I read Paul Owens book recently on recommendation. He was the original dog whiperer I've been told as this book was published in 1999. Cesar grabbed the title. Owens book is compassionate and very dog friendly. No bullying. Just read another good book too by Alana Stevenson on humane dog training. If I would have been up with positive methods years ago my dogs would have been happier. Read Cesar's book. It was pretty bad. Made me feel at war with my dogs. A lot of bullying.

I read Paul Owens book recently on recommendation. He was the original dog whiperer I've been told as this book was published in 1999. Cesar grabbed the title. Owens book is compassionate and very dog friendly. No bullying. Just read another good book too by Alana Stevenson on humane dog training. If I would have been up with positive methods years ago my dogs would have been happier. Read Cesar's book. It was pretty bad. Made me feel at war with my dogs. A lot of bullying.

I quickly ordered this book assuming it was written by Cesar Millan. Pretty shameless for this author to use the title "The Dog Whisperer" and using a similar dustjacket to promote sales by associating himself with the well-known Cesar Millan. Alas, my mistake for ordering in a rush - like a fly caught in a Venus Fly Trap. I returned the book at my expense.

I had the pleasure of working with Paul in person when we got our 2 rescue dogs many years ago- the man works wonders! We attended his puppy school and years later our dogs are still responsive to Paul's techniques. I've had to recently reach out to Paul for a new issue we're having with our dog (he when the baby cries) and his suggestions were spot on.

I still have and treasure this book wouldn't go to or recommend any other trainer

I ordered this dvd with high hopes that it would show me some real, specific, detailed training I could use with my dog; there was very little of it contained in the dvd. It was very general, not detailed, not lengthy enough to show me how to train my dog. The cartoon of a cave man first discovering a dog... what was that all about ? fluff. filler. The breathing ? not for the dog but for the human trainer .... geeezzz louezeee ! This "original dog whisperer" may be a great dog trainer if you work with him one-on-one with your pet, but via a dvd.... don't waste your money or your time as I have done; invest in a dog obedience class and get hands on, in person training - it will cost you more but your money will be much better spent than to buy this sorry dvd.

Really? 5 stars? I couldn't get through the first 30 pages. The overwhelming amounts of tender philosophy and outrageous views of the "life force" of a raw diet (scary, truly scary) are completely unrelated to training a dog. The book was denigrating to anyone who has ever given a leash correction, gone hunting, or looked at their dog in any way other than with pure worship. If you're looking for a touchy feely book, this might be right up your alley. If you're looking for a solid book of training techniques, there are better books out there.

I was a typical dog owner who always believed in the 'stick their noses in it and swat them with a rolled up magazine' type solution. And who therefore always ended up with dogs that were hand-shy, ran away the first chance they got, and wet the floor whenever they were nervous. I read the original Dog Whisperer after I adopted a hyper dog (previously returned to the shelter for being too wild)that was already a year old and lived most of his life in a cage. I was skeptical at first but followed the method and this book was the answer!!! I have never had a better companion than this dog. He is so smart we did search and rescue for several years and we recently won 'best trick' at a local dog fair. I get so flattered when people ask who trained him and I answer that I did and they then ask if I am a professional trainer. He is amazing and it could have been so different if I hadn't had this resource to get me through the first rough days. He had never been in a house and was mostly housetrained in a few days and fully housetrained within two weeks. No swatting with a magazine required!!! And he doesn't cringe or act afraid of being hit. In fact, if he hurts a paw or something like that he will limp over to me and place the paw in my hand. He will go anywhere and do whatever I ask simply because he trusts me never to hurt him. I feel so sorry for people who put all the time and expense into having a dog but never really get to fully enjoy that relationship. I give this book to every one of my friends who gets a dog. Don't bother with that bully Cesar. If you really want to see MAGIC happen and gain a true best friend in your pet, this book is the way to go! You will be amazed and changed for life.

This is a terrific resource for any dog lover, and has helped our dog become an even more wonderful presence in our lives. Paul Owens understands how to work with animals and explains his philosophies and techniques at great detail, both in this book and in his equally effective DVD.

My wife and I purchased both for our dog Jasper and have been thrilled with the results. It's proof that you don't have to shock, slap, spray, or shout at your dog in order to train him ... dogs are smart, and more often than not, it's the people trying to communicate with the dog that are the real problem. Can't recommend it enough.

