How to Get Your Dog to Do What You Want

September 5, 1994
Pop psychology and greeting-card effusiveness thickly pad the excellent training tips in this manual. Warren Eckstein, host of a syndicated radio program called The Pet Show, and a monthly visitor to TV's Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee, and his wife (who disappears in the first-person-singular prose) urge readers to aid their dogs in the incalculably important tasks of ``image-and confidence-building'' and in developing ``self-esteem'' and ``inner strength.'' It's hard to take seriously both the admonitions against ``spreading gossip'' about the family pet and the suggestions that readers tape-record themselves practicing ``various types of woofs'' (to improve their fluency in dog-speak) and equip their homes with a ``doggy gym or physical fitness center.'' There's also some tiresome name-dropping of celebrity clients and a little name-brand-dropping. But those who persevere will find helpful discussions about introducing a second pet or a new baby into the household; remedies for excessive barking and other unwanted behaviors; and sound training principles. Photos not seen by PW.

September 1, 1994
The Ecksteins take the newer, refreshing approach that the dog is a family member and should be treated with love and respect. The owner's responsibility is to learn to understand his or her pet and communicate well with it. To accomplish this, the authors provide sound information on understanding a dog's body language and emotions and goes on to state that behavior problems result from boredom (on the dog's part). At least half of this book discusses techniques for training the "basic five" commands: heel, sit, come, down, and stay. The authors emphasize the importance of praise and consistency. However, their corrective jerk on the leash is falling in disfavor as more progressive trainers look to motivational techniques to train dogs. Also, the use of the "shake can" to startle the dog is strikingly inconsistent with the philosophy in the first part of the book. The names used throughout for the imaginary dogs-Fido, Fluffy, and Clydie Poops-are somewhat irritating. Despite its minor flaws, this book is recommended for libraries needing an inexpensive source of good information on raising dogs. (Illustrations and index not seen.)-Edell Marie Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., Wis.