I thought this would be a delightful book for my dog and I . However, I did not enjoy it. The Author was way off with the things she was telling you to do with your dog. Just like humans every dog is different and Im sure this approach would work for some but not for mine.
Thanks to netgalley and Inner Traditions for the ARC Copy

New pandemic puppy? Grab this book and start in to training your new best friend.
Great cues and great insights of the dogs life.
Good luck dog lovers. Its a journey.

This book has a lot of different techniques for training your dog, mostly using 'calming' methods through meditation. I didn't feel like it was all useful to me, but it would be good to revisit it when I get another dog. I'm not big on meditation, so I felt like using these techniques would require training myself to put my mind and body in a more calm state when working with my dog. This would be a great book for brand new dog owners to learn some new tips and tricks, and also to help decrease the anxiety we face when bringing a new dog into the home.

I really found this book useful with two dogs in the house. The arc of protection was especially good and we use this all the time and it’s really helped with our lockdown puppy. it’s written in a friendly way and full of really useful advice. Walking the two dogs is difficult but after reading this and trying some of the techniques it is getting better. It’s not an overnight cure and requires patience and consistency but I see a change already.

I got this self help book to give me tips with my dog. I find that with self help books, I'm not totally onboard with everything but there's usually something that I can take from it. And that is the situation here.

**Firstly, and I don’t think any of the other reviewers have mentioned this, but the watermark “For Review Only” which is carried on every single page through the book drove me nuts and spoiled my reading experience. I’ve never come across this in any Netgalley proof in the 3 years I’ve been with Netgalley. First I downloaded it to my Kindle but everywhere where the watermark appeared it interfered with the font in the actual text of the book, making parts of sentences appear in very large text with the watermark stuck mid-sentence. So I then tried it using the Netgalley Shelf app. Here it was better, but I had to turn my tablet landscape so that I could make the text big enough to read, but still the watermark tended to make the couple of lines of text where it was appearing difficult to make out.**

On to the book. I read half of the book. I requested the book before I went on holiday, a holiday that was er….challenging with our Jack Russell dog. I couldn’t wait to get home and start reading this book, desperately hoping for some tips on how we could maybe at least control some of his very loud and very constant barking. He is very noise reactive and barks at just about every conceivable little noise, no matter how far away.

Whilst the book is interesting, I felt very sceptical that this was going to help with our specific problem. As I got to the section on training Bon Jovi to become a calmer dog along with training the owner to be likewise, and the method used of staring at the dog whilst waving a bowl of food in front of it for 10 minutes, I did begin to wonder at the methods being used. I belong to a FB Group for dog training and they always use positive reward for training, I did think they would frown somewhat on the mention of Alpha power and Asset Ownership.

In all honesty I don’t think I would have enough belief in what I’d read so far to think it might work with our dog and so lost interest. I think sometimes with very difficult, ingrained behaviour (our dog is 8 years old and a rescue) a book can’t replace one to one training from a qualified behaviourist so I left the book at the half way point, and to be honest I didn’t have the patience to carry on because of the watermark issue mentioned above.

My main issues with this book are less of style and substance than of belief - I just happen to believe very differently than the author. Admittedly, he clearly has way more experience and is probably right. I still hold to my beliefs in this case, however.

For example, his description of how easily a dog can be trained to ignore, say, squirrels. He describes how a simple repetition of sitting and jumping behaviors will have any dog "simply" ignoring their predatory instincts and focusing solely on you, their cool and collected human.

His repeated use of the term "perfect dog" is irking...there is no such thing, just as there is no perfect human. He also frequently refers to dogs as peaceful and selfless creatures, but also consistently uses the pronoun 'it' with regard to them. I couldn't get past these two style issues, no matter how I tried.

The cover is really cute, though! ;)

"Helping you cultivate empathy, awareness and confidence to become the "peaceful alpha' your dog craves, this guide shows how to strengthen your human-animal bond, communicate with actions, read body language, and command with respect and love." Sounds like a great book doesn't it?! That is why I requested a review copy. As a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed), I am always on the lookout for new ways to help my pet dog owner clients teach their dog and build a trusting relationship. Oh, boy, THS IS NOT THAT BOOK!!!! It should read "helping you destroy any semblance of a bond with your dog through the use of fear, intimidation and coercion."

