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SMARTER THAN YOU THINK: A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH TO TEACHING AND UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOG IN JUST A FEW HOURS Hardcover – March 1, 1997

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 171 ratings

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Presents the techniques of a veteran dog trainer and his groundbreaking theories on humane and holistic communication with animals, debunking currently accepted methods
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As the subtitle states, animal behaviorist and dog trainer Loeb (The Complete Book of Dog Training, Pocket, 1991) claims to offer "a revolutionary approach to teaching and understanding your dog in just a few hours." Although he does present excellent training techniques, these are intermingled with numerous anecdotes of improperly trained dogs, his oft-repeated puffery about training 25,000 dogs over 40 years, and frequent criticisms of veterinarians, other trainers, and "experts." Loeb's criticisms of dry dog food and dog food manufacturers are unwarranted, and his recommendation of "people food" for dogs could be harmful if the pet companion does not balance the nutrients properly. If everyone with a dog read only the training advice and ignored the incorrect nutritional and medical comments, Loeb's work could be a useful, but that is not likely. As such, this is not recommended.?A. Louis Shor, DVM, Veterinary Consultant, Mt. Laurel, N.J.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This anecdotal book provides a new system for educating dogs and teaches readers how to train their dogs by understanding the psychology behind why the author's methods work. Stressing common sense and rejecting the use of one-word commands are two of the major approaches of this system. The third technique involves the "Magic Touch," the ability to always reach a dog by tossing something at her (to which she should respond by coming to the thrower). Loeb discusses these tactics and demonstrates how to apply them to basic lessons, such as housebreaking dogs and teaching them to sit, as well as to behavior problems and bad habits. The chapter on canine diet and nutrition is well thought out, but the reader may want to check the information with a veterinarian before changing a pet's rations. Despite occasional cutesy language ("boy dog"), the author's valuable training ideas will round out the library's dog-training collection. Nancy Bent

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria; First Edition (March 1, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0671001728
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0671001728
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 171 ratings

About the author

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Paul Loeb
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Paul Loeb

The Wall Street Journal compared Paul Loeb's work with animals to the work of B.F.Skinner:

"Loeb illustrates practical approaches to physical needs as a means to psychological (read "behavioral") cures, he is to the canine world what B.F. Skinner, the noted Harvard psychologist who devoted himself to the techniques of shaping behavior, was to the study of man."

The Chicago Tribune noted that Loeb has been identified as an animal psychiatrist, animal psychic, or animal trainer. Whatever you call him, he's a success in a wide range of activities involving animals.

"His credits include more than 600 TV commercials, ranging from pet foods to men's underwear."

Loeb was for several years the Director of Education of animal behavior for the ASPCA in NYC, and held a behavioral clinic at NYC's Animal Medical Center, the largest small animal hospital in the world. His most popular classes were group therapy sessions with radical confrontation for aggressive dogs. Never before or since has anyone taken groups of aggressive dogs with their owners and successfully solved these problems, and solved them quickly.

Dr. Wm. Kay DVM, former Director of The Animal Medical Center, and Dr. Martin De Angelis DVM, Director of Village Animal Clinic and a leading authority on orthopedic surgery, have acknowledged Loeb's work, calling him a "pioneer in the field" and one of the "premier animal trainers in the world today." Dr. Kay and Dr. De Angelis endorsed Smarter Than You Think and The Heart Of The Matter referring to them as the "champions of training books" and Loeb as an "internationally acclaimed expert" in this area.

When National Geographic produced an Educational Series on animal behavior they featured Loeb as the expert on dogs and cats. This was a special honor since he was in the company of such renowned names as Konrad Lorenz and Jane Goodall. Loeb's, You Can Train Your Cat, was translated into many languages and is still widely referenced today by cat owners and experts, as was his next book, Cathletics.

