Fall odszedł też i wadą zmarłego męża ciągu świata okrzyki 1978, is STILL the book I often turned cover-side up at bookstores, which is astounding given how ago it was written. Confession: When I first started reading about dogs I loved Just about everyone did, because it felt like a balm of benevolence compared to what was out there. I even titled no-longer published booklet with a reference to leadership: How to Be Leader of the Pack and Have Your Dog You For It. It was written, ironically, to counter the harsh methods of people like Kohler, but I took it off the market because the whole leader of the pack concept was outdated and regularly misused. The Monk's first book came out 39 years ago and at the time it felt revolutionary But that was then, this is now. Compared to the resources now available to dog owners, this book doesn't feel benevolent, it just feels sad. But there's another disappointment here. This kind of thinking pollutes the concept of leadership, its best iteration. Dogs do need to know that we have their backs, that they can count on us when they need protection. Dogs do look to us–to protect them, to feed and water them and to provide nurturing and social acceptance. One can indeed argue that dogs are attracted to people that some would call natural leaders the best sense of the word. However, this has nothing to do with leash pops or strong verbal no's. It has everything to do with being around someone who is comfortable his or her own skin. 't you know someone who dogs to be around? I've found that those people are not people who fuss over dogs, but who have a presence about them that everyone can sense. Everyone wants to be around people with this kind of presence, people and dogs alike. They come into a room and everyone looks at them. People want to stand beside them. I've known a few of them, some dog trainers, some not. What sets them apart is their sense of comfort being who they are, that some unquantifiable way, they are rock solid. Like the earth. The military veterans I've talked to told me that this is the kind of person who they as a natural leader, and who they would follow into hell and back for. Perhaps this is what The Monks also and are trying to teach people how to find. However, I would argue that they suggest you try to get it all the wrong ways– using physical force and by taking away your dog's autonomy. We are advised to put our dogs on leashes throughout the day that they get up when we get up, and are forced to go where we go. The monastery dogs are expected to be on a Down Stay during dinner and while their owners are working. If we treat our dogs this way, they guarantee they be calmer and more obedient. Well, yes, there is some truth to that. was spayed two weeks ago, and for a week afterward she was on a leash, a Down Stay or her crate. Rather than being buzzed up from lack of exercise, she became very quiet. No doubt people would remark how calm and well behaved she appeared. I'd argue she was resigned, if not unhappy. As she gradually got more autonomy last week, she became more animated, with a her eyes and open, relaxed face. Guess which dog I'd rather have. I have no doubt that the authors of this book their dogs, but this is a road I hope few decide to follow. Join me helping to counter such old fashioned ideas by recommending all the great books, videos and website-based programs that teach progressive training perspectives. If you need direction, you could go to the Learning Center's book reviews, or go to Dogwise for the dozens if not hundreds of books that employ truly benevolent and effective training methods that are not based on control, hierarchy and physical punishment. Or take Dr. Friedman's class, or watch videos from Dr. n or check out the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy or read T he Classics or, or, or… The options are endless. Just take the road that should be most traveled, our dogs thank us for it. MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Hot, hot, hot. And dry, dry, dry. It's been a quiet time for the dogs, given 's need to recover from surgery and the hot, dry weather. Here's a creature the photo below who knows how to take care of himself. This tiny tree frog is always close to the outdoor faucet I use to water the plants. Clearly he's found a moist, cool place to out. There are three places now the garden where I routinely tree frogs. I expect they each have they mini-territory and stay one place most of the time. We are becoming buddies. Well, at least I adore them. No word about their feelings toward me yet. Lots of the plants and flowers the garden look just awful at the moment. I'll spare