The Dog Who Loved Too Much: Tales, Treatments and the Psychology of Dogs

This is a fascinating book written by an animal behaviorist and specialist in treating dogs with very serious problems. Combining science and psychology, this guy knows his stuff when it comes to animal personalities and genetic dispositions.

Most of the cases presented were worse case scenarios. However, it was interesting to learn about dogs with issues when their owners are not with them. Our Sheltie Lilly exhibits some of the characteristics noted whenever we go away for a few days. In particular, she misses Will. She refuses to eat and mopes.

The author cites some cases wherein a dog will literally develop anorexia and starve itself because of the love he/she feels toward his/her master and the grief of not seeing that person or show more persons.

I was amazed to learn that Cocker Spaniels and English Springer Spaniels are not necessarily calm dogs and MAY exhibit behavior problems regarding children. Citing cases wherein Terrier bull dogs are inbred for aggression, the author seems to not be a proponent of obtaining puppies from pet stores or puppy mills.

Citing the human brain and dog brain are similar, many dogs develop emotional problems like humans, such as obsessive compulsive disorders. show less

This book was written in 1996 but I think still has a lot of merits to it. The authors ideas on medicating dogs for behavior issues may be valid as a last resort and not something I have read about anywhere else. He covers some topics in behavior that I have not seen specifically addressed as much. At the end of each chapter he gives a summary of signs, situations/diagnosis, and treatment suggestions.
The books gives detailed stories about people and their dog including breed, that I have seen some authors now shy away from doing that to avoid putting any stigma on a breed, and therefore leave out a key piece of information. Some of his theories and suggestions may now have different conclusions but overall a good reference book to show more compare to other books about behavior problems.
Topics include various types of Aggression including seizure related, territorial, dog on dog, and on babies. Other topics include separation anxiety, thunderstorm phobia, late onset separation anxiety, phobias against inanimate things, fear of people and fear related aggression, compulsive behavior, hallucinatory behaviors, lick granuloma, and inappropriate elimination. If you have an issue and a newer book’s solution hasn’t worked, it may be good to look at his possible solution. show less

This book was written in 1996 but I think still has a lot of merits to it. The authors ideas on medicating dogs for behavior issues may be valid as a last resort and not something I have read about anywhere else. He covers some topics in behavior that I have not seen specifically addressed as much. At the end of each chapter he gives a summary of signs, situations/diagnosis, and treatment suggestions.
The books gives detailed stories about people and their dog including breed, that I have seen some authors now shy away from doing that to avoid putting any stigma on a breed, and therefore leave out a key piece of information. Some of his theories and suggestions may now have different conclusions but overall a good reference book to show more compare to other books about behavior problems.
Topics include various types of Aggression including seizure related, territorial, dog on dog, and on babies. Other topics include separation anxiety, thunderstorm phobia, late onset separation anxiety, phobias against inanimate things, fear of people and fear related aggression, compulsive behavior, hallucinatory behaviors, lick granuloma, and inappropriate elimination. If you have an issue and a newer book’s solution hasn’t worked, it may be good to look at his possible solution. show less

This book was recommended to me by a dog trainer when my dog showed some signs of aggression. My dog didn't need medication or extensive treatment, but it was a very interesting read. Too often, I think, people give up "problem" pets without really taking the time to see how their own actions have contributed to a pet's behavior and how pets can be rehabilitated by re-training both pet AND owner.

Interesting stories from which you can learn a lot. These are extreme cases. Your dog probably doesn't need medication. -Sidney