Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781619334717 |
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| Publisher: | Taming the Wild, LLC |
| Publication date: | 10/06/2015 |
| Pages: | 176 |
| Sales rank: | 711,953 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.41(d) |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Embracing the Wild in Your Dog, An understanding of the authors of our dog's behavior-nature and the wolf
4.7 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
12 reviews.
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Having rescue dogs with behavioral problems, that came with little or no history, I watched several dog trainer television programs, trying to impose their practices without success, I found the reasons why dogs behave the way they do in this book.
The author uses his expertise from his upbringing and experiences in racing dog mushing events to pass on invaluable advice. He does not tell you how to correct the behavior but why the behavior happens in the first place and if you know the root to the problem you can solve it.
The strong message is "nature demands obedience"and your dog, which has evolved from the wolf, needs to follow the rules of being in a pack. Every pack has a leader and all others must follow, therefore you have to be that leader. The author uses excellent examples of pack life, for example; when his pack leading dog was eating a bone, one of the pups tried to take it, the pack leader pinned the pup down to teach him his place. Now if this happened in another home or park a human would have interfered thus upsetting the order of the pack. He also goes on to explain that if the pack leading dog wanted the pup to have the bone he would have given him it, displaying submissive behavior, again the law of nature.
This book has taught me so much more about both dogs and I can now correct their behavior. I am proud to say, so far, it has worked. Big thanks to the author for using his expertise to help me understand my dogs more and it has taken our relationship to a new and better level.
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Finally a REAL book on dog behavior!
I cannot say enough how grateful I am to the author for writing this book. As a former member of the U.S. military working dog program and an avid hunter, I can relate to every word that is written. It took courage to write this book because it’s not politically correct, but it is correct! Wake up America, the real deal in dog behavior has just published his first book and you need to read it. I can’t wait for his second book because I am sure it will hit like a Hammer!
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Sometimes a book will catch you by surprise and you will enjoy it in ways you never expected. Such is the case with Embracing the Wild in Your Dog.
I picked this book up because I have 4 dogs ranging from very small (5 lbs) to quite large (80 lbs) and the idea that they are so closely related to the gray wolf is fascinating to me. I knew the book would be educational and somewhat scientific. That's why I wanted to read it! But what caught me totally off guard was how emotionally charged it is. I found myself tearing up at least once in each chapter (and I'm not THAT much of a softie).
This book reads brilliantly with touching stories of Bailey as a child learning about nature and wolves from one tough mentor, but someone who obviously loved him. There are also stories about interactions Bailey had with clients that will break your heart for them (and him). The stories are so masterfully told and woven throughout the book you will think Bailey is a seasoned author rather than having just published his first book.
Did I accomplish my goal by reading this book? Absolutely. It is a very educational read. But the best (and most surprising) thing about this book is that it is not just educational. It is entertaining, as well, and I loved it from beginning to end.
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This book recounts the author's experience of growing up in the Alaskan wild under the tutelage of his mentor, a Special Forces survival instructor who taught him to understand how nature and the wolf contribute to the behavior of dogs. The author's upbringing had a direct impact on his philosophy on dog training, which is based on the tenet that dogs are really wolves and behave as wild animals. This belief is reinforced by the author's personal accounts of tragic events caused by dog owners who treat their pets as humans and expect them to behave like humans.
I found this book very interesting because it supports my husband's approach to training our dog - and he was the best-behaved dog I have ever seen. I also enjoyed the great photos and quotes at the beginning of each chapter. However, I have one suggestion for the author: hyperlink the footnotes. I also would like to have learned more about the author's training techniques, but I can understand that each case is individual. Interested readers can visit the author's ProTrain Memphis website to find out more about his training programs.
One thing is certain. After reading this book, you will never look at your dog the same again. "You will come to know the wolf in your dog."
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com/2016/01/embracing-the-wild-in-your-dog-by-bryan-bailey.html
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A Wonderful Combination of Story, Scientific Fact, and Guidelines to Understanding Your Dog
Bryan Bailey unlocks the key to trying to domestic the wolf in his book “Embracing the Wild in Your Dog.” He guides the reader on a journey that includes emotionally charged stories and well developed scientific fact.
