rational, purposive or affectionate, if there is no other explanation in terms of the behaviours of more primitive life-forms to which we do not attribute those faculties. -- from Wikipedia
3. veterinarians 兽医 came from 17th Latin veterinarius , means "of or having to do with beasts of burden", but in colloquial usage meant "cattle doctor".
vet n. 兽医 v. 〈口〉检查 to vet derive from veterinarian. To vet means to examine thoroughly and extrapolate from what we see.
4. reverse tolerance:some animals become increasing sensitive to morphine's effects after repeated injections, they get more affected with every subsequent does. In human, the opposite is common, the addicts acquire tolerance to morphine, they become desensitized, that is they need larger doses to produce the same effect. but in some substance, e.g amphetamine 苯丙胺（中枢兴奋药） users can feel increased stimulation (in addict lingo, a "bump") and a decrease in side effects.
5. OCD: obsessive-compulsive disorder, can be considered a condition of degree: that is, normal behavior amped up to an abnormal degree. Human OCD arises out of deep-seated behaviors that are necessary for survival, but are taken to an extreme. These behaviors are based in specific areas of the brain: the limbic system (center of emotion) and basal ganglia ( a repository of species-typical, hardwired behaviors). Because the similarities between human and animal brain function, it's no surprise that over time we found OCD in pets too.
6. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
7. Dogs generally need at least one hour of off-leash cardio exercise per day.
Critical period time for socialization : in dog between 3-12 weeks, 2-7 weeks in cats. Veterinarians used to advise new puppy owners to keep their dogs isolated until vaccinations was completed at 14 weeks of age.
p133 top dogs should be fed, patted at first. Owner of dogs should support dog hierarchy structure. It is against human sense of fair play.
8. Theory of mind: is the ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intents, desires, emotions, knowledge, etc.—to oneself, and to others, and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one's own. Theory of mind is crucial for everyday human social interactions and is used when analyzing, judging, and inferring others' behaviors. Deficits can occur in people with autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,cocaine addiction,and brain damage suffered from alcohol's neurotoxicity. Although philosophical approaches to this exist, the theory of mind as such is distinct from the philosophy of mind.
9. Mary Temple Grandin (born August 29, 1947) is an American professor of animal science at Colorado State University, consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, and autism spokesperson. She is one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to publicly share insights from her personal experience of autism. She developed V-trough to calm the pigs in slaughterhouse. Controlled pressure, both in animal and people, release endorphins that led to feeling of inner well-beings or peace. Tight-fitting vests or T-shirts for dogs, e.g in storm phobia dogs, may reduce anxiety.
10. Author believe static electricity theory may cause storm phobia in dogs, 50% of these dogs find refuge under a sink or in a bathtub, which acts as electrical grounds, preventing the buildup of static electricity on the dogs' coat. or Storm Defender cape or Anxiety Wrap may also help.
Terms:
Seal point refers to the coloration of certain types of cats. A seal point cat has a beige or fawn colored body and dark brown legs, ears and a tail. The paw pads and nose pad will be brown on a seal point, and the eyes will be deep blue.
sulky 单座二轮马车 aka buggies 〈美〉二轮[四轮]轻马车
coulrophobia 小丑恐惧症
hyperthyroidism n.甲状腺功能亢进
hypothyroidism n.甲状腺功能减退
More books:
1. The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions by Stanley Coren
2. Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards
3. The Hidden Life of Dogs by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
4. The Tribe of Tiger: Cats and Their Culture by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
5. The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
6. Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin
7. Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals by Temple Grandin
8. The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing: The Experience and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Judith L. Rapoport
eAudio
Book Summary: Are animals like us? Are we like animals? Do they have intelligence? Do they have emotion? Can animals suffer as we do? Current behaviorists think no based on Morgan's Canon. But author think yes, and advocate One Medicine approach: all life is related, the medical commonalities between humans and animals. Although book is merely medical issues of our pets, it let me think about future of Home Sapiens, with Homo Sapiens descending comes with fall of almost all species in life kingdom. Dogs and cats may benefit but at the cost, our number continue climbing. We occupy all lands, use all resource,hoping the current growth economic model will fix all problems before ecological collapse. Homo Sapiens should change our conducts.
