Cantrell, a cognitive animal behaviorist, has created a dog-training method that will appeal to a wide variety of dog owners. Taking a holistic point of view, she points out that a dog (or any other creature) cannot learn if under inappropriate stress. She demonstrates in pictures and easy-to-understand language various techniques to assess a dog's learning style, reduce or eliminate unnecessary stress, and develop a deeper bond between dog and handler. While not all trainers will agree with her assertion that dogs think (like dogs, after all), basing her technique on sound principles of operant conditioning as well as New Age health philosophies certainly makes this a unique work that moves beyond training dogs to teaching them and developing a human-dog bond that really works. For all pet-care collections.‘Alicia Graybill, Lincoln City Libs., Neb. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Advocating a "no-force" dog-training regimen and abhorring the use of choke chains or other physical force, animal behaviorist Cantrell has written this innovative three-part guide to changing a dog's behavior. Part one, "The Search: Discover the Mind in Your Dog's Body," shows how dogs think, process information, and learn, and provides 15 exercises for determining a dog's particular learning style and 4 exercises for understanding the dog owner's influence on the learning process. Part two describes the seven qualities of successful dog handlers and shows how to use voice, hands, attitudes, and signals. These techniques come in handy during part three, which explains how to teach such commands as "sit," "down," "stay," "come," "stand," and "walk," all in daily five-minute sessions. An interesting take on traditional dog-training methods (for those willing to complete the tests and learn the applications), this easy-to-follow method will help patient dog owners change pet behavior in a loving, humane way. (Reviewed December 15, 1997)0452277558Kathleen Hughes