The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook: Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs

I love this book. I've been working with wolves & dogs for 25 years and it has always been a problem recommending books to my klients. I finally found one. This is the perfect book for all dog-owners and all dog-trainers. Scientifically correct, easy to read & understand, covers all you need to know about dog-training. Brilliant.

Rarely do you find such sound advice on the myriad things that are vital to a dog's physical and emotional wellbeing. The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook is a go-to resource for pet parents and seasoned professional trainers. For anyone who is a first-time dog owner, it's a mandatory read. And if you're only beginning to consider adding a dog to your home—this is a must-have book. It will educate you about a dog's needs so that your dog will thrive physically and emotionally, and the bond between you and your new companion will grow exponentially. Michael's also shares sound behavior modification advice should your dog present with behavior challenges. As a professional dog trainer, I appreciate that Michael's included peer-reviewed research studies that support the information in her book. I feel confident that if I need a research study to add emphasis to the information I share with a client, I can find it in The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook. This book is a welcome addition to my library.

Anyone who knows Linda knows how she has poured her heart and soul into this book, literally. If you don't know Linda then you will soon see the dedication and the heart poured into this book. Every page is detailed but beyond detailed, every single passage that could be questioned is referenced. Easy to read whether you are a complete dog behaviour geek or whether your are someone who prefers smaller amounts of text. You can use this book as an entire handbook that will be referred to again and again and become a much beloved book that becomes dog eared and annotated over time or a quick reference book for a specific issue by using the index. It can be really hard as a professional to explain to owners holistic and wellbeing training and behaviour modification and Linda has simply lifted this headache and described this perfectly throughout the text. Including behaviour consultation forms and history which has been made usable for owners for their own knowledge. An absolute breath of fresh air for the Force Free industry, with everything you will need to aid you in choosing a puppy or a rescue dog, to grooming, vet visits to setting your dog(s) up for success in every situation. As well as training protocols, how to use a Clicker and functionality in dog behaviour. No other book I have read has been so in depth without having to refer and cross reference multiple books. This book should be a part of all puppy packages and rescue packages as well as on every students reading list. No matter your role with dogs from dog guardian (owner), dog professional whether a kennel hand, groomer, behaviourist or Vet this book needs to be a part of your tool kit.

“ As a force-free positive trainer, there are not enough positive adjectives to describe Linda Michaels MA new book. Whether you are a trainer, a pet parent or considering adding a pup to the family, this book is your "go to" guide. Not only does it provide you with the information and tools to train and understand the "why" behind your dogs behavior, but it also brings front and forward why positive force-free training is ALL you need to build that bond and trust between you and your loyal "best friend". As I mentioned to Linda when my copy arrived, it was like "Christmas in July".…what a gift.”

Five years ago when I was looking for a trainer to help me out with my new dog, I was totally overwhelmed by the volume of conflicting, impractical, and outright snake oily flimflam information out there. I wish this book had been written then. It was a winding road filled with missteps and dead ends, but I eventually found the world of positive, do no harm dog training. I wanted to help folks avoid the mistakes I made, so I studied to become a trainer myself. In my studies I have come to know the work of the industry leaders in modern, scientifically based dog training and behavior, and Linda Michaels's name pops up a lot. This book is almost magical in the way it is two books in one. It could absolutely be used as a text book for a serious, state-of-the-art, academically stringent academy for dog trainers. But at the same time it is highly accessible, written with such clarity it is an invaluable book for pet parents. You can read it from cover to cover for the most comprehensive in-depth discussion of modern dog behavior I know of, or you can use the extensive index to go directly to practical, effective advice for a particular issue. As a dog trainer, I get a lot of friends and family asking for advice, especially when they are bringing a new dog into their life. I used to send them a collection of book recommendations and YouTube video links. Now I just point them to this book ... or if I really like them ... it makes a great gift.

