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

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)

Incredibly Helpful and So Well Written

What a powerful book! The heartfelt anecdotes paired with the brilliant training methods made it such a pleasure to read. I have already implemented several of Tamar's tactics with my dog, with great results so far. Very impressed with this book, and really enjoyed the narrator as well!

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.

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?

Every dog owner please read this book.

This is far and away the finest book on dogs I have ever read.Clear and straightforward advice on how to train your dog in a loving and compassionate manner. This is about the very antithesis of what many trainers teach, as it avoids the horrible methods of inducing fear, pain and confusion in dogs.
I am an animal healer and this book will tell you everything you need to form a healthy, well behaved pet and one with its beautiful nature intact. Nothing in the book will cause anything but a smarter owner and a highly functional animal.
Lastly there is some important information about what not to do, and a fittingly fierce call to be active in the ending of puppy mills, one of the most horrific practices still legal in America.
You and your dog will be forever glad to have learned from this talented, devoted and gifted teacher.

loved dog

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

The answer I have been looking for!

I have also had a childhood of abuse, and the way I was being told to train my dog made me sick...and it doesn't work! This has told me everything that I need to know and why it works! And I get to follow my heart and make my home a wonderful home for my dog, my husband and me.

Excellent book

Keeps your attention. I think every dog owner should listen to this book in fact I think every dog that gets adopted the new owner should be given a copy of this audiobook it could save so many lives dog lives. I can't say enough good things about it this is how I believe in training dogs and the way that this author puts it into words and explains it and puts her own backgroun and upbringing into it just hold your attention and makes it even more understandable very good book excellent

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!

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.

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.