Too many animals are euthanized for "bad" behaviors.  There comes a point where many just can't take it anymore, and veterinary services and training haven't helped. I have been there a couple times myself it is devastating.  What is these behaviors could be controlled through medication, if it was a medical issue ? The author Dr. Dodman studies animal behavior and has a revolutionary method of treatment that uses the same drugs given to help our behaviors regulate. Yes, human medicines for animals. Think about it, we are animals, our brains and bodies function much the same.

The doctor treats, animals (horses, cats dogs, birds) with OCD, depression, turrets, anxiety, autism...many common human mental issues. He explains in easy to read details about the possible causes of the animals problems and we follow him as he tries different doses of medicines used only for humans before. I was riveted to the pages, the transformation was so amazing for most it broke my heart for all the lives that never had this chance. As a breed rescuer I recognized many of the puppy mill issues and it gives me hope for an easier transformation for them.

This book should be on every animal rescuer, lover, veterinarian, vet techs, breeder's shelf. Priceless information and education. Great work, excellent writing, I'm a fan of this Dr.

*I was lucky enough to have received an advanced copy of this book for a unbiased review from the publisher

I first became interested in rats after being required to train a rat to do various tasks in an Intro to Psychology class in college. I ended up getting myself a pet rat (not realizing at the time that they should at least be kept in pairs) and have had a total of five rats over the years. I also spent several months writing a paper on various aspects of rodent control. I've read a bunch of nonfiction books on rats, and S. Anthony Barnett's is one of my favorites. However, it's been maybe a decade since I last read it, so I figured a reread was in order. Also, my last pair of rats died long enough ago that I figured rereading this wouldn't make me too sad.

Popular nonfiction on rats generally comes in two varieties: pet care books and books by journalists who have probably never had contact with rats prior to beginning their research. The Story of Rats is neither of those things. As near as I can tell from the info given in this book, Barnett's experience with rats first began during World War II, when he was tasked with trying to reduce the rat populations that were stirred up by frequent bombings. From there, he went on to study rat behavior both in the wild and in a laboratory environment.

This book covers an enormous variety of topics, especially for something so short, and you can see Barnett's particular academic focus all throughout it. After Barnett finishes discussing a few different species of rats, the origins of lab rats, and rats as disease vectors (bubonic plague is mentioned, of course, but so is leptospirosis, Lassa fever, and hantavirus), he spends a great deal of time discussing the study of animal behavior (not always specifically rat behavior), how findings have sometimes been applied to humans, and why researchers must be careful about the conclusions they make. I can't remember if his criticisms of Pavlov's experiments with dogs were ever mentioned in my Intro to Psychology class.

My favorite chapters dealt more heavily with rats. I particularly liked Chapter 6, which dealt with rats' eating habits (including the aspects that can make poisoning them difficult), and Chapter 8, which dealt with social behavior in rats.

I've seen at least one review criticizing Barnett's complete lack of mention of rats as pets – when he discusses rat domestication, it's only in the context of lab rats and the way "gentling" affects the ease with which lab rats can be handled. While this didn't really bother me, it's an aspect of “[rats'] impact on us, and our impact on them” that's noticeably missing from the book. Even if Barnett had avoided the topic in order to reduce the possibility of anthropomorphizing them, he could have at least tacked on a brief mention of the origin of pet rats when he discussed the origins of lab rats.

I enjoyed rereading this, even though far less of it turned out to be specifically about rats than I remembered. I'd recommend it to those interested in a quick and readable overview of rodent control, animal behavior research, and/or rats in general, as long as you don't mind occasional descriptions of rats being raised in sometimes very abnormal and/or uncomfortable environments (for example, female rats raised in cages without anything that could be used as nesting material, to see if they could instinctively build a nest after giving birth in a cage containing nesting material).

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

Decoding Your Dog: The Ultimate Experts ...

The Zeva Project is my quest to find an activity that Zeva and I can participate in together to relieve her current state of boredom. I am reading nine books, some of which are on the psychology and training of dogs and some which describe specific dog activities.

This book is written by Veterinary Behaviorists who really know what they are talking about.  They should.  I had no idea of the amount of education required to become an animal behaviorist.  First, successful completion of vet school, then more.  I thought vet school was long.

our dog, Zeva, is a Toy Fox Terrier.  We have her because I volunteer at a shelter, and one day in February, 2013, which was a very cold year, this dog was brought in freezing and traumatized, and in need of fostering.  So I brought her home to foster.  Five days later when we were scheduled to take her back, Richard put his foot down and declared she was not going back to that place.  Zeva loves Richard.

