Chaos Critters Bookshelf: The Other End of the Leash
A review of one of behaviorist Patricia McConnell's most well known dog-human interaction books. Crokell demonstrating good behavior in his second AKC Temperament test. And puppy Dante pictures!
Today, I am going to talk about of one of the better dog-human behavior training books that I have run across. The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., is not just a training manual or a list of behaviorist anecdotes. No, this book brings true harmony in providing both wisdom and providing a playful guide that helps us decode the conundrum of canine communication. ( https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/ )
This book was specifically suggested to me half a dozen years ago by one of my first dog trainers here in Houston. I have now read and listened to it more than once and have found that although it is over twenty years old, the wisdom in it has aged well and it still very pertinent to any dog owner, whether they want to do intense training or just have a friendly pet. The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. is a delightful romp through the world of dog-human dynamics!
One of the major points of the book is about the complexity of communications across the taxonomic ranks. After all, we humans, are much more closely related to primates and apes than to dogs. Canines on the other hand are more related to wolves, foxes, and coyotes than to us. And the very way we communicate is odd to them.
A dog does not often sit up and give a lecture on what they want changed. They act or they show what they want visually. Humans… Well, we talk, and talk and talk. Until we have yipped our way into an endless circle of discourse. After all, isn’t what politics often is, talking ourselves into knots? But I digress.
Imagine this: you’re trying to get your dog to come, but instead of barking orders like a primate, McConnell suggests finding and channeling the calm, quiet confidence of a charming canine! This book teaches you how to adjust your human quirks - our habit of talking or barking orders - into fluid actions to better connect with your canine pal. The book is also packed with charming anecdotes and scientific insights that reveal just how different our languages are—primates and canids.
Dr. McConnell has a wealth of knowledge both from her academic PhD in animal behavior but also from years of experience as an applied animal behaviorist, helping to handle and rehabilitated aggression and other behavior issues. What I liked best about McConnell’s suggestions is that while she provides positive training method examples - that is a way of encouraging your dog - she still supports balanced training. In balanced training you reward and encourage your dog, but you also train your dog in the meaning of “no”, “stop” and “enough”. Sometimes, like if your dog is running towards a busy street, you just need “stop”. She encourages us to embrace our roles as benevolent leaders, not trying to physically dominate the dog, and instead training them.
The playful tone of the book makes it an enjoyable read, filled with light-hearted wisdom that will have you nodding along and maybe even chuckling at your own dog-training blunders. Plus, the insights into dog personalities are a treasure trove for anyone looking to deepen their bond with their four-legged companions. So, if you’re looking to bridge the communication gap with your pup and have a few laughs along the way, The Other End of the Leash is a must-read for your Chaos Critters Bookshelf! Grab your copy and prepare for a tail-wagging good time!
Critters in Motion
This weeks video is narrated by Tod. It is the second of Crokell’s two temperament tests at NRG. Watching Crokell walk through the “jumps” is pretty fun.
How does this relate to our writing?
Those that have read any of our stories will realize that we often have both animal and human characters. In the Nano-Sapiens universe, dogs, cats, foxes, and humans can all be sapient. However, this means that we need to understand how these animals act and how these actions can create difficult cultures and human-dog partnerships. In other stories, we often have people that use working animals likes dogs or horses. To make these interactions real, it is good to have a foundation not just in human behavior and psychology but also in animal behavior. After all animals, domesticated as well as wild, have played a huge role in the development of civilization.
As those that read this blog regularly might have guessed, I love animals. Maybe because being with animals is one of the few times I feel at peace. Just being with dogs or cats calms me, in a way that being around humans, even my favorite humans never has. And oddly, or maybe not so oddly, one of my favorite things to do with dogs or any animal is training. (She’s serious - even our Maine Coon cat, pictured below, is trained.) I am not always brilliant at it, but if I were to choose another career outside of data scientist (my current profession) or fiction writing (my goal profession) it would be animal behaviorist. Therefore, it is not surprising that I enjoy reading different animal behavior and training books.
Chaos Tip of the Week
The grass is always greener the further away you are from it. Don’t eat it until you are close enough to smell it.
Critter’s Weekly Question
What sort of temperament testing do you or your dog or cat need work on? Crokell needs work on ignoring very young kids and motorcycles. He adores the young kids in the neighborhood - they’re some of his favorite kind of humans. And, like Pal the first Lassie, he detests motorcycles. Tod tends to randomly go “squirrel” or stand in the middle of the sidewalk and stare at the bee’s nest. So they both need a little work on that.
Thank you both for the video and the book suggestion. I downloaded a sample of the book for when I'm done with my current WIP. 🙇♂️