Cesar's Way (2006 Hodder & Stoughton, by Cesar Milan and Melissa Jo Peltier)

Cesar's Way is a book about dog behaviour in which Cesar Millan details his work at his dog psychology centre.
He describes what he believes makes a happy dog through his descriptions of his early life in Culiacán, Mexico, and his move to America where he first encountered dogs with issues.
The book is written in a conversational style and it took me on a journey of how Cesar developed his techniques.

I found this book quite an interesting read which raises some valid points on dog behaviour.
There are some techniques that I have happily incorporated into interacting with my dog such as how to leave the house when going for a walk, and feeding routines.

Though Cesar clearly states his meanings of being assertive and submissive, if you have preconcieved ideas of what these words mean you might have some issues with this book.
The biggest hurdle to get over whilst reading this book is the idea that unmitigated affection is the fastest way to screw up a dog.

-Janine Timiney, 28th March 2009

The Dog Whisperer by Graeme Sims (2008, Headline)

The Dog Whisperer - not to be mistaken with a certain show of the same name in the USA - is written and illustrated by Reverend Graeme who lives in south Wales in the UK. It tells his story as well as giving information on his dog training methods.

The story starts with his life hitting rock bottom. Then a chance meeting with a lost dog helped rebuild his life in the new direction of Shepherding and appearing in working dog demonstrations. What peeked my interest into reading this book is that he works nine dogs, but can work more in the demonstrations. Now for the biggy: he has trained each dog in a different language so that they know who the command is for. He gauges the language used to the temperament of the dog: soft languages for softer dogs, harsher for more confident dogs. I thought Wow, that is definitely impressive and definitely worth a look!

Overall, it is a good book to read . It strikes me as book most suited to a new puppy owner. An older dog is likely set in its ways and probably not be as receptive to the methods of training. The aspect of his behaviour towards his dog is suitable for use with any age off dog, though.

It is a gentle approach to training and the book covers a range of topics such as choice of dog, feeding and behaviour. All of these aspects are covered in a very understanding way. Graeme Sims views his dogs as his working companions, not servants. What particularly warmed me to this author while reading this book is his admittance to some of his shortcomings. For example, his wife being better at lead training and getting dogs used to the car, as she is more patient with the puppies.

Truly I can find little to fault with this book. The method is gentle and respectful and if used from the onset you are likely to have a happy well balanced dog. My only niggle is the style of writing. I'm used to reading more succinct styles and Graeme Sims presents this book as if he is talking to you. You can almost imagine you are sat at a table with him, drinking a cup of coffee. Due to this style it has a tendency to meander a bit in places. I have to admit that there was a few time I was sat reading and thinking and your point is...? Don't get me wrong, it is worth the read as when you do find the point it is often a good one.

Now for the the finishing comment. As a responsible dog owner I think you should look at many styles of training and behaviour and accept none as the ultimate truth - Though I do suggest you read this book.

I am kind of writing reviews for my own enjoyment and you are very welcome to add any comments about my style, about the topic or any books you can suggest.

Chibi-J - 2nd April 2009

The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell (HarperCollins 2000)

I have to admit, I have a fondness towards this book. It was the first book on dog behaviour I ever read - some 9 years ago. In a way it saved my dogs life, not so much through the Jan Fennell's methods, but just to the fact that it opened my eyes to the idea of behaviourism in dogs. So when my dog started growling at my 15 month toddler through the stair gate whenever he had is food bowl, I knew it was a behaviour issue. This could and has been rectified rather than getting rid of the dog, which is what my family would have suggested.
My story is similar to Jan Fennell's opening story in the Dog Listener - but where I had the ideas in her book to turn to, Jan Fennell had to make that sad decision. Her dog Purdey had 'turned'. It had bitten her child so she made the choice to have it put to sleep. When more dogs entered her life she did not what to fail them how she had failed Purdey and her method was slowly developed.

The method detailed in the Dog listener is based around the ideas that dogs function on a hierarchical system which is controlled by the Alpha. Jan Fennell believes that many dog problems stem from a dog being inadvertently placed in a Alpha role by it human pack members, a role that it is unable to cope with within our human society.
Within these pages Jan Fennell details how to re-address this balance through her "Amichien Bonding" process which takes the form of four separate elements, each one correlating to when the pack hierarchy is established and maintained. Along with her Amichien bonding process Jan Fennell's ideas revolve around the use of positive rewards for the behaviour you want from your dog and ignoring unwanted behaviour; the use of physical punishments has no place in this process. The Dog Listener also contains many of Jan Fennell's case histories on how she tackled dog problems such as separation anxiety, dogs with no recall, and many others.

Overall I found this book an enjoyable read though I found the opening narrative on how she developed her methods to be too long. I enjoy reading about how people come to develop their ideas but when you first pick up the book you are kind of thinking Just tell me how to do it please! and having to go through five chapters to get to the method takes some doing.
From reading the book I have found I am doing many of the the elements of the bonding process for convenience rather than a portraying myself as an Alpha and I found the idea of suggestive eating a little cumbersome. I did find the case histories extremely interesting. They are quite in-depth, describing how she went about solving the problems that affected the dogs. Even if you do not agree with the idea of leader and follower pack hierarchy, the strategies used were sensible.

Chibi-J - 8th April 2009