4Es approach
--Enhance your pet's environment with toys, distraction, and stimulating activities.
--Employ a sensible diet to match your pet's needs.xi
--Exercise your pet daily
--Empathize with your pet's sate of being. -- the most important.
Book Contents:
--The dog who ate wineglasses : when the brain short-circuits
--The horse who chewed on fences : obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
--The dog who came back from the war : post-traumatic stress disorder
--The emotional wounds of rescued animals
--The dog who couldn't stop licking : compulsive disorders
--The dog who was afraid of puddles : autism, epilepsy, and rage
--The horse who went "harumph" : equine Tourette's syndrome
--The dog who hated surprises : the many faces of aggressive behavior
--Two spaniels and the baby : predation and pharmacological fixes
--Animals who fear too much : anxiety and panic disorders
--Dogs who hate bugs and storms : the trouble with phobias
--Senile dogs, cats ... and cheetahs : dementia and Alzheimer's disease
--The beagle with ADHD : behavioral problems with medical roots
--The narcoleptic horse : night terrors and other sleep problems
--The listless pet : the thyroid and anxiety, aggression, and mood
--Blue dogs and cats : depression and mood medicines
--Epilogue : hope for us all.
=================
Mental health issues from animals.
1. horse cribbing: free-ranging horses graze for 60-70 percent of day. Cribbing is a condition of confinement, the product of an unnatural lifestyle with fettered natural outlets.
Stable vices are stereotypies of equines, especially horses. They are usually undesirable habits that often develop as a result of being confined in a stable with insufficient exercise, boredom, hunger, excess energy or isolation.
Weaving represents an abbreviated form of walking to and fro, in which the horse swing his head from side to side as he walks in place.
Most zoo animals pace, stall-walk, or fence-walk, Zoo is unnatural habitats for the animals, they suffer.
acral lick granuloma (lick dermatitis) in dogs, psychogenic alopecia 脱发 in cats, feather plucking in birds, appears to be a skin disease, is actually an anxiety-driven compulsive disorder with fundamental origins in the brain.
2. PSTD: post traumatic stress disorder
war neurosis: 战争时神经症 later known as shell shock: 弹震症，战斗疲劳症（长期作战引起的精神疾患）a mental illness that can affect soldiers who have been in battle for a long time.
=================
notes from the book
1. Primary emotion: fear, anger, sadness
Second emotion: affection, contentment, suffering
Tertiary emotions: eagerness, frustration, jealous, guilt, shame, depression, dismay, empathy
Second emotion, Tertiary emotions arise after an initial blast of primary emotion, are widely considered a human-only realm.
2. Morgan's Canon
In no case is an animal activity to be interpreted in terms of higher psychological processes if it can be fairly interpreted in terms of processes which stand lower in the scale of psychological evolution and development.
In other words, Morgan believed that anthropomorphic approaches to animal behavior were fallacious, and that people should only consider behaviour as, for example, rational, purposive or affectionate, if there is no other explanation in terms of the behaviours of more primitive life-forms to which we do not attribute those faculties. -- from Wikipedia
3. veterinarians 兽医 came from 17th Latin veterinarius , means "of or having to do with beasts of burden", but in colloquial usage meant "cattle doctor".
vet n. 兽医 v. 〈口〉检查 to vet derive from veterinarian. To vet means to examine thoroughly and extrapolate from what we see.
4. reverse tolerance:some animals become increasing sensitive to morphine's effects after repeated injections, they get more affected with every subsequent does. In human, the opposite is common, the addicts acquire tolerance to morphine, they become desensitized, that is they need larger doses to produce the same effect. but in some substance, e.g amphetamine 苯丙胺（中枢兴奋药） users can feel increased stimulation (in addict lingo, a "bump") and a decrease in side effects.
5. OCD: obsessive-compulsive disorder, can be considered a condition of degree: that is, normal behavior amped up to an abnormal degree. Human OCD arises out of deep-seated behaviors that are necessary for survival, but are taken to an extreme. These behaviors are based in specific areas of the brain: the limbic system (center of emotion) and basal ganglia ( a repository of species-typical, hardwired behaviors). Because the similarities between human and animal brain function, it's no surprise that over time we found OCD in pets too.
6. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
7. Dogs generally need at least one hour of off-leash cardio exercise per day.
Critical period time for socialization : in dog between 3-12 weeks, 2-7 weeks in cats. Veterinarians used to advise new puppy owners to keep their dogs isolated until vaccinations was completed at 14 weeks of age.
p133 top dogs should be fed, patted at first. Owner of dogs should support dog hierarchy structure. It is against human sense of fair play.
8. Theory of mind: is the ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intents, desires, emotions, knowledge, etc.—to oneself, and to others, and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one's own. Theory of mind is crucial for everyday human social interactions and is used when analyzing, judging, and inferring others' behaviors. Deficits can occur in people with autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,cocaine addiction,and brain damage suffered from alcohol's neurotoxicity. Although philosophical approaches to this exist, the theory of mind as such is distinct from the philosophy of mind.
9. Mary Temple Grandin (born August 29, 1947) is an American professor of animal science at Colorado State University, consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, and autism spokesperson. She is one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to publicly share insights from her personal experience of autism. She developed V-trough to calm the pigs in slaughterhouse. Controlled pressure, both in animal and people, release endorphins that led to feeling of inner well-beings or peace. Tight-fitting vests or T-shirts for dogs, e.g in storm phobia dogs, may reduce anxiety.
10. Author believe static electricity theory may cause storm phobia in dogs, 50% of these dogs find refuge under a sink or in a bathtub, which acts as electrical grounds, preventing the buildup of static electricity on the dogs' coat. or Storm Defender cape or Anxiety Wrap may also help.
Terms:
Seal point refers to the coloration of certain types of cats. A seal point cat has a beige or fawn colored body and dark brown legs, ears and a tail. The paw pads and nose pad will be brown on a seal point, and the eyes will be deep blue.
sulky 单座二轮马车 aka buggies 〈美〉二轮[四轮]轻马车
coulrophobia 小丑恐惧症
hyperthyroidism n.甲状腺功能亢进
hypothyroidism n.甲状腺功能减退
More books:
1. The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions by Stanley Coren
2. Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards
3. The Hidden Life of Dogs by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
4. The Tribe of Tiger: Cats and Their Culture by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
5. The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
6. Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin
7. Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals by Temple Grandin
8. The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing: The Experience and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Judith L. Rapoport
May 27, 2024
super interesting book… even more interesting if you have the background veterinary knowledge 🤓
May 24, 2017
Dodman focuses on two themes that could and should be united under the heading of likeness. Specifically, he posits that since all mammals share similar physical characteristics, one can conclude that they also share psychological characteristics such as empathy, fear, aggression, jealousy, affection and so forth. His second theme, which he calls One Medicine, is that medicines that work in humans also work similarly in animals (most, of course, were first tested on animals). These include anti-depressants, thyroid meds, ADHD meds and so on. As a professor of Animal Behavior at Tufts University, Dodman tested his conclusions on a variety of disturbed animals including dogs, cats and horses, with predictable results. Meds like Prozac for instance caused powerful benefits to anxious dogs or cats. The veterinary professions’ long adherence to the idea of animals as automatons who react rather than feel and may not experience pain was one that Dodman had to counter—often without success. Yet, over time, and witnessing the results of his methods, many vets, and in particular pet owners, who saw the valuable changes that human meds brought to their animal counterparts, came to accept what is a reasonable hypothesis. One comprehends that the philosophy of animals as non-sentient beings comes from the human desire not to feel guilt for killing and eating them, or otherwise abusing them for human benefit. Dodman includes traditional training methods in confronting behavioral issues, but he urges that people understand their pets’ inherent instincts—terriers want to chase and kill prey, shepherd dogs want to herd (children, toys, etc.) certain breeds have problems caused by inbreeding such as Doberman’s hoarding behaviors. Thus, they can work with their animals to incorporate and modify these traits, rather than punish or become frustrated. Due to environmental change—a hunting dog confined in an apartment—instincts can become distorted which is where pharmaceutical intervention can help. The book contains a good deal of pertinent information on specific drugs used for various conditions. Anyone with a pet that exhibits distressing symptoms such as aggression, depression, unnatural fear, or obsessions needs to read this enlightening book.
