The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs

Owning an embarrassing number of dog training/behavior books and having kept Border Collies for a long time, I feel qualified to say that if you only bought one book on canine behavior, this would be it. Dr. McConnell provides a clear and lucid explanation of why dogs behave and respond as they do -all the while being careful to make note of the ambiguities and idiosyncratic nature of both canine and human behavior. There are no 'magic formulas' here. But there are many guidelines and explanations of why some things tend to work, while others tend not to. The strength of this book is that it provides an understanding of why dogs respond, allowing the reader to refine his/her behaviors to better communicate with dogs. This focus on human behavior and how dogs interpret it provides unusual insight into effective interaction and training. Extensive experience and academic preparation in animal behavior and communication have provided McConnell with an exceptional understanding of how much of what we do in interacting with dogs is actually counter-productive because dogs see the world quite differently than primates do. Changing some of my behaviors after reading this book, I could almost see my three Border Collies thinking, "Well, about time you figured that out."

"The other end of the leash" is a book that could easily disappoint the purchaser if they did not know what they were buying. This is not a book on the practicalities of how to train your dog. Ms McConnell does not tell you how to make spot sit, down or fetch, or tell you how to teach him competition obedience. It is also not a book on the theory of teaching dogs, or on fixing behavioural problems. You will not hear about the benefits of positive reinforcement versus punishment in this book, or learn how to stop your dog from chasing the postman.

However, if you accept this book for what it is, it is truly wonderful and quite unique. "The Other End of the Leash" is simply a informal discussion on the similarities and differences between canine and human communication. McConnell has studied human behaviour as well as dog behaviour, and has come to the conclusion that many behaviours and verbal tones that seem friendly and natural to humans are aversive to our canine companions.

When used inappropriately, these human signals can trigger a fearful or aggressive reaction in dogs. Less seriously, using inappropriate body language or vocal tone can undermine our obedience work. When teaching a recall for example, signals that might seem appropriate to a human (leaning forward, looking directly at the dog and barking a loud cheerful "come!") can in fact inhibit the dog from approaching.

This book also contains one of the most sensible discussion of dominance that I have ever read. McConnell contends that dominance is a much misused but still useful concept. She discusses the way that we can mistakenly give up our "Alpha" status to our dogs by using the wrong body language, and explains the severe behavioural problems that can be caused when we do this. Most importantly, she tells us how we can earn back Alpha status without resorting to physical violence. However unlike some other dog trainers ("Dog Listener" Jan Fennell springs to mind!), McConnell does not try to ascribe every behavioural problem to a lack of human dominance or leadership. She is careful to include anecdotes about dogs that were misdiagnosed as having dominance issues when they were merely untrained, and explains how this misdiagnosis actually exacerbated their behavioural problems.

Her explanations of canine body language are excellent, and far superior to any other book of this type on the market. Unlike many other dog trainers Turid Rugaas, for example McConnell discusses the body language of aggression and fear as well the language of submission and "calming". This information is essential for anyone dealing with a potential aggressive dog.

The only complaint I have with this book is that McConnell appears to deal mainly with herding breeds, and although she briefly mentions a few other dogs in the book (mostly retrievers and a few smaller terriers), her anecdotes are mostly about border collies. This bias is relevant as border collies are a breed that was developed to work closely with humans, and specifically selected to be alert and sensitive to the nuances of human and animal body language. I know from experience that some of McConnell's conclusions aren't necessarily going to be quite so accurate with other types of dog for example, dogs that are bred to guard, dogs that are bred to fight, and dogs that are bred to work independently of humans.

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Patricia McConnell is probably best known the co-host of Wisconsin Public Radio's "Calling All Pets." But she has also written a series of books. "The Other End of the Leash" is probably the best known. As an ethologist specializing in canines, she brings a different, professional viewpoint to people's relations with their pets.

Her point is simple: dogs and humans both communicate, but because we are very different animals, we often misread each other's nonverbal cues. The nonverbal greeting signals for a human, for example, are threat signals to a dog. What she does is help dog owners learn to send the nonverbal messages they intend to their dogs, to speak to dogs in the nonverbal dialog that dogs understand.

It's an important, even critical point, in dealing with dogs. Mixed signals, unintended signals and the wrong signals can confuse a dog, and even trigger hostility and attack. It's especially important for stranger dogs. Her points can help you a lot in dealing with dogs.

But what this book isn't is a primer on training your dog. It's a guide to dog behavior, it's not a book on how to train your dog. Make no mistake, Dr. McConnell's insights can be of immense help to you in training and dealing with dogs. A dog that is relaxed and comfortable, that isn't getting the wrong nonverbal signals, is easier to train. But it's not a training book.

As other reviewers have noted, sometimes Dr. McConnell repeats her points a few extra times. Perhaps it is a consequence of dealing with difficult dogs and difficult dog owners for a long time. But that's a minor annoyance. This is a valuable useful book to anyone with a difficult dog or any dog owner who wants to understand his or her dog better.

Recommended.

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The Other End of the Leash is a delightful, thoughtful, and thought-provoking study of our canine friends' behaviors. The author uses her experience as both a behaviorist and a dog owner to shed light on the often-misunderstood actions of dogs. Her book also enables us to learn how we can best interact with our dogs -basically, in a compassionate fashion that takes into account their individual personalities and the genetic inheritence of their species. The Other End of the Leash includes practical advice. You'll learn how to "speak dog" by using body language, how to help your dog understand that strangers and other dogs are part of his "family" and to take them in stride, also, and what NOT to do while training your dog. Plus, you'll become fond of McConnell's dogs as you learn their wonderful quirks and habits! I found this book's wisdom and emphasis on kind, compassionate dog training very impressive.

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In this wonderful book, McConnell deftly explores some of the all too common problems that arise between humans and canines because the two species have inherently different ways of communicating. For example, while humans consider it polite to make eye contact and approach another person directly, dogs consider this hostile and confrontive. Polite dogs approach each other from the side, and only if they play together often do they get away with making direct eye contact. McConnell makes the case that humans misunderstanding this bit of canine-etiquette has caused many a dog-bite. Another bit of advice she offers if you want your dog to approach you, don't move toward her; turn and move the other way. (It works!) And yet another tidbit never pat a dog on the top of his head; dogs dislke this. (If you don't believe her, just pat your dog on the head and see for yourself the look on his face!) "The Other End of the Leash" is jam-packed with examples of mistakes we humans make in dealing with our canine companions, and suggesions about how to communicate what we really want to communicate.

Not only is this book filled with helpful suggestions about how to better communicate with dogs, it's loaded with tips about how to choose one! I wish I'd read this BEFORE getting my puppy I'd have been more careful about selecting a breeder. I'd have made better use of that small window of opportunity puppies have to be properly socialized if only I'd known about it before the window closed! I'd have chosen my puppy more carefully i.e., not based the decision merely on breed, gender and looks, but on the puppy's disposition and ability to tolerate frustration.

"The Other End of the Leash" is so much more than a how-to book on human canine communication. It's a well-written, reads-like-a-novel page-turner that's filled with interesting vignettes and useful information. McConnell's love for dogs and respect for their owners shines through brilliantly. When I finished this book, I had that 'aaahhhh' feeling I get when I've read a thoroughly satisfying novel.

Thank you Patricia McConnell!

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