The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation - Softcover

Fennell, Jan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060089466 ISBN 13: 9780060089467

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, 2004

Synopsis

In The Dog Listener Jan Fennell shares her revolutionary insight into the canine world and its instinctive language that has enabled her to bring even the most delinquent of dogs to heel. This easy-to-follow guide draws on Jan's countless case histories of problem dogs—from biters and barkers to bicycle chasers—to show how you can bridge the language barrier that separates you from your dog.

This edition includes a new 30-Day Training Guide to further incorporate Jan's powerful method into every element of pet ownership, including:

• Understanding what it means to care for a dog
• Choosing the right dog for you
• Introducing your dog to its new home
• Overcoming separation anxiety
• Walking on a leash
• Dealing with behavioral problems
• Grooming
• And much more

About this title

About the Author

Jan Fennell's remarkable work with damaged and delinquent dogs has won her a huge admiring audience. She frequently appears on BBC television and radio programs. Jan; her partner, Glenn Miller, and their pack of show-winning Graftonbury English Springer spaniels live in rural North Lincolnshire,England.

From Publishers Weekly

Standard dog training has long advocated the use of force choke collars, sharp smacks, harsh language. Fennell, a dog trainer in England for 30 years, wants to change all that. Expanding upon the theories of horse trainer Monty Roberts (the basis for The Horse Whisperer), Fennell believes one can best train dogs by emulating natural behaviors, that is, by treating them as they would treat each other in the wild. Her intelligent, straightforward and humane method has engendered controversy and increasing enthusiasm. After Fennel's dog Purdey went manic, injured Fennell's young children and had to be euthanized, she was fearful of owning a dog again. Lured back into it by the pleasure of showing spaniels, she adopted a high-strung young shepherd, Sasha, and investigated alternative training methods. Fennell's simple and succinct method posits that domesticated dogs are confused, believing themselves to be the pack leaders, and humans their subordinates. Fennell retrains dogs to accept a human as their alpha leader. She spurns the use of force, even in training language, employing instead a system of Pavlovian rewards. Those wanting true canine companionship will find Fennell's commonsense approach attractive and easy to apply with puppies as well as with older dogs. She addresses common problems, from separation anxiety to barking at guests to the mistrust of strangers that rescued dogs often harbor. Her knowledge and love of dogs is expansive and her concern for their well-being balances kindness and appropriate discipline. (Aug.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0060089466
• ISBN 13: 9780060089467
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400