The Dog Listener (Paperback)

Having recently enrolled in more traditional dog training classes with my "naughty" 10 month old collie, I have been provided with an understanding into my dogs behaviour that has astounded me -I never realised a dogs world was so complex or that the main reason dogs misbehave is a result of human action rather than simply having a "naughty" dog.

I am now learning a new approach to dealing with my puppy and have had incredible results after only a few days, much more than after 2 months of dog training lessons.

I am now the Alpha female in our household and our wolf pack is calm and organised - no panicking would be puppy dog leaders!! Read the book to comprehend further.

A worthwile read, my friends think my new behaviour with my dog is a bit barmy, but my pup thinks its great, think like a dog to get on the same level of understanding - cooperation in dog training is always much better than force.

I hope I have done justice to Jans words of wisdom in this review and I would recommend it to all dog owners - of both good dogs and "naughty" ones too.

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.

With my own dogs I have found the training suggestions in this book (and even more so Jan Fennel's second book) to be extremely effective. We have very happy, contented dogs who are a joy to own and are easy to be with, at least in part due to implementing fully the techniques in this book.

Every dog is different, as is every owner, which is why I would suggest that you try fully implementing the methods in the books for a month or so to see the impact they have, before deciding what things you want to continue with long term, and what things you might want to phase out depending on your own situation, and what you're happy with.

All I can say is that the proof is in the eating, and these methods are extremely effective, whatever some other "experts" might think because they don't fit with their own approach. A bit of imagination can adapt the fundamental approach to whatever individual situation is being faced.

I think some reviewers who have dismissed the suggestions in this book are expecting to find "quick fix" pointers for a single thing to do to solve specific problems. In stead the book provides an holistic approach which resolves or pre-empts many problems along the way.

I just wish I had had this book available when I was dealing with some of my more difficult rescue cases in the past!

A book which takes the ideas in these books and makes them even more practical and flexible is "The Perfect Puppy". I'd recommend it to anyone thinking about getting a new dog!