Dogs are not small humans with fur

The Monks' successful strategy is to develop a relationship with your dog that is based 99 percent on love and 1 percent on fear. Yes, they advocate physical discipline in extreme circumstances. But they also advocate a lot of quiet, meditation-like time with your dog. If you follow their advice, your dog will love you more than his food, understand that you are in charge, and the physical stuff will almost never be necessary. (I use these techniques, and I can't remember the last time any physical correction was necessary. Months and months ago.) As the Monks explain it, dogs need a huge amount of love and affection, and should have a central place in your household. (If you are not willing to make this kind of emotional and time commitment, don't get a dog. Go buy some nice goldfish.) But all dogs, and especially large dogs, also need to know that there is a very serious consequence if they jump on a person, show aggression to people, destroy your house, or show other destructive behaviors. How many times have you seen dog owners screaming at their pets in vain? Your dog must take you seriously. Verbal commands (positive and negative) and rewards (like dog treats) are key to training, but your dog needs to know that you can make him unhappy if he really crosses the line. Somtimes hollering "No!" isn't enough.

At least one negative reviewer of this book said that his dog is more like his child. Well, I hope he doesn't have any actual human kids. I would never use the same training techniques with my child that I use with my dog. That's the whole point. My giant, lovable dog MUST submit to me, to my kid, and to every other human that I introduce him to. And he does, happily, thanks to this book.

This book saved my dog!

The first day I had my rescue dog he snapped at my 1-year-old daughter. I was contemplating sending him back, but someone suggested this book to help teach him "pack" behavior, i.e. that he is lower in the pack hierarchy than my daughter. It wasn't long before my daughter could safely do anything with him. I was also able to housebreak him, crate train him, and just make him a good dog based on the training techniques.

Yes, the discipline techniques can seem a little extreme, but they are by no means inhumane. And they WORK because the dog understands. My dog usually "got it" after one time and stopped the behavior. I have not had to discipline him for anything in several years. Now he understands from just a look, a word or a gesture. This book helped us get to that point. Highly recommended!

Excellent book

I just finished this book and found it to be a well organized and thorough treatise on the subject. Those who say the book focuses too much on punishment must not have read the latest edition. The monks no longer recommend the alpha roll and "strongly discourage its use to our clients". Rewards are used as the primary means of training. Punishment is only recommended in certain severe situations.

If you really want to learn about your dog and your relationship with your dog, buy this book. I loved it.