VSPN Review by Lynda Paul, LVT 
(Click on stars for an explanation) |
This book is Out of Print. |
This is not a traditional training manual nor a “how to” book, but a more scientific approach to various canine behavioral issues. There are many snippets of advice on how to deal with specific problems, but not really in-depth training advice. As the title implies, rather than serving as a training manual this book is intended to offer insights into various canine behaviors.
Behavioral issues are discussed within the context of normal canine behavior, addressing the reasons and causes of specific behaviors from a dog friendly perspective. The beginning of the text discusses the domestication process of dogs, behavioral insights from earliest puppy hood and developmental stages of puppies. Chapters are organized and discuss behaviors within the context of categories such as sensory, communicative, sexual, social, ingestion, eliminative, locomotive and grooming actions. Each chapter offers an extensive list of references as well as further reading suggestions while the appendix contains a handy psychotropic drug formulary for quick reference.
I gave this book a rating of 3 stars out of 5, as I feel the author concentrates on the behaviors as discussed in terms of dominance; both of the dog’s trying to establish dominance over owners as well as over other dogs. I feel that this is a perspective which as I understand, many current behaviorists feel is overused and are veering away from. For this reason, the book may be of limited value to the practicing veterinary technician or veterinarian.
Elsevier Health 2009
315 pages soft cover
ISBN# 978-1-4160-5419-1