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| Dog Logic: Companion Obedience, Rapport-Based Training (Howell reference books) | |||||||||||||||
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No details are available for this product Solid, relationship-based training advice |
| Review Date: June 5, 1997 |
| Reviewer: , |
| McMains is a dog lover, first and foremost. He takes great pains to emphasize that dogs are friends and comrades, not employees or slaves, and should be treated with the respect and love they deserve. In the heat of training, many people (even many trainers) seem to forget that the reason they originally got a dog was not to do a straight sit or a snappy recall, but rather to fill out their world with a new friend. I don't know a friend in existence who would tolerate what some trainers advocate in the name of "training."
His method is not compulsion-free, but it is centered around the dog VOLUNTEERING behaviors, rather that being yanked/forced into them repeatedly. He discusses how to use the dog's natural compulsions/drives to encourage the behaviors the team is shooting for, as well as ways of solidifying those responses under REALISTIC distraction conditions. The most telling point about the book's organization is that it doesn't adhere slavishly to the standard AKC Novice routines, but rather focuses on skills and attitudes that the non-competitor will find most necessary/useful around the home, which is where all dogs, competitor or not, spend most of their time. Make no mistake, a McMains-trained dog will reach its full competitive potential, but McMains' focus is where it should be, on the 99.9% of the dog's life spent outside the ring. In a world where millions of dogs are put to sleep in shelters each year, primarily for "temperament problems" (which can be interpreted as the owner crying "I don't know how to deal with this dog!"), a book with this much compassion and intelligent information on how to understand and relate to your own dog is invaluable. The problem is not that there are too many dogs in this country, it's that there are too many OUT OF CONTROL dogs in this country. If McMains has his way, that won't be the case forever. |
| TOPS!!! |
| Review Date: February 7, 1999 |
| Reviewer: , |
| ***** Outstanding! Dog Logic provides readers with an excellent guide on obedience training for practical purposes. McMains' rapport-based methods are based on mutual respect between owner and dog, and his love for our best friend is evident throughout the book. Author McMains explains how to appeal to your dog's drives and instincts in order to become the animal's pack leader. He encourages readers to train "at the dog's level of understanding," and reminds that "rapport is critical." Anyone can force a dog to be obedient, but McMains shows you how to have your dog respond out of a desire to please you. This is where McMains' insights help you to think like your dog and understand canine logic. |
| Great Book |
| Review Date: August 23, 1999 |
| Reviewer: Pualla@aol.com, Rockville, Maryland |
| Dog Logic: This is a book clearly created for easy to follow instructions in dog training! Your dog will come away trained and still want to keep company with you. It has all the instructions needed to train your home pet. I applaud, Joe M. McMains for his guildence and understanding of mans best friend. |
| Dog Logic |
| Review Date: August 8, 2000 |
| Reviewer: RKW, Colorado Springs, CO |
| I train owners to train their dogs as a supplament to my income. I also do it as a way to improve the quality of life for both the canine and the owner. Dog Logic is like a required "Text Book" for my classes. Yes I am partial to Joel's style and techniques. I am also proof that they work. My experiece with Joe's training methods were personal and resulted in a dog that was a Champion in Two states for 4-H; Also one that was the envy of anyone that met him. Dog Logic is a realistic approach to training and understanding your K9 compainion. With this book and individual comes away with a new insight and understanding of their best friend. This book also helps the owner of a dog develop a better relationship with their pet as a result of love, understanding and training. |
| An Outstanding Approach to Canine/Human interaction |
| Review Date: April 13, 1999 |
| Reviewer: newest@juno.com, Lakeland Florida |
| Dog Logic is the book I'd recommend if you were going to get only one dog training book. McMains teaches the reader to see the world from a dog's eye view and learn to communicate and build a relationship based on mutual respect. It is practical, down to earth, and enjoyable reading. |
