Rating: 
Summary: Best book on the subject I have ever read
Review: This is the best book on dogs I have ever read! It is set forth in simple terms, with easy to follow case studies that illustrate the method. It begins with the author seeking solutions to "dog issues" everyone can relate to. We join her on her journey to solutions that work.There were actually things I learned I do right with my pack of 4. I would recommend this book as a first choice for anyone living with dogs or soon to be. Now if she would only come up with a book on cats.
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Summary: "The Dog Listener"
Review: We have three dogs; all three could have been the roll models for this book. They were hell on legs. Now after reading this very easy to read book and following Miss Fennell's "Amichien" process we have the most laid-back pooches you could ask for, and all with perfect manners. I have read all the other reviews and find that the only critiques are either clicker people who only want robots not a well-adjusted member of the family or people who have reviewed what must be another book entirely. I can and do recommend this book to every dog owner old or new. If everyone used Miss Fennell's process of communication with the canine world, I am sure there would not be the thousands of dogs in desperate need of re-homing all over this Great Country of ours. I am looking forward to the release of Jan's second book over here, as it has already been published in the UK.
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Summary: At Last - an open door into the canine mind
Review: Jan has delivered a stunning piece of work here - her years of observation and research have enabled her to develop her technique of Amichien Bonding, the likes of which I have never before seen in dog training manuals. Having read stacks of dog training books, and always feeling like there was something missing, I was left with my dog still barking at strangers, misbehaving off-leash, and howling for hours when I left for work. Jan explains it all, and how to fix it, in such a clear and easy way that readers are left wondering why they never thought of it that way before... All the missing puzzle pieces are not only found in The Dog Listener, but assembled into a stunning portrait of the canine psyche. Jan explains how to enrich both our lives, and theirs, by learning how they think, and how to communicate with them in language they can understand. Her testimonial case studies are incredible and encouraging for owners with dogs who have similar problems. Truly a breakthrough in training - changing the way we think about dogs, changing what we know about the way they think, and building a bridge between the two. A must for any dog owner, especially if the dog in question presents behavioral problems that seem to be unsolvable.
Rating: 
Summary: A Few Good Ideas
Review: Strengths:
1) "Amichean bonding" (becoming the alpha member of your pack) seem absolutely right and very valuable.
2) Fennell advances a few simple-to-implement ideas about the right way to become the aphla member. She also communicates the theory of becoming an alpha that allows you to devise ways yourself.
3) The book is effective in communicating her points, working on an intellectual level through clarity and repetition and on an emotional level. It's not a book you will dismiss. Insofar as it teaches a few simple valuable lessons, it's worth the price and the time.
4) Fennell takes a humane and ethical approach to our relationship with dogs. The book borders on inspirational.
Weaknesses:
1) Stripped on the andecdotes (which become a bit repetitive) the book could be condenses to 25 pages. The 30-day manual repeats some material verbatim from the first part of the book.
2) I am sceptical that Fennell's apprach is the key to solving as wide a range of behavior problems as she suggests. Surely there moust be oter types of canine dysfunctionalities than a dog's thinking it's the alpha.
3) Her andectodal approach strikes me as misleading because she never mentions her failures (which I am sure must sometimes occur).
4) She's weak on science. As anotrher reviewer mentioned, Fennell seems to have picked up her knowlege of wolves from a few video tapes and some readings. At a minimum, she does not display great breatth or depth of learning.
5) Some of her methods, for example teaching dogs to stay and heel, seem to me simply a matter of operant conditioning: rewarding with treats good behavior. There's noting to new here.
Finally, I have not read widely in the field. Therefore I cannot comment on the book's originality. My "Idiot's Guide," for example, contained some of the same core advice, like eating before your dog. So you may already know what she has to say. As a layperson, I vaguely knew it, but still got a good deal out of the book.
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Summary: A Must Read
Review: I bought this book along with many other training books to try to resolve my dog's agression/dominance issues. I implimented her "Amichien" method and within a few days I noticed a huge change in my dog's behaviour. If you have an agressive dog or a dog that challenges your "Alpha" status, you need to read this book. I appreciate Jan's candidness in her own successes and failures. You may also find books written by Patricia McConnell helpful. Avoid Culture Clash by Donaldson(confusing and disappointing).
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Summary: Listen to that doggie in the window
Review: Many dog owners take home a rescue Weimaraner/Lab mix, or spend the bucks for a Maltese, poodle or pug, only to find out that Foo Foo (a) refuses to let them leave without a major battle, (b) messes in the house, (c) can't be let off the leash and (d) won't answer when you yell "Foo Foo." After you read Jan Fennell's book, the way you think about your precious pooches (including the way you name them) might undergo a change.
