The Dog Whisperer: The Essential Guide to Understanding and Raising a Happy Dog [Kindle Edition]

We used the methods from this book to train our dog and followed them religiously. The result is a lovely, well-behaved dog who knows his place in the pack and is therefore happy, unworried and content. He is constantly being praised for being friendly, cheerful and well-behaved (and this for a staffie!) The result of the methods in this book is not a cowering wreck, as the other reviewer seemed to fear, but a dog whose life is ordered as it would be in the wild and who couldn't be happier. Neither could his owners. Every person who is thinking of getting a dog should read the ten keys to effective training in this book, if they read nothing else.

I bought this book along with about 15 others on dog-person relationships about 18 months ago, charmed by the title. It was a mistake.

This well-meaning book is so basic that it could only be useful to people who are absolutely new to the canine world, but look out: unfortunately, much of the advice aimed at 'beginners' is dangerously simplistic.

An example ? In the chapter entitled "choosing the best friend for you", the authors mention as sources for puppies "breeders", "pet shops", "newspapers" and "animal welfare shelters". (No mention is made of breed rescue associations or of the fact that Internet now allow you to make a thorough search for information on breeds and a first screening of available breeders and what might be the right breed for your lifestye). The real problem, though is the superficial information: under "Pet shops", which are notorious abusers of puppies and tend to buy puppies from abusive 'puppy farms', the authors wrote: "Your local pet shop is another fine source for acquiring your puppy. Pet shops normally are located in convenient areas such as your local shopping center. You will find the puppies are well cared for and you will have a large choice of various breeds in one easy to reach location."

I was staggered by the irresponsibility of this statement. Forget finding the right puppy of the litter for you, forget 'puppy testing': this is an INVITATIOn to buy a dog based on its looks, a throw-away dog from your local shopping center. I couldn't believe that 'easy to reach location' can even be mentioned as a criterion !!!!! Puppies in the shop window almost NEVER receive adequate socialisation, and present a vast range of problems, including toilet training difficulties.

Sure, the authors are Australian (they mention kangaroo meat as a possible part of your dog's diet) and I'm sure that the distances between cities, etc. make 'convenience' appetising. It may well be, too, that Australian law does not allow puppy farms and that all pet stores are run according to incredible quality standards. Nonetheless, I found this advice shocking, and it is an example of how well-meaning but utterly stupid some of the advice this book gives is. No true "experts" would ever offer this advice !!!!

The only positive point is that the writers attempt to promote a wishy-washy form of positive reinforcement training, but in a way so simplified as to not give readers a true background and reliable knowledge. What a disappointment.
Charming illustrations---- but that's not enough.

This book is full of insight and sound advice. I am not a new comer to dog ownership and I still learned a lot from this book. Everyone who owns a dog or is thinking about owning a dog should read this book in order to gain a good foundation for the (new) relationship.

It is not a comprehensive training manual and it does not claim to be but it has a lot to offer everyone.