No Bad Dogs: The Woodhouse Way

This is the best book I have ever used for training dogs. I first found this little paperback at a yard sale and I used the training methods of Barbara Woodhouse when I bought my dog,Emma five years ago. She is the most displined dog I have ever owned and the training went very easily. Since then, I have ordered a copy for my daughter when she first got her puppy, and I just ordered two more copies when my grandaughter got her puppy for Christmas. Now, I'll have an extra copy on hand. Wonderful little book.

A timeless dog training classic. Great theory.

This isn't a step-by-step training book. It's an attempt at human adjustment. The author provides clear examples of how people's lack of canine understanding often causes "bad dogs." For example, if you have a neurotic, nervous dog, you shouldn't sympathize with it and coddle it (which only exacerbates the nervousness); you should take control and provide clear leadership, thus building the dog's confidence. Many times the owner's sympathy is the greatest hindrance to proper training, for a dog needs a leader. If you aren't it, the dog will run you. Woodhouse provides solutions for all sorts of problem behavior such as soiling, jealousy, fighting, barking, and schizophrenia. And she teaches the proper use, and style, of choke chain by which to get the dog's attention without harming it. She provides examples of how she was able, with firmness, encouragement and praise, to create drastic changes within hours in problem dogs brought to her for training. The greatest hindrance to change was the owners themselves seeing their beloved pets manhandled. She also discusses how dogs, being quite telepathic, would often display the phobias and fears of their owners. For example, a woman who hates men may have a dog who hates men, or someone who is an erratic driver may create a dog that hates being in the car.I quite enjoyed the book and read it in a couple of hours. I came away understanding the "mind" of a dog better, and with that understanding the necessity for firm leadership and a few tips and tricks for getting results.

A friend of ours got incarcerated for drunk driving. This lasted for six months. She had a dog named Maddie who was to be put in a doggie's home. I took the dog. Maddie was a German Shepard mix and a whole lot sweeter than human beings! Everybody loved her. But when I walked her, she would chase after other dogs. And she would howl terribly at them. I got this book at a yard sale. What Woodhouse said in it frightened me a great deal. A CHOKE CHAIN! YELLING AT THE DOG! It was a riculous book. But Woodhouse assured the reader that a choke chain would not hurt the dog or even cause ANY pain (if you did it right). And she also said that the yelling was necessary. I didn't want to yell at Maddie. I don't like people who hit their dogs, not counting their children. But I had to do something. Every 30 min. walk and bathroom session and Maddie would go crazy at some neighbor's fence that had a dog in the yard. Pretty soon, I would avoid certain parts of theneighborhood in North Hollywood. I bought the choke chain, reluctantly put it on Maddie, and followed Woodhouse's orders. I also used her "voice" technique. When Maddie would go after another dog, I was to yell real loud, "BAD DOG! REAL BAD BAD DOG! " (this once scared a policeman out of his pants! ) Using Woodhouse's advice, the choke chain caused no pain! I examined Maddie's eyes to see if there were any pain as I used it. Nothing at all. She didn't mind it a bit. But you will have to use it as Woodhouse states. Like a flick of the wrist. The next part was rougher. Screaming at Maddie when she would go after other dogs even with the choke chain on. I was also instructed to pet and praise her when she would pass a dog who was barking or just sitting quietly. This took about 20 days. And every now and then, she would have "relapses". But after one month, she was a real sight. And never went after other dogs. Then came a bad part of Woodhouse's books. Excessive petting. Yes, according to Woodhouse, you can pet your dog. And snuggle them. I would scratch Maddie's belly 400 times at once! But Woodhouse implied that this was habit-forming. And so I did cut down (not by very much, maybe 50%), and Maddie seemed much less restless! And she sure loved her belly rubbed! So this book really helped me! I had to give Maddie back when the owner got out. It was rough. But I did it. Maddie was over 4 years-old when I took her. It was the right thing to do. I don't want to think about it. BUY THIS BOOK! BUY THIS BOOK! BUY THIS BOOK!

Woodhouse offers all dog owners the tools needed for building a successful and meaningful relationship with their dogs. I have realized that my dog's "problems" are easily cured and that we can have a life-long partnership full of love and happiness. What a relief!