The Cautious Canine: How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears

I have an 18 mo old dog-reactive German Shepherd. I've read many of the best trainers: Jean Donaldson, Pam Reid, Pamela Dennison, Emma Parsons, Linda Tellington-Jones, Karen Pryor, Trish King. My dog and I have taken private lessons from a couple excellent dog-reactive specialists. We can now attend certain dog training classes if they're small enough and there's enough distance between the dogs.I've been working on this problem for over a year, and I'm seeing progress, but some of the approaches from the author trainers seem unrealistic for anyone other than a trainer who has access to a variety of dogs on a daily basis. There are steps and steps and steps and steps and steps and then more pages of steps and steps to take. Then you turn to the next chapter to find out you've got more steps to take. Even the most committed dog owner can get overwhelmed. And with all these steps, you need different dogs at different times of the day with different owners, etc. Or you need 20 friends to come knocking on your door 3 times a day 6 days a week. OK, an exaggeration, but it seems that some of the authors have immersed themselves so much in dogs that they have forgotten what life is like for people who don't have easy access to many people willing to work with them and share their dogs with them. For many of us, that just isn't the case. McConnell gives us 5 steps to work with. That's it, and it's enough. She says in 5 easy steps what others take 28 steps to say and by then I'm so confused I just go throw the kong in the backyard with the dogs rather than go to Petco for some desensitization exercises.However, Patricia McConnell gives realistic, succinct, clear and direct advice in her little booklet. Others have complained about the booklet's length, and I didn't buy the booklet until recently because I felt 30 pages couldn't do this topic justice, either. I learned that, indeed, 30 pages was just right. McConnell has a gift in conveying complicated information in clear, concise, very easy to understand language. And she recognizes that sometimes your very carefully laid out plans to set your dog up for success don't always work out.Where she differs from many other trainers I've read is in her advice about what to do if your counterconditioning/desensitization session in public goes awry. Every other trainer I've worked with or read recommends something like not beating yourself up, get the dog into a sit, remain calm, and get the dog away from the scary thing, and try again next time. That's it. I always left frustrated knowing I'd screwed up yet again, why didn't I foresee, etc...McConnell goes much further and says that if you leave the scary thing that suddenly surprised your dog, then the dog might learn that lunging and barking makes the scary thing go away. She says to leave, yes, but to go only as far as the dog can stand to remain calm, making sure the dog can still see the scary thing. Then have the dog sit, and when calm, rub his chest in circular motions (t-touch here?), then feed treats, all the while the dog sees the scary thing.What I got out of this is a save for the unexpected, rather than a mistake. I've had this happen so many times I hate to admit it. I simply don't have enough vision, intuition, perception to be able to foresee everything, and sometimes we get caught unawares in public. How wonderful to have someone suggest something that actually continues learning in a situation that is going to happen sometime whether I like it or not. When I take my dog where other dogs might be (which I HAVE to do if we are to master this fear), then sometimes I'm not going to be able to predict every possible dog rounding a corner. McConnell, rather than saying, don't let this happen to you, says if it does, here's what to do and make it a better experience, too, and a learning one as well. This is where she goes into detail, gives reasonable workable advice. I think McConnell has kept in touch with the average person and dog, can still remember what first grade was all about and how she felt.Thirty pages is sufficient, for McConnell seems to have synthesized the most important points of the authors mentioned above into a simple, easy to read and follow manual. She introduces the points, how to do them (doesn't just talk about them), and then gives scenarios, then summarizes the points at the end. She gives several personal examples to illustrate, and what I liked especially - she doesn't only include success stories. She's encouraging, but completely realistic. And her advice it simple, so easy to follow.This booklet is worth every penny.See Jan 2014 UPDATE in the comments section, if interested.