June 12, 2017
This is a delightful book written by a specialist in animal behavior. Nicholas Dodman is a veterinarian who immigrated from the UK and is now doing research at Tufts University.
He talks in the book about the difficulty of working with other scientists due to a bias that makes them refuse to concede consciousness to animals. The resistance to "anthropomorphizing" animals, he says, began with Descartes and continues throughout medical communities and even with some fellow veterinarians.
Dodman takes tremendous care to make his case that evolution preserves successful adaptations in animals and carries them forward, so that a dog's brain, though smaller, looks nearly identical to a human brain, and that a multitude of animals have similar organ structures to humans. He says he argues for a deeper understanding of our pets (and the animals we breed for farming) not to diminish human beings but to exalt the other species.
Dodman then takes various case studies showing why drugs used in humans (and tested in other animals beforehand) can be effective in pets who exhibit anxiety, PTSD, hyperactive disorder, and even Alzheimer's. He explains what drugs seem to be effective in helping aggressive animals and those suffering separation anxiety, and even details some herbal remedies that seem to work well. He also details work he's done with Temple Grandin.
He includes stories of mostly successful treatments for everything from birds to horses, and talks about proper nutrition and exercise as part of treatments. Some of the ailments are surprising, such as some behaviors being associated with seizure disorders or hypothyroidism.
The book is interesting and inspiring. Dodson obviously loves the work he's in and his animal patients and writes with real heart keeping technical talk to the bare minimum. Worthwhile for any pet owner, but particularly valuable for anyone who has a problem pet with plenty of ideas to discuss with your own veterinarian.
He talks in the book about the difficulty of working with other scientists due to a bias that makes them refuse to concede consciousness to animals. The resistance to "anthropomorphizing" animals, he says, began with Descartes and continues throughout medical communities and even with some fellow veterinarians.
Dodman takes tremendous care to make his case that evolution preserves successful adaptations in animals and carries them forward, so that a dog's brain, though smaller, looks nearly identical to a human brain, and that a multitude of animals have similar organ structures to humans. He says he argues for a deeper understanding of our pets (and the animals we breed for farming) not to diminish human beings but to exalt the other species.
Dodman then takes various case studies showing why drugs used in humans (and tested in other animals beforehand) can be effective in pets who exhibit anxiety, PTSD, hyperactive disorder, and even Alzheimer's. He explains what drugs seem to be effective in helping aggressive animals and those suffering separation anxiety, and even details some herbal remedies that seem to work well. He also details work he's done with Temple Grandin.
He includes stories of mostly successful treatments for everything from birds to horses, and talks about proper nutrition and exercise as part of treatments. Some of the ailments are surprising, such as some behaviors being associated with seizure disorders or hypothyroidism.
The book is interesting and inspiring. Dodson obviously loves the work he's in and his animal patients and writes with real heart keeping technical talk to the bare minimum. Worthwhile for any pet owner, but particularly valuable for anyone who has a problem pet with plenty of ideas to discuss with your own veterinarian.
November 14, 2019
The thesis of this book is that animals who appear to have similar psychiatric issues to humans can be treated similarly. Nicholas Dodman is a veterinary doctor who specializes in psychiatric disordered in animals. He offers, as evidence, in this book, several of his own anecdotal accounts of animals with issues responding well to the use of drugs used by humans.
Throughout the book, Dodman argues the 1 solution philosophy. Since most drugs for humans are tested on animals first, why not use them on animals? The answer, sadly, is that while in practical application, most researchers assume animal nervous systems and emotions are similar to that of humans, there is a history among scholars of assuming that somehow humans are different. If an anti-depressant drug for human works for animals, that would suggest that we accept that animals have emotion which is not widely accepted by scholars of biology. Sadly, this goes to show that most scholars of biology are a century behind in their thinking.
Dodman presents dozens of his own stories as well as his understanding of the work of other researchers in his area. The fact is that animals that seem have disorders like depression, anxiety and even epilepsy, can be treated the way we treat humans with the same disorders.
I tend to agree. As a dog owner and lover of animals, I could relate to Dodman. Beyond his academic mission, to convince the veterinary establishment that animals have feelings, his stories are frequently funny, entertaining and interesting. I enjoyed reading this book and gained valuable insight into the lives of our pets. Good read.
