A Guide To Living With & Training A Fearful Dog

Debbie Jacobs (CPDT-KA, CAP and finalist in the 2008 Dog Writers Association of America Writing Competition) introduces the most effective and humane ways to help fearful, shy or anxious dogs. A guide to the philosophy and techniques for working with fearful, shy or anxious dogs, the book dispels common myths and misinformation regarding fear based behaviors. It provides, in easy to understand language, the most effective and humane ways to handle dogs with fear based behavior challenges. Very useful information and full of resources for shelters, foster care givers, rescue organizations and veterinarians.

While volunteering at the Humane Society of Louisiana's Camp Katrina after the hurricane of 2005, Debbie met Sunny, a border collie mix rescue from a 477 dog hoarding site, She had him transported to her home in Vermont, where he spent the first month cowering in a corner. Thus began the journey of helping Sunny escape from his fears.

It was a journey of discovery for Jacobs too. She learned that changing a dog's fear-based behaviors often begins by changing the way we think about the dog. She learned to change her expectations and see Sunny for who he was, not who she thought he should be. And she discovered the most effective and humane ways to help him and other dogs like him.

While moving heaven and earth to help Sunny, her extremely fearful dog, Debbie Jacobs became an expert on fearful dogs. A Guide to Living With & Training a Fearful Dog is an excellent book for anyone whose life includes a dog who is afraid. It combines explanations of techniques to use with fearful dogs, information on the many resources available to help them, ad a feeling of hope. Because Jacobs lived it, she understands what it's like to work with a dog who is scared in a way so few people do. Her caring, sharing interest in assisting others who want to help a dog overcome fears comes through in every part of this book, and because she's such an excellent writer, it's a pleasure to read. --Karen B. London, Ph. D., CAAB, CPDT-KA