Modern Dog Parenting

Book excerpt: You and your dog are a lot alike. By several behavioral measures, your dog’s mental abilities are equivalent to those of a two to three and a half-year-old toddler. Dogs can learn up to 250 words, count from one to five and understand basic arithmetic. Your dog can imitate and understand your behavior and has a sense of fairness. Doesn’t it make sense to treat these sensitive, intelligent creatures a bit more like children? Kids—and dogs—raised with kindness and respect grow up happy. And happy is good. Modern Dog Parenting will show readers that yes, you can love your dog and live with him, too. Dogs (and the people who love them) are tired of the school of dominant, top-dog training. They are looking for a new kind of pack leader: someone funny, enthusiastic, intuitive, approachable, and, above all, effective. And they’ve found her. Sarah Hodgson rejects dominance-based training and gets astonishing results with a blend of wit, compassion, energy, and proven skills. She communicates instructions clearly, directs behavior compassionately, and rewards success lavishly. Topics include: *Understanding the signs your dog is giving you *Having fun while learning manners *How to fit your dog into your lifestyle *How to communicate lovingly and effectively with your dog