THE BODY LANGUAGE AND EMOTION OF DOGS

by Myrna M. Milani ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 22, 1986

In her third book in as many years, veterinarian Mlani applies her keen insights into both canine behavior and human psychology toward finding solutions to common problems arising in relationships between dogs and owners. In each chapter, Milani provides numerous case histories and personal accounts that demonstrate how people's misinterpretations of their animals' actions and body language often have disastrous results, and she offers sound information on natural canine behavior that can be helpful in resolving problems ranging from destructiveness to aggressiveness, dominance, and over-submissiveness. A dog that destroys its owner's favorite possession, for example, is often punished for acting spitefully, when in reality the behavior stems from the stress that the dog (a highly social ""pack"" animal) feels when isolated from its pack--the family--for prolonged periods. The solution to this, as well as to most canine behavior problems, according to Milani, involves any of four responses: accepting the behavior, changing your feelings about it, retraining your dog, or getting rid of your dog--a ""solution"" which, though it may be acceptable in extreme cases, is here offered too readily. A section on selecting the right dog would have been a useful addition; otherwise this is a worthwhile psychologically-oriented guide.

Pub Date: Oct. 22, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION