If your dog could choose a book for you to read it would surely be this one. Behaviourist, Shay Kelly shows you how to become your dog’s best friend by providing simple, fun activities to spark their mind and enrich their life. A lack of mental stimulation is a leading contributory factor in dog behavioural problems. Ensuring that our dog's needs are met is the first step in avoiding and rectifying problematic behaviour. Shay's Buddhist values and behaviour knowledge combine to deliver practical, kind, and scientific advice.
This is not a training book. This is also not an explanation of canine behaviour research and theory. Instead it's a down-to-earth reference explaining the things dogs need to stay content. One of the best things about this book is that it acknowledges the reality that many dog owners can't always give their dogs the amount of exercise and companionship they need. The exercises and games in this book aren't a replacement for exercising and spending time with your dog, but they'll help a lot on the days you can't do those things.
The enrichment Shay Kelly is talking about here isn't necessarily the kind that's meant to be challenging, or to teach your pup new skills (though she'll probably end up learning a thing or two); instead the games and activities are meant to enrich a pup's life by keeping things interesting. I've read a lot of books and online training information since adopting my pup, so a lot of the concepts suggested in this book are familiar. It's still a really useful, easy-to-read reminder of the basics that go into using up my pup's extra energy in fun and engaging ways. I would definitely recommend this book to people who are struggling with mild behaviour problems in their dogs - things like chewing on shoes or excessive barking, or to people who just want to make life more fun for their dog. If you have a dog, or are about to get one, pick up a copy of this book plus a few others more focused on training (make sure the training approaches are based in positive reinforcement) and find some training classes (again, based in positive reinforcement) or work one-on-one with a trainer.
A quick read with a lot of good suggestions for fun enrichment activities. A good complement to Unleashing Your Dog. The tone is rather British, which may put off some readers who are unused to a more blunt approach.
It was an easy read with tons of great ideas and philosophy that’s easy to follow if you are interested in what your dog enjoys - not what you think they should be doing. Its a different way of thinking. Not what you want from your dog but what do they want/need from you to be fulfilled.
This is a very good compilation of enrichment activities and rationale for your dog. If you are a member of the Canine Enrichment group on FB, you are likely familiar with most of this. It's nice to have this information in a reference though, and with some good learning guidance.
Even after a lifetime of raising, training, showing and loving dogs this book taught me so much! It made me think more about how my dog perceives the world and how I interact with her.
A quick, easy, and fun read, a lot of great ideas and activities for your dog. Now, working from home, I realize how much time our boy spends on the couch! I've added a puzzle game, hide and seek with treats, and an agility for fun class for him!