This book, which purports to delve into the subtle communications of dogs, ultimately falls short of its promise, offering a misleading narrative that prioritizes judgmental opinions and generic training tips over genuine behavioral and emotional insight. Despite the author’s self-proclaimed status as a behaviorist, the content frequently veers into unsubstantiated claims about breeds, owners, and even veterinary topics, often presenting misinformation and fearmongering as fact. While the introductory chapter and illustrations offer a glimmer of hope, the overall lack of depth and accuracy makes this book an unreliable resource for anyone seeking to truly understand their canine companions.
The introduction provides a brief anecdote about a puppy’s avoidance, hinting at the book’s supposed focus on unspoken canine desires. However, this theme is largely abandoned throughout the rest of the text. Part 3, despite its title “What Your Dog Wants You to Know,” devolves into a collection of standard dog training and management advice, rather than exploring the nuanced emotional landscape of dogs. This critical disconnect between the advertised subject matter and the actual content is a recurring issue, leaving readers with a sense of disappointment and a lack of actionable understanding regarding their dog’s behavior.
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the author’s sweeping generalizations and assumptions about dog breeds and their owners. For instance, the assertion that one cannot own a spaniel unless actively working it, or that full-time workers should not own dogs due to treating them as mere objects, exemplifies the author’s judgmental and often uninformed perspective. Similarly, the commentary on breeders, particularly regarding the import of semen, is presented as a “red flag” without sufficient context or evidence. These unsubstantiated claims not only lack credibility but also foster a negative and critical tone that is unhelpful for new or experienced dog owners.
The book also engages in health-related discussions, particularly concerning dog food, which are marred by misinformation and fearmongering. The anti-kibble stance, presented without a balanced view of pros and cons, is reminiscent of unsubstantiated claims found in less reputable online forums. The author’s ventures into veterinary topics, such as neutering and spaying, are particularly concerning. Despite a preamble advising consultation with a professional veterinarian, the book proceeds to offer biased information that could mislead owners, urging them to disregard professional advice in favor of outdated and potentially harmful rhetoric. This overstepping of boundaries, especially from someone identifying as a trainer rather than a vet, is a serious flaw.
Furthermore, the advice on selecting a dog is contradictory and potentially detrimental. While the author correctly emphasizes the importance of choosing a dog based on temperament and suitability rather than superficial traits like coat color or sex, she then advocates for selecting a dog based on an instant “connection” or “obsession.” This emotional, rather than rational, selection process can lead to heartbreak when the dog’s individual quirks do not align with the owner’s lifestyle. Such advice fails to acknowledge the long-term commitment and responsible decision-making involved in pet ownership.
The book’s structure and clarity are further undermined by bizarre generalizations and inconsistent terminology. The term “rescue dogs” is used interchangeably to denote aggressive dogs and adult dogs, ignoring the diversity within rescue populations and the availability of puppies or non-aggressive dogs from breeders. This lack of precision creates confusion and perpetuates potentially harmful stereotypes about rescue animals.
Formatting and editing errors also detract from the reading experience. There are instances where entire paragraphs appear to be missing, leading to nonsensical answers to reader questions, such as associating “how long until my rescue dog settles in” with advice on handling an aggressive dog. This suggests a rushed or unprofessional editing process, further eroding the book’s credibility.
In conclusion, this book fails to deliver on its promise of illuminating canine communication. Its reliance on judgmental opinions, misinformation, and a lack of genuine behavioral insight makes it an unreliable and unhelpful resource. While the illustrations and introduction offer minor positives, they are overshadowed by the pervasive flaws in content, structure, and accuracy. Ultimately, this book is not recommended for any dog owner seeking to deepen their understanding of their pet’s needs and emotions.
