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Meet Your Dog: The Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog's Behavior Hardcover – March 20, 2018
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherChronicle Books
- Publication dateMarch 20, 2018
- Dimensions6.38 x 1 x 8.38 inches
- ISBN-101452148996
- ISBN-13978-1452148991
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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From the Publisher
- Learning—your dog’s experiences and education
- Environment—the many aspects of your dog’s external world
- Genetics—the DNA that designed your dog inside and out
- Self—the unique interior world of your dog: health, development, age, sex, and individuality
The Four Dog L.E.G.S.
When we are selecting a dog or attempting to address specific behaviors with our existing canine partner, we need to be sure that we are looking at the whole animal. That way, we’re less likely to miss something that might bite us later on; or, conversely, to give up prematurely when there may be a simple solution.
We don’t want to fall in love if the relationship is inevitably doomed for failure. If we’re asking a dog that is designed to be a protective guard to roll out the red carpet to anyone who walks in the door, or expecting a highly driven athlete to be a couch potato, everyone could end up frustrated.
Nor do we want to throw in the towel for the wrong reasons. What seems like an impossible situation may have a simple solution—maybe changing a daily routine or adjusting how we respond to the behavior we don’t like. What seem to be irreconcilable differences may, in fact, just be basic misunderstandings. Remember that you and your dog are, after all, different types of animals.
In order to ensure that we don’t misstep as we cross this bridge, we need a solid framework before we can make the connections. As we embark on this journey, we will benefit from using a basic system to help us account for all the moving parts of our dog’s behavior. The L.E.G.S. model—representing the four elements of Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self—serves as a reliable and dynamic mechanism to guide us in our search for answers and solutions.
After years of meeting dejected dog owners who couldn’t understand their dogs’ behaviors, it became my mission to help dogs and their people find a way to connect the dots. In 2009, I created the L.E.G.S. system to organize the insights of dozens of scientific disciplines into something understandable for the modern dog owner. L.E.G.S. is a simple framework for understanding the great range of factors that affect our dogs’ behavior. It ensures that no stone goes unturned.
Breeds Included in Meet Your Dog
Patient Protector
Akbash, Anatolian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Kangal Leonberger, Komondor, Kuvasz, Maremma Sheepdog, Neapolitan Mastiff , Newfoundland, Sarplaninac, Spanish Mastiff, St. Bernard, Tibetan Mastiff, mixes of any of the above breeds.
Little Companion
Bichon Frise, Bolognese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, Coton De Tulear, Havanese, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, Toy Poodle, mixes of any of the above breeds.
The Entertainer
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge, Pit Bull Terrier, mixes of any of the above.
Working Wingman
Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler), Australian Kelpie, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Berger Picard, Border Collie, Briard, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, German Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Puli, Pumi, Pyrenean Sheepdog, Shetland Sheepdog, Standard Collie, Swedish Vallhund, mixes of any of the above breeds.
Editorial Reviews
Review
-Jon Luke, Dogwise Publishing
"In a sea of dog-behavior-information overload, Brophey's new book provides a refreshing perspective and innovative new paradigm for understanding how our dogs think and behave. A dog owner's or prospective dog owner's dream guide, "Meet Your Dog" dispels countless myths about dogs that keep them entrenched in a netherworld where they must be subservient, one-dimensional, and a "good dog" who welcomes overtures from people and other dogs; the book promotes respect for a dog's personal space, which is key to healthy dog-human relationships."
-Cuteness.com
“In Meet Your Dog, nationally known behavior consultant Kim Brophey introduces L.E.G.S. (Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self), an innovative model for understanding how dogs think and why they behave the way they do. Based on the latest findings in the field of canine cognition and behavior, this book is an invaluable resource, both for experienced dog lovers and for individuals seeking their first four-legged friend.”
-Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard To Think Straight About Animals
“Meet Your Dog is an original book that will lead even the best of us dog people to think about both dog behavior and our own behavior in new ways. It is an important book that creates a bridge between behavior science and its daily practical application by dog owners and trainers. I truly wish I had had this book to read fifty years ago."
-Ray Coppinger, author of Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, and Evolution, What is a Dog?, and How Dogs Work
“It's refreshing to finally find a book that takes into consideration the many predispositions to behavior problems in dogs. Many written works and theories do not take this into account, yet it is one of the major keys to understanding, and subsequently changing, canine behavior. This book is unique as it considers the whole dog. Dogs are different. They have different personalities and breeds have specific tendencies. Kim does not ignore this. On the contrary, she teaches us simple and practical ways to use these differences and tendencies to not only give dogs a better life, but also to have a more harmonious relationship with their human. This publication is a game changer because it teaches us to really see the dog in its entirety. It present us with a framework to understand all the major factors that are essential in understanding canine behavior.”
