The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs by Patricia Mcconnell (2003, Paperback, Reprint)

This book is good, not great, but really quite good. It gives lots of helpful tips to understanding the difference between how humans and dogs communicate. Little did I know, my dog was responding to my body language, not the commands coming out of my mouth. It helped me be a more effective communicator with my puppy- and we're improving our relationship by leaps and bounds! The negatives with the book- it's clear the author had a lot she wanted to say, and not enough pages to say it in. There are lengthy, useless stories of her childhood, or experience, or research which has little, if anything, to do with the lessons in the book. This leads to a little frustration when reading for those of us who just want to know what the point is, and how to do things properly. She goes on and on about "later I'll explain how to do this" and then never explains how to do it!

Overall it was a good read, and we learned some interesting (if not random) facts about dogs and how darn special they are at smelling, etc. The book could have been condensed into a 25 page how-to, but instead, the author clearly wanted to strut her stuff and show off her research, and experience in order to make the reader feel she's credible.

Worth the money if you get it on ebay, or amazon below retail value. Wouldn't buy it full price though.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has ever enjoyed the company of a dog. McConnell is a joy to read, and makes her love for the dog/human bond clear. Her description and analysis of human/dog interactions are spot on, and I can honestly say this book helped me to reach a better understanding of my relationship with my dog. She details the subtle (and often not so subtle) similarities and differences between primate and canine communication methods, and discusses how despite our misunderstandings, we have lived more or less harmoniously with dogs for so long.

I truly enjoyed this book and actually added it to my collection after borrowing it from a fellow dog lover. My own copy now has a place among my all-time favorite dog books.

I have lived with a dog or dogs most of my life, and I thought I knew and understood dog behavior perfectly well. It wasn't until I rescued a dog with problems that I started looking to expand my knowledge. This book is a great book for anyone wanting to understand canine behavior. We operate under a lot of misconceptions because we are primates and our dogs are canines. We have vastly different ways of viewing the world. By reading this book you will pick up ways to communicate better with your dog, thus enhancing your bond and improving your relationship. Interesting, well written, science-based.

This book is so good for the novice and experienced dog owner, trainer. If you watch Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, he follows most of what this book was written about. And this was written long before he became popular. I wish I had this book before my first dog, 15 years ago, as it would've helped a lot. As the owner of a new lab/golden puppy, Patricia has already helped me understand and help raise this new puppy. It's surprising how the smallest changes in posture and attitude will affect how your dog reacts (without having to resort to the temptation to raise your voice and repeat commands). I highly recommend this book to all dog owners.

My dog trainer lent me her copy and it was so good, I had to get my own. She explains in well written form why dogs do what they do and how to get them to stop or do it your way. It is very readable and a good book if you want to train your dog the right way.