Dog Talk: Lessons Learned from a Life with Dogs

Dog Talk chronicles Harrison Forbes’s life with dogs, from the first bond he formed as a boy with his neighbor’s Belgian Tervuren, Sabina, to the story of Lex, a police dog who attacked his handler’s wife, was saved by Harrison from euthanasia, and transformed into his favorite companion. Dog Talk combines Forbes’s intense love for these extraordinarily driven and intelligent creatures with the more practical aspects of understanding and dealing with whatever type of dog the reader may have at home.

Dog Talk will deepen the reader’s understanding of dog behavior and as a result will enable him to approach his own dog in a fresh and motivated way to begin, improve, mend, or strengthen a relationship that can last a lifetime.

DOG TALK chronicles Harrison Forbes's life with dogs, from the first bond he formed as a boy with a Belgian Tervuren named Sabina, to the story of Lex, a police dog who attacked his owner’s wife, and was redeemed by Harrison’s intense love and respect for the breed. Forbes also offers practical aspects of understanding and dealing with whatever type of dog the reader may have. In DOG TALK, the pet owner will find fascinating insights into behavioral problems, as each chapter addresses a different situation or issue.

Here are some of Harrison's trademark insights into dog behavior and training:

*Energy management is the basis of behavior management : unwanted or aggressive behavior, is often the result of pent-up, frustrated energy

*Dog behavior should always be taken in context; a dog that is housetrained in its home isn't necessarily so everywhere else

*Every dog's make-up is individual and distinct—:a combination of nature and nurture

*Non-verbal communication, structure and clearly delineated limits, and the human-canine bond are basic building blocks in a good relationship

*Reasonable expectations are key to an enjoyable pet experience

DOG TALK is at times funny, irreverent, insightful, and touching, and it will deepen the reader's understanding of dog behavior and as a result will enable him to approach his own dog in a fresh and motivated way to begin, improve, mend, or strengthen a relationship that can last a lifetime.

Publishers Weekly

In the newest life-with-dogs memoir, veteran dog trainer and radio show co-host Forbes forgoes the maudlin for some genuine insight into dog behavior and psychology. Beginning with Lex, a German Shepherd that attacked its owner's wife, Forbes chronicles the challenges and victories of rehabilitating and living with aggressive dogs that others would have given up on. Forbes doesn't offer a program for dog training, but readers will benefit from his insights on the importance of a consistent training regimen and his approach to managing aggression. Arguing that dogs' behavior is 75 percent genetic and 25 percent environmental, Forbes doesn't offer any pat answers to handling a challenging dog besides a lot of patience and hard work. Still, those interested in the hows and whys of dog attacks and aggression will find the book useful, and Forbes' tone of love and respect for his charges is itself both instructive and encouraging.
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Harrison Forbes has been a dog trainer and behaviorist for over 20 years and has trained over 600 police dogs for departments all over the country. For the past 14 years he has hosted the nationally syndicated radio show, Pet Talk. He has been featured in Animal Fair Magazine, Dog Fancy, and USA Today. He is a recurring guest as pet expert on numerous TV shows (inlcuding The View, Regis & Kelley, Larry King Live, and Fox & Friends). The author lives in Tennessee with his family.