Since its original publication 15 years ago, The Dog Behavior Answer Book has helped thousands of dog owners understand their canine companions and become more effective, compassionate caretakers. The completely updated 2nd edition, in a new, larger format, features the latest science and recommended techniques for training, caring for, and understanding dogs. Long-time pet expert Arden Moore answers real-life questions, How does a dog's sense of smell work? What's the best way to evaluate my dog's intelligence? How can I boost the confidence of a shy dog? Why does my dog pee in the house when I'm away? How can I stop my dog from chasing the neighbor children? Can I train my dog to stop chewing on shoes? How can I learn to "speak dog" better? What's the best way to train a puppy to calm down? What kind of dog should I choose since I live in an apartment? How can I help my arthritic dog move safely? Combining her friendly, entertaining tone with her seasoned, hands-on knowledge of dogs, Moore is the perfect guide to navigating dog ownership with confidence and success.
Arden Moore is an animal behavior consultant and the author of 20 books on cats and dogs, including What Dogs Want. She has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News, CNN Headline News, HGTV's "Smart Solution," Martha Stewart Living Radio, NPR and hundreds of other programs. She has been the editor of Fido Friendly and Catnip magazines, and host of "Oh Behave!" weekly radio show on Pet Life Radio.com.
4☆ Fun, Informative & Brimming full of Doggie Facts, Tips, Hints & tricks!
The Dog Behaviour Answer Book is full of information about understanding your dogs Behaviour.
I have a 7month old Puppy and although we've had dogs for over 40years there is always something new to learn. My old dog passed away last year I was absolutely heart broken and getting a puppy a few months ago is blooming hard work! You forget that when your dogs grow up.
So having this book was a lovely refresher. Also we have just finished puppy training classes last week and there is a lot, in the book, that we was taught in class, so it just goes to show how good this book is.
What I really loved about this book is that the questions the Author answers, are all questions sent in or asked by dog owners. I'm pretty sure that if you read it and you have or had dogs you will definitely be thinking ahh yes that's something I would like to know.
The only reason this wasn't a 5☆ review was due to formatting issues with the ebook, it wasn't the best way to read this book.
There's so much interesting facts, suggestions, tips and even games to play with your dog. This book really has thought of everything. I really enjoyed reading it and would definitely recommend it to new dog owners, people thinking of getting a puppy or dog, or in general if you just adore dogs! There is a wealth of knowledge to be discovered! Enjoy!
Thank you to Storey Publishing and Netgalley for my copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This is a must-read for any dog owner! The author goes from puppy stages to senior/grieving a best friend. Honestly, I wish I'd had this book when my (now 9-year-old dog) was a puppy! So many good tips for training, understanding why dogs do the things they do, and how to comfort your dog during times of zoomies and anxiety.
This is a very thorough Q&A style book about dog behavior with lots of color photos. It's composed of just tons of short questions and her answers to them, which each take up a few paragraphs. It covers things like how to get a dog to stop guarding resources, dogs who are grieving, getting ready for a move or a new baby, and so on. It tends to give rather short answers but they're mostly complete. Some topics aren't covered that I see come up the most in my best friend's pet business like what to do about aggressive dogs, dogs who keep escaping from your yard, dealing with excessive barking or weird phobias, and so on. Most of her advice is to train with treats. She also focuses on letting dogs know who's boss and there's a pretty heavy element of control and hierarchies. Some answers surprised me, like how to pick out a dog who'll like to wear fashions -- I think a lot of dog experts would just say don't dress up your dog. :) It's an interesting book though and I learned some new stuff.
Enjoyed this book and found a lot of interesting information packed between the covers. I thought the book was well organized and the thoughts flow smoothly. The author does a great job of keeping the material educational and still entertaining.
📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are cross-posted to social media, goodreads, and blog. 🦄
A great little book with lots of tips and tricks for improving your dog's behaviour which acknowledges the differences between breeds. I particularly liked how the author met every submission/query with empathy without the instructions and advice coming off as patronising. More ideal for a new dog-owner, especially those getting a puppy, however I did still learn a few things on how to be a better dog-owner (or pet-parent, as the author likes to use)!
