12 Terrible Dog Training Mistakes Owners Make That Ruin Their Dog's Behavior...And How To Avoid Them

Susanne Hetts' new book "12 Terrible Dog Training Mistakes" is a must read for dog owners, even experienced ones. The research and stories which illustrate each chapter fill this book with sound information and positive ways to work with your dog.In each chapter, Susanne Hetts, ( co-founder, along with her husband Dan Estep) of Animal Behavior Associates, targets a specific topic about dogs...what the topic is, mistaken thinking about that it, and how to positively address the behavior. For example, Chapter One deals with the "Alpha or Pack Leader." Chapter Four, "These Paws are Made for Walking" is about exercise, and Chapter Six is "Practice Makes Perfect, But Not the Way You Think."Each chapter highlights things that you often encounter with your dog. This is not a step-by-step training manual. It is a thoughtful approach to situations that all dogs owners encounter and hear about. Susanne helps set the record straight about misconceptions using current research and her experience. In Chapter Three, she talks about the use of crates: how excessive crating can be harmful, that crates do not teach a dog how to be house-trained, how to be alert to fear and anxiety if crating is associated with being left alone, and how to choose a right-size crate and make being there positive for your dog.The book is filled with "little extras." Each chapter contains resources for reading and learning more, refers to current research, and suggests items you can order from Applied Animal Associates/Behavior Education Network.I am a dog owner as well as a dog trainer. Every chapter of this book contains common questions as well as negative practices that can harm dogs about which I am often asked. This book helps to set the record straight, relying on research, experience, and common sense, that put the well-being of you and your dog first.

Very logical, easy to understand. I was able to see the logic and kindness in everything that was said, even the admonitions. I wish this came with all new puppies!

Gee, is this woman pissed off at Cesar Millan or what? That's the first and really only thing that I took away from this book. And while she never mentions him by name, she makes many unmistakable references to him throughout this book. The biggest mistake in doing this is that in order to convince people that she's right about what she has to say concerning dog training, she really needs to demonstrate that Cesar Millan is wrong, which she doesn't do. If those "terrible training mistakes" are so wrong, they sure seem to work out fine for him.Suzanne Hetts comes off as very arrogant and elitist in this book. She essentially says that anyone not possessing a degree in animal behavior or not being accredited by various training organizations is unqualified to give advice on dog training. Hands on experience and intuition don't seem to count for anything to her. I suppose that in her mind, the Wright brothers shouldn't have been able to create an airplane since they both lacked an aerospace degree. This insistence on having a degree seems aimed at Cesar Millan, him being entirely self taught and therefore unqualified next to her superior education. Still no mention of why Cesar's training works.The advice in the book isn't all bad, but the parts that make sense are pretty basic stuff that every human should know. You know, things like don't strangle your dog or force him to stay in a small crate for 12 hours a day. Good thing that we have Suzanne Hetts, PH.D to inform all of us mouthbreathers of that, otherwise we might think that animal abuse was okay. The rest of the info is all about doing the exact opposite of Cesar Millan. And still no mention of why his training "mistakes" work.And lastly, there's the constant money grab. Oh, you thought that you were just buying a book? Ha ha! Nope. Every chapter mentions her website where, for a fee, you can have access to all of the training resources that a Cesar Millan hater could ever want. I'm pretty sure there was mention of a DVD as well. I thought that I was buying a book. As it turns out, I was buying a sales pitch.If you want a well behaved dog, the best thing that you can do is sign yourself and your dog up for obedience classes. Ask your vet for recommendations. Don't waste your money on this book.

In our current climate of information over-load, the average dog owner is getting advice from the internet, well-intentioned friends,TV and self proclaimed experts. This can put people and their dogs at risk for injury, often leading to giving up on the dog and or dumping him at a shelter where he is likely to be euthanized. Some dogs do get re-homed, repeating the same cycle with another family!Dr. Suzanne Hetts, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist , has written an intelligent book for dog owners which not only explains why things go awry when dog owners do not apply the right strategy, but also how to resolve the problem behavior and prevent future occurrences! Each chapter has been thoughtfully organized withThe Mistake, My Best Advice, The Summary, and The Resources. Dr. Hetts also included some touching personal stories!Whether this is your first dog or you’ve had several, this book is a must read. Dr. Hetts’ sage advice, science-based material and knowledge will help a lot of people and the dogs they love.If they could, I know the dogs would thank her!!!

I wish I had read this when my dogs were younger, but as this author explains, it's never too late with dogs. The market is flooded with dog training information, and it's difficult to know who to believe, but after reading this well laid out book, I can see where I wandered away from what is best for the dog.Not only does Hetts present the mistakes, but she lays out a case for why it is the better course of action. Don't expect a full on training manual here, but if you want to get inside the head of your dog to see the act of training from his point of view, read this. I have an extensive collection of dog training books, and this is a keeper.

Not sure who this is aimed at - a few but obvious points - like using the crate method, alone won't house train your dog, aggressive corrections are harmful to dogs well being !!! Really!Liked some points but overpriced for the little useful information supplied - seemed to be every few pages suggestions to buy more of their books ......Did like to bit about dogs body language - but only a few photos to help with what I thought was the most helpful part if this book. Disappointed

Easy to read, good advice, up to date thinking but too many referrals to external sites for buying products.

Me resultó muy util e interesante, un nuevo enfoque alejado de lo que nos cuentan en televisión, lo mejor de todo es que he visto que ahora se puede obtener en español

Great resource for dog trainers, gives you information that is well written for explaining to clients about a number of misconceptions in dog behaviour. Excellent read for any with a dog for reliable well informed information.

I sure have made some mistakes with all my dogs over the years. This book is very helpful- also makes sense!