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| Categories | Pets & Animal Care |
| Author | Brandon McMillan |
| Publisher | HarperOne; Reprint edition (April 11, 2023) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 288 pages |
| Item Weight | 7.4 ounces |
| Dimensions |
5.31 x 0.65 x 8 inches |
I. Book introduction
GET TO KNOW YOUR DOG. Renowned expert dog trainer and bestselling author of Lucky Dog Lessons Brandon McMillan unpacks the unique and often misunderstood 15,000-year evolutionary history governing a dog’s every move.
Most dog owners know the truth—their dogs are totally incompatible with the modern world. Instincts like herding, chasing, and protecting have no natural outlet and frequently result in chewing, barking, nipping, jumping, lunging, and worse. However, as McMillan argues in these pages, the solution isn’t as simple as mastering “sit” and “stay.”
No matter what kind of dog you have, no matter how old or young or well trained or well-bred, your beloved companion is strongly influenced by his DNA. The result of these genetic distinctions shows up in every inch and action—from the size and shape of a dog’s head (and the brain inside it) to the length and curve of his tail, from the texture of her fur to the webbing (or lack of webbing) between her toes. It’s in their lung capacity, their tolerance for heat and cold, their appetites for food and exercise, and whether and how they bark. It goes beyond their structure and deep into their psychological profiles. Perhaps you’re lucky enough to have a dog with more than a few breeds mixed in, which makes this information all the more crucial to know and understand.
In The Story of Your Dog, McMillan breaks down why your dog acts the way it does, so you can train better and easier, with fewer missteps and miscommunications, and bond in ways you never thought possible. It is an invitation to get to know the sometimes frustrating but always incredible dog at the other end of the leash.
About Brandon McMillan
Brandon McMillan (born April 29, 1977) is an American television personality, animal trainer, author and television producer best known for his role as former host and trainer of the television series Lucky Dog on CBS.
Born into a family of animal trainer entertainers, Brandon McMillan has been training wild animals since childhood. In addition to his work as a Los Angeles-based animal trainer for film, television, and many of Hollywood’s A-list celebrities, he was the host of the Emmy Award-winning CBS show Lucky Dog and Discovery’s Shark Week. His sog-training Masterclass has been one of the most successful on the platform. He studied under International K9’s Advanced Master Dog Trainer course developed by International K9, and cofounded Argus Service Dog Foundation, which trains and provides service dogs to veterans.
McMillan lives bi-coastally between Los Angeles and New York City. He is the author of “Lucky Dog Lessons: Train Your Dog in 7 Days” (HarperCollins), which is a self-help book for dog lovers. He also cofounded the nonprofit “Argus Service Dog Foundation”, which trains service dogs to assist disabled veterans. He had a chihuahua named Lulu and a Flat-Coated Retriever named Koda. In his free time McMillan scuba dives, surfs, and practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
II. Reviewer: The Story of Your Dog
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1. SC reviews for The Story of Your Dog
BOTTOM LINE: Buy this book. Read this book. You will be both entertained and become smarter by learning so much about dogs. While there are many books about dogs and dog training, this one is a stand out. Brandon takes you into the historical genetic history of dogs to help us understand the behaviors and how they change from breed to breed. Not only does this provide information I haven’t seen in other books with such clarity, but it helps understand broader approaches to training beyond teaching mere commands. The supportive anecdotes are also entertaining and engaging. Not only is the content excellent, but the writing is also clear and concise. Thank you for writing such a gift to dog lovers!
2. LORI KRYSIUK reviews for The Story of Your Dog
“The Story of Your Dog” A Fascinating New Read by Brandon McMillan!
For most of us who watched Lucky Dog for years to catch the incredible Brandon McMillan in action, “The Story Of Your Dog” is a love letter from Brandon to all of his many fans. The book details all dogs by breed as well as by their inherent personality traits and trainability, even for the loveably mixed breed dogs known as mutts. Brandon dispenses his encyclopedic knowledge with his usual hysterical sense of humor, and makes the reader feel like they’re sitting in on a private master class with him. In a nutshell, Brandon Speaks Dog, and he lets you in on the fun. Expect to be both enlightened, and entertained, by this wonderful book!
3. LINDA EM reviews for The Story of Your Dog
Anything written or audio’d by Brandon McMillan is a wealth of information for dog lovers who want to teach their furry friends to follow some easy steps so everyone gets along. The training is based on the natural instincts of your dog, combined with ways to connect with them. McMillan was the originator of the series on CBS called Lucky Dog where he would take dogs out of the local shelters and train them in the Seven Command Commands but then, following the abilities and instincts of the dog, he goes a few steps further to match them with their families. So a family that goes surfing will get a dog that it comfy on a surfboard, someone in a wheelchair gets a companion who can assist them and who is not intimidated by the wheelchair itself, a family who enjoys traveling gets an animal that can handle car rides, a senior citizen center even got a dog who played in their band by getting a stick attached to it’s ever wagg
ing tail….lol…The only problem I had with it is I thought I ordered the book but I ordered the audiobook so for me it’s not as convenient. But for some people the audio might be better for listening while doing other things.
4. LIZ reviews for The Story of Your Dog
After years of adopting purebred lab rescues, I have found myself with a lab mix. And the personality was definitely different. So, I’ve been reading up on her Siberian husky traits. Let’s just say, she doesn’t have the easy going, I’ll do anything for my human, nature that I’m used to. Getting an advance copy of The Story of Your Dog was perfect timing. McMillan’s supposition is that neither you or your dog is going to be happy if you try undoing hundreds of years of breeding through one size fits all training. For each group, he provides behavior challenges and possible solutions.
He initially focuses on the different groups – working, herding, sport, terrier, hound to give an overview and then provides a brief snapshot on specific breeds within the group. He’s a big fan of mixed breeds and says that he now requires clients to have a DNA test done on their dog so he knows what he’s dealing with, saving everyone time and trouble. He’s honest about which dogs aren’t good for novice owners or ones not willing to devote daily time to wear a dog down. It should be required reading before someone buys or adopts a dog. Here’s what he has to say about the herding group: “keeping any dog cooped up is like never allowing a child to play. Keeping a herding dog cooped up is the next level, like what happens when that child is a track runner with attention issues who’s stuck in a chair by an open window on a sunny day. The scenario just doesn’t work.”
I found the book fascinating. I learned things about my little sled dog and got some good ideas on figuring her out. But I also enjoyed reading about other breeds – their original jobs, their background and their traits. I recommend this to anyone who has a fondness for dogs. This is not, per se, a training book. McMillan wrote another book on that topic.
My thanks to Netgalley and Harper One for an advance copy of this book.
5. VAL reviews for The Story of Your Dog
I love the way this book is structured! Learning about the different breed categories to learn more specific ways to train your dog is just so intuitive. Every breed has a distinct purpose, so why not learn how to take your dog’s strengths and use them to help your pup become the well-adjusted and happy dog he was meant to be!
I so appreciate the author’s celebration of mixed-breed, rescued dogs. He makes it a point to acknowledge the huge number of dogs waiting for people to adopt them. But he also does not diminish ownership of full-breed dogs. He is ready to help all dog owners find their dog’s motivations as well as their potential triggers.
The information is well laid out and well researched. I enjoyed reading about all the different breeds- not just the breeds of my four fur children. I found the information insightful and accurate.
Highly recommend this one!, thank you to NetGalley and HarperOne for the ARC to read and review.
6. SUZY reviews for The Story of Your Dog
“Most people choose their dogs based on looks – size, shape, cute eyes and ears, wagging tail, soft coat – and many do it without taking into account the history of the breed and how that might make the dog a great fit, or a constant struggle, with their lifestyle.”
This is the crux of Brandon McMillan’s recent treatise on dog breeds. The book is a pleasant read with sections short enough to grab the average human’s eight-second attention span and concise enough to set the book down between sessions and then pick it up again without having to fight through the fog of “Hmmm, what exactly was I reading?”
And yet the theme of the book packs a punch that I hope will benefit both dog owners and the currently overwhelmed managers of dog shelters and rescues. Dogs are awesome. But not everyone is meant for dog ownership. Not every season of one’s life can sustain dog ownership. And… a dog’s qualifications for being a family member need to go far beyond being soft, cute, loyal, or even well-behaved.
McMillan takes a brief look into the history of domesticated dogs before diving into his driving point. Dogs exist for a reason. Different breeds exist for a reason. There were jobs our dogs were bred to do, and even if the dog we love happens to be a nearly perfect Heinz 57, that lovable mutt is comprised of two or more breeds weighing heavily on its genetics. There are certain things we can train into or out of our dogs, but there are far more things we need to accept and manage as a result of genetics. A scent hound is not made for obedience, a sight hound is not built for a marathon, a herder cannot ignore sudden movements (and try training those out of your young children), and terriers were not bred to be cute lap pets… they are actually “relentless and deadly hunters.” Yes. We have the terrier group to thank for our beautiful (and typically sweet) pit bulls.
I wonder to what extent the average pet owner understands this. For that matter… do those who run our shelters, pet stores, and veterinary clinics spend much time thinking about this? I’m going to guess this is understood to a greater extent among those who make their living on canine products or services, but I rarely see or hear the matter addressed. Shelters in particular would benefit greatly from understanding and educating their clients on breed tendencies. How much is a DNA test for dogs? What would it take to run this while the dog was in the shelter? The shelter could then provide at least basic education for prospective adopters. The Humane Society says between 7% and 20% of shelter dogs are returned to the shelter for one reason or another. (I would guess rescues have fewer returns as rescues tend to be breed specific and tend to vet dogs and cats in foster homes first.) Would even a little bit of breed education reduce this percentage?
A local shelter recently allowed me to help place a litter of Bernese Mountain Dog puppies. These pups were eight weeks old, and they didn’t really need time in a foster home to evaluate their temperaments or health needs. They needed good homes. But they needed good BERNER homes, which is different than good Aussie homes or good Setter homes. There were four girls and one boy, but the shelter told me they already had a home for the boy; I had 24 hours to place and deliver the girls. The shelter was over-full and didn’t have space for the puppies. When I arrived to meet the families, I had contacted for the girls, I also met the individual for whom the boy had been intended. She grabbed me on the way in and said, “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m not sure if I should take this puppy or not.” Turns out she was a single woman who works 8+ hours a day, but a friend who worked at the shelter thought the puppy would be great for her. No puppy needs to go home to 8+ hours of alone time; Berners, in particular, are people dependent. Fortunately, this woman recognized the flaws in this plan and the boy ended up in a great home.
So, I appreciate McMillan’s work in this book. I believe so fervently in the benefits of the canine/human relationship. But like McMillan, I believe we have made a pact with dogs in domesticating them. They would work for us, and we would care for them. By and large we’ve taken away their jobs and yet the genetic codes we’ve bred for remain intact. Dogs are doing their best to adapt… now we must return the favor.
7. ANDEE reviews for The Story of Your Dog
“The Story of Your Dog: A Straightforward Guide to a Complicated Animal”
LOVED this book! So much very interesting and useful information about the historic genetics, selective breeding, and jobs each breed was basically created to do. Also, a great deal of good information as to cautioning owners what you can and cannot fix, as well as things to avoid altogether (wolf hybrids for starters). And my personal favorite, the shameless push to encourage people to adopt dogs from the shelter first and foremost over any other place. Amen Brandon! I’ve been a fan of Brandon’s for some time now, I love the work he does and his mission – to rescue dogs from the wild and shelters, find and train them for jobs (service animals), or just plain old forever homes, all the while educating the public about how amazing rescue dogs are. I first came across Brandon by chance while channel surfing years ago and found his Lucky Dog show. I was hooked immediately. I’ve since followed him on Instagram and am a fan of his current show on YouTube, rescuing stray dogs from streets, deserts, and places they don’t belong. He’s doing great work. But my opinion of him aside, this is a very well researched and well written book, with loads of useful info for anyone – dog lover, dog owner, prospective dog owner, etc. It’s a great read, with some very funny parts, interesting tidbits, and some sad or scary moments too, which all reinforce why people should be more invested and knowledgeable about the dogs they choose to bring home. A knowledgeable, well rounded owner, who puts in a bit of time and effort, will be rewarded ten fold with a happy, well adjusted dog. It makes for a healthy dynamic for all involved – the dog, the family/owners, and the neighbors.
