Happy household! Now. I have been wanting to write a review of this book for almost four years but could never figure out how to capture in words how great it is. So I will just do my best. This book saved my sanity and my rescue dog (adopted at the start of the pandemic in 2020) from going back to the shelter. In fact, we went on to adopt another one two years ago! Because of this book, people comment on how well trained they are.I agree with all the 5-star comments about how this book is fundamental in its approach. So much more than a book of recipes for specific commands. As people say, it helps you have a flexible approach that calms you and actually works. My first shelter dog was as sweet as could be, but knew no commands, had no manners in the house, was stressful to take for a walk (constantly pulling on the lead and peeing on every plant) and lunging with dangerously great force on the leash whenever he saw one of the many squirrels in our neighborhood. (I had no idea we had such a huge squirrel population before our dog, who turned out to be 50% hound, opened our eyes.) He was also a severe flight risk, as we quickly learned, if he saw a fox. He actually jumped through the screening on the porch more than once. The experience was very stressful and I was ready to return him after a week.But fortunately, we found Nigel Reed’s book and videos. Our shelter dog is now a great dog (although we never really attempted to completely combat the appeal of a fox).First, Nigel makes you think about what you actually want from a dog and how you see the dog fitting into your family and home. His approach is meant for those who want a happy and well-mannered dog. Not a circus animal.Second, he helps you to look at your dog differently and better understand how the dog sees and understands the world and how it processes information. For example, as he points out, dogs process very little verbal information which means that adding body language and hand signals really help to communicate.Third, he gives you methods and advice based on behavioral psychology with demonstrated effectiveness. This approach is an adaptable one to your unique dog and household.My second shelter dog, adopted in May 2022 and a very different breed mix, was also a lump of unmolded dogness – this time with no house training. I think he had never even been in a house. I re-read Nigel’s book and re-watched videos knowing that we could in time mold and integrate the dog. He too is now a great dog!Our dog story isn’t over. You need to keep up with maintenance training, and you have to adjust as the dog’s and your circumstances change. But the book's approach is always there to help you and your dogs!!

Great book, brilliant author - who is approachable and provide guidance via zoom I found this book after I've seen some of Nigel's online videos. It's great written and gives you a good overview how to approach your dog as a 1st time dog owner. Videos and the book is a great combination to prepare yourself for the arrival of your dog.However, I'm sure we are not the only ones, who watch a lot of videos, ordered books and other doggy stuff before the dog arrived - but once the dog has arrived, you realise all books can't help you in some situations.Our dog (rehomed) didn't sleep, after one week all of us have been sleep deprived. The dog seem to settle down during the day, but not at night. We've been desperate as we felt so sorry for our dog (and a bit for ourselves). We decided to send Nigel an email, asking whether he would be available for a call. And what shall we say, we got a call same morning! His advice was brilliant and it helped our dog to sleep same night from 9 to 5 (and so us as well).It was the first time that I contacted an author of a book and it really worked out great. Happy dog, happy owner. 🙂

It has changed my life and my dogs Loved it! It really works. It’s worth buying it! I have a German shepherd, a rottweiler and a mutt dog, and I am so impressed on how things are really different In our house lately. The dogs are way better and I can finally go for walks with them. Thanks a lot!

Brilliant and actionable An excellent book that changes our view of 'training' (aka controlling) the dog to educating the owner on the language by which he/she can communicate with their pet to set up a good working relationship. This approach avoids control, which as Nigel Reed points out, does not help: the dog is coerced to behave in a particular way, but because it is never given the chance to feel secure or to understand what is going on, it still feels the same inside and so at any time may ping out of that superficial controlled appearance. It is also compassionate to all those dogs with 'challenging' behaviours who are simply being dogs. They appear challenging, he points out, because their owners don't know how to communicate with them and do not understand what the dog is conveying to them. Nigel Reed has distilled his many years of research into dog, wolf and human psychology into an accessible 220 pages of clearly written, practical guidance. I can confirm that his method works and that it takes all the stress out of 'training'. Finally: a method that is cool, calm and just makes sense. Coming to the book as a piece of literature: it is beautifully written (the language is clear, intelligent and to the point), plus it is utterly gripping and unputdownable. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. 10 stars with a Bonio on top.

The best, essy to follow training advice I have received (and, trust me, there has been a lot!). After trying at least four different trainers, I felt more confused than ever about how to help my adorable girl overcome her fear of buses and noisy traffic. Her anxiety was ruining our walks and spoiling her fun; instead of feeling excited to go out, Tilly would run and hide when I picked up her lead.Nigel’s philosophy about dogs and how to train them is easy to grasp and really works. His book explains, in simple steps, how to understand what motivates your dog and how to correct undesirable behaviours (it works for all breeds and all ages, regardless of your dog’s history, so no excuses left! ;). Nigel’s advice leads to better communication with your dog and shows you how to be the guardian your dog needs you to be ... a calm, convincing, consistent, firm but fair leader.One week after putting his tips into practice, I can already see changes in Tilly’s behaviour, just from adjusting my own. If you want a confident, well-behaved, happy dog, you don’t need to look any further than Nigel’s book (but he kindly offers some videos if you find visual training helps, like me). I feel I have become more confident, calmer, and happier too, so it’s a win-win situation for me and Tilly! Right, I’m off to do some training with my girl. Thank you so much, Nigel!

A fantastic eye opener book for a dog guardian! I just loved the book. the first book about dogs that I read from the first to the last page! It is easy to read, straight to the point. The guidance is so easy to apply. Everything makes perfect sense. It is very practical. I keep going back to it to make sure I follow the guidance properly. I love the videos that you can watch on some topics as well. I love the case studies as you can refer them to your own dog. I started to apply the guidance from day one and my dog Lucy has already shown signs of change....and I feel I am a better leader/guardian. The method is brilliant and logic. Nigel's words are easy understood. Nigel is also very encouraging in the book. The only reason that Lucy might be slower is that I need to make sure and convince everybody in contact with Lucy to do exactly the same...and for me convincing people is harder to do than guide Lucy! Believe me! I recommend the book 100%! I am also very interested now in the seminars too. And I would be very open to another book maybe? a book of more case studies or anything that helps understand even more dogs. Christele, a happy dog guardian!

Very good This book is a very clear, easy-to-follow guide to training and living with your dog. I like the core concept of understanding and working with your dog's mind (rooted on the behaviours and principles of the wolf pack) rather than trying to mould his/her thinking to our own. In this sense it is dog-centric and makes use of the dog's own inherent psychology.Why not 5 stars? After an initial reading, it is most useful as a referral guide, yet there is no index to help to find specific passages quickly. The chapter headings are not clear indicators of their contents. So it often requires some flicking through the pages to re-find the section that is needed. I also have to say I think this book is a little expensive for a 227-page paperback.Having read this book I discovered Jan Fennell's books. Jan was the originator of this approach (this book repeats her concepts and overall approach). Her book The Practical Dog Listener is more structured, has an index and so acts as a more efficient reference book than this one; it makes a good companion volume to The Dog Guardian.But these are minor quibbles - if I could have given 4.5 stars, I would; with an index it would have been 5 stars. It is a very good book: well-written, easy to follow, and it deserves recommendation.