Do yourself and your dog(s) a favor and BUY this BOOK! For anyone looking for a fantastic, comprehensive resource on both dog training and more importantly enhancing the lives of their canine companion, this is a MUST have. This is so much more than a training book, it is a book on maximizing your dog’s world, making your life with your dog the best it can possibly be, and caring for your dog’s needs physically, mentally, and emotionally. In my years of teaching dog training and volunteering I have met many pet parents, all who want the best for their dogs. Yet, so many have been told to “dominate” their dogs or use painful tools to seek compliance by “so-called experts.” Wanting the best for their furry family member they go along, thinking it’s the right thing to do, only to find out how quickly this can destroy their precious bond and lead to a fearful dog, a dog who becomes unwilling to try new behaviors, and who simply shuts down. No one wants to cause their dog pain or fear, but sharing our lives with another species can be frustrating at times and many pet parents simply do not know what else to do or where to turn. We now KNOW better! The Do No Harm Handbook provides wonderfully detailed, understandable, and actionable dog training advice. It is written clearly so that even first time pet parents can understand why and how to train their dogs. Moreover, the Handbook provides a newer, ethical roadmap and approach to caring for our four-legged loved ones. It gives everyone and anyone the ability to apply force free training strategies to their daily lives. Force free training simply means not using fear or pain to gain compliance or teach behaviors. It does NOT mean permitting unwanted or dangerous behaviors. It DOES mean working WITH your dog versus AGAINST your dog to make everyone’s lives better. The Handbook features the Hierarchy of Dog Needs which will help anyone seeking to make their dogs’ lives better, meet their basic needs, improve their care, enhance bonding, and make the most of the time we have with our beloved pets. Whether your pup is 12 weeks, 12 months, or 12 years old you can benefit from the knowledge generously shared in the book. Our pets are our family and deserved to be treated as such, with love and respect. And for my fellow dog-nerds, yes this is a fantastic resource, painstakingly researched, and carefully crafted to satisfy the most stringent among us. Whether you are a new or experienced dog parent, a canine professional, or simply a dog lover, this book will quickly become a favorite resource and one you can return to time and time again. Buy this book. Your dog will thank you!

As a Holistic Behavior Consultant, I can finally recommend to my clients a dog training workbook that aligns with my philosophy, with scientific evidence and best ethical practices in the 21 century. Most importantly, it is from nose to tail written to help dogs reach their potential trauma-free. You will find anything you need through the index. It’s written responsibly with no room for confusion or assumptions. The table of content was likely designed by a German Shepherd. It has an excellent overview. The book opens a new dimension to understanding the dog’s hierarchy of needs in a way that benefits you and your dog. Everything is in the correct order and in the right place. This part likely was designed by a border collie. It covers every aspect of dog parenting, dog care, and puppy training to address complex behavior issues, whether you have a Tea Cup, Spaniel, Nordish Breed, Mastiff, or Guardian. I did not find anything wrong a Beagle would bark about. It even shares dog training secrets that not even a Belgian Malinois couldd sniff and dig out. It discusses dog nutrition, allergies, and Introducing the dog to babies. I’m sure Pitbull terriers would be proud of this section. But it also addresses complex behaviors, aggression, anxieties, and gives people clear strategies within the do no harm philosophy. As a dog professional, I’m impressed by how helpful it is in my business. It has a plethora of examples and references to books and studies. I have this book in my favorites on Kindle and a hard copy on my desk next to my coffee mug for easy access during my online training consultations. There’s no way you can do wrong to your do if you and your family study this book and apply what you learned to your beloved dog. Whether you want to have a dog, about to adopt a dog, already have a dog with behavior problems, or struggling with severe aggression, this book is a great starting point. To sum up, this book will help you be proactive with training and caring for your dog. It also gives you force-free and fear-free solutions to address existing problems. English is my third language, as you likely have noticed from my review, but I had no problem understanding even the scientific terms.

Repetitive and actually no a practical book great theory