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Meet Your Dog Review
At @catherine ‘s recommendation, I just finished reading Kim Brophy’s book, “Meet Your Dog” and enjoyed it quite a lot. I’ve read quite a few books on dog behavior over the years that seem to have focused on how to address and manage issues and learn more about building bonds and understanding dog body language. I thoroughly enjoyed reading more in this book about the “whys” of dog behavior and introduction to the LEGS model for behavior: learning, environment, genetics and self.
I’ve given a lot of thought to the learning, environment and self portions of LEGS over the years, but as an owner of mixed breed rescue dogs, less impact of genetics. I’ll admit to tearing up reading the genetics section for natural dogs as I saw so many of the behaviors of our northern breed mixes who have passed being described. Armed with Caber’s genetic results from Embark, I wanted to learn more about what makes him tick. He has a smorgasbord of breeds with poodle and lab (gun dog), Aussie (herding dog), and pitbull (entertainer/bull dog). By reading the genetics section of the book, I feel like I learned A LOT about this scruffy goofball’s behavior. I think my most important takeaway was on the section about bull dogs and how they’ve historically been bred for high arousal. “Just think of him as a high-power race car. He has the potential to go zero-to-sixty at the drop of a hat, but he can spend his entire life cruising around thirty miles an hour.” Life at our house is totally 30 mph zone for Caber, being around other dogs is the Indianapolis 500. He’s not a bad dog or deficient, that’s high arousal for him by his nature.
10/10 highly recommended reading even for us inquisitive dog parents.
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4 Replies
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So glad you enjoyed the book, @PerpetualCleric . Thanks for sharing some of your take-away gems about Caber. ????
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Wonderful review, Christina! I’m so glad you like the book. It has been a mind-shifter for many people for sure. Every dog pro should read it, and I’m glad you are pointing out that pet parents benefit too!
Keep posting about Caber’s shenanigans. We love it all.
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Speaking of Caber shenanigans, I ordered a set of the FluentPet buttons late Friday night. I blame it on watching the Mind of a Dog documentary on Netflix. ????
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OMD – Imma need videos of THAT! haha Have fun!
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