Vivian Zottola’s Being a Good Dog in the Human’s World is a compassionate, insightful, and refreshingly honest look at what it truly means to share life with dogs—not just manage them. It goes far beyond surface-level behavior advice and invites us to examine how our expectations, environments, and choices shape the dogs in our care.

What I appreciate most is that this isn’t a book about “fixing” dogs. It’s about understanding them, listening to what they’re trying to communicate, and doing better by them. Zottola brings her background in applied anthrozoology and behavior consulting to life through real-world stories that feel relatable, even for seasoned professionals. She doesn’t shy away from tough topics like aggression, growling, or biting—but handles them with nuance and empathy, not fear or blame.

This book is especially valuable for those of us in the dog training or behavior space who want to reflect on how our own behavior, language, and cultural norms affect the dogs we’re trying to help. It’s also completely accessible to dog guardians who are looking for more than “quick fixes”—people who truly want to understand their dogs and build a stronger relationship based on mutual respect and emotional safety.

Whether you’re a behavior professional or a dedicated dog guardian, this book is a thoughtful reminder that being a “good dog” in a human world is often a much taller order than we realize—and that it’s on us to make that world more livable for them.

(Amazon Review, 5/13/2025)

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Michael Shikashio, CDBC

Founder and CEO - AggressiveDog.com

Web: AggressiveDog.com

School: https://aggressivedog.thinkific.com