The Dog Listener

Jan's methods stems from her research into wolves and there are some fascinating insights into how wolf-pack behaviour manifests itself in the way our domestic pet dogs live their lives.

My partner and I have adopted Jan's method and seen some vast improvements in the behaviour of our 2 rescue dogs. However, I felt the weakness of the book was that it just wasn't thorough enough! As it progressed, each chapter seemed to just tell another of Jan's success stories, rather than offer sound advice - I was very disappointed in the chapter dealing with "Car Chaos". This attempt to address how to deal with dogs that constantly bark once in the car is very weak and offers little good advice as to how the problem may be rectified.

Other than that, I would recommend any dog-owner to have a copy of this book in their home - and I look forward to reading more of Jan's work in the future.


buy this edition (& you wont need 'the practical' one too!   February 5, 2004
 30 out of 36 found this review helpful

this book is 10 out of 5 stars!!!
Such simple ideas, such gr8 results. You will NEVER look back on Jan's lifestyle of you and your doggy home. Hey, let the dog chose how to behave beautifully. - You know he wants to.

ps- This edition now includes the ENTIRE 2nd book (practical 30day guide) in the back. Saving you from buying it as well. What VALUE.
I just wish Amazon had mentioned this before i bought both.


The Truth Is Out There!!   January 8, 2004
 10 out of 15 found this review helpful

At Last! Someone has taken up the gauntlet from Monty Roberts and driven the way forward into the world of the dog. I cannot praise this book enough and would only ask that if she hasnt already, please make a video with step by step instructions to simplify the process even more so everyone and anyone can "join up" with their own dog without any mistakes or complications. Having managed a busy boarding kennels and worked as a groom I would recommend The Dog Listener and The Horse Whisperer as basic foundation reading for anyone who wishes to improve their relationship with two of mans best friends.


This is the way forward!   May 19, 2003
 25 out of 29 found this review helpful

I recieved this book as a Christmas present & love it! I have heard some people complain about its just got case studies and pictures of her with her own dogs. I would beg to differ with that being bad. The case-histories show how the method is applied and how it has been affective. Regarding the pictures, I personally think it's nice to be able to connect with the author, and see where they have come from.
The book its self starts off by explaining what Amichien Bonding is, how it came into existance and how to become leader, etc. It then goes on to having each chapter dealing with a specific behaviour problem and how it can be and has been successfully solved using this amazing method.
The only fault it has, I think, is the lack of pictures, or step-by-step instructions to help us to implement it, this however, is very successfully remedied in her second book.
I would highly recommend this book (and have on several occasions) as the way to go forward to a happy and peaceful co-existance with canines.
Jan Fennells's method is the way forward, and I can never treat a dog how I did before after being enlightened! We, as humans, are now beyond having to bully a dog into submission, we are smarter than that, I hope.


A must-have book   March 6, 2003
 22 out of 26 found this review helpful

This is an excellent book. Superb read as well as a fantastic training manual. The philosophy of training without tears really does work. If you are willing to adopt the ideas, then the information is clear and concise. We are using the method with three dogs and it is so effective that we are recommending the book to all our dog-owning friends.