Where to start .... this is just the kind of so-called dog training book that should never be put out for public consumption. Unfortunately, the dog training industry is not regulated, so anyone can give themselves the title of "master dog trainer" and write a book filled with poor advice.

To begin with, the "alpha" and "dominance" theory that was popularized by David Mech in his work with captive wolves, has been thoroughly debunked. Even Dr. Mech, himself, has stated on multiple occasions that the theory was erroneously applied to wolves and should never have been applied to dogs. That said, the myth continues to be perpetuated by books such as this one and by certain famous "dog trainers". To continue to perpetuate this ideology, which has resulted in the abuse of countless dogs as the hands of owners who unknowingly thing that they are doing the right thing, is absolutely unethical.

"The suddenness of my assertive touch sobered her. Instinctually, she knew it was time to surrender, because making contact on the nape of a dog's neck is a familiar connection point communicating status and authority." "Instinctively, I placed what I call my "Kung Fu Finger" gently on the scruff of his neck. When we touch our dogs on the nape of the neck, we remind them that we are the authority. This is where their mother picked them up when they were young and where aggressive dogs target their attacks." This is an example of how to use body signals that are perceived as aggressive by a dog to cause a dog to respond in fear. You are not communicating status and authority, you are communicating aggression and instilling fear of you in your dog.

"By mimicking the body language of an alpha dog as they seize assets or guard territory, we can counter-condition our dog's excitement to any power object both quickly and calmly by leveraging a very simple law in the animal kingdom: the top dog always east first, claims the asset with ease, and chooses the best resting spot with grace." "When a wolf hunt comes to an end, no pack member dares to show excitement around the spoils, nor do they even think about eating before the alpha male and female of the pack." Again, the author demonstrates his lack of knowledge of wolf biology, his lack of understanding of the alpha myth and his ignorance to the fact that dogs are not pack animals in the first place.

"After your dog retreats as a result of your intensified, fear-generating actions, place the bowl on the floor between your feel. This is known as the Asset Ownership position." This type of behavior - the use of fear to train your dog not to guard resources is EXACTLY how you teach a dog to guard resources! Any real dog trainer who is current on the science and research of dog behavior would know this and never recommend this type of behavior to dog owners.

"Trust the process. Be patient, and remain in the asset-guarding position because the fun part of the training session has only just begun. Now hat you have established ownership over the object your dog desires, they will not attempt to snatch it unless you lose focus and become distracted. Observe your dog over the next 10 minutes or so as its attention becomes single pointed on the hot dog (the object of their meditation). Notice as your dog progresses through increasingly relaxed positions, organically searching for stillness in their body." Translation: Continue to intimidate and bully your dog with your aggressive stance and delight in his continued efforts to use appeasement gestures to get you to stop aggressing towards him. This is reprehensible behavior on the part of the author.

"For example, when your dog snatches a dirty sock from your laundry for a game of tug, make your assertive noise, march toward them in a straight line, and watch as they drop the sock and offer you a Calming Signal." Translation: The next time your dog grabs a sock and tries to initiate play with you, advance on him in the scariest stance possible until he drops the sock in terror and tries to appease you with his body language. Wow! Rather than scaring the crap out of your dog, you could just present a toy to trade for the sock and then engage in a game with your dog.

"The proximity of your dog in relation to the power object you have seized represents the level of respect they have for your status. The farther away they are, the more they respect your authority." Honestly, do you even hear yourself?!? The farther you dog runs from you, the more terrified they are of you...period!

"Begin to imagine that you're a lion, an animal no dog would dare challenge. Slowly stand up, and remain still; this is now as Mountain Pose in yoga. Softly gaze at your dog, sending it the tiniest vibration of fear and inviting it for a challenge." Again, be sure to instill fear of owner in your dog ....

"Alphas are conscientious commanders. We don't ask our dogs to do things; we tell them to do things. They listen to us and serve us with joy, because our actions meant love in all forms." What a crock of #)($&#! Dogs are sentient captive beings who deserve to make choices for themselves - they are NOT little robots build for our pleasure. What kind of a meditation instructor champions this type of behavior toward other beings?

