If Only They Could Speak: Stories About Pets and Their People

by Nicholas Dodman

A collection of thirteen true stories by an animal behaviorist offers insight into animal psychotherapy and psychopharmacology that contends that animals have emotional structures as complex as those of humans. 35,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Dogs

Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an enjoyable, insighful book. Follow Dr. Dodman through some of his tough cases of animal (mis)behavior. The strategies, care, and insighfulness he uses to help people with some of the challanges of pet-parenhood are fascinating and should give people hope that there IS help for their animal behavior issues. Many of the stores about his pet-patients are truley a compliement to the pet-parents who hung in their with their beloved animal friends to help them both struggle through the behaviors and love for their furry friends.

[Julie Silvers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Every story which talked very little about behavioral and or veterinary medicine seemed to be trying to teach a lesson. Much like fables in a bad way. Stories seemed to have a "I know best" sort of feel to them. Overall not my favorite Vet Med/Behavioral medicine book by far.

[Jonathan Bechtel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this book a 3.5 star is I have the choice. It was an easy read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty interesting and insightful stories about dogs and why they have phobias and neuroses. It doesn't make me want to get a dog!

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sure that Dr. Dodman is a terrific vet, but he's a terrible writer--so much so that I considered putting the book down several times. Here's an example from the first page of the 'Somerset Farm' chapter:

/// "Dr. Dodman, your next appointment is here," prompted the receptionist at the front desk as she slid a case record a couple of inches closer to me.

"Thank you, Gina," I replied, glancing at the owner's and dog's name on the outside of the manila file.

Gina swept a few wayward strands of her long dark hair away from her indigo eyes and flashed me an impish smile. "Have fun with this one," she said.

"I always do," I replied with a grin. ///

This isn't even one of the worst examples, but the one that I recall most clearly because - what the fuck. Indigo eyes?! Jesus. It's great that you're attracted to your receptionist, doc, but this reader is not interested.

I can't fathom why this was written in a first person narrative style. The dialogue feels - beyond forced - this is not how people talk. The stilted exchanges made me question the truth of the anecdotes.

All that said, I still enjoyed the stories at the heart of most chapters. I thiiiiiink I picked up some good nuggets about pet behavior, and I liked the little indexes at the back of the book.

One final complaint--the pitbull chapter. Again, I defer to Dr. Dodman's experience, but I don't agree with his belief that all pitbulls are genetically flawed. He uses one anecdote, one bad experience where a pitbull was raised right but still turned out aggressive, to conclude that all pits are bad news:

"[Nigel, pit owner] used to think that a responsible dog owner who interacted and cared for his dog properly would never end up with a hound from hell. He now knew better and swore that he would never own another pit bull. Despite his realization that faulty genetic wiring underlay Tucker's aggression, Nigel was still extremely attached to his dog, and it was with a sorrowful heart..."

This is dangerous thinking. I don't like sweeping judgements, especially ones based on a single experience. This conclusion is so contrary to the book's primary message--that each dog and cat is a sentient, feeling individual--that I had to call it out.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, written by a prominent animal behaviorist in New England, based on some of his most memorable patients and their owners. While I've read many others written by vets, this was the first one where the sole focus of care was psychological after all medical options have been exhausted. In general, the animals profiled exhibited something extreme, whether aggression, fear, or another behavior that limited the quality of life for both them and their owners. The case histories were interesting, and I felt bad for the people, who were often at their wits' end and seeking out Dodman as somewhat of a last resort. In some cases, the stories turned out happily, with Dodman working with both parties to achieve an improvement that allowed the animal to maintain somewhat of a normal life, while in other cases, even Dodman's help couldn't break through and the owner had to choose between adjusting to this new 'normal' or euthanizing the animal to end its suffering.
This wasn't a dog training book like you would expect from say Caesar Milan or another well-known 'expert' on the subject (expert in quotes because I've never read one of his books nor tried any of his training methods), although Dodman does provide an appendix of tips on how to handle a dominant dog, as dominance is a common trait amongst many of his patients, and having the owner exert his or her own dominance and become established as the leader of the pack is often an important part of the treatment. I do think I better enjoy the books written by vets that focus more on the medical side of things, but I would read another of Dodman's books provided it was the same format of presenting interesting cases rather than exclusively doling out advice.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have given this only 2 1/2 stars if I could. It was an interesting read. Some of the details the author provided I thought were odd. Amazing how much people will go through and pay for their pets. Makes me glad that my pets are pretty normal.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, another book by everyone's favorite veterinarian, Nicholas Dodman. It's more of the same from him, but I keep reading his books because I like stories about real dogs that aren't clouded by emotion. He's a bit like our modern James Herriott.

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about dogs and changing their behavior. I really liked this author from Tufts.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and learned a few things, but at times it felt like an advertisement for Prozac...

[Joy Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving a troubled dog can turn your life upside down. This book shares the stories of a number of theses dogs and provides insight into the why's and how's of living with these special creatures.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book.