Training dogs has traditionally been done by using negative reinforcement and brute force (take the choke collar as an example). But the tide is turning, and Terry Ryan, well-known dog trainer, is at the forefront of a revolution. OUTWITTING DOGS draws on her twentyfive years of hands-on experience helping people understand and train dogs, and solve dog behavior problems using kinder, gentler methods. OUTWITTING DOGS uses more brain than brawn to motivate dog behavior with positive training techniques, and helps readers truly understand the minds of their canine friends (and even enemies).

Chapters cover: . outwitting puppies . housebreaking . curing the chronic chewer . how to cure the leash puller, the dog that jumps on people, the dog that hates to be left alone, the dog that won't come, the dog that barks too much, the biter, the aggressor . how to outwit the neighbor's dog . how to teach your dog tricks . how to outwit dog trainers . and even a chapter on outwitting dogs and kids at the same time, and much more.

No sensible dog owner will want to be without a copy.

Are you training your dog or is he/she training you? You can reverse the roles and train them rather than the other way around ;-) This book helps you take command of your dog and make him/her listen with understanding and caring.

While I have to agree with other reviewers, in that if you are an intermediate or experienced dog trainer, you probably aren't going to find anything new here, I think this is a fabulous book for people who are new to dog training. The techniques are time-tested, and while I was familiar with many of them, I still enjoyed how the material was presented (very easy to read) and appreciated the book as a "refresher" and reminder on different approaches to try. I help teach beginning obedience and beginning agility classes, and have used some of these techniques to help people just starting out their training journey with their dog. One of the things I really liked about this book was the author's making a distinction between what is required for formal obedience and what is required to just have a well-mannered dog (the "heel" versus the "let's go" for example). I checked out this book from my library, but it's one I would not only buy for myself, but also would give to other dog owners as a gift.

However, if you are an experienced dog owner then forget it. This entire book merely expounds on the obvious and common sense solutions that we all know and have already tried. I was hoping for some new insights to common problems but no such luck.

I love that this book offers a completely positive training method. However, some of the training ideas seem like they would take a very long time to teach, and I don't know how "rock-solid" your dog would be afterward. I like that the author advocates teaching exercises in such a way that your dog cannot fail (for example, don't try making your dog SIT outside until he has done it 90% perfect in the house without distractions). I don't like that it does not offer many suggestions on what to do if you do happen to say "SIT" and your dog completely ignores you. And I truthfully didn't think it had very many effective ways to change "bad" behaviors. It would be great for your average dog without many bad habits who is willing to please and endlessly interested in treats.
The book was easy to read, but I actually got very annoyed with some of the long "funny" descriptions. A bit too much padding for me; get to the point.

Make your dog your best friend and he will do what you want. That is the basic premise of the book. The theory is reward focused, using treats, gentle pats, etc., to condition the dog to behave.

I have a "rescue dog" that was abused. He doesn't much like being touched. So far, he would rather go exploring that to mind me. The author suggests I am just not trying enough - possibly true. This book gave me a couple ideas, but hasn't been much help.