Although there are many theories and methodologies that have been disputed for years, advance in scientific evidence show that today’s domestic dog is a direct descendant of the grey wolf. In consultation with dog owners as a professional trainer Bailey works on the premise that, a dog’s behavior is dominated by “instinct” passed down from the wolf. The dog is a modified wolf, not a human.
Bailey’s highly developed intuitive sensitivity and curiosity are the result of growing up in Alaska and as young man being mentored by Special Forces survival instructor. He writes from years of formal study and real life experiences in the field of wolves in their wild habitat, sled dogs in Alaska, his years as a K9 officer and as a training instructor. He is an advocate for taming the wild and teaching others to “embrace the wild in their dog.” His writing is articulate, authoritative, important and informative.
Bailey has given me a new appreciation for nature and especially for the wilds of the Alaskan frontier. As an extra “take away,” I was reminded of the importance of acceptance without judgment, and of the importance of always striving for personal and professional growth.
“Embracing the Wild in Your Dog” is an imperative read for every dog owner.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own
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This is an important book. It includes numerous examples of ignorance about instinctive dog behavior causing injury or even death for both humans and dogs. We have been anthropomorphizing dogs. To effectively illustrate the perspective of Embracing The Wild In Your Dog, the cover shows a wolf and a dog side by side. Bryan Bailey wants us to know that dogs and wolves are genetically identical, and that we can only understand dogs by studying wolf behavior. I first encountered this revelation in The Man Who Lives With Wolves by UK wolf researcher Shaun Ellis. Due to prejudices about wolves, many people refuse to believe that dogs have not diverged genetically from wolves.
Once we accept that dogs should not be treated as if they were human children, I would think that the reverse should also apply. I found only one editing error, but there are a number of passages in this book that seem to imply that humans would be better off if parents and others in authority treated everyone the same way that alpha wolves treat the members of their packs. Bailey seems to favor military dictatorships. It doesn’t appear to me that military dictatorships are more orderly and peaceful precisely because of some significant differences between humans and canines.
Although I very much disagree with Bailey’s approach to human social organization, I did learn a great deal about dogs and the increasingly troubled relationship between humans and dogs. I was shocked to find out that some animal shelters were concealing the violent pasts of dogs from people who seek to adopt them. Bailey very rightly points out that people don’t have any hope of successfully integrating a dog into their households unless they know what to expect. He wants to help us to develop into pack leaders for the dogs in our lives.
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I really don’t want to like this book and here is why. I have to admit that I am one of those dog owners whose pooch owns more clothes than I do, has his own Christmas stocking from Santa, and has an overflowing toy box. According to this book, my tiny seven pounder is really a wolf in Yorkie clothing and should be treated accordingly. Mentored as a teen by a Special Forces instructor in Alaska, the author scatters the wisdom of this unnamed gentleman throughout the book and it was these parts that I found to be the most useful and interesting. I can’t say I liked all of what the author had to say but after reading his reasoning and checking out a few of his sources which he listed in the back, I have to grudgingly agree with his conclusions. This is not a book about how to train your dog but it does provide insight as to why your dog does some of the things that may drive you crazy, such as jumping up. After reading why he does this I thought how obvious it was when the behaviour was explained. I read the digital version of this short book and it formatted well, as did the beautiful pictures throughout the book. The cover is a good representation of the book. This is a must read for dog owners even though you may not like what you find out.
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Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Did you know that a dog, a house pet, is really a wild animal? A wolf, in fact? It's true - even the most unlikely tiny breeds of dogs have a link to the genetics of the wolf. It's hard to imagine since humans have befriended dogs and domesticated them as pets for centuries. But the 'wild' is still inside each beloved pet and to better understand the family dog, one must embrace his/her wildness and understand his/her wolf genetics. Author Bryan Bailey has studied wolves up close in the wilderness of Alaska. As a child, he had a Special Forces mentor who taught him how to survive in the Alaskan wilderness, a tactic that included understanding the wild animals, particularly the wolves. The author used this experience and knowledge and applied it to his expertise working with domesticated dogs, paralleling the inherent genetic similarities of wolf and dog.