Early on he realized the need for a holistic approach when working with animals including diet and nutrition. The wrong diet can be detrimental not only to a dog's health but also to his behavior and learning ability. Gaines, a division of General Foods, used Loeb as a consultant in the early development of their Cycle dog food. In addition to Nutrition And Your Dog, his work regarding diet, nutrition and proper exercise, has been written up in the Wall Street Journal, Esquire Magazine, Glamour, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, Family Circle, The Christian Science Monitor, The New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

His easygoing style and ability to make the complex simple with humor and understanding made his column for Parent's magazine, during the early eighties, an outstanding success. The series, which ran for three years, dealt with such topics as: When a Child Fears Animals; Communicating With Your Pet; Can My Pet Perform Like Those Animals on TV; Teaching Your Pet to Accept Your New Baby; How to Pet Train Your Child; Traveling With Your Pet and other subjects, in a direct, common sense approach.

Loeb made frequent appearances on national and local radio and television shows from Johnny Carson's Tonight Show in the early seventies, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, CBS Early Show, among others, including a recent challenge on NBC's Dateline.

Although the seeds of Loeb's new techniques are evident in his large body of work, he has refined and simplified this technology. What has taken him over fifty years to develop is now available to you, the reader. Your dog, or cat, can learn all that's necessary for success in a few hours. Loeb's philosophy is quite simple. Animals have the ability to learn more and learn faster, if what they really need to know is delivered in a way they can fully understand. They are smarter than you think.

Loeb's latest books, (with co-author Suzanne Hlavacek) Smarter Than You Think and Heart of The Matter have set a new standard in the understanding and the shaping of behavior in both dogs and cats.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
171 global ratings
Excellent book, it is a must for all dog lovers!
5 Stars
Excellent book, it is a must for all dog lovers!
Finally there's a light at the end of the tunnel.I love this book!!!Update (a month later):Gonzo & Faeryá: Our mom wants to make a PSA on our page. We approve.🐾🐾 This book has changed our lives! For the better!💗The pups have always been great, we love them more than we could ever imagine. So, when we couldn't figure out how to help our pups & ourselves with some of the challenges we were facing even with the help of several trainers, we (all of us) found ourselves a bit (a lot) frustrated.Many months later, this book entered our lives because I met a man with a very impressive dog (like my jaw was on the floor in awe impressed). I talked to the man (a retired Veteran...Thank-you for service to our Country sir!🇺🇸), and he shared about this book and how it took his already great relationship to incredible and his role of handler and his dog from great to excellent.So, I got the book (used) and read it in a few days. I then started using his techniques with our challenging areas of behavior and instant response between us all! That night I went to bed with happy tears because the things I worried about for my beloved pups are no longer going to be a challenge.For the past month we have been working on all of the challenges with great improvement (and not everyday either). Before this book we were training everyday for 30 mins each pup (literally, no lie...Afraid to make a mistake because we would confuse our sweet babies)! Now, we are all at ease, happy, communicating wonderfully & enjoying each other thoroghly. I LOVE THIS BOOK, LOVE IT!Oh, and I don't have to constantly have treats on me to get them to listen to me...FREEDOM.Our personal improvements:1. Recall is good now and we will be working to acheive excellent recall at all times on & off lead. This is huge!2. Eating in the kitchen only (our pups are raw fed, this is necessary).3. Tooth brushing, no longer a struggle.4. Brushing Faeryá out, she would attack the brush & my hand. Now, she just lays nice & relaxed.5. Nail trimming for both was a horrific 2 day nightmare where my husband was the abused one with bites & scratches. Ok, check this out....Yesterday, I trimmed both of my pups nails in under 10 minutes by myself! (I am still in shock & amazed, our whole family is.)6. Gonzo had started barking aggressively at our male friends when they would leave then, it extended to children. We were afraid it may eventually end in a bite. Now, he no longer does it at all. We are incredibly relieved!All of our visitors have noticed the improvement too. 💗7. Their crates are a thing of the past as of this past 12 days. So, they are coming down & being stored today.GET THIS BOOK🐾👅💓Update: Several years later now in 2023, I have recommended this bookore times than I count. My dogs behave on an exemplary level and they are praised all the time while we are out and about. I have also bought maybe 20 used copies to give to people that face financial hardships but want to train their dog properly. If we could all help each other properly train our beloved dogs and the world was filled with well trained dogs as a result..,WOW...What a world this could be. I still give this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2018
Finally there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
I love this book!!!