In step-by-step detail, Fennell delves into dog psychology based on the structure of the wolf pack, provides answers to Foo Foo's separation anxiety (your dog thinks it owns you), pooping in the house, barking, and many common problems. Fennell provides a step-by-step guide to training a new dog, whether puppy or adult, in the Amichien Bonding method, which is remarkably simple although counterintuitive for many pet owners.
It's not easy to change a lifetime of thinking and behaving a certain way toward dogs, as Fennell's stories of dog owners applying her method demonstrate. People who genuinely want to live happily ever after with their beloved pets will be willing to give Fennell's method a try. Her commitment to dogs is as great as the Horse Whisperer Monty Roberts' love of horses. Buy the book and Foo Foo will thank you.
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Summary: A-ha!
Review: Eureka! Jan Fennell has found a kinder, gentler, training paradigm that makes sense to the dog. It's mentor Monty Roberts' "Horse Whisperer" with no horses and no Bobby Redford.
Fennell's Thesis: Dogs are descended from wolves. Dog behaviour is still ruled by the wolf pack mentality. Domesticated dogs don't think they are a member of the human pack with which they abide, but rather that "their" humans are part of the dog's pack. When the human members of the pack behave unfathomably to the dog's brain, the dog feels compelled to become alpha dog by default, the "politics of the pack." The author points out that, like a 1 year old child, the dog is ill-equipped to be pack leader in a human world and oft-times becomes neurotic trying - with various and sundry bad manifestations of the stress. How, then, to "relieve the dog of its delusion of power?" The answer, asserts author Fennell, is Amichien Bonding. Many anecdotes and antidotes are provided in this Twofer (2 books in 1) edition: *The Dog Listener* and *The 30 Day Training Guide,* the latter implementing the insights of the former. This reviewer had many "A-Ha! That's why they do that!" moments reading this book. LucyIndaSky, my Baby Basset, and her older sister, Judy, the rescued Greyhound-mix, judge it 5 stars. We would also like a video! /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer
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Summary: No need to get any other book
Review: This is the only dog training book I have read. I don't feel a need for any other. And I couldn't put it down! I noticed "The Dog Listener" on a friend's bedside table and decided to purchase my own copy as I had just gotten my first puppy (my very own, as an adult out in the world- sure, my family has dogs in their home, but this was my first time with one on my own). I think Jan Fennell's book is great, whether or not a person decides to use her methods. If you love animals, you'll be fascinated with the stories the author shares, and you'll be blown away by the amount of unbelieveable pressures we humans can cause our dogs to contract.
I tried several of these very basic tecniques on my dog, as well as my parent's new puppy, their older dog, and my sister's older dog. I have no failure rate to report. The changes are so small and make such a big difference. My parent's puppy no longer "swats" us on the leg when we go into the yard, and he doesn't immediately roll over and present his belly for scratching- and all we did was start ignoring that behavior.
This is truly, truly an amazing book and I have bought it for each dog owner in my family and plan to buy several more as Christmas gifts. I like the "scenario" way of presenting a problem and teaching how to correct it rather than a textbook step-by-step method. It makes for an easy read.
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Summary: A must-have book
Review: What a great book. I'd go as far as saying it's a must-have for the true dog lover. I saw results in my dogs in just two days. Jan Fennell is an absolute genius of the doggy mind! I have read lots of books on dogs and this one is at the top of my list of recommendations for others.
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Summary: I am Alpha, hear me bark!
Review: Delightfully written by an incredible dog trainer, this book is sure to help dog owners everywhere!
Jan Fennell's emphasis on becoming the leader of your pack is the foundation of this book. Unlike many authors who stress becoming alpha by force, Jan shows the gentle "dog-like" way to assert your dominance through calmness and consistent leadership. She never says that her way is an easy path, or that it is an overnight "miracle cure" and is careful to remind readers that her way of training is a lifestyle and requires total commitment. But the rewards of her "system" are so great and the benefits are almost immediate. She demonstrates this over and over throughout her book with real-life stories about herself and her clients. It is an easy read and sentimental, although far from wishy-washy.
I would suggest this book not only to owners of so-called problem dogs, but also to those who foster rescue dogs, or those with multi-dog households. It has helped me, and I am positive that this book will be able to aid your quest for a better relationship with your dog!
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