The Dog Listener: A Noted Expert Tells You How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation - Hardcover

Fennell, Jan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060199539 ISBN 13: 9780060199531

Publisher: William Morrow, 2001

Synopsis

Jan Fennell's remarkable gifts have earned her the nickname "the dog whisperer." Her unique knowledge of the canine world and its instinctive language has enabled her to bring even the most desperate and troubled dogs to heel. This easy-to-follow guide to 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.

The Dog Listener is a moving and inspiring story. Jan tells of the tragic death that first led her to reassess conventional attitudes toward dogs. She describes how she grew determined to find a more compassionate alternative to standard "obedience" training techniques. Most important of all, she brings the reader to an understanding of her method, one made all the more remarkable by its simplicity. Her book will fascinate animal lovers and prove indispensable to dog owners.

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 the Back Cover

Jan Fennell's remarkable gifts have earned her the nickname "the dog whisperer." Her unique knowledge of the canine world and its instinctive language has enabled her to bring even the most desperate and troubled dogs to heel. This easy-to-follow guide to 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.

The Dog Listener is a moving and inspiring story. Jan tells of the tragic death that first led her to reassess conventional attitudes toward dogs. She describes how she grew determined to find a more compassionate alternative to standard "obedience" training techniques. Most important of all, she brings the reader to an understanding of her method, one made all the more remarkable by its simplicity. Her book will fascinate animal lovers and prove indispensable to dog owners.

Reviews

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060199539
• ISBN 13: 9780060199531
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224