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Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog
Positive Answers for the Aggressive Dog. The dog that bites. The dog that attacks other dogs. The dog who may not survive his own aggressive behavior. What can be done to help these dogs? When Emma Parsons, canine behavior consultant, discovered that her own dog was aggressive, she developed innovative and effective strategies to calm, alter, and re-shape his reactive displays, and those of her clients' dogs.
181 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2004
223 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 22, 2016
Dogs are not pack animals
I was disappointed to see the vocabulary of 'top dog' and 'pack leader' still being used. Dogs are NOT pack animals. There is no alpha. Dominance and submission are fluid concepts, and during play the roles reverse back and forth forth. Let's stop using this language!!!
I was disappointed to see the vocabulary of 'top dog' and 'pack leader' still being used. Dogs are NOT pack animals. There is no alpha. Dominance and submission are fluid concepts, and during play the roles reverse back and forth forth. Let's stop using this language!!!
June 19, 2019
Hugely disappointed with this book. As advanced as it was for the time period it was written, it's got a lot of outdated advice now. Whilst the techniques discussed will help a reactive dog, they're a very complicated way of going about it and are generally incredibly difficult for an average pet dog person to carry out. The ideas are interesting and differ to what is traditionally done with dogs who struggle with reactivity but as a professional dog trainer I think I would struggle to execute them and therefore would expect my clients to struggle. I wouldn't buy this book expecting it to fix your problems, save your money and work with a decent trainer in progress.
January 31, 2008
An excellent training method for dogs. This book was recommended by an animal trainer who we brought in to work with one of our dogs who had fear-aggression issues.
It helped to reinforce the bond between our dog and trainer-owner (us), increase his confidence and trust in us, and decreased his fear.
It also helped our other dog calm down and become more obedient.
The book starts off with basic exercises and contains exercises of increasing difficulty up to letting the dog invent their own exercise.
It helped to reinforce the bond between our dog and trainer-owner (us), increase his confidence and trust in us, and decreased his fear.
It also helped our other dog calm down and become more obedient.
The book starts off with basic exercises and contains exercises of increasing difficulty up to letting the dog invent their own exercise.
August 19, 2022
I gave this one 4 stars because it is very insightful, breaks down the steps and information easily, so that it's easy to follow and digestible for those who are just guardians and those who are trainers.
Helpful as I myself have a reactive dog, who resource guards, and doesn't always listen. We've hit a plateau so I'll be using many of the techniques in here to help get us over this little bump in her training.
Now, why 1 less star? The use of "leader" and some of the commentary used near the end of the book. I know this is a rather old edition, so I cannot fault it. Since the alpha theory was debunked 20 years ago. It still irks me to read anything especially a Karen Pryor/R+ methodology book talking about being the leader. Too many balanced trainers are using that word that it's basically ruined it, and leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
So, all in all. Ignore some of the terminology near the end, you don't have to be your dogs leader. You just have to guide them. That's it. Then it's all gravy from there!
Helpful as I myself have a reactive dog, who resource guards, and doesn't always listen. We've hit a plateau so I'll be using many of the techniques in here to help get us over this little bump in her training.
Now, why 1 less star? The use of "leader" and some of the commentary used near the end of the book. I know this is a rather old edition, so I cannot fault it. Since the alpha theory was debunked 20 years ago. It still irks me to read anything especially a Karen Pryor/R+ methodology book talking about being the leader. Too many balanced trainers are using that word that it's basically ruined it, and leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
So, all in all. Ignore some of the terminology near the end, you don't have to be your dogs leader. You just have to guide them. That's it. Then it's all gravy from there!
September 4, 2019
I think clicker/marker training is great and it's good that the author mentions several times that punishment is not the way to train a dog.
However, I don't like that she talks about being the (pack) leader and that the dog has to earn the right to everything, even eliminating. That's just too much.
However, I don't like that she talks about being the (pack) leader and that the dog has to earn the right to everything, even eliminating. That's just too much.
November 17, 2020
I read this book in order to calm my fear aggressive dog. I did not want to use harsh corrections for fear of making him worse. It was an interesting read and yes I did use some of the ideas in the book on him. Each dog is different and I am sure if you have some issues with your pet you will find some of the techniques useful.
January 3, 2022
Aunque el libro me pareció claro y con pasos muy precisos, definitivamente creo que no es para principiantes, creo que se requiere tener ya algo de experiencia previa con el uso de clicker y también manejo de varios perros para poder aprovecharlo verdaderamente. Lo más relevante para mà fueron los lineamiento que propone para la toma de decisiones.
August 9, 2018
I already use clicker training for my dog and wanted to learn how to stop him from barking at dogs. There was a chapter on dealing with an aggressive dog which I didn't think was too helpful for me. However, the book as a whole is informative for a newbie.
January 20, 2021
I read a lot of training books and this is a quality training guide with both theory and practical 'how to's'.
This book isn't newly released yet I found some of the advise for training emotions quite revolutionary. And all of the techniques/advice is still good today.
Highly recommend.
This book isn't newly released yet I found some of the advise for training emotions quite revolutionary. And all of the techniques/advice is still good today.
Highly recommend.
June 24, 2021
Mixed feelings. Lots of great advice and helpful training recipes, but a healthy dose of outdated, dominance sort of stuff too. Still worth a read but probably not going to be anyone’s go to in 2021. Take what you need, leave what you don’t.
August 4, 2017
Good Read
Has great step by step activities that people can try to help heal their aggressive dogs and start the 2 way trust process.
Has great step by step activities that people can try to help heal their aggressive dogs and start the 2 way trust process.
January 1, 2020
Clear solutions written in an easy to understand way for trainers and owners alike.
December 29, 2020
Good information. Very helpful.
October 22, 2022
Good stuff. Picked up a few ideas from here, and a lot of the foundational work covered is very good.