I purchased this yesterday for my Kindle and listened to it (text-to-voice) on the commute home - it took about an hour. I was not put off by the brevity of the booklet, and knew what it was before I ordered it. Also < $6 for insta-delivery to the Kindle isn't that bad, and worth a try.I am an inexperienced dog owner and have a 1.5 year old herding mix dog who been getting progressively more spooked by this and that since I adopted him 3 months ago. It started out just as changes in the environment - a fallen traffic cone, a loiterer, a sign on the sidewalk where there was no sign before. Things that I don't really care about, can avoid, etc. But in the last few weeks, he's gotten more spooky, now he's barking at my wife brushing her hair instead of just at the hairdryer (which sends him into barking fits), and stationary objects that have always been present - like the ceiling fan, which he once saw moving slowly and has been spooked by ever since.So I figured I better get to work trying to get the spooky behavior under control before it gets out of hand. I read this booklet, and, while the technique described seems sound, it's the same as I've read in any number of other books - essentially put the dog on a program of desensitization and counter conditioning by increased, short term-exposure and offering rewards for improved behavior. The author uses only fear of strangers as the extended example, but then states that the technique can be extrapolated to other fears. I'm not sure exactly how dealing with strangers can be extrapolated to a ceiling fan that is in by bedroom on the ceiling and is not likely to come down, but it's not impossible to think of ways I could slowly expose him to it and counter condition him.Lacking is any real discussion of why the dog does what he does, what might cause this fear, why some breeds are more prone to be spooked than others, and example programs for other issues besides strangers.Still, it's not bad as a first step, particularly if you haven't read any other books. I can totally see this as a valid impulse buy at a vet office, or something the vet could have on hand for when clients ask about their spooky dog. And if you have a serious problem, with a dangerous dog who is terrified of strangers, then sure, you need some easily digestable information QUICK, and this could be a good start.I was a little put off, I must say, at how nonchalantly the author proposes giving away or even putting down your dog if you don't have time to invest in this program over the long term - and she's clear it will take time (which is good). And, as a non-experienced dog owner she may have a point for serious issues that may seriously injure someone, but for now, rehoming my dog or putting him down are so far off the table for him barking at the ceiling fan, that I somehow felt the advice was out of place in such a short study of the issue.So, in short, if you have a dog that is of a ferocious bent and dislikes strangers greatly and you want somewhere to start immediately, you might want to look into this quick read. But if you've got more time, and maybe a less serious situation, pick up larger book with more information for a little more money, and read the part on spooky dogs (the single page in Culture Clash was perhaps as informative, though obviously lacking the detailed plan).Thanks again, though, to Amazon for the magic of the Kindle which makes getting a lot of perspectives really simple. My Kindle ranks just under my dog as my best non-human friend. (shhh... don't tell my iPad)

New perspective on how to deal with anxious and skittish dogs. Foolproof techniques and a very quick, easy read. Well written, we’ll qualified author.

This is not a book but it's a useful booklet. We recently adopted an adult dog, from the shelter. She was obviously well cared for but still has anxiety, especially w/ seperation. This booklet had some useful tips.

Brilliant little book, written by a very experienced Dog Trainer, who not only has been in the business a long time, but also keeps her skills and knowledge up to date with Modern Canine Research & Science. Which is what any good Dog Trainer/Behaviourist should do. The book talks specifically about how to desensitize/counter condition to fear of people, but clearly states the techniques can be used for anything your dog is afraid of. It really works, if you put it into practice and don't give up. Highly recommended.

Written in a very relaxed style, the author provides multiple solutions for dealing with everyday challenges.I was looking for information to try to understand what puts my dog into such heightened state of anxiety when we leave the house or secure areas. Unfortunately, this read did not provide that information.However, I did take away a number of positive learning points for myself as the handler.

I like that its short and doesn't waffle. Some people have complained that it is too short but its quality over It has made a huge difference to my rescue puppy who would not leave the house because he was afraid of people. In about 1 week of this training he has improved massively and we have been out every day, going a little further each day and into slightly noisier environments each time. I also was able to tell people who visited to ignore him and he is much calmer now with people in the house. I always get someone who thinks they know better and does exactly what the book says to not do. Then he woofs and growls at them and they pay more attention to what I say.

There's so much in this guide for dog owners to learn. I reckon all dog owners should read Patricia's books. They're easy to understand and thorough without being too heavy.

It’s a good read, always good to read different perspectives and question what you agree with and not believe the first thing you read.