Update (a month later):
Gonzo & Faeryá: Our mom wants to make a PSA on our page. We approve.🐾🐾 This book has changed our lives! For the better!💗
The pups have always been great, we love them more than we could ever imagine. So, when we couldn't figure out how to help our pups & ourselves with some of the challenges we were facing even with the help of several trainers, we (all of us) found ourselves a bit (a lot) frustrated.
Many months later, this book entered our lives because I met a man with a very impressive dog (like my jaw was on the floor in awe impressed). I talked to the man (a retired Veteran...Thank-you for service to our Country sir!🇺🇸), and he shared about this book and how it took his already great relationship to incredible and his role of handler and his dog from great to excellent.
So, I got the book (used) and read it in a few days. I then started using his techniques with our challenging areas of behavior and instant response between us all! That night I went to bed with happy tears because the things I worried about for my beloved pups are no longer going to be a challenge.
For the past month we have been working on all of the challenges with great improvement (and not everyday either). Before this book we were training everyday for 30 mins each pup (literally, no lie...Afraid to make a mistake because we would confuse our sweet babies)! Now, we are all at ease, happy, communicating wonderfully & enjoying each other thoroghly. I LOVE THIS BOOK, LOVE IT!
Oh, and I don't have to constantly have treats on me to get them to listen to me...FREEDOM.
Our personal improvements:
1. Recall is good now and we will be working to acheive excellent recall at all times on & off lead. This is huge!
2. Eating in the kitchen only (our pups are raw fed, this is necessary).
3. Tooth brushing, no longer a struggle.
4. Brushing Faeryá out, she would attack the brush & my hand. Now, she just lays nice & relaxed.
5. Nail trimming for both was a horrific 2 day nightmare where my husband was the abused one with bites & scratches. Ok, check this out....Yesterday, I trimmed both of my pups nails in under 10 minutes by myself! (I am still in shock & amazed, our whole family is.)
6. Gonzo had started barking aggressively at our male friends when they would leave then, it extended to children. We were afraid it may eventually end in a bite. Now, he no longer does it at all. We are incredibly relieved!
All of our visitors have noticed the improvement too. 💗
7. Their crates are a thing of the past as of this past 12 days. So, they are coming down & being stored today.
GET THIS BOOK🐾👅💓

Update: Several years later now in 2023, I have recommended this bookore times than I count. My dogs behave on an exemplary level and they are praised all the time while we are out and about. I have also bought maybe 20 used copies to give to people that face financial hardships but want to train their dog properly. If we could all help each other properly train our beloved dogs and the world was filled with well trained dogs as a result..,WOW...What a world this could be. I still give this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, it is a must for all dog lovers!
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2018
Finally there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
I love this book!!!

Update (a month later):
Gonzo & Faeryá: Our mom wants to make a PSA on our page. We approve.🐾🐾 This book has changed our lives! For the better!💗
The pups have always been great, we love them more than we could ever imagine. So, when we couldn't figure out how to help our pups & ourselves with some of the challenges we were facing even with the help of several trainers, we (all of us) found ourselves a bit (a lot) frustrated.
Many months later, this book entered our lives because I met a man with a very impressive dog (like my jaw was on the floor in awe impressed). I talked to the man (a retired Veteran...Thank-you for service to our Country sir!🇺🇸), and he shared about this book and how it took his already great relationship to incredible and his role of handler and his dog from great to excellent.
So, I got the book (used) and read it in a few days. I then started using his techniques with our challenging areas of behavior and instant response between us all! That night I went to bed with happy tears because the things I worried about for my beloved pups are no longer going to be a challenge.
For the past month we have been working on all of the challenges with great improvement (and not everyday either). Before this book we were training everyday for 30 mins each pup (literally, no lie...Afraid to make a mistake because we would confuse our sweet babies)! Now, we are all at ease, happy, communicating wonderfully & enjoying each other thoroghly. I LOVE THIS BOOK, LOVE IT!
Oh, and I don't have to constantly have treats on me to get them to listen to me...FREEDOM.
Our personal improvements:
1. Recall is good now and we will be working to acheive excellent recall at all times on & off lead. This is huge!
2. Eating in the kitchen only (our pups are raw fed, this is necessary).
3. Tooth brushing, no longer a struggle.
4. Brushing Faeryá out, she would attack the brush & my hand. Now, she just lays nice & relaxed.
5. Nail trimming for both was a horrific 2 day nightmare where my husband was the abused one with bites & scratches. Ok, check this out....Yesterday, I trimmed both of my pups nails in under 10 minutes by myself! (I am still in shock & amazed, our whole family is.)
6. Gonzo had started barking aggressively at our male friends when they would leave then, it extended to children. We were afraid it may eventually end in a bite. Now, he no longer does it at all. We are incredibly relieved!
All of our visitors have noticed the improvement too. 💗
7. Their crates are a thing of the past as of this past 12 days. So, they are coming down & being stored today.
GET THIS BOOK🐾👅💓