Although the author is a much sought after dog trainer, and particularly a coach for aggressive dogs, Embracing the Wild in Your Dog is not a dog training manual. Rather, Bryan imparts his knowledge of wolves and applies that knowledge to his understanding and appreciation of dogs. He shares anecdotes of his younger years, learning from his Special Forces mentor, as well as stories of dog issues brought to his attention by clients. He also shares the wisdom of many First Nations (aboriginal) people, quoting their understanding of the wild wolf and wildlife in general. "If you talk to the wolves, they will talk with you, and you will know each other..." This quote from Chief Dan George, as with the other quotes chosen for this book, helps sum up the human relationship with wolves and, subsequently, with dogs. Accompanied by numerous quotes, anecdotes of personal experiences, and superb photos, this is an excellent resource to help us better understand the 'wild' in man's best friend.
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Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite
If I could give Embracing the Wild in your Dog by Bryan Bailey ten stars in every category, I would. Never before have I read a non-fiction book that enlightens, disturbs and inspires all at once, and leaves me wondering if I even took a breath from the time I opened the book. As I read the last page and checked Bryan Bailey's biography, I let out an audible sigh. If the sigh could speak, it would say brilliant and breath-taking. Embracing the Wild in your Dog is both of those. It is also a memoir and an instructional book. But its premise and its concepts may not be embraced or welcomed by all who cannot think of that little fluffy puppy in their laps as a wolf. But he is...at least instinctively, and Bryan Bailey makes sure you know that by the time you're finished reading.
As soon as I'd read the first few chapters, I began looking at my little Shorkie, Duffy, through a different lens. I realized that when he first took a light nip of my granddaughter's lip and our gut reaction was to yell at Duffy for his bad behaviour while we wiped away her tears, that Duffy's reaction to having his neck grabbed in a hug constituted a threat and he was merely issuing a warning...as his now very distant forebears, the wolves, would have done. I have now learned that no amount of breeding these "fur covered humans on four legs" is going to breed out the wolf in him. As an Indian chief explained to the author's mentor, "Because a dog carries a wolf inside of him, he also carries the wolf’s prints. The wolf goes with him everywhere he goes." Sadly, today's dog owners live in denial of this truth. As a result, children and adults are being bitten and dogs are being euthanized, while vet bills and law suits drain bank accounts because we dog lovers don't want to acknowledge the wolf in our dogs.
Embracing the Wild in your Dog by Bryan Bailey is also the story of a boy growing up in the harsh Alaskan climate and learning about survival from a soldier who had learned the same from studying wolves. At one point, this soldier took an accidentally self-inflicted bullet to his neck while the two were trekking in the frozen north. Weak and bleeding profusely, he continued the journey because the wolves had taught him that to lie down was to die. Yes, this book is all about being tough and that adage: "When the going gets tough, the tough get going".
When Bailey shares stories like this or others about what happens in nature when animals face possible death, Embracing the Wild in your Dog becomes far more than just instructional: it is the beautifully moving memoir of a young man and his mentor. At times, readers may find themselves arguing, even outraged by Bailey's stance on how to raise and enjoy your beloved dogs, but I guarantee that after reading this book, you will never look at your dog again in the same way. The next time little Bella is being a "naughty doggie," you will find yourself questioning whether it is Bella or you who needs to be disciplined.
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Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite
I can’t remember anyone in my immediate family ever having a cat. We had lots and lots of dogs. We were a family of hunters. Embracing the Wild in Your Dog is not a training manual for dog owners. But I highly recommend this book by Bryan Bailey if you are a dog owner, or even just a nature lover. Dogs are a huge and integral part of human culture. They are everywhere and it behooves dog owners and parents to understand the true nature of man’s best friend. I grew up with dogs and know the truth of the principles set out in Embracing the Wild in Your Dog. My father taught them to me but he wasn’t nearly as articulate as Bryan Bailey. Before you can train your dog properly, you should know your dog’s true nature. That is what is learned in Embracing the Wild in Your Dog.