January 23, 2023
There was some outdated language in the book that was disappointing. However I did find a few exercises that I think may be a good fit for my dog.
September 22, 2014
An excellent training resource for aggressive dogs, Parsons made the switch from traditional punishment-based training after various "professional" trainers' attempts to "correct" her aggressive dog resulted in a worsening and deeper ingraining of the aggressive behavior.
Click To Calm discusses differences between positive and punishment based training methods, and the positive methods she used to help her dog overcome his aggression.
Primarily focused on the "Look-At-That" technique, where the handler clicks and rewards the dog for looking at his or her trigger from a safe distance, below threshold, this book is designed to reduce your dog's emotional response to triggers through systematic-desensitization and counter-conditioning.
This book is very thorough, and broken down into simple and easy to follow segments, making it extremely user-friendly. It relies on pre-planned "set-ups", where there must be a stationary decoy or trigger, so you will have to have a helper or willing partner to practice (I use strangers at the park- they usually have no intention of interacting with my dog and pretend not to mind that I'm following them around with an insane dog :)
I have used this technique with some success with my aggressive rescue dog, but find it is not practical in the "real world" i.e., walks etc. Highly recommend this book in conjunction with Behavior Adjustment Training by Grisha Stewart, and Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt.
Click To Calm discusses differences between positive and punishment based training methods, and the positive methods she used to help her dog overcome his aggression.
Primarily focused on the "Look-At-That" technique, where the handler clicks and rewards the dog for looking at his or her trigger from a safe distance, below threshold, this book is designed to reduce your dog's emotional response to triggers through systematic-desensitization and counter-conditioning.
This book is very thorough, and broken down into simple and easy to follow segments, making it extremely user-friendly. It relies on pre-planned "set-ups", where there must be a stationary decoy or trigger, so you will have to have a helper or willing partner to practice (I use strangers at the park- they usually have no intention of interacting with my dog and pretend not to mind that I'm following them around with an insane dog :)
I have used this technique with some success with my aggressive rescue dog, but find it is not practical in the "real world" i.e., walks etc. Highly recommend this book in conjunction with Behavior Adjustment Training by Grisha Stewart, and Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt.
November 7, 2016
I think that I will find myself owing a great deal of my training knowledge from the expertise and well structured advice that Emma Parsons offers in relation to working with and healing aggressive dogs. Perhaps what I loved most about the book,Click to Calm, is the fact that ANYONE raising a dog can benefit from using these methods and techniques in developing a healthy relationship between dog and handler.Of course, if you have a dog that does not seem to have a problem with aggression, there are a few of these exercises that can be skipped. But, on the whole,implementing clicker training and following the clicker home management program that is outlined, will most assuredly benefit anyone that takes that route, regardless of whether or not their dog has aggression issues that need to be addressed. This book is a definite MUST for anyone pursuing or involved in a dog training career, and a definite help for anyone who has a dog that might be a culprit for displaying aggression issues.
April 2, 2020
A new approach for training reactive dogs. I wouldn't recommend the average dog owner try to execute what is in the book, rather it's more of a textbook or reference for experienced trainers who have been working with clicker training and reactive dogs for many years. The timing it takes for the clicker training to actually work is not something that can be learned overnight, nor are the subtleties of canine body language. As a professional dog trainer though, I appreciate the ideas in the book as training is never a one size fits all situation. I disagree with the latter section on aggression cases, but that's neither here nor there.
October 1, 2012
I thought it had some good behavior recipes to affect change and things that an average person could easily implement, however emma parsons was way too happy to use luring to start a behavior, and I am not comfortable with that. Better to teach and generalize targeting to the hand as well as a target stick as the first foundation behavior taught then to start each behavior with luring. That is not good clicker training. You never want to bribe a dog into performing a behavior.
August 7, 2008
This is a powerful book about healing aggression and how it feels to be a dog trainer with a "bad" dog. I think Emma Parson's honestly is wonderful and the base of behavioral retraining and the power of the clicker well explained.
This book also has many activities, strategies and training techniques you can work on with you own dog whether aggressive, nervous or you just want to do more.
This book also has many activities, strategies and training techniques you can work on with you own dog whether aggressive, nervous or you just want to do more.
September 24, 2008
I w1,000% recommend this book to anyone who has a dog, regardless of whether the dog is aggressive or shy or happy or calm. The training approach that is outlined in this book has not only transformed my fearfully aggressive yorkie, but it has shaped my happy dachshund into a much more well-behaved dog. I can't say enough about how fabulous this book is. 5 stars are not enough!
January 10, 2008
Never thought I'd be clicker training my dog, but this book is a user-friendly guide to helping reactive and fearful dogs. We are making progress with our reactive dog these days, and we owe some of that progress to this helpful publication.
October 29, 2009
This book is all you need to get started on a better relationship with your reactive or anxious dog. It is also worth reading for anyone who owns dogs of any temperament or is interested in dog training.
May 31, 2014
Ok but not quite what I needed with my dog. I took some tips & will apply but I'm coming to realize there may not be a "cure" at there. My rescue is loving & great with me and my granddaughters and that might be all I'll get from him. I just wish I could exercise him off leash
January 25, 2008
Love this book...very detailed instructions on how to calm an agressive dog.
May 15, 2009
Emma, nicely done. As a trainer who works with fear-based agression this book is filled with ideas to help - and with different animal/human teams you need a toolbox of ideas. Thank you
November 8, 2012
A great book for working with aggressive dogs. Or dogs who get anxious like mine.
January 26, 2013
loved this, anyone with dog leash reactivity should read this.
June 5, 2013
Solid and simply presented, easy to use material, but not much science & technical detail.
November 16, 2014
This is a great dog training book if you are familiar with clicker training.
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