Update: Several years later now in 2023, I have recommended this bookore times than I count. My dogs behave on an exemplary level and they are praised all the time while we are out and about. I have also bought maybe 20 used copies to give to people that face financial hardships but want to train their dog properly. If we could all help each other properly train our beloved dogs and the world was filled with well trained dogs as a result..,WOW...What a world this could be. I still give this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
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3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2013
I can't begin to count the number of training books I have bought that were useless. I then had the luck of running into a couple that had not only read the book but had hired the author Paul to train their two badly behaved Mastiff's. Now mind you my dog is only 13lbs not 150 lbs but badly behaved is bad no matter what the size. After speaking with them several times and raving about Paul and how their dogs had changed, I bought the book. BEST money I have EVER spent!

The other amazing thing is I ran into Paul in the park and he walked with us (my dog and I) around Central Park. He is such an amazing man. Not only have I learned how to train my dog but how to feed him better. Everyone I meet hears about this book from me. Of all the books (over 30) this is the only one I ever read completely and made a difference. It's actually fun to read!

Again, if you have a dog, no matter the age or how well you think his manners are, get this book, I guarantee you will learn something you didn't know that will make this all important relationship with your beloved companion ever better. Thank you Paul!!!
7 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2017
Pros: Smart book, with enlightened view of how dogs think, which is to say they feel the same things we feel, like the same things we like, and are motivated by the same things that motivate us. The one "killer app" counter-intuitive piece of advice; throw something at your dog and it will come to you. (Read the book to do it right so you don't muck it up.)

Con: The book often glosses over specific training techniques that you need to truly train an exceptional dog.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2003
SMARTER THAN YOU THINK......Review
* We have read all of Paul Loeb's books about dog training. In addition we have had the pleasure of having him as our dog's trainer. As you will discover when you read Smarter Than You Think, Loeb approaches the practical matter of dog training without a lot of indulgent theories. Very simply he employs the best technique we have ever witnessed for housebreaking. You will see it in the book...the tether. It eliminates the confining cage, putting paper down or letting the puppy take over your house. The throwing technique works like a charm for initiating good behavior and correcting bad behavior....no it is not mean nor does it hurt....rather it surprises. His approach to food for the puppy and the grown dog employing fresh food is by far the best and it proves itself out as soon as you adopt it. His style is humorous and it will help any of you to break destructive habits like chewing or tearing up your favorite slipper and/or learning to live with your new puppy.
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2022
I would recommend this book to any dog lover. It is simple and get effective for dog training and reads like dog
psychology. It is very intriguing.
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2009
I have used this both to train two Golden Retrievers and they have been the best behaved dogs. The magic touch really does work. I also saw a huge improvement on my six year olds health when I switched him from commercial food to homemade food. He had more energy and I was able to maintain his weight. This is a great book for anyone that owns a dog. Each time I have reviewed it, I have gained additional insight.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2020
I have used this method on 4 large, rescued dogs with amazing results. If you follow the suggestions, you will be amazed!
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2014
I forced myself to read the whole book. Could never tell who was writing it - Paul Loeb or his client, the ghost writer. It would have been great to have it as a short pamphlet with tabs for each subject covered. Lots of fluffy stories that were extraneous to advice given which was good.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Eve
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand
Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2019
Everybody should read that book