Description
Price: $15.50
(as of Feb 28, 2025 22:42:07 UTC – Details)
You’ve heard of the Horse Whisperer – now meet the woman who uses similar methods to train dogs.Jan Fennell’s remarkable gifts have earned her the nickname “the dog listener”. Her unique understanding of the canine world and its instinctive language has enabled her to bring even the most desperate and delinquent of dogs to heel.This easy-to-follow guide to understanding Jan’s simple techniques draws on her countless case histories of problem dogs – from biters and barkers to bicycle chasers – to show how we can bridge the language barrier that separates man from his best friend.In The Dog Listener Jan shares her secrets, telling us how she grew determined to find a more compassionate alternative to standard “obedience” training techniques and ultimately how to communicate with canines.
Publisher : HarperCollins (October 7, 2002)
Language : English
Paperback : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 0006532365
ISBN-13 : 978-0006532361
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 5.08 x 0.79 x 7.72 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book provides comprehensive and practical information about dog training. They describe it as an easy, breezy read with interesting stories that illustrate the results of specific demeanors used in the methods. The techniques are effective and have staggering results for both dogs and owners. Readers appreciate the compassionate and gentle approach to training their pets.
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Gary AL. –
This is a Must-Read for Any Dog or Puppy Owner
My husband and I are very impressed with this book … because it works! I’ve read several training books and on-line articles. None cover the basic principles covered in this book. They might touch on one, but that’s it. Although the author emphasizes this for adult dogs (thank goodness for many dog owners who are frustrated with their dog’s behavior), we discovered it works for puppies as well. We started using the principles a couple of weeks after bringing home our 8-week old puppy. He is a mix that consists of at least two very stubborn breeds, as well as one of the breeds also being a bit dominant (Bassett & Chow). We weren’t sure it would be necessary with a puppy that young, but we noticed a difference in Albert’s responsiveness rather quickly. He was recognizing that we are alpha; yet the techniques are so very gentle and subtle, a visitor in our home would never notice anything different … but the dog definitely notices it! An example: After we had the puppy a month, our friend and neighbor would pop in fairly frequently. Of course Albert would get very excited and uncontrollable over this new big “toy.” Each visit after our friend left, Albert remained overexcited and wouldn’t respond to us at all … completed undisciplined and wild. So, we explained to our friend what we wanted him to do according to this book each time he came into our home. Since it was very easy, he complied. We were amazed that from the very first time, and each visit thereafter; Albert gets excited only about 2 minutes, then goes about his business of playing with his toys. When our friend leaves, it is no big deal and he responds to us as he should. Whether you have an adult dog or a puppy, you absolutely must read this book. I saw a review here from someone who stated that there was a lot of boring repeat over and over. That was an unfair comment. The author explains the principles and why. Then she has many chapters of stories about problems each of her clients had with their dog. In each chapter she does repeat explaining the specific techniques in that particular scenario so that you can really get a better understanding how they are applied in various situations. We found this to be extremely helpful. It kept reinforcing the techniques in our mind so that we came away with complete understanding and familiarity. It was then easy to implement them. Most of the stories are interesting and entertaining for anyone who likes dogs. Thank you Jan Fennell. As we look back on the previous dogs we had, especially dogs we obtained that were already a few years old; it is now obvious to us exactly why those dogs didn’t work out. We truly believe we could have turned those dogs around if we had this book then! It will not work on every single dog (such as bloodlines that have been bred to be aggressive and mean), and she is honest about that. Deborah Valento
Jen –
No need to get any other book
This is the first dog training book I read, after getting the very first of my own dogs as an adult with my own home. Though I’ve read, loved and own many others since then, I still don’t feel a need for any other. I refer to this book as “the Bible”. 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.
Angela –
What if??
