- Paperback: 400 pages
- Publisher: William Morrow & Company; Reprint edition (Feb 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060089466
- ISBN-13: 978-0060089467
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.1 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (154 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 492,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Dog Listener: Learning the Language of your Best Friend
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The behavioural problems covered in The Dog Listener will sound all too familiar to anyone who shares their life with a canine companion. During the 25 years that Jan Fennell has been working with dogs, she's been increasingly aware of the ways in which communication between man's best friend and ourselves has broken down. Inspired by Monty Roberts, Fennell embraces similar ideas to those found in The Man Who Listens to Horses. Rather than trying to fit human psychology to animals, the starting point is observing how animals communicate, how they structure their groups in the wild and what they think their role is.
Initially Fennell looks at the role that dogs have played historically--primarily a working role, in which human and animal worked side by side to the same goal. Many owners flinch as the idea of a dog "working", with associations of oppression and hierarchy. But dogs naturally form a hierarchical society with the strongest, most intelligent dog leading the pack. Humans might thrive on the concept of democracy but dogs don't automatically feel the same way. When we understand and respect a dog's mindset, effective training can be done with intelligence and compassion.
Each chapter deals with a different case study and owners of problem or "challenging" dogs will be kicking themselves as they realise just how wrong they've been getting it all this time. Some myths dispelled: "Tugging games are fun and it makes my little dog happy to think he's the winner." Wrong--if you let the dog win it reinforces the idea that he is the top dog in the group. "My dog can't bear to be left in the house ... because he loves me so much." Wrong--your dog thinks that he is responsible for you, the acute anxiety that results from separation can be likened to that of a mother who's has a toddler wander off by itself into untold danger.
Much of what we do to show affection to our dogs actually has the result of creating insecurities and confusion. In this respect many ideas are similar to those in John Fisher's Think Dog, particularly on remedies for anxious and aggressive dogs. Here though, the use of real life case studies offers encouragement that following this advice can initiate a rapid transformation in your dog's behaviour. Jan Fennell writes with affection and a real conviction that sharing her work with others can make a real difference. Her wide and admiring audience of happy dog owners would indicate that the title of "dog listener" is a highly appropriate one.--Tony Martin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
In The Dog Listener Jan Fennell shares her revolutionary insight into the canine world and its instinctive language that has enabled her to bring even the most delinquent of dogs to heel. This easy-to-follow guide draws on Jan's countless case histories of problem dogs -- from biters and barkers to bicycle chasers -- to show how you can bridge the language barrier that separates you from your dog.
This edition includes a new 30-Day Training Guide to further incorporate Jan's powerful method into every element of pet ownership, including:
Understanding what it means to care for a dog
Choosing the right dog for you
Introducing your dog to its new home
Overcoming separation anxiety
Walking on a leash
Dealing with behavioral problems
Grooming
And much more...
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Mankind has misplaced many secrets in the course of its history. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Mankind has misplaced many secrets in the course of its history. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
67 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Jan Fennell's methods are based on insights into the psychology of dogs which she developed from observing wolves. Her suggestions are so simple that, as a dog owner for many years, I thought they could not possibly work. I was so wrong that I was amazed. Within days my two labradors were so much more relaxed and better behaved that I experienced a fresh delight in keeping dogs.
I leanrned that the way we instinctively treat dogs, based on human perspectives, is against the best interests of the dog. What we perceive as being kind is often, to the dog, a source of anxiety. Much - indeed most - dog care and training is really anti-dog because we have never taken the trouble to understand the true nature of the animal. Every dog owner, including those in the police and armed services responsible for dogs, should read this book. The result would be fewer problem dogs, more contented and well behaved dogs and many people would discvover a pleasure and satisfaction in owning dogs they could scarcely have imagined.
Over the years I have read many books on dog training and this is the best. From the pages of Jan Fennell's book the dog emerges from his lupine past as an admirable animal who deserves to to treated in accordance with his true nature. What is so exciting about the principles described here is that they can be applied quickly and simply in the home. The reason is that they are based on profound insights into the nature of the dog.