-Alexandre Rossi, star of "Pet Mission" (National Geographic, Brazil), and author of A Dog at the Keyboard
About the Author
Kim Brophey, CDBC, BA, is a nationally certified and award-winning canine behavior consultant and the owner of Dog Door Behavior Center in Asheville, North Carolina.
Product details
- Publisher : Chronicle Books; Illustrated edition (March 20, 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1452148996
- ISBN-13 : 978-1452148991
- Item Weight : 1.55 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.38 x 1 x 8.38 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #34,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Pet Food & Nutrition
- #23 in Dog Breeds (Books)
- #54 in Dog Training (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Kim Brophey, CDBC, CPDT-KA, LFDM, is an applied ethologist and accomplished behavior consultant and trainer who has been working with dogs and their families for over 25 years. Kim’s commitment to Family Dog Mediation® has been recognized internationally, awarded the APDT Outstanding Trainer of the Year in 2009 and the Best Dog Trainer of WNC eight years in a row. She is a member of the International Society for Applied Ethology and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and a certified member and past board member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants as well as the Asheville Humane Society. Kim Brophey’s L.E.G.S.® model of integrated canine science has been endorsed by prominent canine scientists such as Raymond Coppinger and embraced by reputable academics and dog trainers worldwide. Her market-disrupting L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Course is the flagship of a rapidly growing worldwide initiative that, combined with her online Family Dog Mediation Education Center ® and the thousands of active FDM student community members collaborating in a functional professional ecosystem, is leading the charge in setting a new direction for the pet industry and culture. Her groundbreaking sold-out first edition book, MEET YOUR DOG, TED talk, Beyond The Operant (BTO) collaborative, numerous public speaking venues at institutions & conferences around the world, and countless radio and podcast features have made profound waves throughout the dog behavior world as well as the general public. Due to the tremendous growth of the Family Dog Mediation Education Center since its inception, Kim recently sold her local behavior consulting business in order to focus exclusively on the L.E.G.S. Initiative so that she may continue to endeavor to build bridges and invite others to contribute to a new conversation about dogs- one that challenges us to redefine how we perceive, talk about, provide for, and live with our canine companions as a society.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and well-written. They appreciate the author's ability to put complex concepts into everyday terms. The book provides detailed discussions of many dog breeds and their characteristics. Readers say it helps them work with their dogs and solve any problems they are having.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book informative and helpful for dog owners. They appreciate the author's ability to explain complex concepts in everyday terms. The book helps them consider their needs and what kind of dog breed would work best for them. It also provides a great reminder of the different parts that make up their individual dogs.
"This is a truly remarkable book that explains dog behavior through their eyes, providing incredible insight and essential guidance to be better..." Read more
"...It is a well written, well organized, entertaining and easy to follow science and behavioral guide to training and all-around living with your dog...." Read more
"...to see what might be adjusted to resolve the issues and enjoy your dog more fully. Think you want a dog?..." Read more
"...This book is so, incredibly important for both the average owner and professionals...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. They say it's a must-read for anyone looking for a dog. The book provides practical advice and reminds readers that dogs are not stereotypes.
"This is a truly remarkable book that explains dog behavior through their eyes, providing incredible insight and essential guidance to be better..." Read more
"...It is a well written, well organized, entertaining and easy to follow science and behavioral guide to training and all-around living with your dog...." Read more
"This is a very insightful and well written book about dogs...." Read more
"...Well written and easy to understand for professionals or dog owners who to truly want to understand who their dog is ...." Read more
Customers find the book helpful for learning about dog breeds. They appreciate the detailed discussions and history of dog breeds. The author classifies dogs into 10 different groups and rates them based on four key aspects. The book also mentions that dogs are genetically wired to respond to stimuli, and that learning, environment, genetics, and individual personality all play a role in their personalities.
"...She classifies dogs into 10 different types and rates the dogs in 4 key aspects to finding the right match between dogs and people...." Read more
"Your dog is genetically wired to respond to stimulus...." Read more
"Certainly a good insight into a number of breeds, as a positive reinforcement dog trainer, I appreciated the humor in this book about the..." Read more
"...The book includes detailed discussions of many dog breeds and would be especially helpful for anyone trying to decide what kind of dog to add to..." Read more
Customers find the book helpful for working with their dogs. They say it helps them understand and train their pets better.
"...to follow science and behavioral guide to training and all-around living with your dog...." Read more
"This book helped me understand and thus train my dog so much easier than any training book I’ve read in years...." Read more
"...You will enjoy this book, learn a lot, and wind up with a canine companion that is suited perfectly for you!" Read more
"...It helps you set up for success and solve any problems you are having with your pup...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2024I've read many books including dog training books and journals and Meet Your Dog is one of the best. It is a well written, well organized, entertaining and easy to follow science and behavioral guide to training and all-around living with your dog. Although there's science behind it, the book just plain makes sense on an instinctual level. As a dog trainer, I welcome this holistic attitude to canine companionship and will definitely apply it with my clients. Thank you Kim Brophey!!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023This is a truly remarkable book that explains dog behavior through their eyes, providing incredible insight and essential guidance to be better companions for man's best friend.