I’m not going to spout sources, examples or references to wolf packs or whatever else has already been said in the reviews.Does it work? So far, yes it has helped my dog and her issues with us coming and going, not responding when we call her and panting and pacing when it rains. Do I know exactly why it has helped her, no I don’t. Could she have believed she was in charge, absolutely.So, what if…What if Jan Fennell is right? What if our dogs issues are all because they are confused about their role in our world? What if our dogs believe they are responsible for us, for taking care of us and that is what leads to a host of problems? What if it really is like being in a place where no one speaks your language and you are doing the best you can to figure it all out? What if all those issues can be resolved by removing the responsibility from them and teaching them that we are the caregivers, the protectors, the leaders of the pack?I don’t know if this book is the end all be all to dog behavior, I do know it is a far kinder, gentler way of dealing with dog training and if in the end it makes my dogs less stressed, less worried and more at ease in the world, well that is a great thing.Read the book, see if it makes sense to you, in the end you have to do what you think is best for your dog!
Pat Edinburgh –
Hemos rescatado dos cachorros pequeños que ya estan perros enormes…este libro nos ha salvado!
Adam&Aly –
Some of the things I’ve learned from this awesome book that I highly recommend for any dog owner to read :To truly understand your dog you need to understand their instincts, their mentality, and most importantly their language. This book explains all of this in detail and gives an eye opening understanding of the canine mind and how to communicate with them. Treating your dog like a human is not in the dog’s best interest, although our intentions are pure this can lead to many behavior problems and is not what your dog needs to be happy. This book helps you to understand their language and how to be the leader that your dog needs you to be.
Paul –
Can’t recommend this enough. Every dog owner needs to read this book. You will totally understand your dogs behaviour and learn how to change the way they respond to different circumstances.Well worth the read.
Marcos Lahos Romano –
Jan apresenta um modelo um pouco diferente sobre liderança. Sua forma de criar a liderança com base na estrutura primitiva do cão é bastante interessante e realmente me pareceu funcional.Embora seus 4 princÃpios de ação sejam em um primeiro momento difÃceis de realizar (temos que encarar o cão como um cão e não um pet querendo apenas carinho) mas trazem resultados imediatos.Acho que é uma leitura fundamental para quem quer ter um animal desfrutando de um modo de vida melhor e mais próximo do que ele espera que seja.
Ronnie –
I read the previous reviews and to some extent didn’t know what to expect as some reviewers thought the book was too much like just stories of other dog owners experiences.I got a copy for my kindle and, if you read it, the book is written in an easy manner which starts with the authors own reasons for trying to find some way to help he understand why a dog behaves in the way it does and also how, as it’s owner, you subconsciously influence that behaviour.Yes some of the stories leave you to wonder why the owner was told to act in a certain way,” the leave by the window case ” being a prime example but, if you read the book and take each example as simply a way of explaining in terms which most people with a problem can relate to, you find that in fact, each case dose explain a certain trait and also offers a way to help. It just seems to be the way the author has chosen to explain the methods possibly feeling that, as in teaching a child, if the information is presented in an easy manner the child thinks it is play and learns easily. The author tries here to give examples which the reader can then, on reflection, identify with and adapt to address their own issues.All in all I would recommend this book not only as an easy read for dog lovers in general but also for anyone who does have “issues” which they need to help their pet with.Far from being in anyway cruel is in ignoring the dog for 5 mins when first entering a room to help with separation anxiety I’d say that after the first couple of times of doing so they dog quickly learns that a calm approach from them is rewarded by lots of cuddles.The method does not involve touching, chastising, etc but only remaining calm and being firm in your own resolve not to give in to all the pets tricks to get round you. I likened it to watching the programs like Super nanny on TV where they try to get a child to sleep in it’s own bed by repeatedly calmly returning it to it’s bed without any fuss. Eventually the child just goes to sleep. Dogs are just as smart and also want to please, so quickly adopt the behaviour that best gets them their owners attention.If you are wondering if you should get this book I would say yes , if you are going to keep an open mind whilst reading it.If you have any issues to sort out with your pet, providing you stay calm and keep following the steps set out in the right order you will find that within a very short time you will see a noticeable change in your pet. All you will need is the resolve to do it, the ability to stay calm and the time to spend repeating the exercises.