Why is my dog so growly? - (Essential Skills for Your Growly But Brilliant Fam) by Beverley Courtney (Paperback)

About the Book

Barking, lunging, dog? Terrifying everyone and making you cringe in shame? Help your fearful dog (for that's what she is) to cope with our world and enjoy dog walks again. Essential Skills for your Growly but Brilliant Family Dog, Book 1.

Book Synopsis

Picture the scene: you're walking along the road with your dog when - horror of horrors! - another person with a dog appears at the end of the street. You start to breathe faster, your heart rate speeds up, you clutch the lead tightly to you, keeping your dog's head close. Your dog spots the other dog, and lunges forward on the lead, barking ferociously. You gasp out broken commands as you try to keep your feet on the pavement. The other person sweeps by, looking down their nose at you.

Now shame enters the mix. Your dog has behaved badly, you were quite unable to control him, and now you're condemned as a useless dog-owner with a nasty dog. This walk has turned into a walk of shame and misery. Your dog is now on his toes, anxiously scanning for the next intruder to bark at. Your hands are sore, your throat is dry. You wish you could disappear into a hole in the ground.

Sound familiar? The first thing to realise is that you are not alone! There are lots of people who have dogs whom they love dearly - dogs who are a pleasure and delight about the house, calm, biddable, great with the kids. But as soon as they venture out of the door, the horns grow.

This first book in the series shows you just exactly what is going on with your dog - why he's doing what he's doing - and sets you on the road to make some changes born of understanding that will ultimately transform your walks.

Beverley writes with empathy for anyone whose dog has been labelled anxious, fearful, aggressive, or reactive - and the undercurrent of humour which flows through all her books will keep you smiling as you work through the entirely force-free program.

Review Quotes

I am devouring all the gems of information and learning hugely from them. I am learning to read the signs and putting in the coping strategies to keep her below threshold. So these books are invaluable. I am really enjoying them. Joanna

I do like the way you can empathise with the reader because you have been in the situation yourself. Liz

Some of the best tips ever and I have read loads in the search to help my dog-reactive Labrador. Reading the following book and will read the others too. Helps you understand why the dog behaves the way he does. Amazon review

Thank you so much. Each piece I read is a massive help to both of us as we are both learning together. Phyllis & Archie Greyhound

Thank you for your wonderful book it has really helped me understand the reason why my little girl Bess reacts the way she does. Just by reading your first Growly Dog book I have realised that she is terrified of strangers. We are working on the steps and I am slowly seeing huge improvement. Heather and Bess

Very readable and a fascinating insight to how my dog ticks. I was able to look closely at what I do and modify my behaviour in order to change his. Happy Dad, happy dog. Amazon review

I'm already understanding why she is agitated around some people and other dogs, and your insight is brilliant! I have all the other books in the series and am excited to understand more. Denise and Lilly