It had been my intention that the next dog we acquired would be one I could train to be a Pet-Assisted Therapy Dog.  Zeva is not that dog.  She is adorable and we love her, but she is not really sociable,  especially around children, and she's a terrier, kind of excitable and spontaneous, so not the best temperament. Although you can train terriers to be PATDs, it would make Zeva uncomfortable, and that is certainly not the effect I'm going for.  

So I am on a quest to find other suitable, fun activities for her, because she is obviously missing mental and sensory stimulation in her life.  She practically begs me to put her through her paces which we learned in obedience training, and while it is important to keep practiced in Sit, Stay, Come, a never-varying routine is boring.  When she is begging me to run her through them, then I know it is time to find something new.  

I've tried various avenues, but the town we live in is small enough that the only dog training classes offered is basic obedience.  I can drive an hour to a facility that offers Rally and Agility, but those classes are offered only in the evenings, the busiest time of day when every ring is full and the noise is at the level of pandemonium.  Zeva doesn't find that fun, and therefore it isn't conducive to her learning.

Which leaves me with the alternative of internet research or books.  I got eight books from the library in the hopes that one of them will tell us, or better, show us how to interact with our dog.

this one isn't it.

but I loved it anyway.  Ok, I'll admit that the first two or three chapters weren't thrilling me. For one thing, I had just finished Am I Boring My Dog?, and it was fun and funny as well as informative,  (This book is neither fun nor funny);  and for another thing, within the space of those three chapters, it twice related the exact same "anecdote as illustration of my point." Twice!

But then. . . So much better.

You dog people,  have you ever, like me, thought your dog looked guilty because he knew he had done something wrong?  Guess what? That is not at all the message he is trying to convey to us humans.  And has your dog ever left proof that he is mad at you for leaving him at home?  Perhaps by defecating on your comforter, or chewing up your favorite shoes?  Again, that is not what a dog means when he does those things.

This book tells you how better to read your dog and how to respond appropriately.  It itemizes many actions that your dog does, the various reasons he might be doing them, and effective ways to eliminate or change them.

this is a really intelligent book, and I think maybe it should be required reading for anyone who works with dogs.

this one was borrowed from my public library, but it's another that I will be purchasing to add to my own.

still not exactly what I'm looking for in relation to my own dog and our immediate goals though, so on to the next one.

That's a very good question.  And this is a very good book -- although it doesn't technically answer the question in the way I was expecting to see it.  

I already know my dog is sometimes bored, and I was looking for, not only suggestions as to how to keep her engaged but also instructions in specific ways to implement exercises, games and toys into her daily regimen.  (Because for one thing, she is one of those difficult dogs who don't enjoy toys.  She doesn't like Tug, or Find.  She will on occasion deign to Fetch.  She isn't interested in toys of the stuff or chew varieties.  And yet, she is a very active dog and obviously needs more physical and mental stimulation.)

The author spent the first two-thirds of the book on breed selection and traits, ensuring that you select a dog that fits in with your lifestyle and family; food choices; finding a vet; the minimal items you need before you bring your dog home; then the health and wellness maintenance and safety knowledge you need.  Obviously these are all things you need to know, and it was complete and authoritative, and I did learn a thing or two here but most anyone who has ever owned a dog knows these things already.  Although it wasn't new, it was presented in an entertaining way with humorous anecdotes and I enjoyed it, it just wasn't what I was looking for.

The big thing that I did learn in this section is that the ASPCA created a program called Meet Your Match, and encourages it's use by breeders and shelters.  The Shelter evaluates each animal based on criteria observed in a testing situation, and depending on how the animal scores on each task, he fits into one of nine groups identified by behaviors such as exuberant or laid-back, highly affectionate or "really, don't touch me," level of exercise required, etc.  The family looking to adopt an animal is asked to fill out an either-or type of questionnaire as to what specifics they are looking for.  This helps to make sure they get the animal with the best fit for them, and results in fewer returns to shelters.  This sounds like an excellent program. It was created over ten years ago. (Now I can't find the date again, so that's as specific as I can get.)  Although it has been in place that long, it hasn't yet spread everywhere.  I have volunteered at shelters in three different cities in that time period and none of them are using this method.  Judging by the number of animals returned at these shelters and the reasons for the returns, it seems like this would be a must-add kind of program.  

the next three chapters were closer to my expectations.  They included information on all kinds of classes from Rally to Agility, and games like frisbee and flyball, as well as where to find competitive venues, and other avenues you can explore such as Therapy-Assistance programs and tracker dog volunteers.

I checked out this book from the public library, but it is one I plan to buy to add to my own.