The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training [Paperback]

Paul Owens (Author), Norma Eckroate (Author), Michael W. Fox (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1999

The training methods and mysteries of 'horse whisperers' have recently enlightened the world's consciousness of nonviolent training methods. This book awakens people's natural abilities to communicate with their dog.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Owens, founder of Raise with Praise, Inc. and a certified evaluator for the Delta Society's Animal Assisted Therapy Program, has written a good, basic, reasonably priced introduction to dog training based upon rewarding "successive approximations" of correct behavior. Gone are the leash "pop" and harsher corrections of earlier obedience methods. Nonviolent dog training shapes appropriate behavior with rewards such as food and games. Incorrect behavior is punished by ignoring the dog and by verbal cues such as "oh-oh." There are chapters on clicker training, target stick training, and training gear such as collars and leashes; the nine ingredients of canine optimum health (high-quality diet, play, socialization, quiet time, exercise, employment, rest, training, and healthcare); and human-canine communication. How to teach "sit," "stay," "down," "stand," "come," "heel," "take it," and "drop it" are explained step-by-step and illustrated with photographs. For public libraries.AFlorence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"After working for years to expose trainers' cruelty to animals in the production of movies, I applaud a book that encourages the compassion and nonviolence that dogs so richly deserve." -- Bob Barker, Host, The Price Is Right

"This is an important book. Paul Owens offers a powerful voice of nonviolence and a truly enlightening approach to raising and training your dog. I wholeheartedly recommend his message of compassion and joy." -- Jack Canfield, Co-author, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Soul

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media Corporation; 1st edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580622038
• ISBN-13: 978-1580622035
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (130 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for commands, not so good for problems, January 17, 2006

By 

S. Rasco (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training (Paperback)

My roomate made me read this book so that we're on the same page while training her puppy (a standard poodle, 6 mos.). I like the non-violent approach, and wholeheartedly agree that shocking, kicking, and hitting are abusive ways to train an animal. The positive reinforcement and clear techniques are great. Owens guides you through phases of mastering commands with clear instructions and what to expect. I found his methods of teaching the puppy who's in charge (establishing dominance) to be great because you don't have to be rough or aggressive to do it. This is with several different forms of witholding rewards/attention and restraint so that the dog learns that it gets cut out of the fun when it does something wrong.

Paul Owens studied yoga in India, and is very into some New Age ideas and methods. These, you can take or leave. The relaxation and focus techniques are good for me to keep me from over-reacting or forgetting that he's just a puppy and can't be expected to behave all the time. However, I will not be doing any yoga breathing and bonding with the dog or playing him music or sending him vibrations of love, peace, and acceptance. Sometimes, the author seems to forget that it's a dog and not a furry person with the emphasis on spiritual communion with your dog.

There are some things that he doesn't address, most likely because bigger behavioral problems that don't stop with training probably need to be addressed in a few personal sessions with a good trainer. With a large breed like ours, there are some specific concerns that aren't addressed. Anything our horse of a dog does is magnified because of his size. Jumping isn't just annoying, but dangerous. If he stands up, anything on any surface is accessible to him. Baby fences won't be an obstacle in a few months. Destructive behaviors may need a negative to make them stop. Ignoring the behavior won't save the kitchen or anything else he wants to mess around with. When we trained the lab I had growing up, we worked with an excellent trainer who used a positive approach similar to this one, but with the addition of some non-violent negative reinforcements like a firm NO and a light tap on the nose with a finger (it's annoying, not hurtful--tap yourself and see).

Should you buy this book? Yes. It's worth it for the second half where you get away from the philosophy and zen vibes and into the training. That part is excellent. This book is ideal for what you do at home with your puppy to enforce rules and teach obedience to commands. However, this book should not be your one and only source. Nothing can take the place of a few hours in person with a good trainer who works hands-on with you and your dog (if you're going somewhere to watch videos of what to do at home, find a better trainer). Your dog has a very unique personality, and a trainer will teach you how to curb bad behaviors in the most effective and efficient method for your particular situation.

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have, December 23, 1999

By 

Shelley (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training (Paperback)

This is a must have book for true animal lovers. Based on a philosophy of "Raise With Praise", Paul's approach is all about love... and let me tell you, it works! Paul covers every facet of caring for your dog, including: training, a truly healthy diet, and great insight into how dogs think.

I've read alot of books on dogs and this is by far the most original and compassionate approach I've seen. He really makes it fun! We trained our dog to sit, stay, come, crawl.. and absolutely had a blast doing it. His biggest asset seems to be that he really gets animals, he knows how they think and this has allowed him to develop a way to communicating with them that is positive and effective. Enjoy.

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for people seeking a kinder approach, July 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training (Paperback)

I liked this book very much. Paul does a great job of conveying that the best results come from a basic understanding of how dogs view the world and how they learn. It is a huge stretch to getting the humans past thinking and acting as though the secret to training companion dogs is imposing your will on a dog and then correcting it for "disobeying". Without knowing any better, many, many people think that the ONLY way to train a dog is by teaching it to avoid corrections. I think that is killing an ant with an anvil and happily, many other dog owners do, too. The only criticism I have is that the book may have a narrow appeal. Some may be turned off by the spiritual overtones. I found that aspect refreshing myself. It's pretty hard to learn how to use a clicker well by reading a book, but I guess it won't hurt anyone if the human screws up, right? If I had a client who was "into" a holistic approach, this would be my first pick.