• 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
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,001 ratings)

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For the Love of a Dog

By: Patricia B McConnell
Narrated by: Ellen Archer
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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)

What listeners say about For the Love of a Dog

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great insight into the dog behaviour

Loved the info and the stories, wish her other book "The other end of the leash" was in audio format

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Knowledgeable author

Best book about dogs so far and I read 8 books so far and excellent narrator.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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smart and understanding, can't put this down

I loved this, listened to it everywhere!!! I wish to find more of the author's writings in audio format!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must read for every dog owner

If you could sum up For the Love of a Dog in three words, what would they be?

As a dog trainer I can say that it I'll be recommending that every dog owner reads this book. The only down fall is not being able to see the pictures referenced in the book. I might buy the book so I can see the pictures as there part of the learning story.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A little thin and dated

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I love neuroscience books and love dogs, too, so i thought this would be a good read. The author tells some great anecdotes, and can bring a tear to your eye, but there is not a lot of structure or definitive conclusions in the book. About half way through, i started wondering if maybe there was not enough research to dig deeper into the subject matter, or if maybe it could be updated with more studies (it is about 8 years old). i enjoyed parts of it, but left wishing there was more to it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved this book

Where does For the Love of a Dog rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the most enjoyable books that I have listened to so far

What about Ellen Archer’s performance did you like?

Very good. It added to the enjoyment of the book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Several passages particularly when the author was talking about her own dogs were very touching. I found myself tearing up more than once.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book so much that I did not want it to end. Anyone who loves dogs and wants to improve their relationship with them should read this book. I thought I knew a lot about dogs and their behavior but this book helped me to understand them better and provided many new insights.

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fabulous book...

Where does For the Love of a Dog rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

at the top of the list...

What did you like best about this story?

patricia mcconnel is a great writer..she has such passion but is so pragmatic...i could totally relate to her stories but more importantly...i learned a lot...

What does Ellen Archer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the narration was great...not over the top like some...simply perfect...

What insight do you think you’ll apply from For the Love of a Dog?

the book is another brick in the foundation of my learning about dogs...it has helped provide me with a path to continue my journey...

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good info

What made the experience of listening to For the Love of a Dog the most enjoyable?

Good information presented in an enjoyable way.

What other book might you compare For the Love of a Dog to and why?

Temple Grandin books

Have you listened to any of Ellen Archer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

What insight do you think you’ll apply from For the Love of a Dog?

It's already changing the way I interact with my dogs.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So helpful!

What did you love best about For the Love of a Dog?

I am a novice dog trainer with a background in dolphin training. I love reading books that incorporate stories with lessons learned and tips to integrate into your own work. This book did a great job of explaining the science of neurobiology in a way that was easy to understand and grasp. It makes so much more sense why there's such a miscommunication between humans and dogs, and gives great advice on how to bridge that gap.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

needs pictures

If you could sum up For the Love of a Dog in three words, what would they be?

chewy my bff.

Which scene was your favorite?

love

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Why my bff isn't the cat...

Any additional comments?

At times it was hard to keep listening. Not because of the narration she was great. Just a bit slow. but for what I gained I'm glad I hung in. This book also left me wanting to learn more about my lil bundle of fur that makes me swoon. Defiantly a great start to understanding feelings of other species.

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