Throughout the book, Dodman argues the 1 solution philosophy. Since most drugs for humans are tested on animals first, why not use them on animals? The answer, sadly, is that while in practical application, most researchers assume animal nervous systems and emotions are similar to that of humans, there is a history among scholars of assuming that somehow humans are different. If an anti-depressant drug for human works for animals, that would suggest that we accept that animals have emotion which is not widely accepted by scholars of biology. Sadly, this goes to show that most scholars of biology are a century behind in their thinking.
Dodman presents dozens of his own stories as well as his understanding of the work of other researchers in his area. The fact is that animals that seem have disorders like depression, anxiety and even epilepsy, can be treated the way we treat humans with the same disorders.
I tend to agree. As a dog owner and lover of animals, I could relate to Dodman. Beyond his academic mission, to convince the veterinary establishment that animals have feelings, his stories are frequently funny, entertaining and interesting. I enjoyed reading this book and gained valuable insight into the lives of our pets. Good read.
December 24, 2019
Pioneering veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman reveals his practice of One Medicine, which emphasizes the similarities, rather than the differences, between human and animal neurochemistry. Narrating his own experiences with a wide variety of animals, Dr. Dodman provides strong anecdotal evidence that animals experience emotions similar to humans, from racehorses with Tourette’s syndrome, spinning dogs with epilepsy, cats with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and feather-plucking parrots with anxiety.
Pets on the Couch is a touching collection of stories that reinforces what pet owners already know—that animals experience pain and pleasure and they lead complex emotional lives. Although I have heard of Puppy Prozac, Dr. Dodman showcases a wide range of drugs that produce a similar effect in animals as humans, not just the SSRIs. He also uses PET/CT scans and MRIs when available, and recounts a little of the genetic testing of OCD and autism in his lab at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
The disadvantage of being an easily digestible book is the focus on anecdotal, experience-based storytelling, which produces more of a professional memoir in which Dr. Dodman pats himself on the back a lot. His career clearly illustrates that he should be patting himself on the back, but the details of the rigorous scientific studies are missing. And while there are some special tidbits in behavioral research, Dr. Dodman does not focus on lifestyle changes to introduce before drugs.
Recommended for animals lover and pet owners, particularly dogs!
readwellreviews.com
Pets on the Couch is a touching collection of stories that reinforces what pet owners already know—that animals experience pain and pleasure and they lead complex emotional lives. Although I have heard of Puppy Prozac, Dr. Dodman showcases a wide range of drugs that produce a similar effect in animals as humans, not just the SSRIs. He also uses PET/CT scans and MRIs when available, and recounts a little of the genetic testing of OCD and autism in his lab at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
The disadvantage of being an easily digestible book is the focus on anecdotal, experience-based storytelling, which produces more of a professional memoir in which Dr. Dodman pats himself on the back a lot. His career clearly illustrates that he should be patting himself on the back, but the details of the rigorous scientific studies are missing. And while there are some special tidbits in behavioral research, Dr. Dodman does not focus on lifestyle changes to introduce before drugs.
Recommended for animals lover and pet owners, particularly dogs!
readwellreviews.com
November 24, 2017
It's super important that you know from the beginning that animals are going to die in this book. Some will also have really bad back stories about shitty people treating them shitty. It will likely make you very upset and very desperate to hug your own pets, which is why you should really only read this in bed with alcohol and all your furbabies nestled against you. You're welcome.
Dodman is a well known, well published, often cited Vet who has encountered and treated a wide variety of behavioral/medical issues with animals. This collection of anecdotes support a central thesis: that animals are no different from humans when it comes to having medical conditions, and can and should be treated seriously and with similar strategies as used for humans. Listening to Dodman is fascinating, but what was most surprising to me was the idea that some people - including other vets - did not or still do not believe this thesis to be true. That there is any doubt as to the complexity of thought and emotion in animals I can only assume it's from a lack of actual interaction with them. In which case I kindly invite such individuals to visit me and the pets, including the cat who probably won't like you and will absolutely let you know about her thoughts and emotions by smacking you.