"From the moment we bring a dog into our home, they expect us to behave like an alpha." Yeah, no, from the time we bring a dog into our home, they expect use to behave like a friend and a family member.

"The polite thing to do when walking your dog past another dog is to communicate that you have non-playful yet peaceful intentions. You want both your dog and the dog you're passing to know that you're not interested in aggression nor in playing. Communicate this to all parties by placing your dog on the other side of any dogs you encounter and walking past the dogs in a arc. Gauge the size of the arc needed by the reactivity of the dogs in question. If both dogs remain calm and tension-free on the leash, then of course a polite bum sniff is acceptable. Just don't linger; get on with the walk. It is easier to keep a calm dog calm than it is to calm it down." How does this pretty accurate advice come out of the same person as "When presenting your dog with their food, claim it first as a power object. Once your dog is fully surrendered, reward them by letting them eat."

The author has read a bit about body language, I will give him that. He mentions in several places, how one would use body language to dispel tension; however, he is simply not able to let go of the power trip that he is on. For example, "I wanted to set the dog at ease, so I took an exaggerated step backward and yanked in her direction. I encouraged Malchi to stand closer to me, assuming the guarding position himself, then to stare at his dog for a few seconds." Turgid Rugaas, a Norwegian dog trainer, has a wonderful book called "On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals," in which she goes through the many calming signals that dogs display and how you can imitate those signals to help relax a fearful or anxious dog. Yawning is one such signal, and it has been shown that yawning in the presence of an anxious dog can calm them. But, then Sternberg follows this up by directing the dog owner to use aggressive body language (staring) to force his fearful dog into submission. Another fantastic book on dog body language is "Doggie Language" by Lili Chin.

"Train your dog's digestive system to take in one big meal a day. Fasting is natural for all animals (and humans) and keeps the body healthy. The side benefit is that it's easier to pick up one big poop a day as opposed to three small ones." (shaking my head here). Um .... if you did not think ahead to the fact that your dog will need to eliminate himself and you will need to pick it up, then you have not thought enough about whether or not you are ready to get a dog. And, if you are so lazy that you are arranging your dog's feeding schedule so that you need only pick up once a day, then I would argue that you are too lazy to have that dog.

"Take 10 conscious breaths. Slowly leash your dog, and tether them to something in front of them. Form a lasso with the second leash, placing it around your dog's hindquarters, and fasten it to another fixture behind them. This gently restraint will keep your furry guru standing still and safe. Now it's time to begin the working meditation of grooming your dog with love." Translation: Tie your dog by the neck to one fixture, then tie their hind end to another so that they cannot move away when you advance on them. Here is a better idea. Condition your dog to associate grooming with good things like treats and petting so that your dog is happy to lie down with you to be brushed. Deborah Jones, a legend in the dog training world and a PhD in psychology has a wonderful book out called Cooperative Care: Seven Steps to Stress-Free Husbandry. She also runs a fantastic Facebook group on the topic.

This sequence on potty training sickens me. "An eagle can swoop down and catch prey when it least expects it, so be like the eagle, and catch your dog in the moment it makes an indoor potty. In this moment, snap your fingers or make a gently conflict-seeking sound, followed by direct eye contact. This action is the "bad cop" moment, and the forbidden age clearly communicates "no." Don't feel sad or thing your puppy will get mad at you. Remember, fear is a normal email, and animals don't relate to it like we do." So, we take a puppy who has been on this earth for only 2-3 months, pull him away from his mother and littermates and dump him into a strange environment with strange people. Let's build a bond with that puppy through fear and intimidation .... Rather, take the responsibility to take your puppy outside every hour or two and after every meal so that he can go potty - then reward the heck of him every time he potties outside. If he happens to make a mistake in the house, don't say anything - just clean the area thoroughly. Punishment only instills the fear of going potty when you are around - therefore, if you forget to take him outside, he will go find a safe place away from you to go potty. Seriously, folks, think about how you go about potty training a human child. You don't do that through fear and punishment. If you have. a puppy, may I recommend a few good books on the topic by world class dog trainers: The Puppy Primer by Dr. Patricia McConnell (a PhD in animal behavior), Perfect Puppy in 7 Days by Dr. Sophia Yin (a veterinarian), Before and After Getting your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar (a veterinarian and pioneer in positive dog training), or The Puppy Whisperer by Paul Owens (a certified dog behavior consultant and trainer).

