How to Be the Leader of the Pack... And Have Your Dog Love You for It!

by Patricia B. McConnell

Learn how to love your dogs without spoiling them and provide boundaries without intimidation. This booklet clarifies how to be a benevolent leader and avoid aggression related to fear or dominance.

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction, Animals, Reference

16 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, (CAAB) has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals. She is known worldwide as an expert on canine and feline behavior and dog training, and for her engaging and knowledgeable dog training books, DVDs and seminars. Patricia has seen clients for serious behavioral problems since 1988, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching "The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships." For fourteen years she dispensed advice about behavior problems, and information about animal behavior research, on Wisconsin Public Radio's Calling All Pets, which was heard in over 90 cities around the country.

Patricia received her Ph.D. in Zoology in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison researching dog behavior and communication between professional trainers and working domestic animals.

Reviews

[Anya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty nifty guide on how to be a better parent to your dog. While a lot of things that Patricia McConnell mentions make sense, I disagree with her stance on letting dogs on the furniture. Our tiny smol dog is a very touchy-feely type and wants to be in constant physical contact with us when she sleeps at night in bed with us. Very interested in seeing what Dr Yin says about this!

[Katie Winkelman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is unbearably outdated, inaccurate, and not to be taken as good dog training/management advice. The booklet is surprisingly sided toward/similar to Dominance Theory which has been scientifically proven inaccurate and is not what Dr. McConnell advocates for. I loved the last couple sentences of the booklet, but the rest should essentially be disregarded, (in my opinion). I cringed reading it as it is such a disappointment from such a brilliant individual, as Dr. McConnell is. I strongly suggest reading scientifically up to date and ethically sound readings for dog training/mgmt advice.

[Cookie M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book for years, and it was my bible for understanding my dog's behavior.
The science behind her methods is a little dated now that we have had a chance to study wolves in their natural habitat. It turns out they are not pack animals, but life in family groupings, without a dominant alpha, but more parents and "aunties" who rule gently.
However, the basic outline of the methods here are sound, and beat the male dominate, physical display techniques of that other guy.
Have you ever tried rolling a herding dog puppy and pinning it down? Not pretty.

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several reviewers take issue with some of the wording in this book and that colored their reading of what McConnell is suggesting on how to interact with your dog. While I agree that the word choice is less than ideal, I find this pamphlet/ small book to be in line with her other teachings. The general idea is that it is important to lead your dog and not let him or her tell you what to do all the time. Her idea of raising a polite and patient dog resonates with me. While I have read much of what she discusses in this book in other books of hers (see my other reviews of Patricia McConnell books and pamphlets), I did find it helpful to have a short, clear, succienct version of her ideas in a handy pamphlet. This book helped me recognize that I had stopped being my dog's leader, aka parent, and had become his friend. I have noticed he is becoming more anxious and I suspect it is because I haven't been his mom and shown him that there is someone who will ensure his safety and happiness. Many dogs, and children, need some leadership and direction and my dog does fall into that category. My last dog needed that less, but did need it in situations where she was afraid. I have reimplemented many of McConnell's suggestions and am seeing positive results in my dog. I recommend reading this throughout the early years of your dog's life as a way to reflect on your relationship with your dog. I do recommend overlooking some of the language and to think more in terms of how to be your dog's parent and how to raise and polite and patient dog.

[Ana D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei, um livrinho pequeno que se lê num instante com boas dicas acerca de como manter a liderança. Atenção que ser líder não significa ser o "alpha" ou o "dominante" ou outras balelas do género. Significa apenas que devemos manter regras e não deixar o cão enlouquecer e fazer tudo o que lhe dá na gana, e isto faz-se aplicando, entre outras coisas, o castigo negativo do condicionamento operante, assim como o reforço positivo. Dou apenas 3 estrelas pois, para quem já está um pouco por dentro destes assuntos, como eu, não traz nada de novo. No entanto, é um bom livro para quem está a começar a aprender sobre cães e precisa de uma boa fonte de informação básica. No entanto, é sempre bom reler e relembrar estas informações!

[Nadia · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion, some decent guidelines for setting boundaries for your dog but way too concerned with outdated ideas about dominance and status that I just do not think apply to domestic dogs.

[Danielle Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I needed

I got a 9 month old GSD that was "trained". After she settled in I started seeing nipping, jumping, and only recognized sit command. After having bruising on all extremities (to the point I look like in in an abusive relationship). While looking at multiple training books and guidance Froom a trainer I find this book & it Nurse every issue I'm having. Now I have more tools to use with her training.

