It's subtitle is: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Communication. And her training method is all about that, because it speaks in a dog's own language. Jan Fennell has developed a method which works by speaking in a dog's own language. Unlike some other training techniques, it is very much about forming that bond with your dog so that it trusts you as its leader, rather than bullying him/her into it. Her main method is called "amichien" bonding - taken from the French words for friend and dog - and are simple things that speak volumes to any dog about where both you and s/he are on the totem pole.

Whenever I come across someone who is having trouble with their dog, I invariably end up suggesting this book and a technique I read in it. About half of the book are anecdotes like "The House on Pooh Corner" and "The Up and Down Game" and those examples help you to think like a dog would when tackling your own doggie issues. Using her method, I have helped to rehab more than one abused dog and to deal with a dog that was aggressive with her dog-housemates. It's a great book, an easy read, and a must for any dog lover!

Pros: Easy to Read, Gives Practical Advice, Effective Techniques

Cons: None

THE DOG LISTENER, by Jan Fennell, is divided two sections. The first part of the book explains the concepts behind Fennell's 'amichien' bonding and how she developed the strategies behind it. The second part of the book is a 30 day training guide to help dog owners institute her training methods.

Jan Fennell is not necessarily covering any new ground, a fact she acknowledges when she talks about the work of Marty Roberts, the famed "Horse Whisperer". But she does an excellent job of explaining how to translate dog pack dynamics into a language that dog owners can use. Her approach can make a definite difference for both problem dogs and packs that simply need better human leadership.

If you are a dog owner who is not used to thinking about dogs according to their basic natures and their pack dynamics, this is a good introduction to the concepts. I recommend adding it to any training library.

Pros: easy to read

Cons: none

Jam really knows what she is talking about. My dog was a stray and then in a shelter for 7 months, so he needed a lot of work. This book was the backbone of how I trained my new dog. She explains her ideas and the reason for those ideas in a concise, easy to read way. My only wish was that I read this right before I adopted him not after. But either way this training method really works. Any person with a difficult pet should buy this book.

Pros: easy to read, easy to follow, extremly helpful

Cons: i wish i would have read it before i adopted my dog

I believe that this book benefits individuals who are able to read it thoroughly before they acquire their dog. As a person who trained dogs extensively 30 years ago I found it more difficult to actually forget what I knew "then" and attempt to change that into what I know "now".

But the concepts are interesting and good for both dog and human.

Pros: A very good book for both beginners and experienced dog owners.

Cons: It may be a little difficult for beginners to be able to absorb it all and put it into practice.

I found this book excellent. I have used several of her ideas not only with my pets at home but with the shelter dogs where I volunteer.

I find her style of writing easy and enjoyable. Her concepts make sense.

I enjoyed her book more than i did Cesar's Way

Pros: easy to read with a lot of easy ways to work with your pet

Cons: May not be as easy to find