Product Description

A must have for any dog owner, this user-friendly and engaging book employs gentle and effective methods rather than punishment-oriented techniques that so often lead to aggression. Covering commands from sit and down to heeling and coming when called, this book explains how dogs communicate, think, and learn in order to train them effectively with scientifically-based, humane methods. If you love dogs, you'll love this book!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #188259 in Books
• Published on: 1996-01-01
• Binding: Paperback
• 68 pages

About the Author
Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D. received her doctorate in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin researching communication between people and dogs. She is the owner of Dog's Best Friend, Ltd., which offers family dog training classes and treatment for serious behavioral problems, where she specializes in the evaluation and treatment of aggression in dogs. She is Assistant Adjunct Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin, teaching "The Biology and Philosophy of Human / Animal Relationships." Co-host of Wisconsin Public Radio's "Calling All Pets", Dr. McConnell gives advice about behavior problems on over 110 radio stations across the country. She is the behavior columnist for the BARk magazine and a Consulting Editor for the "Journal of Comparative Psychology. Currently she is working on a book for Ballantine/Random House titled "The Other End of the Leash", comparing human behavior to that of our four-legged best friends. She can be found either nestled within a pack of four dogs, one cat and a flock of sheep, or traveling to give speeches and seminars around the country.

Customer Reviews

So simple, so precise.
This is not a book for someone working on a difficult behavior problem, nor is it a doctoral thesis. This is, just as the title says, a beginner's book for family dog training. There are no long explanations of some behavioral malady written in psycho-speak. I am quite sure Dr. McConnell could indeed do that if she wished, as there is no way something so elegantly simple could come from anything less a true expert.

66 pages of useful information. In this day and time, that's hard to find, even in a dog book of 300 pages or more. An easy read, simple, to the point- perfectly fits the title. Should be on every dog owner's bookshelf.

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
Every dog owner should read this book!

I'm an experienced dog owner who just adopted a 4 year old rescue dog. I decided to go "back to school" and look for some new books to help me train my new dog. I bought three books by Patricia McConnell:
1) How to be the Leader of the Pack...And have your dog love you for it
(a WONDERFUL short primer on having happy relationships with dogs)
2) The Other End of the Leash
(a full-length book about communicating with dogs-- GREAT!!!!)
3) Beginning Family Dog Training
(a very readable, clear, wonderful book on training dogs gently-- it works!! My dog is learning so quickly!)

This is the best author I have ever found for people who want to learn how to train their dogs through understanding effective canine-human communication. Read her books and you will never again try to train your dog through "leash pops", etc.. What a breath of fresh air! Finally, training methods you can feel really, really good about. Fun for dogs and humans. I can't say enough good things about Patricia McConnell!

Great for new dog owners or seasoned dog owners
This book was recommended to me by a dog trainer. Though I have had dogs for many years, the material presented was insightful and helped me to see my fur-kids in a new light. I'm sure it will enable us all to live more happily together.