Let the Dog Decide: The Revolutionary 15-Minute-a-Day Program to Train Your Dog -- Gently and Reliably

by Dale Stavroff

Training a dog doesn’t need to be a painful or frustrating experience for the dog and the owner. Many dog training books advocate techniques that rely on choke chains and force, which can confuse the dog and may condition him for disobedience, fear, resentment and aggression. Other methods rely on gentler “clicker” training, which isn’t always reliable and doesn’t work for all breeds. Let the Dog Decide changes all that by blending the best of both approaches in a simple program that can be done in just three daily 5-minute training sessions. It’s the book dog owners have been longing for, written by one of the world’s elite trainers, as respected in European dog sports as he is in North American circles. The secret to Dale Stavroff’s method is to focus training effectively on the dog’s psychology, realizing that if you win his mind and confidence in a gentle, understanding way, the animal will be happy to comply. By designing training sessions appropriately, and reinforcing and rewarding positive behaviour, Stavroff has created a method that works, without a choke chain, without yelling or hitting. Let the Dog Decide shows “the heart of Dogness”—the true nature of a dog’s world and how he really learns how to build benevolent eye contact and use proper body language how to train a dog that is not “leash dependent” solutions to common problems, including jumping up, feeding, house training and barking the secret to training older dogs In a series of step-by-step photographs and in clear and friendly text, Stavroff delivers a reliable, easy-to-follow method for building a positive, mutually respectful relationship between dog and owner. Let the Dog Decide is destined to become the definitive dog training guide.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 2007

Reviews

[Alina Khvatova · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has solid concepts for training the dog. Solid benevolent eye contact is the building block. Use of long line to covertly control the dog so it thinks that not the owner caused the sudden stop but the dog itself. It's kind of genius, really. Changing the mood of the dog was a big one for me - it starts with the handler's emotions. The idea of changing the dog's mood by building association between obedience and their mood, and then asking for a behaviour when the dog is upset to calm it down - I hope it works!

[GBooklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I basically liked this book and would read it again when I get another dog. There were some training real jewels in here. I remember though that his methods did not seem as gentle as he proclaimed them to be. The most valuable thing I got from the book was teaching your dog to look you in the eye. Oh, also to be emotionally enthusiastic when she does what you want her to do. : )

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a heck of a time slogging through this book. MANY of the things the author teaches are fantastic and very very useful! Alas, as he quickly states up front, not 'every' dog responds to his methods. Our dog is one of those types, WELL described in the back as an 'active resister'. One of the traits of this kind of dog is that they quickly figure out YOU are the one behind all the 'covert' training methods he uses, like the long-line and leash- (this type of dog is described by him as the 'best' kind of dog to own because once trained they are spectacular- but how helpful is that, if he can't show me how to train her!)

Unfortunately, all his methods rely heavily on this 'covert' kind of training- like attaching a long-line to the collar and stepping on it to cause a jerk the dog doesn't know comes from you. My dog was fooled untill the third time. Then the whole plan of training on a long line 'covertly' in the house was useless.

I DID like his other methods, which worked considerably better on her. The use of a 'Halti' instead of a 'gentle leader' had been a discovery we made some time ago, and his advice on how to use IT instead of covert control worked well. Also his advice, if you're not already well versed in how to train dogs without punishment, is well worth reading. He explains why 'clicker' training works, and when it does not suit the purpose at all!

Overall, I thought it was a good book, but it didn't really work out for me in the end. It's worth a read, but don't get too slogged down into it, like I did- or it will take forever to get through!

[Bella · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a canine behaviorist, I'm always researching to keep my mind open and training up-to-date. Stavroff's book started out with promise, but unfortunately couldn't deliver. There are rare tidbits of good advice and insights, but its mostly a load of nonsense that will no doubt confuse and disappoint dog lovers. Not impressed! Would not recommend!

[™yourbeautifulnightmaree™ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good dog handlin book!

[Papalodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often consult this book as a resource for training ideas and behavioral understanding - Max is always a challenge.