Under The Microscope

DO DOGS NEED SHRINKS?, by Peter Neville; Sidgwick & Jackson, 1991; 308 pages; $24.95

My first reaction on seeing this was `it has to be American', but the British are apparently just as loony when it comes to pet psychology. Neville is a BBC pet therapist and does house-calls "to treat the most disturbed cases".

It seems a little under-handed for a self-confessed dog shrink to use anti-male hormone injections to establish a dominance relationship betwen sparring canines in the same household. Not much psychology involved there. Nor is there much psychology -- or sense -- in recommending homeopathic remedies for dogs "needing" sedatives.

Much of this book is a restatement of simple, basic common-sense rules. Train a dog using reward, rather than punishment. Be cautious in encouraging your young dog to interact with others. You could find shorter, cheaper guides to dog behaviour.

Neville's writing is not particularly good, although the many case histories themselves can be entertaining. I don't think I'd worry about my dog if she howled through "Neighbours" -- I'd probably join in. But then, perhaps we'd both need shrinks...

Vicki Hyde, NZSM