Fearful Dog Rehabilitation

Life with a Puppy Farm Rescue

By: Sally Gutteridge

Narrated by: Stephanie Murphy

Length: 3 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

Are you looking for a book that helps you truly understand canine fear and learned helplessness? Would you like to help a scared dog but they seem so shut-down and unresponsive?

This book will help you.

The book is based on the real-life rehabilitation of Holly, the writer’s York and puppy farm survivor. It talks about how she arrived, her healing process and who she is now. Along the way, the writer offers advice and insight into true empathy and understanding. You will learn how Holly unpacked and built her confidence in a new and safe home after spending six years as a puppy farm parent dog.

The book places focus on how to facilitate an environment where even the most emotional traumatized dog can begin to heal and sparkle, simply because they feel safe, sometimes for the first time ever.
 

Part inspiration and part education, within the book you will learn:

• Recognition of learned helplessness in a dog.
• How to properly observe without pressure.
• Why observation and choices are so important.
• How to build and reinforce resilience.
• Tasks for growing self-confidence.
• The importance of problem solving and enrichment.
• Why less is more when helping a dog to heal.
• How important the tiny signs of confidence are.
• How to coach a fearful dog without adding to their fear. 

This is a book delivered directly from the heart. You will finish listening to it with a round of emotional applause for Holly the tiny survivor. Along the way you will gather a range of genuinely useful and accessible tools, which will aid understanding and empower you to help any scared dog who you encounter.

Sally Gutteridge is a bestselling writer, qualified dog behaviorist, and partnering founder of canine education resource Canine Principles.

©2019 Sally (P)2019 Sally Gutteridge

Good listen for any rescue dog

I learned a lot from this well thought-out book. I do not have a puppy farm dog, but our rescue is fearful; much of what is written here is useful for rescues as well. The author gives great tips on how to handle certain situations. She also describes why dogs behave certain ways.

Versatile title

“Fearful Dog Rehabilitation - Life With A Puppy Farm Rescue” by Sally Gutteridge

“You can tell the worrying thing to back off or simply turn tail and get her out of there; whip your delicate dog away, like a true hero ninja warrior.” - Sally Gutteridge

WHY DID I GET THIS BOOK?

Well, I guess in order to keep up with the trend of brutal honesty which has shaded my reviews lately, I would have to confess that my reason to acquire this book probably formed from a simple case of being a fan-girl (I’m unashamed, btw. I adore Sally’s work).

But, a few pages into the book I had a moment of thinking “what am I even doing with this book? I don’t have a puppy farm rescue dog. Or even a rescue dog for that matter…” But I kept reading nonetheless, while my love went out to the rescuers out there. In the end, I am still not sure why I got this book, aside from the factor of fandom-mandated behaviour.

I know why I would recommend it, though. And that’s what counts, is it not? Because I too have a worried dog. Rieckholm’s Nikuya the Ninja Warrior, who was brave enough to pose with this book for the sake of this review.



WHAT DOES THIS BOOK DO?

The book does two things. First, it tells a story. The story about Holly, a puppy farm rescue, adopted by the author. Secondly, it provides an in-depth breakdown of the process of rehabilitating fearful dogs. Any fearful dog. The latter being partly responsible for realising that this book belongs on my shelf, despite telling the story of a rescue. Because any dog can be fearful. Even well-bred dogs, purchased from a reputable breeder.

The book starts off with a brief introduction to the British puppy farming industry. It is not a nice chapter, however in the era of exposing questionable ethics, it is a very important chapter. You can skip it though if you want to get straight to the practical parts. Leaving the puppy farms, Sally puts emphasis on bonding and the power of observing our companions and from there takes the plunge into forming two-way communication with your best friend.

Throughout the book, she introduces different strategies for approaching the concerns of your dog, seasoned with the heartwarming story of how Holly evolved from a scared momma-dog with a ruff background and into a happy and unique personality with wonderful quirky traits. Most importantly she manages to weave in a bit of science to help the reader understand why dogs do what they do. The story accompanies the practical and sciency parts very well and helps the inexperienced dog person through it without losing their spirit to heavy dog lingo along the way.

It is a wake-up call, asking the reader to please be the anchor and advocate for our dogs while providing us with clear instructions on how to become just that and offer us reassurance that we’re good enough if we do our best.



WHAT DOES THIS BOOK NOT DO?

As the title may suggest, this is not a direct, dry protocol. And I don’t believe it is intended to be that either, but if that’s what you’re looking for, this book isn’t for you. It’s not a training book either, so if you want tips on how to keep your dog out of the hamper, you need to keep looking.



WHERE CAN I GET THIS BOOK?

Since Sally is a #1 selling author on Amazon, you can obviously get the book there, but smaller, independent book stores may also be helpful if you ask.

It is also available as an audiobook through Audible. The audio version is narrated by Stephanie Murphy who does an excellent job at capturing the spirit of Holly’s story. It will set you back about $10 for the paperback version, but it’s worth it.

Lovely book

I loved listening to this book and heave learnt so much. We adopted a lovely little lady who spent her first 5 years in a puppy farm and her condition totally broke my heart and although we only done what we thought was right for her and she has come on amazingly I know we could have done more to help her on the inside. I have learnt a lot from this book and will certainly listen to all your other books so I can continue to help my little Boo and others we plan to rescue! Totally recommend this book x

Extremely useful

great book, so useful and easy to read for anyone taking on a new rescue dog.
Just a pity about the American accent. the author is British, so why use an American accent?

Another brilliant book

Perfect for owners and professionals for a more intense look at a puppy farm dog. Expertly written and narrated with facts and experiences with her own rescue

Excellent

thought I would listen to the audible version but wish I had read the book now, very informative and lots of good practical thing's to help our anxious dog's.

Fantastic book

What a wonderful book! Full of knowledge and love, highly recommended! A must listen or read