Bryan Bailey teaches us this nature beautifully. Step by step, he shows us the nature of dogs and how we often fail them because we do not understand them. There are beautiful pictures and very pertinent insights throughout, insights Mr. Bailey learned at the feet of an awesome Green Beret while growing up in the Alaskan wilderness. The writing is simple but elegant and the anecdotes feature situations and dogs that Bryan has owned and known. I found the story of Rex and the grandson especially powerful. All animal lovers should read this book. It’s really about a lot more than dogs.
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Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Embracing the Wild in Your Dog is a non-fiction animal behaviorism work written by Bryan Bailey. Bailey is a dog trainer whose inspiration and understanding of his subject is derived from the years he spent in the Alaskan wilderness with his mentor, a Special Forces survival instructor. His hours in the outdoors were challenging and sometimes brutally tough training sessions, but the two of them formed an efficient and close relationship based on their love of the wild. As a child, Bailey had been indoctrinated into the cultural norm of fearing wolves, but his outlook soon changed as he learned about them and their ways from his mentor. He learned to track wolves and understand what they were doing based on the season and the weather. Bailey discusses the close relationship between dogs and wolves, asserting that dogs are indeed wolves, and he posits that an understanding of that wild nature is essential for anyone who has a dog in his/her life.
Bryan Bailey’s non-fiction animal behaviorism book, Embracing the Wild in Your Dog, offers an illuminating and provocative insight into how dogs behave and how modern, more human behavior oriented training methods may be shortchanging both people and the dogs they love. While I’m intrigued by Bailey’s premise and will be looking into the concept of seeing the wolf in my two Labrador retrievers, I was particularly taken with his descriptions of the wilderness outings he had with his mentor. He shares with the reader the marvels, the lore and the occasional frustrations he experienced during those years of his tutelage, and I frequently found myself wishing I could have been there as well. Bailey’s guide to animal behaviorism is written in an easy, conversational tone that makes the reader feel personally connected to him. I’m looking forward to reading his upcoming work on aggressive behavior in dogs. Embracing the Wild in Your Dog is highly recommended.
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Reviewed by Patricia Reding for Readers' Favorite
Rarely does a book come along that so positively mesmerizes me that I read it from start to finish in a single sitting. Yet that is exactly what I did with Embracing the Wild in Your Dog by Bryan Bailey. Bailey opens the story with a reminder that with man’s domestication of the wolf to today’s “dog,” he changed the environment of the creature. Even so, dogs have retained the same base instincts that nature originally provided the wolf. Buttressing his approach to his theory of dog owning and training, Bailey tells of his childhood mentor, a U.S. Army Green Beret. A tough man, he was challenged by his mentor to solve problems on his own, to rise to overcome the stresses that life was sure to put in his path, and to learn from the nature that surrounded him. With heartfelt stories of his mentor woven throughout, Bailey instills upon his readers the same life lessons if they will but hear.
With a daughter involved in the dog training world, I’ve been introduced to a wide variety of training theories, concepts, tools, and approaches. But Bailey reassured me that some of my deepest instincts about our own family pet are completely valid and that I ought to pay careful attention to them. In this way, Embracing the Wild in Your Dog provides pertinent information to all dog owners. In telling his story, it is almost as though Bailey inhabits the body of the creature he teaches us about. He guides readers to an understanding of a dog’s most basic needs, and he explains how our domesticated “wolves” behave in a manner intended to meet those needs.
Bailey used what I would call a “creative non-fiction” approach to the work. That is to say, although his main intent is to provide information, he does it in a way that paints a picture of the world he wants his readers to see. That picture becomes a living, breathing canvas of color, sound, and even feelings. Bailey’s work is truly worthy of the attention of others and, in my estimation, of an award or two! If you are a dog owner, this one is definitely worth your while, so wait no longer to get your copy!
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