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A review by clarks_dad
The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs by Patricia B. McConnell
This is the one book I wish I'd read before I got my first dog as an adult. Patricia McConnell is profoundly experienced as an animal behaviorist and makes insightful observations and gives clear advice to govern everything from selecting the perfect dog that fits your lifestyle to communicating effectively with our best friends. There's a hefty dose of evolutionary biology infused throughout the easy-to-follow narrative that provides a much deeper understanding of our relationship to canines and how that relationship has evolved over time. She reminds me of all of the very best science communicators from Sagan to deGrasse Tyson and she's made me far more reflective of my own moods and behaviors around my dogs and what signals they might be picking up from my own behavior.
The book is easy to approach, but isn't really a how-to guide. It's not broken down into segments where you can look up problems you might be experiencing and fix them. Think of it more as a holistic approach to dog-human companionship that covers everything from basic training to discussing how Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs governs what we need from our animals and what they need from us. Scattered among the scientific jargon are well-spaced anecdotes from her life as a trainer and dog enthusiast that keep the reading grounded for pet owners who don't want to be PhD behaviorists. That being said, there's a lot for even experienced dog owners to learn about the nature of our curious relationship to dogs that will make you a better pet owner and person all around.
I can't recommend this book enough and have gifted it to several friends who own dogs or who are considering getting a dog soon. If I had it my way, this would be mandatory reading for pet owners. If you don't have the patience or will to get through a book like this, you should probably rethink having a dog in your home.
The book is easy to approach, but isn't really a how-to guide. It's not broken down into segments where you can look up problems you might be experiencing and fix them. Think of it more as a holistic approach to dog-human companionship that covers everything from basic training to discussing how Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs governs what we need from our animals and what they need from us. Scattered among the scientific jargon are well-spaced anecdotes from her life as a trainer and dog enthusiast that keep the reading grounded for pet owners who don't want to be PhD behaviorists. That being said, there's a lot for even experienced dog owners to learn about the nature of our curious relationship to dogs that will make you a better pet owner and person all around.
I can't recommend this book enough and have gifted it to several friends who own dogs or who are considering getting a dog soon. If I had it my way, this would be mandatory reading for pet owners. If you don't have the patience or will to get through a book like this, you should probably rethink having a dog in your home.