Be the Pack Leader

Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog...and Your Life

By: Cesar Millan, Melissa Jo Peltier

Narrated by: John H. Mayer

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Cesar Millan takes his principles of dog psychology a step further, showing you how to develop the calm-assertive energy of a successful pack leader and use it to improve your dog’s life - and your own. 

Filled with practical tips and techniques as well as real-life success stories from his clients (including the Grogan family, owners of Marley from Marley & Me) and his popular television show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, Cesar helps you understand and read your dog’s energy as well as your own so that you can move beyond just correcting behavioral issues and take your connection with your dog to the next level. The principles of calm-assertive energy will help you become a better pack leader in every area of your life, improving your relationships with friends, family, and coworkers. 

In addition, Cesar addresses several important issues for the first time, including what you need to know about the major dog behavior tools available and the difference between “personality” and “instability.” Ultimately, what emerges from Be the Pack Leader are both happier dogs and happier, more centered owners. 

An Audible for Dogs Pick: Make your dog's day. Cesar Millan shares how audiobooks can make dogs happier and calmer. Learn more.

©2007 Cesar Milan and Melissa Jo Peltier (P)2007 Books on Tape

Great Dog Book

Millan offers sensible, practical advice for dog-owners. The basic message I got out of this book is that dogs respond best to a balanced, assertive leader who can provide a structured and orderly environment, and the book provides lots of insight on how to accomplish this. By controling the kind of "energy" you present to your dog, and giving the correct amounts of exercise, discipline and affection you can solve many problems.

I have a 2 year old lab-pyrenees cross with a LOT of energy. Since reading this book and applying much of the advice I have noticed significant improvements in his leash and off-leash walking behaviour, jumping, whining and yard escapes.

I highly recommend this book to all dog owners (current or potential).

Pack leader

This book was great. I have listened to it twice now and really enjoyed it. It is a great demonstration of Ceser's techniques. It is in depth of how to do what he is asking you to do and why it works. He goes over how to project the right kind of energy. He covers indepth the different tool available, and positive and negative reinforcment. This is a great book for people thinking about getting a dog as well as current dog owners.

Not just about dogs!

It is an amazing piece of work. This book has many insightful ideas that will improve important aspects of anyone's life. It should be required reading(listening)for any supervisor at any level.

Pop psychology and New Age-y, little real content

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book contains very little actual dog training material. Instead it's filled with references to new age-type concepts: balance, energy, whole person. with no real meaning. Cesar M. might be a good dog trainer. No doubt. However based on his TV show and all the books he managed to publish and sell he is really good at hiding his actual dog training methods behind empty content. All of these concepts like "pack leader", structure, alpha dog have been thoroughly discredited by many scientists.

Unfortunately scientists don't have widely marketed and big budget TV shows to promote real discoveries. The result: books like this one. If someone likes pop psychology then this book will definitely fit the bill. Nothing against pop psychology but it has nothing to do with dog training.I'm not even touching his constant use of the word "energy" in so many variations. There is negative energy, positive energy, energy balance.

Even if we take these as metaphors and not something with actual substance it has become a linguistic crutch after the first chapter.

In the chapter about Tycoon (the first case) Cesar M. uses most of the space to describe himself, his feelings, the client, Tycoon's "journey" from a macho to softer person, struggles of the Tycoon's personal assistant, house maid's feeling and body language, private jets, Cesar's LA's training facility, but practically nothing to describe how he actually solved the problem with his client's dogs. I maybe I missed it somehow.

What about John H. Mayer’s performance did you like?

John H. Mayer's narration is actually pretty good.

Disppointed

What disappointed you about Be the Pack Leader?

I've expected some practical tips and techniques, but it was most the advertising of the show and the author himself. The only practical advise was given in the descriptions of different collars and some of the training tools.

What could Cesar Millan and Melissa Jo Peltier have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I would appreciate some step-by-step instructions rather than the general story how Cesar helped one or another client.

The hands-on advice I needed!

I'm a fan, and read another book by Cesar based on his general principles, Be the Pack Leader is the one that gave me the tools I needed to feel comfortable putting his advice into practice. The changes have been remarkable, and our pack is already reaping the benefits. It's constantly on my IPod for easy reinforcement. Loved it!

Be the Pack Leader-Not very good

I was actually very disappointed in this book.

I would say about 10% of the book was useful information to teach you how to become a better pack leader. The other 90% was about plugging his TV show or just words to fill a book.

The narrator was very painful to listen to. His voice is so monotonic that I actually needed to shut the book off because it was putting me to sleep while I was driving. I have listened to about 100 audio books and never one have had this issue.
Perhaps the abridged version of the book would be a better choice.

Dominance theory has been discredited

Don't waste your time with Cesar. Dominance theory in dog training has been continually shown to be less effective than positive reinforcement training, and can have negative effects on your relationship with your dog.

Understand the once Misunderstood..

Thank Goodness for Cesar's CLEAR, SIMPLE and AFFECTIVE leading..

After reading (listening) to this Audio Book, I now have a better understanding of the ever so misunderstood subject of Dog-to-Human relationships. Mr. Millan truly has been gifted with an understanding of what is going on "inside a dog's head". Every dog owner should pick up this selection. It will open up doors to a BETTER, HEALTHIER and more PEACEFUL relationship between You and Your BEST FRIEND!!

A MUST read for all Cesar Millan Fans and dog owner..

A prophet

Cesar Millan is a special gem on this Earth. listen and follow his words and you will be a better person.