"Puppies chew things to explore, learn, and soothe the pain of teething. How we react in these moments shapes their future behavior." Absolutely true ... but here is where the author gets it totally wrong. "Screaming or showing excitement, for example, quickly turns the act of teething into an interactive game. On the other hand, acting assertively and using Alpha tactics to guard the moccasin like a resource (a power object) would effectively stop Rambo from chewing them. Asserting yourself in this fashion to such a young pup, however, makes you come across as unnecessarily scary. It's not age-appropriate until about six months of age." So, screaming and yelling like a lunatic is inappropriate, but using fear and aggression stances is okay .... but only once your puppy is at least 6 months old. Seriously, I can't even ..... First, if you have a puppy, put the things you don't want chewed out of reach - or just don't get a puppy. Puppies and dog chew .... that is what dogs do. Make sure your puppy has plenty of appropriate chew toys and encourage him to chew on those by using items such as Kongs that can be filled with food or treats to entice the dog to choose to chew on them over your shoes.

"a wise peaceful Alpha, the Healthy Side of Fear, the Kung Fu Finger, the Asset Ownership position, the Forbidden Angle, the Mountain Pose, Sequence of Surrender".... This book is filled with such garbage terms that simply try to BS the dog owner into believing that the use of fear and intimidation is not really using fear and intimidation if you give it a "zen"-sounding name.

I gave the book 1 star, but would have liked to have given it 0 stars.

As a dog owner, I was set to give this book 5 stars until I read a review by a professional dog trainer that made me reconsider some of the philosophy and techniques the author advocates, which may not be based on documented behavioral science in animals. From my reading over the past seven years since we adopted our rescue pup, there seems to be as much controversy in dog training circles as there is parenting advice for raising children. I’ve tried lots of techniques with our dog (who we think lived on the streets for a period of time) with varying degrees of success. Perhaps readers should exercise discretion and follow the adage, “Take what you like and leave the rest.” The bottom line is to know your pet, know yourself and follow your inner knowing.

The author notes that dog owners tend to fall into two categories (and probably many of us vacillate between the two): pleasers and controllers…and neither stance is particularly effective. I do agree with the philosophy that problem behaviors in dogs are either sourced or exacerbated by the emotional states and behaviors of their owners. As the author notes, we communicate far more non-verbally with our attitude, body language and tone of voice than with our words. That said, the recommendation to cultivate a peaceful (Zen) approach to dog interactions makes a lot of sense and as I have become more attuned to the effect of my feelings and body language, I have seen significant improvement in my dog’s reactive behavior. I get instant feedback from him as he reflects my tone and stance.

The book is well-written and well-organized. Each chapter focuses on a specific topic and contains vignettes from the author’s own experience or that of his clients, simple illustrations, and a summary of Training Tips. The mediations included for the reader are helpful in cultivating a more peaceful, balanced approach to life in general – very supportive in these chaotic times.

In summary, I found a lot of useful information, particularly in understanding the calming signals my dog uses to communicate his comfort or discomfort with the energies present within himself, in me or in the environment. However, I am left a bit dismayed by the salient points the professional dog trainer made about owner behavior and techniques that instill or reinforce fear in a dog. Consequently, I will continue to rely on my intuition and further my research on how to best support my rescue dog.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This book is easy to follow and gives you practical tips for how to train your dog. There are some scenarios I wish the author went into more detail on. I also feel that he makes many assumptions about what is bad, and I can't entirely agree with some of the things he thinks need to be fixed.

A great starting place for a new dog owner.

This is a book about training and being more in tune with your dog. Meditation practices are also included. There are some good strategies that make a lot of sense, however some are a little out there for me personally. Dog people should give it a try!

This book, in addition to teaching me many tricks that I will implement as soon as possible with my dog, has also given me many ideas for meditation, but above all it made me laugh.

Questo libro, oltre ad insegnarmi molti trucchi che metteró in atto quanto prima con la mia cagnolina, mi ha anche dato molti spunti per la meditazione, ma soprattutto mi ha fatto ridere.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.