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Summary: Technique works for problem dogs
Review: -Jan Fennell's book is easy to read and is well structured. The historical overview of Dog's long association with Man is informative and sets the scene for the author's philosophy of gentler, psychology-based methods of taking and maintaining control of a dog. Her point of view is that if a dog is led to believe that it is alpha dog through our anthropomorphic mistakes, it will lead to disobedience or anxiety and stress for both dog and owner. She lays out focussed rules and a well honed strategy to correct this. Her techniques proved effective for me in converting a rescued Weimeraner with a vicious streak - a candidate for euthenasia - to a stable family pet. This dog now has excellent obedience, is reasonably calm with strangers both in the home and in public, and most significantly, has ceased biting.
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Summary: Throw out all those inhumane training methods, read this boo
Review: I have read every book under the sun about dogs and training them. I have had 4 other dogs prior to my new found puppy of 9 months all of which have never recieved any formal training because I thought the methods were so inhumane.
I picked up " The Dog Listener" and my entire view of dogs was completely changed. I now understood why so many of my other dogs were so content and well behaved, I was treating them like dogs not humans. The book just re affirmed my way of raising a dog.
I began the exact method on my rotweiler, named Millie not even a week ago, immediate results. I will say I wasn't having any major problems with her prior to the new way but this way has opened many more doors for her.
After reading all the different stories of how this wonderful woman overcame such obstacles in reclaiming peoples family pups jsut tore at my heart, inspiring me to pass along this idea to all my pet loving friends. I also help out at a groomers shop so I decided to pass along the title of the book along with real examples. I would love to meet Jan Fennell and watch her in action. Knowing that is probably not possible I try to imagine her in a home, solving another pup problem. My favorite and most wonderful story was about the couple that were going to get married yet their dogs didn't care for each other. A beautiful love of animals to bring the couple together along with their pups.
So in my opinion, there is no other method out there that even comes close to training a dog than the "The Dog Listener". Buy one for your freinds as gifts, the stories are inspiring at a time when we need more inspiration in our lives.
Thank you for sharing with us Jan!
donna
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Summary: A view from the pack perspective
Review: As a person who works professionally with animals, this book gives me a perspective on the canine pack behavior even when the pack only has two members: 1 human and 1 dog. For me it is the missing piece of the equation. I have read other material on pack behavior but I find Jan's book is very easy to read and implement. I have already started changing my behavior with my rescue (and timid) standard poodle and have begun to see benefits. In fact it's helping me take a fresh look at the 'pack' behavior of my multiple cat household as well.
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Summary: Finally, the help I have been seeking!
Review: Jan Fennell has offered the help I have been seeking for several years. As the owner of several English Springer Spaniels, I have run into several perplexing behavior problems that standard obedience training didn't seem to touch. These dogs have a strong will to dominate, and if it is not corrected, they can be quite difficult to have in a family setting. The usual confrontational methods have not worked to produce a self-controlled dog, and with one of our dogs turned out to be downright dangerous! Two of our dogs have bitten, and were close to being euthanized. I recently took back one of the 'biters' for retraining, and am only several days into the process using Jan's methods. All I can say is "IT WORKS!"
Once we stop confusing our canine friends with the erroneous messages that human-kind sends to their faithful friends...they realize that WE are the Alpha leader, and it relieves them of the stress of trying to protect and look after US! They soon relax and enjoy a BETTER relationship with us, and we enjoy an obedient and well-mannered canine family member. If you only buy one book to help with training a puppy or adult dog, this should be it.
