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Don't Dump the Dog: Outrageous Stories and Simple Solutions to Your Worst Dog Behavior Problems
Do you want to dump your dog because he tries to escape your yard? Barks too much? You-know-whats in the house? Doesn’t play well with others? Chewed up your favorite pair of shoes?
You wouldn’t be the first person asking to “return” your pet. And dog rescuer Randy Grim has heard every reason under the sun. But before you load Fido into the back of your car, read this book.
In it, Randy addresses the concerns of dog guardians everywhere by responding to letters that he’s actually received. With humor, and from his vast experiences with abandoned dogs, he reveals exactly what you can do to remain calm and fix every bad behavior problem. (Even if it means dumping your husband instead of the dog.)
You wouldn’t be the first person asking to “return” your pet. And dog rescuer Randy Grim has heard every reason under the sun. But before you load Fido into the back of your car, read this book.
In it, Randy addresses the concerns of dog guardians everywhere by responding to letters that he’s actually received. With humor, and from his vast experiences with abandoned dogs, he reveals exactly what you can do to remain calm and fix every bad behavior problem. (Even if it means dumping your husband instead of the dog.)
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2009
112 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 28, 2022
This was a GREAT approach for this topic. It was hilarious! Also it opened my eyes to some training methods I was using that I tossed. I have 2 GSDs who bark too much and are jerks on car rides (to dog walkers) so we’ve been working with them since we are on the go a lot (with them). Game
Changer! Skip to the chapter that pertains to your problem but then read/listen to it all. Not only is the author a great story teller, but his sarcasm and humor are truly on point. You may even learn a tip or ten for a family member or retain it for a new fur baby in the future 🥰
Changer! Skip to the chapter that pertains to your problem but then read/listen to it all. Not only is the author a great story teller, but his sarcasm and humor are truly on point. You may even learn a tip or ten for a family member or retain it for a new fur baby in the future 🥰
April 30, 2016
Such a good read! I am buying a hard copy of this book for our library for future reference.
February 13, 2019
Is your sweet, loving dog also terrorizing your home by tearing up everything in the house, using the bathroom indoors, barking excessively, or damaging your home when you go to work? Does your dog show aggression toward other dogs or people while being sweet and loving toward you? If so, this book has practical ideas that can help. The book is written in a funny and friendly style, not full of jargon or highbrow theories. The author runs a humane dog rescue service and has dealt with thousands of dogs with bad behavior who have been abused or raised without proper training. In this book, he offers strategies for getting your dog to behave differently to help you get life under control again. The strategies he presents can work well for both puppies and adult dogs, even older dogs that are beyond their 10th year of life.
March 30, 2013
Experience plus humor plus an easy going writing style equals an enjoyable and informative read. I work with dogs and cats (and other animals) both in my business and in my volunteer work. It is always heartbreaking to see dogs who have been labelled with bad behaviors when most of the time, the dog could be trained and wants to be a "good" dog, even more heartbreaking when the dog pays for it with their life, as in an owner surrender to a high kill shelter. I would love to get a copy of this book in the hands of every dog owner. Dogs (and cats) with behavior issues are just like people with behavior issues, with patience and corrective and/or reinforced alternative behaviors - everyone can live in harmony. Will all the behavior change? Maybe not, but the owner can change how they deal with it, and learn to accommodate some things so that peace can be attained in the household. That's my rant for the day - read this book. You will enjoy it whether you currently have a misbehaving dog or not!
January 14, 2019
Really funny and easily digestible. Plenty bitter and understandably so. Sometimes a little harsh to owners, but stuff that needs to be said. Not sure if it would really appeal to the people who need to hear it though?
Only issue I really have with it is DO NOT GET ANOTHER DOG TO SOLVE YOUR OTHER DOG’s BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. This is a great way to end up with two dogs with behavioral issues. Two separation anxiety dog families are not uncommon. Sometimes it works but it’s an easy way to make a bad problem even worse. Otherwise, some good tips and advice!
Only issue I really have with it is DO NOT GET ANOTHER DOG TO SOLVE YOUR OTHER DOG’s BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. This is a great way to end up with two dogs with behavioral issues. Two separation anxiety dog families are not uncommon. Sometimes it works but it’s an easy way to make a bad problem even worse. Otherwise, some good tips and advice!
March 4, 2016
Good stuff for when you're feeling a bit discouraged on the dog-training front. If you're looking for a straightforward, indexed training guide, then you'll need to find something to supplement this frequently amusing narrative.