[Katsim Simons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the Cliff Notes version of The Other End of the Leash. I found TOEotL a very interesting read, but thus booklet pulls out the useful nuggets for you. Handy if you’re not a reader, though more dry than the longer version. If you’re a reader, I suggest reading TOEotL and grabbing this to save yourself from taking notes and use this as your quick reference guide.

[Richard Luk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful ideas and principles

This little book by the well-trusted Dr McConnell is about setting boundaries with your dog without intimidation. It provides useful ideas and principles. Alas for a beginner like myself, a more detailed step-by-step guide would be needed.

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Patricia books, but as this one is from 1996, some of the statements about dog behavior have been proven not true by the recent scientific research on canine behavior. Still, worth reading, but content needs to be filtered.

[anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's short, which is both a plus and a minus. It's informative, and it's already identified a couple of things that I've been doing wrong. Definitely not everything you need to know. Also definitely a good starting point for what to do.

[Susan L. George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good info!

This little book not only tells you what to do but let's you know what you have been doing that's inadvertently teaching your dog to train you!

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This was a great Pamphlet book on how to be the pack leader, and I found many tips to be true so I hope that everyone could have obedient dogs and lots of fun.

[Judy Dalimonte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Positive reinforcement

I learned a lot in this books. Some other things I was doing right and some other things I was doing wrong very informative

[Karina Loayza · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

Practical advice. I wish it’d have much more content.
Never disappoints Dr Tricia. A dog owner must read this book.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but oh so sweet

Some basic training tips that everyone should be reminded of and undertake every day to ensure a good, healthy, loving relationship between you and your dog.

[Cynthia L Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book focuses on Leadership exercises. I'm always interested in learning more ways to help our dogs understand their place. Patricia had some new ideas and techniques for me to implement.

[Eugenie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dog is a naturally good natured dog at home so it didn't really apply. The information is consistent with most dominance type dog training styles.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

We just brought a new rescue dog into our home -- one that is younger, less trained and more stressed than our previous dog was when we got her. This took me about ten minutes to read, and it won't be the only dog training book that I'll read, or the only training activity we'll undertake, but it provides us with some basic behavioral understanding and actions that will help minimize mistakes in the short term. This book is also good if you have, or will be sharing a home with, an already-trained dog, or if you aren't the primary caretaker of dogs in your household. This short book will help you to avoid inadvertently undermining previous or ongoing training.

[Jennifer Nazaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was assigned reading for my Pack to Basics group dog training class. Even though it was quite expensive, it was quite short (15 pages), but pretty dense. It outlines a philosophy of dog training by Patricia McConnell,PhD (I wonder what her PhD is in!) which makes a lot of sense to me. It gives clear directions on how to train your dog and what you should expect from her. It covers petting, lie down and stay, keeping out of your personal space, waiting at the door, off, how to integrate obedience into your day, and play. It's an easy read and I expect to re-read it many times as I train my dog over the next 3 months.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was disappointed to see that it is only about 20 pages long. Not really a book, more of a pamphlet. But it was full of helpful information. Short, sweet and to the point. Written so it is easily understood. A nice compliment to her book I have by this author, The Other End of the Leash.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a *very* short and simple read. There are not a lot of training tips, but the tips that are suggested make a lot of sense in working with dogs. I tried a couple of the techniques immediately, and they had the desired effect on my new addition.

[Elizabeth (Liz) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing how so much relevant knowledge is found in these few pages. I would recommend this book to anyone who has/is thinking of getting a dog. In my opinion, would make loving your dog and your dog loving you a much more rewarding experience

[Guesstimation · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative short read!

Lots of things to work on with my dogs, but I am encouraged by the way she worded things. She doesn't make you feel like a failure as a dog owner, but lovingly points out things to try.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a dog owner, dog lover, or just find yourself around dogs occasionally, please read this book.
Always practical, humane, and enlightened, Patricia McConnell's books offer valuable insights.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of her many additions to "The Other End of the Leash"

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is *terrific.* I recommend it for any & all dog owners (and have given it to literally dozens).

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little basic pamphlet one can refer back to.

[Erika Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, quick, and simple to understand with excellent training tips and behavior/body identifying. Good hand out for all multi-dog owners.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

basically, nothing in life is free.