The Truth About Wolves and Dogs: Dispelling the Myths of Dog Training
"THE TRUTH ABOUT WOLVES AND DOGS is an easy read and a practical guide about who wolves are, who their descendants, our best friends, dogs are, and how what we know about the behavior of wild and domesticated animals can be used to better understand them and to help us adapt to their worlds and them to ours. A significant take-home message is that dogs are not wolves. They are domesticated animals who have undergone their own unique changes as they became dogs. Among the practical tips I found useful can be found in the section titled "What make a good leader/handler?" These include a good leader never raises their voice, is calm in all situations, questions why they, rather than the dog are doing wrong, never uses physical violence, is patient, is willing to address their shortcomings, is proactive and a good problem-solver, is respectful to their dog, and is flexible. We control everything dogs do and relaxing that control will not make dogs take advantage of us and challenge who we are. Dogs are wonderful companions, indeed they are considered family members by many human guardians. This well-illustrated book with many wonderful pictures of wolves and dogs accompanying the text will help you appreciate dogs for who they are, not who we want them to be." -Marc Bekoffmarcbekoff.com, author of The emotional lives of animals, Animals matter, Animals at play, Wild justice: The moral lives of animals (with Jessica Pierce), The animal manifesto: Six reasons for expanding our compassion footprint, and Ignoring nature no more: The case for compassionate conservation.