For the Love of a Dog

Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend

By: Patricia B McConnell

Narrated by: Ellen Archer

Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

The critically acclaimed author of The Other End of the Leash offers fascinating insights into the canine mind - critical tools for a healthy relationship with a well-trained dog.

In this remarkable book, renowned canine expert Patricia McConnell answers the questions of dog lovers everywhere. Do dogs have emotions like we do? More to the point, does my dog love me? Such questions have fueled best sellers like Elizabeth Marshall Thomas' The Hidden Life of Dogs and Jeffery Moussaieff Masson's Dogs Never Lie About Love.

Sharing riveting dog stories from her experiences, Dr. McConnell also offers accessible science that clues listeners in to what's going on behind those puppy dog eyes. We learn the fascinating similarities and surprising dissimilarities in dogs' and humans' brains, and how current scientific studies have led McConnell to conclude without a doubt that dogs share a profound emotional life with us.

The information found in this book will help listeners have better-trained dogs, at the same time deepening their dog-human connections. For the Love of a Dog is a must-have for dog lovers everywhere.

"Highly recommended." (Library Journal, starred review)

©2006 Patricia B McConnell (P)2006 Tantor Media

Critic reviews

• Winner of Audio Publishers Association 2007 Audie Award, Personal Development/Motivational

"A compelling combination of stories, science, and practical advice to show how understanding emotions in both people and dogs can improve owners' relationships with their pets." (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent book

If you love dogs and the animal world, like science and scientific studies about animals, and these subjects done with good authorship and performance, you will totally enjoy this book & want to pass it on.

Trisha McConnell - As Good as it Gets

I have read "For the Love of a Dog" several times, and I know I will do so many times in the future. It is one of those rare books that offers insight in layers such that the more one reads it, the more it has to offer. I have made a career understanding and living with my dogs, and helping my clients understand and live with dogs of their own. Trisha McConnell has helped me immensely in both exploring and marveling the rich, complex behavior and emotional capacity that give dogs their unique place in the world. Read this book again and again. You and your dog will be the better for it!

Bob Ryder
PMCT, CPDT-KA

Cesar Milan, same thing but more entertaining.

The book is ok but too long, it could be half the size. Watching just one season of Cesar Milan should be enough and more interesting for the same knowledge

Informative and Compassionate

I run into so many people who don't get dogs and abuse them. This book is so helpful to confirm that dogs really are emotional beings that need love, empathy, compassion and patience - just like we humans. And that fear inducing and painful punishments are damaging. Also, after volunteering at the Humane Society, I realize that there are always new helpful things to learn about dogs, like from this author.

if you love dogs

you'll love this book. My, how thoughts have changed over the years on dog training and the way we should interact with our furry friends.

I could not stop listening!

Would you consider the audio edition of For the Love of a Dog to be better than the print version?

If you would like to understand your dog better this is the best book I have heard so far about dog behavior and humans relationships with our best friends.

Very insightful book for dog lovers

This book was very insightful. Written in an easy style, it's ideal for dog owners. It was wonderful and taught me a lot about my dogs, why they act how they do and how they feel and express emotions.

I have 2 dogs so I found this very edifying and helpful. It's a little late to train my dogs (they are on the older spectrum), but I think it'll help me be more patient with them.

Loved it!

I listened to this book every chance that I had. Emotionally captivating, and very informative.

Super Content and Narration

I have been an Audible subscriber for some time now, and have never been motivated to write a review until now.

Dr. McConnell has an excellent, easy flowing writing style and Ellen Archer did a great job with vocalizing that style. A real pleasure on the brain and ears - nice jobs ladies!

The topics covered are done quite well - facts are presented as such and conjecture/theory/non-scientific statements are presently as such.

If you have dog, are considering buying a dog, or have dogs in your life through your human associates - you would enjoy understanding what "makes them tick" (no pun intended).

Another great book by this author is "The Other End of the Lease" - I'm sure Audible listeners would enjoy that online as well.

Some interesting insight, but highly repetitive

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The author is a clear animal lover, and has great knowledge of dogs. However, I found her advice and approaches did not apply well for a single person who has a dog and a full-time job, but not a farm. I found that I could not relate to, or take much away from, her personal stories and examples.

Would you be willing to try another book from Patricia B McConnell? Why or why not?

She referenced her other books quite often; however, I did not find myself thinking - "oh, I have to read that."

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Narration was clean and non-distracting.

Do you think For the Love of a Dog needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I don't - I didn't even finish Part 2 of the download because it was so repetitive.