The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook—Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs lays the groundwork for the “First, Do No Harm” approach in the dog training industry. The author illustrates the most effective, ethical methods endorsed by the greatest minds in dog training and behavior, teaching how to prevent behavior problems before they escalate and resolving all types of behavior problems by understanding the underlying drives for behavior. Practical solutions to both common and complex dog behavior problems for both pet parents and other dog-related professionals are provided in easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. Fully scientifically notated with a detailed index.
You can teach new tricks to old dogs, young dogs, pet parents, and professionals alike, Michaels demonstrates. Offering a comprehensive approach to humane and effective dog training, Michaels’s user-friendly guide is an essential resource for both pet professionals and dog owners that draws from years of hands-on experience and research. Michaels offers simple yet effective techniques for most situations anyone looking to train a dog will encounter, from leash-walking to whistle-training to handling animals with aggression problems, all presented with inviting clarity, understanding of readers’ concerns, and a refreshing commitment to honoring the emotional lives of dogs–a passage on dogs’ experience of separation anxiety, for example, debunks some familiar guidance (“Do not listen to misbegotten advice to let your dog 'cry it out'”) and offers fresh steps toward teaching “your dog to enjoy being a dog and a ‘happy camper’ even when you are not home.”Michaels packs this hefty volume with much practical advice and wisdom: to assist with house training, scatter treats around thoroughly cleaned areas where a dog has urinated or defecated to reinforce desired behavior. For a stress-relief activity, create a “sniffer patch” with dog-friendly plants. All this is laid out in a polished, user-friendly design allowing readers to quickly find specific sections of interest (like the fundamentals of “force-free training” or clear advice on preparing a pup to greet guests), though the text rewards thorough reading, especially chapters like “Setting Your Dog Up For Success,” which should be mandatory reading as part of adopting.
A significant feature is Michaels's Hierarchy of Dog Needs (HDN), inspired by Abraham Maslow. This adaptation emphasizes positive reinforcement, choice, and the inherent wholeness of animal nature, driving forces behind Michaels’s advice throughout. The HDN serves as a foundational framework for Michaels’s force-free alternative to traditional training methods, making it a valuable tool for both pet owners and industry professionals. Michaels's approachable style ensures that every dog owner—and every dog—will feel supported.
Takeaway: Thorough, illuminating guide to force-free dog training attuned to dogs’ emotional needs.
Comparable Titles: Zak George's Dog Training Revolution,. Marty Becker’s From Fearful to Fear Free.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
