• The Loved Dog

  • The Playful, Nonaggressive Way to Teach Your Dog Good Behavior
  • By: Tamar Geller, Andrea Cagan
  • Narrated by: Renée Raudman
  • Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (222 ratings)

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The Loved Dog  By  cover art

The Loved Dog

By: Tamar Geller, Andrea Cagan
Narrated by: Renée Raudman
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Publisher's summary

More than 15 years ago, Tamar Geller began her career as a dog trainer by observing a scientific study of wolves in the wild. She realized that the socialization and parenting techniques they used to raise their cubs were rooted in bonding, communication, and play - not in aggression, dominance, or punishment. If people used these techniques when training their dogs, she realized, there would be no need for prong collars, choke chains, or any kind of physical or verbal aggression. She realized we can make it "fun" for our dogs to listen to us and behave as we want them to.

Tamar went on to train the dogs of many celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Ben Affleck, Courteney Cox- Arquette, Nicollette Sheridan, Owen Wilson, the Osbournes, and others. Her nonaggressive methods are so revolutionary that the Humane Society of the United States approached her to be a consultant, and she now teaches animal behavior at Pepperdine University.

In The Loved Dog, Tamar shows anyone how to childproof a dog, teach him vocabulary, use treats the right way, play "tug of war" to build trust, make it fun for him to come when called, teach him not to jump on people, and much more, using only playful bonding and positive reinforcement.

©2007 Tamar Geller (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"The Loved Dog method is nothing short of a revolution. Tamar Geller shows us a pathway beyond punishment, and reminds us that understanding and respect are the key words in dog training in the 21st century. Now these common-sense and humane principles are set out clearly in a single, accessible volume." (Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO, The Humane Society of the United States)

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What listeners say about The Loved Dog

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Maybe better read but a terrible listen

Two hours into this book I was still waiting for something about dog training. Then it just went on with a lot of stories about her own dogs and her encounters with celebrity dogs for what seemed like forever. Heavy on reward/treat reinforcement. Heavily critical of other methods, which I found to be a bit of a turn-off regardless of whether I thought she was right. After listening to her bash her family for the first hour or so of the book, and then go on to bash other trainers/training methods, it just seemed to be a lot of "me! me! me!" Seems to me that if a person has confidence in their technique it should stand alone without having to drag down the competition. As for airing the family's dirty laundry - that had nothing whatsoever to do with dog training, so I don't know what that was supposed to be about, except perhaps to garner sympathy. Didn't work on me. Just made me a little uncomfortable. It may be a better hard copy, where you can just flip past all the filler and drama, and focus on the method, but it wasn't a worthwhile purchase for me at all. Not well written, an abundance of irrelevant material, no new techniques; unless you have no experience with dog obedience at all, you've probably heard/tried all of this before.

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62 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

It's OK to love your dog

Well, I enjoyed this book. I bought it expecting to learn more about Tamar's methods and I wasn't disappointed. I'm a dog lover and felt like I had finally found someone who shared my beliefs. You see, I'm a softee at heart and always shower my dogs with love and hugs, praise and treats, and they've responded beautifully. I have happy and well behaved dogs with very few problems. If you want another feel good book about loving your dog, get John O'Hurley's "It's OK To Miss The Bed On The First Jump". These are books for people who adore their dogs and recognize them for the abundance of love and playfullness they bring into a home. Throw away the prong collars, forget about endless walks until you're both ready to drop.

THE LOVED DOG. What a great title. If you have one, you'll know it.





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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wise, humane and very useful!

Tamar Geller´s audiobook has totally changed and improved my relationship with my one year old Boston Terrier. In her audiobook she explains her philosophy about "dog coaching" by interwining her lifestory and commenting about violent dog training methods that she does not agreee with. She comes from an abusive family and her narrative about this is important because she wants to make the point that violence is no way to raise children nor dogs. I enjoyed every minute of the audiobook because it had a good pace, and because it was well organized, with part one setting the foundation for her philosophy (and it is full of tips) and then Part 2, the actual how-to method. I had seen her on T.V. and one tip she gave totally had my dog having better "manners" and being more "polite" (she says we have to teach dog good manners just like we teach children), so I bought her audiobook and am relieved to have found the help I needed!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Method, very clear instructions

As we have just got a new puppy we got this audio book to listen to in the car on the long drive to take her to the beach - it is wonderful and gives you all you need to know teach your dog good manners in a way that you both enjoy. It does contain difficult subject matter to listen to when she describes the cruelty that she has witnessed, but the positive message of the book shines through. It teaches you all you need to know to manage your dog with Sit, stay etc but goes a lot further than that. There are descriptions of how to stop barking, heal dog anxieties and phobias and good lead walking. She uses treats and clear communication to help the dog learn best. We looked at the paper version of this book and realised that the audio version contains everything the book has. Wonderful book, well worth a purchase.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Finally an approach that makes sense

I'm quite the dog lover. I now have two wonderful companions, who unknowingly I was turning against me or confusing beyond belief. After listening to The Loved Dog, several times, and obtaining the printed copy, my loyal canine friends are now closer to me and much better behaved. Having a Border Collie and an Australian Sheppard, thier energy was almost more than I could handle. Now letting them react with one another, and with the rest of the family as a pack, we're all happier, and less stressed. There are times of course, when we are all tried, but I remember the book, and the dealing with the issues, Jumping, barking, etc. It doesn't take long to get everyone back on track. Thanks for the great insight and sharing your knowledge with the world.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

loved dog

It was so good that I just had to order the full audio book

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Detailed instructions nicely read!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Loved Dog to be better than the print version?

Yes, since the reader is very nice and because I don't need to read a book, and no, because the detailed instructions are easier to review in a printed book (which I ordered, since I like the book).

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Loved Dog?

Her horrible childhood story which made her motivation for her style of dog-training understandable.

Which character – as performed by Renée Raudman – was your favorite?

The author herself - and the many dogs who sometimes expressed their thoughts/feelings in human words.

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

Well my extreme reaction was that I listened to it more than 20 times - and will continue to listen to it.

Any additional comments?

Her critique of other trainers are mild and not offensive (as some other reviewers have stated). Her information about dog-mills was new to me and very informative.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow! what a great idea...

Being a longtime dog owner/lover, I've been through all the various "training" methods. This is the first one I've used that really makes the dog motivated to achieve results.
It even works on my Alaskan Malamute (a breed that separated itself from wolves when it realized that humans with opposable thumbs can feed canned food easier than chewing the cans open on your own (or just eating the human)).
Only downside.... the name dropping. Who cares?

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very helpful!

This is a great book. Lots of good tips that explain how to think like our dog so we understand each other better. The reader's voice is easy to listen to.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Too much personification

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Not speaking on behalf of the dogs.

Would you recommend The Loved Dog to your friends? Why or why not?

Not likely. There are an abundance of training books out.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Renée Raudman?

Yes, very soothing voice.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the very specific examples she gave of her techniques. She personified the dogs constantly and many people have a problem treating dogs like people. She went so far as to quote dogs thoughts and feelings. I think this is a huge mistake! The book was ok but I wouldn't recommend it.

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2 people found this helpful