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This delightful dog training book is written in the form of questions and answers, so it's as if we readers are privy to a long advice column with questions that have been sent in to a dog expert and clever, compassionate answers provided to every one. You can dip in to this book anywhere, as the subjects are varied and arranged in no particular order -- but that is also my main complaint about the book, as there is no index to help me find all the sections on, say, housebreaking. However, if you're already familiar with the basics of dog training and just want an extra book full of fun nuggests of wisdom, this one will work well for you.
The author of the book, Arden Moore, is clearly an expert, and her answers are all sensible,, clearly written, and helpful. One problem with the advanced reader copy I was provided by Netgalley, is that there is no demarcation between questions and answers; they all flow together. I imagine this was cleaned up before the final copy was printed.
Here are a few quirky little insights I gained: dogs circle before pooping to flatten the grass around them so that their poop drops down rather than sticking to their bottoms. Also, and weirder, dogs circle to feel the Earth's magnetic pull and align themselves north to south, which they prefer to east to west. (Whoa, crazy.)
Your pet may prefer toilet water to the water you put in his bowl because plastic absorbs odors and may smell funny, while the cool ceramic toilet has a fresh load of clean water in it every time you flush. To make the water bowl more attractive, use ceramic or stainless steel, and keep the bowl in a cool spot so it stays as cool as the toilet water.
Coprophagy (kaa-pruh-faa-jee) is poop eating. New mama dogs do it to keep their dens clean. Other dogs do it because they're omnivores and have no inhibitions and some poop smells like the food the pooper ate. Keep dogs well-walked and stimulated with learning tricks every day so they don't eat poop out of boredom.
For ball fanatics, make sure they know YOU are in charge. Put balls away at night. You choose when they come out.
Terriers and other dogs bred to spot and chase small prey are more likely to show interest in your television set than hounds bred to smell and sniff their prey out.
This author believes in the Nothing In Life Is Free method: you decide when to play fetch and when to stop. You get the dog to do tricks before giving them their food. You decide when grooming and petting sessions will take place. You give a cold shoulder if the dog asks you for a cuddle. (Awww, that one seems harsh.)
To teach come, play hide and seek: someone holds your dog in one room while you hide in another then call Lola, come! and praise and give treat when Lola finds you.
Treat any aggression with a bathroom time out.(Fewer than five minutes, plus ignore her for 30 seconds after she's out.)
Teach "find your spot!" -- something you want your dog to do when company is coming or someone is ringing your doorbell -- by putting premium treats on the bed you want her to find and rest on as company is arriving. Practice a lot before company comes.
This is a fabulous book for any dog owner or prospective dog owner. It answers many questions that you’ve wondered as well as those you weren’t aware of but find fascinating once you read about them. The subtitle says it all - Understanding and Communicating with Your Dog and Building a Strong and Happy Relationship. The book is full of anecdotes from dog owners asking such things as why a dog circles and scratches on the couch before lying down, why puppies have zoomies and more.
There are interesting bite-sized stories or fun facts throughout the book (called Paw Prints) like the first dog in space, dog winners in the Guinness book of records, the most barks on record and how Dalmatians are born all white and the black spots come later. In addition, there are breed bytes sprinkled throughout, which gives information about a specific breed.
The book includes information for prospective dog owners such as selecting a breed, puppy proofing inside and out and more. Moreover, it’s a great resource because it tells you how to solve common dog behavior problems, including house training problems, begging for food, digging outside, dog won’t let his toes be touched, won’t go down the stairs, etc. My favorites are the questions you always wondered about but did not know the answer such as why does my dog attack toys and pull all the stuffing out, chase his tail, go crazy at the fedex guy, looks guilty after peeing in the house, bury bones or toys, still humps even though he is neutered, and more.
This is an important book to own because it has information that could prove invaluable in an emergency like what to do if you think your dog ate poison. It’s a serious book but also Avery fun and entertaining book that I would recommend to anyone who loves dogs. Thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
I definitely recommend this excellent dog behavior book.
One caveat though.
Our current understanding of dog social dynamics is moving farther away from "alpha" or "dominance" based ideas as we come to understand that wild wolf packs work differently than we thought and that dogs differ significantly from wolves in important ways.
Having seen some owners use even slight suggestions of "alpha" or "dominance" as excuses for destructive training methods, I am cautious in recommending books that references these ideas.