Wow, this guy has the best training out there. I recently got a rescued labrador retriever, the last dog I had been around was our family dog many years ago. I had no idea how to train my new dog (Teddy, 3 years old) and I'm so glad I found Paul Owens' material. His approach is gentle and effective and fun and I have to tell you, IT WORKS!! Really quickly!! It's a real treat to see Teddy's delight in learning and to see his confidence building. A well-intentioned friend recommended Cesar Milan's stuff, but I did not like it. Ted's been abused plenty and does not need choke collars and shock collars or any other macho abusive training methods. Teddy (like other dogs) just wants to please. Paul does a terrific job teaching humans how to speak and understand dog. Teddy is coming along nicely, I'm learning a lot, and I'm deeply happy to have found a training method that builds trust between Teddy and me. I also got the DVD that Paul made, it supplements the book beautifully and it helps me to actually see the method in action. It's great.

The attitude of the author was a little scary to me. He acted as if most people beat their dogs, and this book would teach you how to give your dogs treats and love instead of hitting him/her to get the behaviour you want. Maybe some people need to hear that message, but it seems obvious to me. I didn't learn anything new.

Paul Owens is the embodiment of dog, whisperer, dog trainer, and dog lover. Although our family has had a few dogs in the past it was not until we we trained our new Yorkie puppy (Harley) usuing the techniques in Paul's book that we all have become dog lovers and dog whisperers in training. Thank you Paul for teaching us the gentle, loving, respectful way to train and care for our puppy.

I thought the first edition of the DOG WHISPERER was amazing. I was however, really excited to see that Mr. Owens came up with a revised second edition which, for me, sets a new standard for positive dog training.
Dog training is ever-evolving and as good as the first edition was, the second edition reflects the best of what positive dog training has to offer. It is truly a gift to anyone interested in raising and training a dog with kindness and compassion.
Jennifer Mielziner - Fer's Furry Friends

I bought the new book and the DVD. I was also in Paul's group training class. The book and the DVD helped fill in the gaps for me while I continued to train my dog at home. I especially enjoyed the DVD. The content and presentation provides a visual for me that helps me cement my technique for training. The characterizations by the dogs are very clever and entertaining. My dog also enjoys watching the DVD. I reallly can't say enough good things about Paul and his training techniques. Just buy the book and the DVD. You will never regret it. I thank you and so does "Sweetie".

What a great book! The choke collar always felt wrong to me and I was glad to read what Owens says about it. It makes total sense that you don't need force or even the threat of force to train a dog - or anyone else for that matter. Gee, I'd never choke my kids! Why would I want to choke my dog? I got FASTER results using the POSITIVE training methods in this book - plus I feel really good about them, too - happier dog and happier me. That other "dog whisperer" on TV seems so suave but his methods seem so mean-spirited and primitive. I read somewhere that animal humane organizations have called his methods "inhumane." A dog is family and should be treated with love. And not only for the dog's wellbeing! It's a good example for the kids! I want them to learn to treat others with kindness- no matter whether those "others" are two legged or four legged. So for me, the method I choose for training my dog is not just about dog training. It is connected with how I raise my kids and with building a world based on kindness and consideration for others. And this book was all about that and more.

Finally some one who really whispers, because there is no physical force involved. A must have book! It is intelligent, funny, all about the
dogs welfare ( physical & mental), problem solving solutions,eazy to learn training methods, fast results and very informative for the reader in regards how dogs learn and progress things.

I have been training my dogs using Paul's methods for almost nine years. I find his methods to be humane, effective and a lot of fun for my dogs. At present I am taking classes while referring to his wonderful book and DVD and I am experiencing amazing results through the raise with praise methods. Paul is a sensitive kind and spiritual person and this shines through in hid DVD and through his writings. I highly recommend his methods of training, his book and his DVD.

I have followed all the techniques in the book and I have to say they are truly amazing, and they really do work! This book is a must have for all dog owners and even parents who just want to learn about better communication all around!

My lab mix is extremely shy, and I struggled for months to find any information to help me train such a sensitive dog. This Dog Whisperer book was at the top of my trainer's list. It's given me a lot of insight into my dog, and the training games are fun for both of us. I'm looking forward to using this book for a long time, and I'm confident it will help my dog be the best dog he can be.

As a dog trainer/behavior specialist, I have had Paul Owens' original version of this book in my collection for years. I always appreciated his non-violent approach to training. Now we have an updated, even better 2nd edition! Paul takes the time to explain why and how positive training methods work. In his "Nine Ingredients for Optimum Health & Growth" he talks about meeting your dog's basic needs such as nutrition, play, mental stimulation, and other things that set the stage for successful training. The section on how to "speak dog" and communicate with your dog is invaluable. The more a person understands about how to communicate with their dog, the less need there is for any type of force. The actual training section is well layed out, taking the reader from "grade school level" through "high school level". I like this approach, as it makes it simple to build on the exercise as the dog gets better at it. The book is peppered with helpful illustrations, well-written, enjoyable, and packed with useful information. Highly recommended! - Nicole Wilde, author Help for Your Fearful Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Your Dog Conquer His Fears and So You Want to be a Dog Trainer (2nd edition)