However, it's an interesting glimpse into an organization that does unique work with the animals who need the most love and patience. And he does share some useful tips for curbing frustrating behaviors.
However, it's an interesting glimpse into an organization that does unique work with the animals who need the most love and patience. And he does share some useful tips for curbing frustrating behaviors.
February 15, 2013
this was a WONDERFUL book!!! I laughed, I wanted to cry and at the same time I received invaluable information about what to expect from a rescue dog, why they behave the way they do, and why everyone should rescue a best friend from a shelter. I wish everyone would read this book, especially if you're one of the "Dumpers" Randy discusses in the book - someone who is considering returning a dog to the rescue for a really dumb reason.
June 1, 2016
Good book for dog lovers
The writer has some good experiences and easy fixes for common dog problems, some of which I have recommended to friends and family over the years. Some are new ideas that I will try with my own. He has a good point that the dog (or any pet) is not disposable it is a member of the family. I couldn't imagine dropping one of mine off and walking away.
The writer has some good experiences and easy fixes for common dog problems, some of which I have recommended to friends and family over the years. Some are new ideas that I will try with my own. He has a good point that the dog (or any pet) is not disposable it is a member of the family. I couldn't imagine dropping one of mine off and walking away.
March 20, 2014
Love love love this book! Warning there are some sad stories and some really really stupid people out there but it's very informative and fun to read.
April 25, 2021
Great book, I read it more to get a better understanding of dog behavior and solutions for correcting them. Over my life time, I've been given a lot of bad advice on how to behavior around dogs. As I was never really around dogs throughout my life this book a lot of questions I had from reading articles and watching videos.
The narrative was wonderful in a dark humored slice of life kind of way, which made the book more memorable. His "quick" fixes were very straight forward, though would require a lot of effort until the dogs behavior was corrected. All of his methods are positive re-enforcement based, though there were some negative input devices for associating certain behaviors with unpleasant things.
I would recommend everyone to read this book as it was both entertaining and educational. Nearly everyone will have an encounter with a dog at some point in their lives, so it's a good idea to at least have some basic understandings. Least you cause more damage to them or to yourself.
The narrative was wonderful in a dark humored slice of life kind of way, which made the book more memorable. His "quick" fixes were very straight forward, though would require a lot of effort until the dogs behavior was corrected. All of his methods are positive re-enforcement based, though there were some negative input devices for associating certain behaviors with unpleasant things.
I would recommend everyone to read this book as it was both entertaining and educational. Nearly everyone will have an encounter with a dog at some point in their lives, so it's a good idea to at least have some basic understandings. Least you cause more damage to them or to yourself.
September 17, 2017
This book his humorous and accurate in the "responses" to common messages received in a shelter or rescue, but has awful advice for training. If anyone came into my shelter telling me that they used coin filled bottles to shake at the dog, or uses Tabasco sauce, or sprays dogs with water or citronella...or bark collars....ugh. "Quick-fixes" that lead to more fear and aggression. Do yourself a favor and actually put the work into your friend that it deserves. Do your research on positive training methods. You and your dog will appreciate it.
January 31, 2018
Great book!
I loved this book! It has truth and humor, two things I live by. My husband and I adopted from the local shelter a little over a year ago, a 2 month old boxer beagle mix named Mac. He’s my best friend. We’ve had our ups and downs, but he’s the sweetest, most loveable being ever. We are a work in progress. The can shaking trick has helped tremendously!!! Thank you for the work you do in every aspect!!
I loved this book! It has truth and humor, two things I live by. My husband and I adopted from the local shelter a little over a year ago, a 2 month old boxer beagle mix named Mac. He’s my best friend. We’ve had our ups and downs, but he’s the sweetest, most loveable being ever. We are a work in progress. The can shaking trick has helped tremendously!!! Thank you for the work you do in every aspect!!
August 24, 2020
A copy should go with every puppy!
In spite of his slightly sarcastic laugh-out-loud humor Randy Grim is an amazing advocate for dogs AND their owners. Every puppy and shelter dog should come with a copy of this book as mandatory reading! He takes the most common behavioral problems and gives you the concise “For Dummies” explanation and solution. If you are having problems with your furry kids, GET THIS BOOK!
In spite of his slightly sarcastic laugh-out-loud humor Randy Grim is an amazing advocate for dogs AND their owners. Every puppy and shelter dog should come with a copy of this book as mandatory reading! He takes the most common behavioral problems and gives you the concise “For Dummies” explanation and solution. If you are having problems with your furry kids, GET THIS BOOK!
September 1, 2020
Abandoned at page fifty something
Was hoping for a light, humorous read with some useful training advice. By chapter four it was water squirters, bark collars and citronella spray ... Aversive quick fixes that no modern trainer, with a sound knowledge of science and learning theory would recommend. I could not be bothered to read any more after that. I had to give one star, there was no option for zero.
Was hoping for a light, humorous read with some useful training advice. By chapter four it was water squirters, bark collars and citronella spray ... Aversive quick fixes that no modern trainer, with a sound knowledge of science and learning theory would recommend. I could not be bothered to read any more after that. I had to give one star, there was no option for zero.
October 15, 2021
Need advice on how to train your rescue dog? A rescuer talks about the myriad of excuses people use to dump their dogs with the rescue organizations. More importantly you can find solutions to many of the problems faced by dog owners who do not know what to do with a problem pet. With good humor and common sense you'll learn why your pet does what it does and, also, easy-to-follow ways to take care of these problems.
June 11, 2018
Great read & a good resource
This book should be required reading for anyone who chooses to adopt a pet or who wants to be a pet owner.
The author describes most pet/owner issues perfectly due to years of experience. I enjoyed his sense of humor and found my self laughing out loud several times.
This book should be required reading for anyone who chooses to adopt a pet or who wants to be a pet owner.
The author describes most pet/owner issues perfectly due to years of experience. I enjoyed his sense of humor and found my self laughing out loud several times.
September 1, 2021
Read this book if you are considering pet adoption.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, not only for its wit, but commonsense remedies to everyday puppy issues. I have shared my home with two shelter adoptees and have enjoyed having them. They can be challenging, but giving them a happy, forever home was my goal. This book confirmed it.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, not only for its wit, but commonsense remedies to everyday puppy issues. I have shared my home with two shelter adoptees and have enjoyed having them. They can be challenging, but giving them a happy, forever home was my goal. This book confirmed it.
October 3, 2021
Informative and entertaining
I've read several books on training dogs and they read like textbooks. The "why" behind the behaviors really helped me to understand the things I've been doing wrong. There are no shortcuts in training a dog properly. Some of his stories, like Mitzy, are both funny and heartbreaking. Thank you for this book.
I've read several books on training dogs and they read like textbooks. The "why" behind the behaviors really helped me to understand the things I've been doing wrong. There are no shortcuts in training a dog properly. Some of his stories, like Mitzy, are both funny and heartbreaking. Thank you for this book.
December 8, 2017
This dog training book made me laugh out loud more times than most humor books I've read. The author's stories are so engaging and unique that it was worth reading just for the stories. I also found the training advice to be really useful.
June 8, 2018
Everyone who adopts a dog should be sent home with this book.
Mr. Grim gives clear solutions to the common problems all dog parents face. I laughed hard reading this book more than once. This is a quick, easy, funny read that will help you help your dog.
Mr. Grim gives clear solutions to the common problems all dog parents face. I laughed hard reading this book more than once. This is a quick, easy, funny read that will help you help your dog.
September 22, 2020
Useful pet advice
This book is entertaining and well written. Useful advice for dog behavioural issues is the main focus of this book. Give your dog a chance and follow the directions to have a happy family with a happy dog.
This book is entertaining and well written. Useful advice for dog behavioural issues is the main focus of this book. Give your dog a chance and follow the directions to have a happy family with a happy dog.
January 31, 2024
I very much enjoyed the cute little stories given with each problem that was listed. It then has information on how to help overcome these. I was particularly interested in the separation anxiety but didn't see anything new that isn't mentioned in other books.
January 12, 2018
Outstanding and Funny
Excellent book. So much information iced with humor, patience (for the 4-legged) and insight. Thank you Randy for being a champion for dogs.
Excellent book. So much information iced with humor, patience (for the 4-legged) and insight. Thank you Randy for being a champion for dogs.
January 31, 2018
Real and practical advice. No B.S.. also a great read - would have read without having any dogs in my house.
September 17, 2018
Good advice on solving dog problems told in a very humorous style.
June 15, 2019
Very funny and entertaining.
July 23, 2019
Fantastic dog training book!!@
July 31, 2019
Inspiring.
August 2, 2019
A little Informational, a lot funny!
January 8, 2020
Funny and helpful all in one book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews