The Latchkey Dog: How the Way You Live Shapes the Behavior of the Dog You Love

It's about time someone wrote a training book about why we should do certain things with our dogs and not just what to do. Most training books focus on the basics..then, when a dog problem doesn't neatly fit into the, "Come, sit, stay" category we are at a loss for what to do. Jodi Andersen's book presents an entirely sane, simple philosophy, complete with case studies and examples, that helps us know what to do with our dogs in any situation. I have been using "The Latchkey Dog" ideas for only one week and already I have a better behaved, happier dog. I LOVE this book. To Ms. Andersen: "When can we have a sequel?" PS It was great to see Andersen on the Today Show with the dog from the shelter. Real dogs, Real solutions!

This is an informative, easy to comprehend book on how our behavior affects our dog's behavior. I highly recommend this to both novice dog owner and experienced handler. I am a breeder with 7 dogs of my own and I found new insights as well as reminders of things I already knew but was forgetting to implement (like making my dogs "work" for love and food). Reimplementing these ideas has already created happier and better behaved dogs in my household. Another topic Anderson spotlights is selecting a dog. From a breeder's standpoint her suggestions on matching owner/lifestyle to breed characteristics are invaluable to guarenteeing a happy, premanent home for my pups. A must read!

This is a very well-written, very informative book from a very knowledgeable author. It provides the reader with a good deal of insight into understanding what motivates, what frustrates and what brings joy to the pet that you love. Probably the best (and the most up-to-date) dog behavior book around.

This book is a must read, funny, informative manual/guide. The best one I have read yet. I ordered 20 to give to every person I know who owns (or is owned by) a dog . It is a what-to-do AND how-to-think for dog owners, those who are home with their dogs and those who are not.. The bottom line is that the two most important things a dog owner has to do is establish, with the dog, a common language, and then make the dog a useful, working member of the family. When dogs are clear about their jobs and what you expect of them, a happy household is the result. The stories in the book are great. Plus the book is funny, "Dogs who push their owners around in the house usually pull them around outside the house." Great read, real life solutions to every day getting along!

I was browsing in my local bookstore today when a salesperson placed this book on the table and the sad, but precious, dog on the cover immediately struck me, as well as the clever title. As the owner of an eight-month,energetic yellow lab, I welcome any suggestions on dog training so I immediately began to page through the book and was hooked! The author demonstrates a smart, clear approach to dog training, as well as sharing funny stories from her experiences as a dog trainer. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who owns a dog, is about to own one or is just thinking about it. An excellent resource for dog training!!