Dodman is a well known, well published, often cited Vet who has encountered and treated a wide variety of behavioral/medical issues with animals. This collection of anecdotes support a central thesis: that animals are no different from humans when it comes to having medical conditions, and can and should be treated seriously and with similar strategies as used for humans. Listening to Dodman is fascinating, but what was most surprising to me was the idea that some people - including other vets - did not or still do not believe this thesis to be true. That there is any doubt as to the complexity of thought and emotion in animals I can only assume it's from a lack of actual interaction with them. In which case I kindly invite such individuals to visit me and the pets, including the cat who probably won't like you and will absolutely let you know about her thoughts and emotions by smacking you.
August 9, 2019
Well-written, but super scientific. It really felt like a long-form medical journal article at times. In a nutshell, our pets have feelings, and they shouldn't be ignored. Any pet owner can tell you that, but most of us aren't scientists, and scientific proof is why Dodman has dedicated his career to neurotic pets.
Dodman's hypothesis is more of a rallying cry to scientists - quit treating domesticated animals differently than human animals when it comes to addressing suspected neurological and behavioral issues. He's a big proponent of pharmacological interventions (the same drugs prescribed to humans) and opines that most issues we put down animals for -- especially aggression -- can be corrected.
He outlines some interesting case studies about ADHD, thyroid conditions, narcolepsy and depression (mostly in dogs), a tourette syndrome-like disorder in horses, and a cat with depression-associated anorexia. These helped keep my interest piqued between the technical discussions, really more suited for veterinarians and researchers than the average pet owner.
But I appreciate Dodman's insistence not to give up on our companions, and if anything, the case studies prove you should always seek a second opinion - for yourself and your pets.
Dodman's hypothesis is more of a rallying cry to scientists - quit treating domesticated animals differently than human animals when it comes to addressing suspected neurological and behavioral issues. He's a big proponent of pharmacological interventions (the same drugs prescribed to humans) and opines that most issues we put down animals for -- especially aggression -- can be corrected.
He outlines some interesting case studies about ADHD, thyroid conditions, narcolepsy and depression (mostly in dogs), a tourette syndrome-like disorder in horses, and a cat with depression-associated anorexia. These helped keep my interest piqued between the technical discussions, really more suited for veterinarians and researchers than the average pet owner.
But I appreciate Dodman's insistence not to give up on our companions, and if anything, the case studies prove you should always seek a second opinion - for yourself and your pets.
March 30, 2019
Honestly I enjoyed this, and I felt that I learned a lot from it as well.
I've always been of the mind that humans and animals are a lot alike (especially considering that we are animals). I got to make a lot of connections between the text of this book and some of the courses I am currently taking which made it all the more interesting and made me feel a bit more confident in the career I am pursuing.
I also am an avid fan of ONE health or ONE medicine. I think it's incredibly important. I also hope that more people become aware of the fact that animals can suffer from mental illness just as humans do and the first sign of trouble with your dog or cat or any pet shouldn't be a means to euthanize them.
I know it took me several months to finish this book but that is just how I am with these books. It had nothing to do with whether I enjoyed them or not. It just has to do with what I am in the mood to read really and it usually just takes a bit more coaxing with nonfiction work.
Still enjoyed this and would hevaily recommend it to those looking to learn more about the neurological functions that pets undergo and the symptoms of mental illness that they can show too.
I've always been of the mind that humans and animals are a lot alike (
I also am an avid fan of ONE health or ONE medicine. I think it's incredibly important. I also hope that more people become aware of the fact that animals can suffer from mental illness just as humans do and the first sign of trouble with your dog or cat or any pet shouldn't be a means to euthanize them.
I know it took me several months to finish this book but that is just how I am with these books. It had nothing to do with whether I enjoyed them or not. It just has to do with what I am in the mood to read really and it usually just takes a bit more coaxing with nonfiction work.
Still enjoyed this and would hevaily recommend it to those looking to learn more about the neurological functions that pets undergo and the symptoms of mental illness that they can show too.
August 30, 2016
Maybe the fact that the title contains the word "psychiatry" should have tipped me off that I wouldn't really like this book.
Dodman says that animals are like humans in terms of psychiatric and physical and psychological problems. OK. He spends a lot of pages saying how revolutionary he is for saying this= boring! Also not really true, even though there are certainly people who disagree with that premise.
