Dogs Behaving Badly: An A-Z Guide to Understanding and Curing Behavorial Problems in Dogs

Written with wit, wisdom, and compassion, this easy--to--use A--to--Z reference is a godsend for dog owners and prospective dog owners.

Dr. Nicholas Dodman, expert animal psychologist and acclaimed author of The Dog Who Loved Too Much, gets us inside the minds of our pets to learn what makes them do the crazy things they do.

From aggression to zoonosis and just about everything in between, Dr. Dodman draws on case histories from his own practice at the prestigious Tufts University Veterinary Center and offers fresh and incredibly useful tips that apply the latest discoveries in canine behaviorism and pharmacology. Here are simple, sensible, step-by-step instructions on diet, exercise, environment, and lifestyle changes that any pet owner can safely implement to effect seemingly miraculous improvement in their dog's behavior. Authoritative, entertaining, and immensely practical, Dr. Dodman proves that when it comes to caring for man's best friend, he's the best friend we have.

A bestselling author, practicing veterinarian--director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, no less--and passionate animal advocate, Dr. Nicholas Dodman's pioneering work in the field of animal psychology has made him a favorite with admiring colleagues and "problem" pet owners worldwide. His first two books, The Dog Who Loved Too Much and The Cat Who Cried for Help, presented alternative treatments for undesirable pet behavior that, prior to advancements in animal psychology, were treated with severe training methods or, worst case, euthanasia. Now, in Dogs Behaving Badly, Dodman addresses 26 of the most common canine behavior problems and offers practical treatment plans that focus on understanding what your dog is trying to communicate through his behavior--which, according to Dodman, is the key to effectively treating our pets. Arranged alphabetically and incorporating case studies as well as the most recent discoveries made in animal psychology, this exceptional guide covers a wide range of perplexing problems, including aggression, barking, compulsive behavior, "X-Files" (unexplainable behavior), yawning, and zoonosis (the transmittal of disease from dogs to humans). Also included is a thorough appendix of behavioral modification techniques as well as invaluable information on drug therapy and how to recognize when your dog requires professional help. Informative and extremely practical--right down to the easy-to-use A-to-Z reference format--Dogs Behaving Badly proves that "when it comes to caring for man's best friend, Dr. Dodman is the best friend we have." --Stefanie Hargreaves