• The Other End of the Leash

  • Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs
  • By: Patricia McConnell PhD
  • Narrated by: Ellen Archer
  • Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,544 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Other End of the Leash  By  cover art

The Other End of the Leash

By: Patricia McConnell PhD
Narrated by: Ellen Archer
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.05

Buy for $21.05

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The Other End of the Leash shares a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs, focusing on our behavior in comparison with that of dogs. An applied animal behaviorist and dog trainer with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell looks at humans as just another interesting species, and muses about why we behave the way we do around our dogs, how dogs might interpret our behavior, and how to interact with our dogs in ways that bring out the best in our four-legged friends.

After all, although humans and dogs share a remarkable relationship that is unique in the animal world, we are still two entirely different species, each shaped by our individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (like wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation.

The Other End of the Leash demonstrates how even the slightest changes in your voice and the way you stand can help your dog understand what you want. Once you start to think about your own behavior from the perspective of your dog, you'll understand why much of what appears to be doggy disobedience is simply a case of miscommunication. Inside you will learn:

  • How to use your voice so that your dog is more likely to do what you ask
  • Why "getting dominance" over your dog is a bad idea
  • Why "rough and tumble primate play" can lead to trouble - and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of trouble
  • How dogs and humans share personality types - and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than "alpha-wannabes!"

In her own insightful, compelling style, Patricia McConnell combines wonderful true stories about people and dogs with a new, accessible scientific perspective on how they should behave around each other. This is a book that strives to help you make the most of life with your dog, and to prevent problems that might arise in that most rewarding of relationships.

©2002 Patricia B. McConnell (P)2016 Audiobooks.com Publishing

What listeners say about The Other End of the Leash

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,259
  • 4 Stars
    193
  • 3 Stars
    67
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    8
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,140
  • 4 Stars
    170
  • 3 Stars
    35
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,087
  • 4 Stars
    183
  • 3 Stars
    62
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    10

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A MUST READ for anyone who has or wants a dog!

Also a "Should Read" for anyone who has had a dog or loves dogs! This is by far the BEST book about dog friends and companions that I have found--ever. Not only is the writing conversational and the examples clear, they cover every possible situation a dog owner might encounter w/excellent suggestions on how to remedy the problem. The performance was equally outstanding, as Ellen Archer came across so convincingly, I had to check to see that it was not the author herself reading the story. In every aspect, this book was a real winner in my estimation. Instructive, educational and thoroughly entertaining as well. So much so, that I am contemplating buying the hard copy as a reference source. I no longer have a dog, but am planning on eventually getting another when our days of long distance travel have been satisfied.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

35 people found this helpful

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

A look at how your dog looks at life

If you could sum up The Other End of the Leash in three words, what would they be?

As said many times, not a training book, but a good book to stop and take a look at your dogs probable thinking patterns, which affects training and so much more. I have a border collie, with a bit of Pit in her heritage. This book helped me understand her better, and opened up new ideas to getting through to her mood changes from loving to somewhat mean and very protective. We are breaking through some new barriers, I had began to give up on.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Other End of the Leash?

The authors moments with her sheep dog, turned best friend.

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

No.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Probably not, but it did keep me coming back.

Any additional comments?

A bit wordy, and definitely not a training book per say, but should be a first book for all who want to train. I have a rescue who we have reason to believe was abused. Our first trainer was very loving, and our puppy cared very much for her and learned quickly. When she joined the police K-9 the new trainer trained with rough, jerks and pulls. Our dog resisted this training. The book goes into this type of activity, and the fact that earning the dogs love is first and most important. Makes me feel better about the fact that I was not being more forceful breaking our dog from her growls and snaps. Not raising my voice, and staying calm has moved us forward in our goals. The book did not tell me what to do, but showed me the mental approach, and what my dog was thinking. Fantastic results.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

18 people found this helpful

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

awesome information

great information in a relatable manner by comparing hope humans expect a dog to do vs. what they're capable of

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

18 people found this helpful

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

Excellent!

this should be a must-read for every prospective dog owner. Great read for both novice and long time dog owners. Very well written.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

18 people found this helpful

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

Could be great with a little less about the author

Other reviewer said this is well, the author almost seems to be defending her credibility to write this book. So much of the book was useful, but it took a very strong stomach keep hearing about her academic proficiency. It would do her well to do a rewrite and take most of that out, it belongs on the jacket of the book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

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

The other end of the leash

The narration is superb and the information visa vi style of written word, and thourough illustrative treatment of important literature; was; imho ... Left nothing lacking.
If you train, or are part of a handling team or a compassionate,cerebral pet owner this book will fulfill that craving to understand modern techniques and how you can use them to develope that dream relationship across species that I as therapy dog enthusiast, really craved.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

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

Not as helpful as I hoped

Some decent individual points about how to use body language to communicate better with dogs, but the great majority of the book was bloated with personal anecdotes about how much the author loves her dogs.

I was disappointed as there was very little info on how to correct a dogs behavior or thoughts on overall training methodology.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

15 people found this helpful

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

Redundant

The entirety of the information presented in this book could be conveyed in a fraction of its length. I have never listened to a book about dog training or behavior, still this information is basic and simple and presented as if the audience were young children. Bearing the repetition of ideas was an exercise in patience. As a doctoral candidate, I found the frequency that the author invokes her PhD and occupation to be rather childish. We already purchased her book. I felt it was superfluous to reaffirm herself as an expert. I'm usually an easy reviewer.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

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

Required Reading

Don't get a "Dog To Be" or adopt one without reading this book. Your dog will forever be grateful that you did!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

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

Excellent, but...

While I came away from this book with some helpful hints (consistent single word commands and don't keep repeating and raising one's voice) and certainly some fascinating insights into canine behavior, I felt it was written mostly with the larger breed dog in mind. I was hoping to find a couple of answers such as why my 7-year-old rescue Shih Tzu sometimes stops dead in the middle of the street and refuses to budge. On a leash, no cars around if you're wondering. Treats have taught her to stop, wait for a treat, come to me, and then stop again for the next treat. Not always, but often enough.

Teaching her to not jump on visitors' legs at the door and strangers we meet in the street -- who I think without exception lean down and PAT her head just the way McConnell says is the way it shouldn't be done -- wasn't in the book. It seemed all about blocking large dogs with one's body.

Long story short I am thankful that McConnell takes the spare the rod approach to dog training. I would no more strike my pet than I would have my child. But it's scary to think how people searching for help in pet training might take the advice of some so-called expert who believes otherwise.

As I finish this commentary we've just played another game of catch me if you can so I can go on a walk. And I realize we've somehow taught her this (or she has taught us), but I wish I'd come away from reading this book with a solid step one, step two, etc.

Maybe I missed the summary where it says ... Use this type of sound or this type of command when for this situation and do this with smaller dogs, etc.

Excellent overall; maybe on a second read I'll discover something I missed.

PS -- Dog viewing is as appealing as open casket people viewing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful