Dogs on the Couch: Behavior Therapy for Training and Caring for Your Dog

I got a copy of your book, "Dogs on the Couch," and read the part on Sibling Dog Fighting. I used your techniques to help my two fixed female Springer Spaniels to stop fighting. My husband and I did'nt realize we were accidentally rewarding the wrong dog as boss and setting up the fighting. It's been about a month and their fighting has dramatically gone down. Thanks. Your book is great.

As a professional pet groomer working in a veterinary hospital, I am constantly asked for referrals regarding pet bahavior problems and general concerns of my clients. "Dogs on the Couch" has been a fantastic source not only for my clients, but for myself as well. I now refer to the book on a regular basis to assist me with a "gentle approach" to pet grooming! It is a must read for any current or future pet owner.

What a great job the authors have done of making the understanding of our dogs possible -- through psychology. A great concept well executed. I found the chapters on "Ongoing Training," "Separation Anxiety," and "How Traditional Training Can be Harmful to your Dog" the most helpful. Very much in line with the books penned by the Monks of New Skeete. I found the instructions on how to work with the dominant dog when dealing with a two-dog household very helpful as I have a 6 year old female Golden Retriever and a 4 year old female Golden. The older dog is clearly dominant; but the younger dog often challenges her. Now I know what to do. Thankyou, authors, for a great guide book for those of us who love our dogs.

Being a retired mail carrier, your chapter on the two carriers who were severely mauled by two out of control pit bulls was right on! Close to 3,000 carriers are attacked and bitten each year. And from MY experience, the pit bulls do lock on to its victims and won't let go. They don't back down, and if residents who own this dangerous dog wake up and smell the roses, they would keep them locked away or get another kind of dog. What you wrote was right on and all this flap in here from pit bull, or as they seem to refer to them selves,"APBT" owners just show how much in denial they are. People safety must come first! On behalf of mail carriers everywhere, THANK YOU!

Praise for DOGS ON THE COUCH"There's nothing like an ill-behaved dog to ruin a home or community! LarryLachman and Frank Mickadeit have provided a tool whereby this sorry affliction can be avoided. There is nothing nicer in a home or community than a well-behaved dog. They are as important for human contentment as well behaved children. Recommended!"--Roger A. Caras, President, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Author of "A Dog Is Listening" and "A Cat Is Watching.""Although Dogs on the Couch contains a wealth of useful information, perhaps its most significant contribution is the method of training that it describes. It is training without leash jerks and harsh corrections. This is a refreshing change from the notions that part of dog training involves dominating the dog in a straight power display. Dogs, like horses, do not need to be 'broken' in order to have them work for us and obey our commands."--Stanley Coren, PhD.Professor of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Author of "The Intelligence of Dogs" and "What Do Dogs Know?""Larry Lachman's dog-training advice is straightforward, thoughtful, and humane. This is a man who clearly understands both sides of the human/dog relationship. Dogs on the Couch teaches families that making their canine behave doesn't require raising a hand. With Larry's guidance, owners can become their dog's best friend."--Karen A. Klemens, Editor and Publisher of The Healthy Dog newsletter"Larry Lachman and Frank Mickadeit capture, in a wonderfully readable form, the nuances and complexities of the ways we relate to our dogs, and the ways they relate to us. Their observations, analyses, and suggestions are well founded on empirical evidence and scientifically well established theories of human and animal behavior. Must reading for animals lovers and owners."--Aghop Der-Karabetian, PhD., Professor of Psychology, University of LaVerneI read your book over the past two weekends and have both enjoyed and learned a lot from it. Since last Saturday, we have thrown out the pinch collar for Calvin, our 120 lb. german shepherd, and he and I have been practicing "heel" with his regular collar on. Thanks.Gloria, Chicago, Illinois