GOOD DOG, BAD DOG: HOW TO HAVE A MORE FULFILLING RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PET
You will likely come across many books and articles on “good dogs” and “bad dogs”, but Jessica Pierce’s “Who’s a Good Dog?” is a breath of fresh air and a real eye opener.
Who is Dr. Jessica Pierce?
Pierce is a leading canine bioethicist who has recently released yet another masterpiece of a book: “Who’s a Good Dog?: And How to be a Better Human”
Her latest book explores her application of deep and broad knowledge of dog behaviour and ethics – helping both humans and their beloved companions live the best lives possible together.
She believes that when dogs and their owners share more of a “give and take” relationship, it’s a win-win for everyone.
Well, we gave the book a read and found it absolutely marvelous, to say the least, and decided to share our thoughts along with excerpts from the book.
Why Pierce wrote the book
Much like us, Dr. Jessica Pierce is a pure animal lover, particularly when it comes to dogs. In a recent interview, Pierce said that she had set out on a journey to redefine the way people interact with their beloved four-legged companions.
Her inspiration for the book stems directly from a deep passion for animals and ethics, especially for dogs. She also drew from her own experiences with Bella, her dog, when finding inspiration for the book.
As a bioethicist, she realised that the bond between dogs and humans offers an area rich with opportunities, where more balanced and mutually beneficial relationships can be built.
Some of the topics covered in the book
One of the reasons we loved reading “Who’s a Good Dog” so much is because it challenges the traditional notion or assumption that dogs should, under all circumstances, confirm to our own habits and expectations.
Instead, Dr. Pierce advocates for a more collaborative approach which respects the individual needs and perspectives of our beloved pets. What a fresh and beautiful perspective, we must admit!
She also sheds light on the various causes of anxiety and unease that dogs face each day. The more chapters we completed in the book, the more we realised that we should all be paying a lot more attention to the way our good-intentioned efforts can sometimes constrain and limit our pets’ ability to flourish.
One chapter is dedicated to all the components of physical care we should consider as guardians of our pets, such as dog walking, exercise, daily dog grooming (in Winchester), timely feeding and visits to the vet, etc.
These aspects of physical care are actually quite intimately related to our pets’ social and psychological wellbeing. Furthermore, the environment in our home can either by calming and supportive or anxiety-provoking and stifling, where we can do a lot to ensure that it is the former.