For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend

I am nearly finished with this book and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

In the first chapter, I grew somewhat impatient. It seemed a bit overwritten. Mostly though it addressed the question, still alive in scientific circles, of whether or not dogs feel emotions; I think I was more impatient with the question than the writing. As a dog person, I've answered this question to my own satisfaction: of course they do! And indeed, over the course of the book, the author makes a very strong scientific case for the fact that, yes, dogs almost certainly do feel emotions.

What I loved about the book is the author's combination of experience and passion for dogs. Her experience is in helping problem dogs. So much wisdom here. I saw my own dogs from a new perspective. I even saw myself from a new perspective. She discusses what science has discovered about both human and canine brains and how it applies to emotion. Fascinating stuff.

She tells delightful stories about her own dogs and dogs she has known professionally.

She is a good writer, good story teller and this is a great book.

Obviously written by a new Author. The amount repetition in this book can become overwhelmingly irritating. The information it does give is certainly worth knowing, and is why I gave the book two stars.

Dr. McConnell is extremely knowledgeable about animal behaviors and is able to intelligently and humorously help people to better understand their animal companions. I found this book to be her best ever.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a dog in their family. You will be amazed at how much it will help to know what your dog is trying to tell you.

For The Love Of A Dog
Patricia McConnell is an absoltely brilliant woman. I've been a breeder/owner/trainer of German Shepherds for most of my life as well as a trainer/behaviorist of different breeds for many years. This is the most complete information compiled I have ever read. I would even go so far as to say it's my "Bible" for truly understanding how dogs perceive all of life. To make it even easier to comprehend, Ms McConnell even gives analogies relating to human behavior. If I could've given it a hundred stars in the evaluation, I would've! A must read for ANYONE who desires to have a real connection with their canine companions.

Patricia McConnell is now my favorite writer. This book helps us to understand your dog more. Isn't that what we all want?