Dodman also does a lot of comparing animal ailments to human ones where he misrepresents the human condition and or treatment as being more understood and treatable than it is. For instance, the Alzheimer treatments in humans are so marginal in their effectiveness that many European countries have decided not to pay for them.
He says that you might think he's a pill pusher but that that's the farthest thing from the truth... he comes across as a pill pusher.
I felt that this book did contain lots of interesting anecdotes but also way too much bluster.
Dodman says that animals are like humans in terms of psychiatric and physical and psychological problems. OK. He spends a lot of pages saying how revolutionary he is for saying this= boring! Also not really true, even though there are certainly people who disagree with that premise.
Dodman also does a lot of comparing animal ailments to human ones where he misrepresents the human condition and or treatment as being more understood and treatable than it is. For instance, the Alzheimer treatments in humans are so marginal in their effectiveness that many European countries have decided not to pay for them.
He says that you might think he's a pill pusher but that that's the farthest thing from the truth... he comes across as a pill pusher.
I felt that this book did contain lots of interesting anecdotes but also way too much bluster.
March 11, 2017
Although this book was a little clinical and not a page turner, I found myself reading a few pages each night clear to the end. The thought that our pets have many things in common with us, and often are as close to us psychological as many of our human friends, makes it easy to believe that there are also many physical and psychological problems that we share with them. The author of this book, a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine at Tufts University, takes this a step farther and explores the similarities of animal disorders with human disorders and finds that often the same medications can help both of us. Through many examples he shows our animal friends responding to and recovering from both their physical and emotional problems by using medications that are familiar to us and our human friends. After all, many of these treatments have been tested on animals just like our pets before they have been deemed safe for us to use. Have a dog? A cat? A horse? This is worth a read.
March 1, 2017
This was an interesting book, in terms of the various illness that animals have. I thought that the case studies were interesting and I liked learning more about the human medications that can be used to treat animals. I also liked the aspect of the book where the author emphasized treating behavioral issues rather than automatically assuming the animal needs to be euthanized. The concept of One Medicine (human and animals share diseases, therefore, similar medications can be used among species) seems very simple to me, and I am not sure what all the dispute is about in the scientific community. I can't fathom how anyone can say that animals have no feelings, emotions, etc.; to me, that is a non-issue and an obvious fact. So, in this case, the author's pushing of One Medicine is like preaching to the choir, but that's okay; I still learned something from this book. My 18.5 year old shih-Tzu benefited from human medications, so I know first-hand what the author is talking about.
June 15, 2018
Over 20 years ago, I wrote to Dr. Dodman after I had put down my Belgian sheepdog with all the symptoms of "rage." Before then, I had seen many trainers and vets. All told me that rage was rare. By the time we saw a veterinary behaviorist, the dog began to have grand mal seizures, and he became totally unpredictable in his aggression. There was no choice left.
Still, doubt remained in my mind until Dr. Dodman replied to my letter. He put my mind at ease. In reading his book Pets on the Couch, I relived the experience once again, especially during the chapter that includes rage. Thankfully, Dr. Dodman doesn't resort to the use of drugs as a first course of action. If a behavioral problem can be taken care of through training or other behavior modification, he suggests it. But many of the cases he sees are a last resort. For those of us who have lived through such cases, his knowledge is a gold mine. I thank him for sharing it with the rest of us.
Still, doubt remained in my mind until Dr. Dodman replied to my letter. He put my mind at ease. In reading his book Pets on the Couch, I relived the experience once again, especially during the chapter that includes rage. Thankfully, Dr. Dodman doesn't resort to the use of drugs as a first course of action. If a behavioral problem can be taken care of through training or other behavior modification, he suggests it. But many of the cases he sees are a last resort. For those of us who have lived through such cases, his knowledge is a gold mine. I thank him for sharing it with the rest of us.
March 3, 2017
I found this book incredibly interesting! However, it was very technical in medical speak and pharmacology, so if that isn't something that interests you, you might not want to read this book. There is a lot of talk about neurotransmitters, various meds, and scientific studies- which Dodman does explain for lay persons, but I just think some might find these things boring.
The stories and anecdotes of the animals he's helped were funny, sad, interesting and exciting. It further substantiated my own beliefs about animals and their interworkings, and it was nice to see those feelings backed up with scientific proof.
