What we’ve got here is failure to communicate…

 

Adapted from my original post on Facebook at #SOSResourceWednesday

If you intend to get started in modern dog training, one of the foundational books that you must read is The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell.  (The other is Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor, which I will discuss later.)   They are not how-to books nor are they required reading if you only want your pet to be well behaved, but if you are interested in the history and philosophy behind how dogs learn and how humans teach them, these books are unparalleled. 

It is tempting to say that Dr. McConnell’s book looks at the fundamental differences in communication between human and animal, but it is more nuanced than that.  What she really addresses is the differences between the canine animal and the primate animal – our habits, preferences, languages, and cultures.  The conflicts that arise between us, she posits, are the fault not of power struggle, bullheadedness, or even stupidity (often blamed on the dog, perhaps more likely present on the other end of the leash, as it were) but of a simple lack of understanding between two species who spent tens of thousands of years co-evolving and yet still don’t see eye to eye.  In fact, as she points out, dogs much prefer that we don’t greet them by staring them in the eyes, although it is perfectly normal and polite for us primates to do so. 

Each chapter looks at a different aspect of the dog-human bond, and each is prefaced and concluded with a real-life anecdote or case study from McConnell’s life.  With humor and heartbreak, she reveals truths about ourselves and our best friends.  Even when writing about the findings from her own graduate degree, her style is accessible and open to ordinary folks who may not be as passionate about the vocalizations of Basque shepherds.  (Although her findings are applicable to everyday dog owners.  For real.)  Much of the book may seem anecdotal, with various tangents and observations tied together with the warmth and wisdom of a dog lover, but taken as a whole it is a well-rounded summary dogs and humans by a woman with a deep understanding of both species. 

The general public views skilled animal trainers as quasi-mystical beings, like fairytale princesses or feral wildmen, who have some sort of spiritual connection to the untamed beasts.  Unscrupulous charlatans lean into this perception, basking in their uniqueness, and assuring mere mortals that no one else could possible do what they can do.   In truth, as Bob Bailey is fond of saying, training is both a science and a technology; that is, it must be continually studied and applied in the real world. 

I reread McConnell’s book for the first time in years in order to write this.  At first, I was a little disappointed that what had been such a groundbreaking book seemed so simple and straightforward on a reread.  However, as I thought about it, I realized that as I read the book for the first time, nearly everything McConnell addresses had been new to me.  I had been taken in by the charlatans, believing that animal training was a matter of innate feelings and energy.  No wonder I struggled!  Now, years later, her writings seem simple because they have become second nature.  I incorporate them into everything I do, every interaction I have, every problem I address with both canines and primates. 

This is not to say that simple is easy.  It was certainly a difficult learning curve for me.  Nor should I say that one book is enough to change your worldview and make you a better trainer, although it certainly won’t hurt.  On my first reading, the names in the author’s acknowledgements, thanks, and references sections may as well have been randomly plucked from the phonebook for all I recognized them.  Now, I know them all.  Their books also grace my over-burdened shelves.  The Other End of the Leash was not just as cornerstone of my learning but a pebble that became an avalanche. 

 

For further reading:

McConnell has written many other books, including a collection of shorter handbooks addressing common problems such as Feisty Fido: Help for the Leash-Reactive Dog, Feeling Outnumber? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-dog Household, and The Cautious Canine: How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears, among others, including her recent memoir The Education of Will.