The Other End of the Leash shares a revolutionary, new perspective on our relationship with dogs, focusing on our behavior in comparison with that of dogs. An applied animal behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell looks at humans as just another interesting species, and muses about why we behave the way we do around our dogs, how dogs might interpret our behavior, and how to interact with our dogs in ways that bring out the best in our four-legged friends.
After all, although humans and dogs share a remarkable relationship that is unique in the animal world, we are still two entirely different species, each shaped by our individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (like wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation.
The Other End of the Leash demonstrates how even the slightest changes in your voice and the way you stand can help your dog understand what you want. Once you start to think about your own behavior from the perspective of your dog, you'll understand why much of what appears to be doggy-disobedience is simply a case of miscommunication. Inside you will learn
• How to use your voice so that your dog is more likely to do what you ask.
• Why "getting dominance" over your dog is a bad idea.
• Why "rough and tumble primate play" can lead to trouble–and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of trouble.
• How dogs and humans share personality types–and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than "alphawannabees!"
In her own insightful, compelling style, Patricia McConnell combines wonderful true stories about people and dogs with a new, accessible scientific perspective on how they should behave around each other. This is a book that strives to help you make the most of life with your dog, and to prevent problems that might arise in that most rewarding of relationships.
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“Examples of effective ways an owner should speak to his or her dog in multiple situations are one of the most valuable parts of this audiobook, and narrator Ellen Archer’s expressiveness in delivering them is extremely helpful. She does a particularly excellent job delivering the author’s commands and tone when addressing a dog that has misbehaved. Additional information that provides more understanding of canines, such as paying particular attention to one’s body language when interacting with dogs, is spoken in a consistent, calm voice that complements the author’s knowledge. A great audio companion for any dog owner.”
— AudioFile
“This humorous, well-written book tells us what to do and what to avoid based on years of studying dogs and their primate owners.”
— Frans de Waal, New York Times bestselling author“McConnell uses the same humor and patience she recommends with dogs on her readers…Her wise and gently self-deprecating book brings training—of both dogs and humans—to new levels.”
— Amazon.com“A finely observed approach to better living with dogs.”
— Isthmus Books Quarterly (Madison, Wisconsin)“Drawing on anecdotes from her professional practice…research into the work of other dog trainers, and personal experiences with her beloved Border collies, the author explains how a dog might be misinterpreting signals from its owner…This is a helpful guide for pet owners by a specialist who clearly loves her work.”
— Publishers Weekly“In this highly readable book, Patricia McConnell provides readers with a new set of techniques for communicating with and understanding their dogs…This is a ‘must-read’ for all people who share their lives with a dog.”
— Stanley Coren, PhD, author of How to Speak DogBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Patricia McConnell, PhD, CAAB, is an ethologist and certified applied animal behaviorist who has consulted with cat and dog lovers for more than twenty-two years. She combines a thorough understanding of the science of behavior with years of practical, applied experience. Her nationally syndicated radio show, Calling All Pets, played in more than 110 cities for fourteen years, and her television show Petline played on Animal Planet for two and a half years. She was the behavior columnist for The Bark magazine and is adjunct professor in zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching “The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships.” She is a much sought-after lecturer and seminar presenter, speaking at training organizations, veterinary conferences, academic meetings, and animal shelters around the world about dog and cat behavior and on science-based and humane solutions to serious behavioral problems. She is the author of thirteen books on training and behavioral problems, as well as the critically acclaimed books The Other End of the Leash, For the Love of a Dog, and Tales of Two Species. She lives with her Border Collies, Willie and Maggie, her rescued Cavalier Spaniel, Tootsie, and a very spoiled flock of sheep, and she suffers from separation anxiety when she leaves them.
Ellen Archer has narrated numerous audiobooks and has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards, as well as the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. She is an actress, and singer with a degree in opera performance from the Boston Conservatory. She has performed extensively on the New York stage and in regional theaters.