I enjoyed Dodman's approach and perspective on treating animals, and how he didn't give up on them when most people would have.
The stories and anecdotes of the animals he's helped were funny, sad, interesting and exciting. It further substantiated my own beliefs about animals and their interworkings, and it was nice to see those feelings backed up with scientific proof.
I enjoyed Dodman's approach and perspective on treating animals, and how he didn't give up on them when most people would have.
June 5, 2017
As some other reviewers have mentioned, Dr. Dodman overstates his case. By a lot. This book could easily be edited by a significant percentage and actually be a more powerful statement. This might have been better if it were separated into two books; one along the lines of All Creatures Great & Small, while the other could be more scientific-leaning.
I'm in his camp - I believe that non-human animals can develop versions of disease and neuroses that are like ours and benefit from the same diagnoses and treatments. That some people don't believe what he's saying leaves me baffled and presuming that they've never interacted meaningfully with an animal of any kind (humans included). His message is wonderful, especially the final chapter, I just wish it was delivered more succinctly.
I'm in his camp - I believe that non-human animals can develop versions of disease and neuroses that are like ours and benefit from the same diagnoses and treatments. That some people don't believe what he's saying leaves me baffled and presuming that they've never interacted meaningfully with an animal of any kind (humans included). His message is wonderful, especially the final chapter, I just wish it was delivered more succinctly.
July 6, 2017
Anyone who has ever lived with a pet knows that they can be just as neurotic as people, and wonderfully happier than our happiest days, and magnanimously forgiving when we're unkind or thoughtless to them. Our brains may be much larger but our basic emotional vocabulary is not that different from our pet's. So it's helpful to know that many of our medications, including those for depression, are useful in helping our pets cope with what ails them. This is not to say that you should drop a prozac into the supper dish without the prescription from your veterinarian if you have a sad puppy, but it's nice to know that our pets can be helped with more than just antibiotics.
September 4, 2017
The book describes how pet animals (mostly cats and dogs, and sometimes horses and birds) resemble humans in their physiology and responses to neurological medications.
His descriptions on the treatments sound sometimes too simple and deterministic, although I would imagine there would be much more complexity in his real practice. I would have appreciated more if he shared some of the challenges and failures in the treatments. I acknowledge that his focus was more on the diagnosis and its challenges due to our biases (e.g., that pet animals wouldn't have similar psychological issues like us human). Indeed, Tourette syndrome, autism may not be the only attributes of humans.
His descriptions on the treatments sound sometimes too simple and deterministic, although I would imagine there would be much more complexity in his real practice. I would have appreciated more if he shared some of the challenges and failures in the treatments. I acknowledge that his focus was more on the diagnosis and its challenges due to our biases (e.g., that pet animals wouldn't have similar psychological issues like us human). Indeed, Tourette syndrome, autism may not be the only attributes of humans.
August 21, 2019
Dr. Dodman is the proponent of what he calls One Medicine, the principle that humans and other animals share the same neurochemistry, and our minds and emotions work in similar ways. Using as examples numerous animals that he encountered while director of the Tufts University Animal Behavior Department of Clinical Sciences he demonstrates the similarity in character and treatment of many animal/human anomalies such as: depression, anxiety, aggression, OCD, autism, and seizure disorders. An informative, and always compassionate, dissertation. (The Good Reads heading identifies this as an ebook, however I read it in a hard cover edition.)
March 17, 2017
I really enjoyed this book on the behavioural conditions of animals. It helped me understand my dogs better. One of them suffers from anxiety and has loud noise phobia. This book has provided me with an insight on her condition and how I can help her. Pets on the couch is not your ordinary pet book; it goes deep into the psychiatry of animals. Some people will find this book quite controversial; especially when Nicholas Dodman compares the animal behaviours and conditions identical to humans'. I have no issue with this and agree with him. Intelligent and educational read!
May 5, 2017
A world famous psychiatrist for pets with behavior problems, right here in Massachusetts! What could be very dry and boring, Dodman has a way to make learning about the workings of the brain and the chemistry behind prescribing various drugs delightful. He believes conditions seen in humans are also present in animals and can be treated similarly. He is truly the Oliver Saks of domesticated animals! These clinical tales are equal parts enlightening and sobering but overall a fascinating read.
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