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Summary: Kind dog training but also some questionable advice
Review: This is an updated review. I've read the book a couple of more times and I'm now a bit more positive to the book than before, so I give it one more star now (starting with only two) stars. There aren't many dog training books that try to teach you how to become alpha in such a calm way, you got to give the author credit for that. The general idea is good: leadership without hurting or scaring the dog. Jan's methods are positive. Much of them work because of the laws of operant conditioning: Reward what you want, ignore what you don't want. The problem is that Jan has a few rather crazy explanations why her methods work - or, rather, work eventually, as it sometimes seems to take weeks and months to fix some problems. She thinks that most problem behaviors are caused by the dog thinking it is the leader of the household. This might be true, but I question some things that she writes. For example, she says that a dog suffering from separation anxiety thinks it is the owner's "parent" and when the owner leaves the house, the dog gets worried about its "baby" and what might happen to him/her "out there"! I find that hard to believe. She also thinks that when a dog follows you around the house, it thinks it is the alpha! Myself I would call that dog an insecure dog who doesn't trust its leader. Jan has lived a long time with dogs, but she seems mostly to be self-taught (not necessarily a bad thing). She has studied operant conditioning at the university, but her studies in ethology seem to be based on a few films about wolves that she saw on TV. Again, her approach is kind and based a lot on completely ignoring bad behavior and rewarding good behavior. That's good and I'm sure some of her advice really work. The book may be worth reading, partly for amusement... Try what she recommends, but also ask yourself if her views and observations fit you and your dog.
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Summary: The Dog Listener
Review: Of all the dog books I have read, and I have read a lot, this one gave me a new understanding on dogs and how to be a confident and loving owner. Jan Fennell shares her experiences from beginning to end. Jan's training techniques are great in the sense a dog wants to do what you want and not what it is made to do. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
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Summary: Readily understandable by all pooch parents
Review: I've read a number of dog books - many by excellent and experienced dog people - but Jan Fennell's book has to rate as the most readily understandable for all pooch parents, whether you're really experienced or a complete novice. Through real life story telling and examples of her own successes and failures, Jan readily weaves the basic rules of dog ownership and how to raise a happy and well-adjusted dog, into all her tales. I've lent this book to numerous dog people who are keen to get it right with their canine companion, and all have enjoyed it and marvelled at the simple effectiveness incorporating her lessons into their dog's lifes has made. Her simple but effective lessons are easy to understand and really work. A must read for all dog lovers. It covers how to effectively address problem behaviours as well.
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Summary: On my Recommended Reading List
Review: I have to admit, I mainly picked up this book because I enjoy reading other trainers' anecdotes, but I found Jan Fennell's method easy to implement. More importantly, it has begun to show result after only a few days, resulting in calmer dogs and a more relaxed me. Definitely a bonus! Ok, I do agree that the whole wolf pack/dog pack analogy is a bit too simplistic. I'm also not quite convinced that all dogs with problem behavior really try to lead the pack, but there definitely seems to be some confusion for the dogs. Since the method is entirely force-free, I felt that experimenting with it would not harm my dogs (at worst, it would not have produced any results), and as long as it works, I'm happy. The new combination of the original book and the 30-day training guide is a great deal and should help everyone who preferred a more guided approach to Jan Fennell's method. If you still don't get it, you can also contact her via her website. At least in my area, there is now also a trainer who teaches Amichien bonding, so there may be someone near you, as well. I disagree with some of the other reviewers on the following points: the principles of the method were not difficult to find. Look in chapter six, aptly titled "Amichien Bonding: Establishing Leadership of the Pack." At no point does Jan advocate staring at your dog! In fact, in the particular case study, she points out that the owners of the dog in question had been given this piece of advice by another person, but luckily decided not to follow it. As far as touching the dog goes, she does not specifically advise petting on the head (even I find that annoying) but rather around the neck and shoulders. This is based on her observation that higher-ranking wolves typically put a leg over that area on a lower-ranking animal to demonstrate their status. This is something our dogs today still practice. Please note that Jan Fennell's method does not replace obedience training, but rather supplements it nicely. The exercises cited in the text are the ones according to Jan are the most important ones every dog should know (and I agree, most everything else adds up to "icing on the cake").
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Summary: Amazing!
Review: I was blown away by this book. It is easy to read and better yet her advice is easy to follow. It doesn't matter if you have a puppy or an adult dog, every dog owner could benefit from reading this book. I have encouraged all of my friends with dogs to read it and everyone has been impressed. I understand that some people are skeptical because she is not a scientist. Frankly, it doesn't matter. Her account of how dogs descended from wolves may or may not be entirely accurate, but her advice works. That is what really matters, isn't it?
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Summary: A Excellent Book
Review: This book is vital for everyone that has a dog.
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