After reading this book I will never see dogs in the same way again. Read the book and neither will you.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Jan fennell obviously loves dogs. Jan believes that all the problems we encounter with our dogs are dominance related. I believe this theory could be partly true and it will do no harm to anyones dog to practice humane and sensible dominance reduction techniques.I found Jans idea for a dog suffering stress when being home alone very amusing as she advised the owner to leave her house by the living room window!.Some lovely pictures of her own dogs and some very honest accounts of her own mistakes. This would be a good book for a lot of dog owners.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First impressions? I was really impressed. Someone had actually looked at the mind of a dog and communicating with them in their language rather than forcing them to try ours. Then I would have given five stars - or more!
On reflection there is a good foundation but the story is a little overblown. I applaud her for bringing this form of training to the masses but there are limits.
To start with, there is a very heavy reliance on just a few methods of bonding. There isn't much flexibility in dealing with individual behaviour. The case studies are a bit monotonous - all sorted with recourse to the same methods.
I was also concerned about how much of the book is about the writer. Is this an ego trip or a help-you-dog book? And does she notr realise that many canine problems are caused by the overpopulation and homelessness of dogs that is related to the breeding of dogs she seems to support? I'm confused and wonder what the motivation is.
I've just had a dog expert visit my 2 boys and although she employs a similar approach, she went a lot further and I wonder why she doesn't write a book - there was more information, flexibility and practical information that Jan Fennell put into her book.
In summary, there are some good principles and I think this could help people and their dogs. But it is not the solve-all or final revelation it may seem to be.
On reflection there is a good foundation but the story is a little overblown. I applaud her for bringing this form of training to the masses but there are limits.
To start with, there is a very heavy reliance on just a few methods of bonding. There isn't much flexibility in dealing with individual behaviour. The case studies are a bit monotonous - all sorted with recourse to the same methods.
I was also concerned about how much of the book is about the writer. Is this an ego trip or a help-you-dog book? And does she notr realise that many canine problems are caused by the overpopulation and homelessness of dogs that is related to the breeding of dogs she seems to support? I'm confused and wonder what the motivation is.
I've just had a dog expert visit my 2 boys and although she employs a similar approach, she went a lot further and I wonder why she doesn't write a book - there was more information, flexibility and practical information that Jan Fennell put into her book.
In summary, there are some good principles and I think this could help people and their dogs. But it is not the solve-all or final revelation it may seem to be.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Amazing book. Completely life changing
Was at the end of my tether with my dogs when the lady I board my dogs with recommended I try Jan's approach. It was a revelation. Read more
Published 22 days ago by LizQ
The Dog Listener
Bought for my daughter and her rescued greyhound. She has found it extremely helpful especially in relation to an older dog. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Bugden
A decent read
I enjoyed reading the book but although I dont pretend to be a dog obedience expert I really cant get on with all the ladies ideas, I agree of course about the pack mentality but... Read more
Published 5 months ago by B. Covill
Be very careful
This is more a comment on the techniques described in this book, rather than the book itself.
I very recently paid for a couple of hours of time from a dog trainer who was... Read more
I very recently paid for a couple of hours of time from a dog trainer who was... Read more
Published 7 months ago by BrynG
Good book for a first-time dog owner
Great book - explains the basis that so many other dog training books follow on from. Easy to read and really interesting.
Published 8 months ago by Country Chick
Based on False Ideas: MUCH better books available!!
Jan Fennell has made an awful lot of money from people who want to do the best for their dogs and are taken for a ride by this book that is based on totally discredited ideas and a... Read more
Published 8 months ago by B. Green
Excellent
This book made me look at my dogs from a different perspective. I really enjoyed the read and feel I have learnt a lot. Read more
Published 8 months ago by SueG
the dog listener
I was recomended to buy this book by a dog listener only a week or two ago and my little dog is much better behaved after putting Jan Fennells ideas into practice. Read more
Published 10 months ago by misty marciamisty marcia
one size does not fit all
whilst i'm sure dominance reduction will help with some dogs, it does not and will not help with all behaviour problems. Read more
Published 10 months ago by gremlin
Brilliant
This book was recommended to me after I was having problems with one of my dogs. Its brilliant. The change in my dogs behaviour was almost immediate by just applying some VERY... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Sbn
Listmania!
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