8. NANCY reviews for The Story of Your Dog
4.5+ rounded to 5 stars
This is an excellent survey of various dog breeds, organized by categories such as Working Dogs, Herding Dogs, etc. Brandon McMillan understands dogs. He trains them and works with owners to help them appreciate the specific animal they are living with. He especially feels called to train and re-home shelter dogs of all kinds, and is particularly drawn to mixed breeds.
He believes, as I do, that dogs are not furry humans. They have evolved with us for thousands of years; we have influenced each other and impacted the one another’s lives profoundly, but we are genetically quite different. Dogs are most definitely NOT wolves, but they are descended from them and thus retain some of their hard wired behaviors. In addition, humans have “designed” dogs through genetic selection to perform specific tasks such as hunting, warning, protection, herding, and companionship. Dogs from distinct breeds retain the genes for the jobs they were bred to do. Some of the characteristics which result are no longer compatible with the lives we humans have come to live, and this can create fatal problems for these dogs.
Humans who adopt dogs have an obligation to understand the heritage of their animals. Fortunately this can be aided by modern DNA tests for mixed breeds and understanding breed standards for purebreds.
We live with 6 adult Belgian Malinois, most of whom come from the DoD Working Dog Breeding Program at Lackland in San Antonio. Ours are wash outs, dogs that we raised and fostered but which do not possess all of the characteristics required of a military or law enforcement canine. Even so, our “maligators” are chock full of hard wired tendencies that make it impossible for them to passively lie on the couch for hours and watch the world go by. They are each unique, but all are intense, active, possessive, highly intelligent, and incredibly athletic creatures. They require far more time, training, and stimulation than any other dog I have lived with. Brandon McMillan describes this breed precisely. We have discovered, as he states in this book, that some of their behavior can never be trained out of them, but it can be managed. Both training and management on on us, the humans.
I totally agree with this author that while individuals within a breed differ, they often share a number of characteristics from their common heritage. Our one mixed breed dog is a wonderful combination of Siberian Husky, American Bulldog, and American Staffordshire Terrier. He loves his home, but given the chance, even at the age of 14, Regal will take off and run like his husky forbearers who pulled sleds for miles. He is incredibly sweet with people, even little kids, and he tolerates a lot from his crazy Malinois siblings…but if they threaten him beyond endurance, his bite is swift and hard. It is always the Malinois that requires veterinary care even though Regal never holds a grudge and is instantly peaceful the moment the perpetrator stops. Understanding his genetic background has helped give all of us the best of lives.
This book can be very helpful to owners of all breeds and mixes. Think about the life you and your family want to have, learn about the various kinds of dogs, and begin with one that has the temperament most compatible. Remember that training and time are required to teach any dog what you need and to finally accept and manage what cannot be changed. This book is not a training manual; it is a survey of the many types of dogs we have developed and, as such, it provides invaluable guidance for understanding your animal, the first step in forming a loving, positive relationship with any dog.
9. ROBIN PELLETIER reviews for The Story of Your Dog
This book was super insightful. I feel like I learned very little about so many different breeds of dogs. I mean that in the best way. McMillan went over all the different dog breed classes and the breed within each with character traits, some history on the breed and tips and tricks to help with training. There were moments where I was like “Yup, that’s my dog” or “I have had a dog like that” or “I know that dog”. Packed with knowledge. Must read if you love dogs or train dogs or want to learn more about dogs.
10. AUBREY reviews for The Story of Your Dog
I have not read a lot of books about dogs so I can’t compare that way but I found this super informative! The way he separates by breed type to help understand dog behavior is really helpful for me. I don’t know a ton about dogs and I feel like I learned more about their behavior which helps me understand how my dog thinks and acts. Will definitely read more by him!
III. The Story of Your Dog Quotes
The best book quotes from The Story of Your Dog by Brandon McMillan
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