The Loved Dog

The Playful, Nonaggressive Way to Teach Your Dog Good Behavior

By: Tamar Geller, Andrea Cagan

Narrated by: Renée Raudman

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!

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.

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.

The key to life itself is…

I appreciated the analogies that gave excellent understanding of what dogs experience from a dog’s perspective. This book is clear and honest. It explains the key to life itself and anyone adopting a dog would benefit from reading it. Actually it comes down to do unto others as you would have done to yourself.
The narrator’s voice was wonderful and made listening very enjoyable.
I love the content of this book and really identified with it.