Im reading The Dog Listener just now to see what all the fuss is about. Jan Fennell says the same things as John Fisher(Dogwise) and Gwen Bailey( Perfect Puppy), particularly about understanding things from the dogs POV and that humans give mixed messages about their role in the family. Her method is so short I dont know why they couldnt have featured it on the Womans Hour programme earlier in the year. Dunno about not taking a dog out for 2 weeks until the bonding works though.  I Warmed to her when she relates her mistakes and doubted her ability to train a GSD. Her ideas about dog behaviour going back to wolf packs is disputed now though I believe. Anyone read the Monks of New Skete's book?

I read the Monks of New Skete's book a long time ago.  Can't say I remember much, except their advice to let dogs sleep in the bedroom.  They said that with many people away a large part of the day it helped dogs to feel part of the pack and less isolated, made sense to me.

At the time, the monks charged a fortune for the GSDs they bred - and many had temperament problems.  Don't know what they are like today.

Stacey

Thats a shame about the Monks dogs. Another illusion shattered!

The monks had some good ideas but also some rather questionable ones on training - i wonder if that could have affected the temperaments of their dogs.

Lindsay

Im getting the Tellington T Touch book for xmas.  Ive read Jan fennels Dog Wisperer.  I understand her principles but they do not work with Mr B or myself. Im still trying to impletment the all four paws.  (as in they all stay on the ground not the the sofa, bed or my shoulders)   

Personally I find Jan Fennell rather egotistical and, as she is just regurgitating some very old stuff (apart from her amichien[reach] language),  find it amazing how everything is "I" and "me" as though she "discovered" all this!  As I do not subscribe to her theories re token biscuits etc etc I admit I am somewhat biased.

I find that Jean Donaldson is much more down to earth, realistic and accessible and is "right on" with her outlook and to my mind her Culture Clash is the one "essential" book that ALL dog owners, whether beginners OR experienced should have on their bookshelves.  When people read her you can almost see the the electric light bulbs light up!

Reading various books has helped me to find the common threads of being a good owner - dont attribute human feelings to dogs but see it from their pov, be calm, confident and consistent at all times, dogs dont generalise and remember what they did last, make it worthwhile to be obedient and dont reward bad behaviour by attention. I will look for Jean Donaldsons book and hope she has John Fishers sense of humour.

Her sense of humour is better than even John's! :D

I can borrow the Jean Donaldson book from a friend. Whoopee!

What is Jean Donaldson's book called?

As for the Dog Whisperer - why is it that new owners seem to think it is wonderful and more experienced owners ...... don't!

Merry Christmas
Christine

The Culture Clash is a good all round book for novice and experienced owners; has all sorts of handy tips as well for obedience as well as making you look at your dog realistically.

Dogs are from Neptune is a sort of agony aunt book with specific problems and solutions.

Mine! A guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs is an excellent tool for desensitising and counter conditioning dogs with resource problems step by step.

I think the reason a lot of experienced dog owners like myself dislike JF is because she is not actually saying anything new (apart from her amichien [heave]).

I dont think it is wonderful but I wanted to read it to form my own opinion and I agree theres nothing new in it. It is hard to sort out gimmicks, personal opinion nad common sense when you are new to dogs, and JF is heavily reccommended.  Jean Donaldson s book is called Culture Clash. Monty Roberts work with horses was really inspiring on the other hand but hes spent his life watching horses, just like people who were brought up with dogs are attuned to them intuitively. I always wanted a dog but was kept away from them by the parents for years ( their fear) so I needed an interpreter to work out what Morse is doing. Hes the best teacher. :)

Completely agree - nothing in Jan Fennell's book is new - it is just repackaged "pack theory" - and she really annoys me (although I think that might be because of the TV programme!). I love Jean Donaldson who talks such a lot of sense - and another fabulous book along similar lines is Suzanne Clothier's Bones would Rain from the Sky - she also tries to understand things from the dog's perspective rather than attributing all behaviour to a bid for world domination!
Turid Rigaas' booklet on calming signals is another favourite. These three would be my "must have" list for all dog owners.
Happy Christmas!
Janet