There *are* sections of this book that rely on that way of thinking. Fortunately, references are sparing and Arden tries to be clear that the intent is not to be a tyrant but rather to be a consistent and patient leader for your dogs.
If you would like a balanced explanation of dog "pack" dynamics and how they do or do not relate to training your pet, I highly recommend "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell
That being said, this book is fantastic. There was not a single question asked that I don't hear all the time in practice. I can't imagine a pet owner or veterinarian who couldn't relate to concerns addressed in this book.
The question format makes the book much more interesting and relevant because you can really imagine what it's like to be the owners of Dolly the Great Dane who greets people by sticking her nose in inappropriate places. Plus, the answers are straightforward and helpful.
As I said, definitely recommend the book, and I'm look forward to reading The Cat Behavior Answers Book too.
The Dog Behavior Answer Book is a phenomenal, educational, and fascinating resource! As someone with a life long love of dogs who is committed to understanding them, I still learned so so so much from this book. Communication and relationship building is incredibly important in any relationship including our relationship with our furry best friends. I love that this book is applicable and has tips specific to all breed categories and ages. This book is truly a gem!
Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC of this book!
This is the most informative book about dogs I’ve ever read. Everything about owning a dog is covered in this book. I wish it had been available years ago, when I had my dog, and was trying to train her. She was a good dog, but the tips in this book would have made her phenomenal!
A concise and very thorough book on dog behaviour that will answer all the questions you have about your furry companion, from quirks to disappearance to how to fix bad habits. There's no question left untouched or unanswered, which is extremely useful for dog owners, who will be able to put these tips into practice whenever needed. Worth having at home and consulting every time you see your doggie behaving in certain way you either wish to fix or simply understand the reason for it happening.
Howerver, it shouldn't have been so heavy on wolf-based behaviour and pack dynamics, since it's a very different matter and a rather antiquated view of domestic dogs. No serious veterinarian, or even animal psychologist, that I'm aware of follows that theoretical framework anymore. Besides this hiccup, it's a useful handbook for the general public. And it has such lovely pictures of puppies!
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the dog behavior answer but I now know why my dog Bella likes to go roll and other dogs is mess after her bath. There were some things I already knew but most things I was surprised that and appreciated all of it. I love to learn more about my little fuzzy four-legged friends. Especially when the answer explains that they’re just being a dog and not the lowest man on the totem pole. I really enjoyed this book and I’m glad I received it. Thanks to netGally in the author for this review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily in all opinions that definitely my own please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
This very informative guide and training book for dog lovers is fun and easy to read. Written in a question and answer format, it is filled with lots of practical advice and fun, interesting facts. For instance, my Maltipoo, Linus, is fascinated with dogs and other animals on television, but it never occurred to me that his excited barking could be frustration at being able to see a dog and yet not smell it. How strange! he must be thinking, lol. It was also fun to learn that his sister Opal’s zoomies are a show of happiness. Well written and visually pleasing book!
The Dog Behaviour Answer Book is an interesting read that covers a range of issues relating to owning a dog. As well as choosing the right breed for you, puppy behaviour and why dogs act a certain way there is also basic training tips and case study examples of different behaviours and how to resolve them. I think this is a helpful reference book which would be useful to new dog owners or those experiencing a specific issue with their pet. It is advocating reward based training methods and is clearly written by someone who loves and understands animals.
What a wonderful and easy to read book this is. We have had dogs all our life, two at time and always rescue dogs. This book would have been invaluable over the year, unfortunately we had to learn the hard way through experience and trial and error. I would strongly advocate this book to read by all dog owners - maybe even before they get a dog - or two. It is fun to read, with lots information and cute photos, and therefore the information is retained and retrieved when needed. Love, love this book. . Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DRC
No this book was a gem of a find - The Dog Behavior Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Arden Moore was an excellent book from page one to the last page. I'm a proud mum of 2 female dogs, a westie called Millie who is 9 and a Cavapoo called Charlie who is 6. So this book was brilliant. It tackles so many things and is written in a question-and-answer format to explain how to approach certain dog behaviours, which I found very good and easy to follow.
I highly recommend this book It help me with my 2 fur babies.....
This was an easy, enjoyable read and I highlighted a fair few parts of training techniques I want to try out on my dog.
I really appreciated the fact the author's base viewpoint seems to be your dog being a member of the family with the right to roam the house etc vs other books which really heavily emphasize the use of crates and baby gates etc to limit their access. Slight quibbles were it's very American, a little outdated with some of the pack references and I think there could have been slightly more detailed instructions given or some of the techniques.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
Urgh another dominance author preaching that you need to force respect out of dogs to get well trained and happy dogs. I don't know why I expected otherwise, seems to be the chronic case of any TV show dog trainer - all flashy design and very little substance.
Author keeps claiming you shouldn't bully your dog, then half the techniques within are exactly that - bullying your dog, keeping them off balance, social and environmental deprivation until they are quiet and compliant. Seen and not heard or engaged with.
Author strongly advocates micromanagement controlling "nothing in life is free" methods that rely on depriving your dog of any nugget of freedom so that they become so desperate for attention and freedom they will engage with you. Hardly a solid foundation in any relationship, especially when you consider that many of the problems with dogs come from lack of choice or engagement from their humans, and that as humans we already control everything - and the pack leader respect junk has been debunked years ago that's just more of that toxic alpha tate that is spreading over the internet by a different name
Very reluctantly made this 2 stars as there is some helpful modern day advice on how to handle situations within, if you can avoid the outdated misinformation of being pack leader. It makes me think there was a second shadow author for this book, with how it flips between quite modern advice and the outdated dominance/deprivation/leadership/bullying/packleader style advice that thinks giving attention to a fearful dog is rewarding it for being fearful and that dogs are trying to be top dog (give me a break).
I refuse to have this book on my 2024 reading list though so this is remaining undated. Read with caution and perhaps create a bingo list of dog trainer redflags to mark off as you go.
Easy to dip in and out of, or just sit and read. Any dog owner would find this useful, from the brand new puppy owner to the long established dog lover. An excellent addition to the reference book shelf to answer the questions you frustratingly ask your dog but never get the answer to….
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I didn’t really know when to expect going into this book, but I was pleasantly suprised! To be honest this is a must read for every new dog owner and I wish I could gift it to everyone around me. This should be your go to dog manual. It covers all the basics and more, in a Q&A style (like what to do with the mail men or when he/she keeps knocking over the water bowl), but also offers additional information like how dogs perceive things and what different barks mean. There are tips for behaviour problems, but also on how to puppy proof a house, care for a senior or disabled dog, but also really specific things you don’t think about until you need it, like a guide on how to break up a dog fight and the dangers in a house. I love how extensive it is, and how much it is about the wellfare of the dog. There are some training tips but not much, and it isn’t for severe behaviour issues, but this is the perfect guide for everything that you need to figure out on your own with trial and error or specifically google about, now all in one package.
Two downsides, though the theory of positive inforcement is used, there are a few mentions of the domination theory. Not in a harmful way I believe, but as this theory has been debunked many times I found it odd to find it here in a book that follows all the latest dog science. There is also mention of a gentle leader/halti which personally I wouldn’t consider dog friendly. But all in all I really recommend this one for everyone who cares about their dog’s happiness, especially puppy owners.
Read this book and make the bond with your dog better and better.
The Dog Behavior Answer Book gives you great insight into what it is like to be a dog. This should help all of us to be better dog owners. Dogs are not little people and all of us need to learn and remember that. Understanding and communicating with your dog to build a strong relationship is what this book is all about. It starts out with teaching us about canine senses and instincts and how they are different from ours. The next section of the books teaches us how dogs communicate with each other and try to communicate with us. This section teaches us how to read a dog bark and dog body language. The next couple of sections teach us about dog habits and how to train our dog if we cannot live with the habit. Dogs are smart and can learn so many things if we just take the time to teach them. If your dog has a bad habit, take the time to teach them what you want them to do instead. If your dog is not learning from you it is not because they are dumb, try something else, you are not communicating with your dog. The goal is for you and your dog to live in harmony and enjoy each other. Dogs are so good for humans, they can teach us to relax and look at the bright side of life. Read this book and make the bond with your dog better and better.
"Ear-ye! Ear-ye!" I've been doing this all wrong! My dogs rule the house! 🐶🐕🐩
Not until I read "The Dog Behavior Answer Book, 2nd Edition" by Arden Moore, did I realize how to correct the bad habits of my 3 little dogs, ("Queen's" for short). Moore's book is a comprehensive guide to training and correcting bad doggie behaviors. This book is for dog's of all ages, no matter what the topic. It is a fantastic read on everything including different breeds, health, intelligence, staying consistent, commands, excessive licking, potty training, exercise, coping with the loss of a pet, and how dogs can help with a one's own mental health. I love the examples Moore gives on how beneficial animals are for children and senior citizens. This is a go-to must have for dog owners! It is full of humorous antidotes and a pure joy to read.
My dog's LuLu, Ruby, and Stella, who think they have it "Ruff" because mama does not understand them, thank Arden Moore from the bottom of their spoiled rotten little hearts! 💘💘💘
Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for allowing me to review this outstanding e-book.
Mark you calendars! It will be published September 27, 2022.
Do you wish you understood why your dog behaves the way he does? Do dogs act differently when they reach old age? Why do dogs not stop barking when you want them too? How do you train a dog to stay? These are only a few of the questions that are answered in this book. The book is written in a question and answer style. The author answers all questions throughly yet in easy to understand language. I found answers to questions I had about my senior citizen dog—will be 16 years old next month. It has given me comfort and understanding of some of the behaviors she’s been doing that I didn’t know if I needed to take her to her vet but I don’t now have to.
I can’t praise this book enough. It answers so many question that are helpful to the first dog owner to more experienced dog owners. Though I did read an arc of this book, I will be getting a copy for myself as I liked the information in it.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
While it isn't exactly what I was expecting, it is a great book of basics. It does touch on some problematic behaviors, but the answers weren't very deep in this regard.
I loved the Q&A style of the book and all the great photos. I agree with a lot of the book, and disagree with some (as to be expected with a book of this type). It will give new dog parents lots of fascinating insight as to why your dog is doing what it's doing.
As an owner of dogs with several deep rooted issues, and having raised, fostered, and volunteered for rescues, please make sure to socialize your new puppy. And remember that it takes time, especially for adult dogs, to adapt to being adopted and brought into a new home. It can take months for them to feel safe...take it at their pace, not yours.
If your dog is having any type of behavior issues, suffering from anxiety, etc...please have an animal behavioral therapist come see your pet in his/her environment.
I read much of this book with my own dog sprawled against me or in my lap. Since I was focusing on points made in the book that related to her, that seemed appropriate. I'm happy to say I'd already progressed past many of them and patted her on the head for me having done it correctly but also for being so patient during the times I wasn't quite up to snuff. Dogs train us, too, you know.
If you own a dog, it's almost certain you'll find something of relevance to your partnership in this book. It's an easy to read, entertaining. and has many adorable photos and bits of doggie lore and information. I'd love to be clever and impress you with my way with words but, well, my message is simple. All dog owners or potential dog owners need this book on their shelves.
Daisy, my rescue corgi mix, gives it four paws up and an enthusiastic tail wag.
Thank you #NetGalley and #StoryPublishing for sharing this gem with me. My dog Daisy thanks you, too.
An essential guide for any dog lover and owner. This Q and A style guide provides an overview of your dogs needs and asks many pertinent questions on how to understand and address a multitude of begaviours. Each question is given answers that include tips and methods to use on your own dog to help, and lots of beautiful photos accompany the text throughout. It is slit into short sections with headings to help you find information quickly when you want to dip in and out. The guide also includes lots of useful numbers you might need as time arises - eg if you think your dog has been poisoned, what to do if you think your dog has dementia. I have gained so much insight into my own two dogs and lots of useful tricks to help with their over-licking or how to stop them barking every time the door bell rings. A superb guide to manners and behaviours in your pouch. #thedogbehaviouranswerbook #ardenmoore #Netgalley
What a terrific book about dog behavior and how to solve the problems owners may encounter. I am a pet sitter and I found the approach in this book to a problem and the solution fun and easy to understand, which is important when people are new owners. I like the section about dogs earning rewards and not responding to bad behavior but to replace it with better behavior. I love the stories about each of the problem dogs and also the solutions that Moore suggests. The solutions are great, great, great. Most of Arden Moore's suggestions about changing behavior, I have used in the past and they work, but I found them through a lot of reading and trial and error, and I wish I read this book when I first started pet sitting it would have made dealing with certain pups easier. I loved the pictures of the dogs they are adorable.
I want to thank Storey Publishing, Storey Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for this very helpful book.