After a thorough review of her behavior analysis method, Kim Brophey delves into the history and development of the 10 different types of dog. Through this, she describes what a dog breed was designed for and how this affects the way the dog thinks, feels, and sees the world, thereby helping humans understand their behavior.
History, psychology, and helpful advice all in one, this book will help you be your dog's best friend.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2019This is a very insightful and well written book about dogs. She classifies dogs into 10 different types and rates the dogs in 4 key aspects to finding the right match between dogs and people. Dogs very in personality as much as the do in looks and size. If you are looking for a book that will answer questions to specific behavior problems and tell you step by step what to do, this is not the book for you. If you are having behavior issues and can think and problem solve at a more abstract level, this book will give you the information to look at your dog, the environment, and your own behavior to see what might be adjusted to resolve the issues and enjoy your dog more fully. Think you want a dog? This is a good starting point to discover which category of breeds may be a good fit for you and your lifestyle before looking at specific breeds within the categories. This was one of the recommended readings for my apprenticeship to become a professional dog training and after reading it, I understand why. Dog training classes are not about training the dog directly but training people how to train their dogs and partner with their dogs. I definitely need to know more about other breads and I see how this book will be a good resource for me to help people problem solve issues with their dogs in the future.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2024Your dog is genetically wired to respond to stimulus. This book simply outlines how to understand your breed and how to work with, not against its wiring. I read a ton of Dog Training Books and this is one of the best
- Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2024I’m a professional dog trainer and this book has been a gamer changer for my training programs . Well written and easy to understand for professionals or dog owners who to truly want to understand who their dog is . The breed listings will you make an informed decision about what kind of dog fits your life style . My hope is more dog owners will read this FIRST before they adopt/shop a for a dog .
- Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2020If you're considering getting a dog, you should read this book first! This is an excellent book that will help you decide which breed/s are right for you and what to expect. All of the other dog breed books I have read don't tell you much beyond a few basic breed traits. This book does a much better job explaining what it's like to live with each type of dog, and what it's like to live with a dog in general. A lot of mismatches and heartache could be saved if every prospective dog owner read this book. If you already have a dog and find yourself scratching your head at their behavior, this book will help with that, too.
This isn't really a training book; it's an understanding your dog book - which is just as important! (If you want a training book, I personally recommend Dog Smart by Linda P Case, How to Behave so Your Dog Behaves by Sophia Yin, and The Puppy Primer and/or Love Has No Age Limit by Patricia McConnell.)
Someone complained that the author says in this book that you shouldn't train your dog. This is false. Nowhere in the book does the author say not to train your dog; she herself is a dog trainer, and she even gives some training suggestions in this book. Just wanted to clear that up.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2025Logical and informative. Easy to read, understand and apply.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2022I liked this book. It was very thought inspiring and helped me to understand my dog better. I wish more people would read this book, because it brings a funny, compassionate and realistic view to owning a dog. This is not a book about training a dog to "come" , "sit", "stay", etc....but is rather a well written book about understanding your dog. I am glad I read this book, because the knowlege I gained through it will make me a better dog lover, a better dog owner, and a better human being. Be Blessed.
Top reviews from other countries
- Jodie FReviewed in Canada on July 30, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars The Book ALL Dog Lovers and Caregivers Need To Read
I recommend this book to anyone who owns or works with dogs. Each dog is so unique, a blend of genetics, past experiences and emotional feelings. Understanding changes everything! So well Done! A must read for all dog lovers.
- Nikx72Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous accurate book for dog lovers and those who work with dogs
Love this book. I’m studying to become a dog trainer and my mentors recommended this book. It’s very informative, interesting and accurate. It’s not like the standard dog breed books. Hitch at e A to Z of each dog breed It goes more into the groups the breeds are, gun dogs, herding dogs, sight hounds, terriers etc. understanding their behaviours , genetics. Brilliant book to look things up a great encyclopaedia basically.
- Ulises Troyo BarrigaReviewed in Mexico on July 1, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
A must read if a cute little animal lives with you. Oh, they are so cool! The book is amazing! Highly recommendable!
- Katya HoughtonReviewed in Australia on April 18, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Best book about dogs, hands down!!
- Sherry WebbReviewed in Canada on April 21, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to know what makes your dog tick. Must read
As a dog walker and dog owner, I deal with many breeds of dogs daily. This answered question in my mind about the various dog grouping and what make them ....them. Truly a must read for all dog lovers