I would not describe myself as a "doggy" person, although I do share life with two dogs, whom I adore, and was lent this book by someone whose dog I was minding whilst she was away. I found it absolutely fascinating. Being against vivisection, I was a little unsettled by reports of findings from experiments which did involve animals, but the author makes her own distaste for such practices quite clear, mentioning them only as evidence to support what she is saying.

There were some elements of dog behaviour mentioned which I felt did not have the same meaning in my own dogs as she suggested it did, and I was not convinced, for example, that all dogs I meet feel intimidated when I look them in the eye. But as someone who has recently been undertaking some petsitting, I feel the book has given me a lot more confidence in meeting unfamiiiar dogs and understanding their behaviour. Furthermore, it has actually given me some insight into human emotion and behaviour!

I think what appeals most to me in this book is that, although the writer is a animal behaviourist, she reveals that she is also a dog devotee, and becomes emotionally involved with her own dogs in much the same way as we non-professionals do. I found it heartwarming that even highly-educated and experienced dog "experts" suffer anguish at the illness and death of their own pets, and she acknowledges that grieving over the death of a dog is both healthy and normal.

I raved so much about the book that the person who lent it to me let me keep it and bought herself another copy. Although "scientific" in a way, it is very easy and enjoyable to read, and I will value it as a reference book in the future, and one I am likely to lend to other dog owners as I meet them through the petsitting.

Since taking in a cocker spaniel puppy two and a half years ago, I read every conceivable training manual and book, and still ended up with a bossy, dominant, 'naughty' although very loving companion. He would pull on walks, steal food from work surfaces and plates, jump up at visitors, bark hysterically at the front door.... the list goes on.

I took this book on holiday, and couldn't put it down or wait to get home and put his advice into action.

Training started immediately upon collecting Ralphie from the kennels; not having eye contact and waiting until he was calm-submissive before making a fuss; we haven't looked back.

Unlike many other 'training' books, Cesar Millan explains HOW he brings dogs round, not just that he did. I particularly liked his description of his own upbringing as it helped me understand the mindset, and although I wondered at the start if he would ever get into the tips and wrinkles of leading your pack, all the information was necessary to understand fully the concept of 'dog whispering'.

Like many other reviewers, I think this book should be issued with each dog; it would certainly have saved me a few tears!