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Paws to Read--Psychological Dog Training

© Deborah J. Myers

Dobermans can be difficult to train in that they want to obey, but “they also must know ‘why,’” says Doberman breeder Cheryl Hubka of Las Vegas, Nev. For this reason, one book in particular is very helpful in training this smart, inquisitive breed.

Written in journalistic style, Psychological Dog Training (MRK Publishing, 1991, ISBN 0-9601292-6-X) guides the reader through eight weeks of dog training. Meisterfeld documented each week’s training with several owners and their dogs. Meisterfeld uses the dogs’ and owners’ names, anecdotes, and struggles, instead of a typical “do this, do that” approach. He simply lets readers sit in on his sessions to learn from his students.

Owners and dogs learn to come, walk on leash, sit, stay, leave it, and other commands. I say that owners and dogs learn these commands because Meisterfeld believes that owners must also be taught how to elicit the correct behavior from their dogs. The dog-master relationship is a partnership built on respect, not bullying or dominating.

Proceeding the section of eight training sessions, Meisterfeld probes issues such as the public’s concept of dogs, forceful dominant training techniques, modern puppy socialization and training classes, and lack of training. The entire second chapter is dedicated to what owners should know before training their dogs, and Chapter Three, the shortest in the book, lists “The 10 Commandments…for Dog Ownership to Prevent Behavior Problems.”

Although more photographs would have been nice, line drawings illustrate training methods throughout the book.

Meisterfeld’s philosophy is grounded in the idea that one can only effectively train a dog on the basis of respect and trust. Meisterfeld sums up the book by saying, “The best way to establish yourself as your dogs’ mater is to have this attitude of responsibility and to obedience-train him with psychological methods.”

Overall, Psychological Dog Training takes a back-to-basics approach to dog training that is refreshing and very helpful for owners who want to raise a happy, obedient, confident dog.

A 35-year veteran of dog training and handling, Meisterfeld has won the National Retriever Championship, Canine Distinction Aware for American Kennel Club (AKC) obedience, and an award for excellence by the Dog Writers’ Association of America. Meisterfeld teaches canine behavioral psychology at a number of colleges and universities.

Meisterfeld is also the author of Jelly Bean vs. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hide, and Tails of a Dog Psychoanalysis, and co-author of Crazy Dogs, Crazy People with psychiatrist Ernest F. Pecci, MD.