Kevin Behan offers an alternative and intriguing perspective to the canine psyche. Although a bit long, the audiobook could definitely be a good source of information for dog owners and trainers alike.

Thank you, NetGalley and Brilliance Audio, for access to Natural Dog Training by Kevin Behan in exchange for an honest review. I thought the information was good but could have been summarized into a shorter audiobook.

Recently I listened to ‘Natural Dog Training’ by Kevin Behan. It’s Not my typical ARC choice but I rescued a pup in Baja back in March so it seemed fitting that I get myself acquainted with some training routines.

This book stood out to me because it offers both inside & outside dogs tips and my van dog Rio is entirely an outside dog. She is off leash 95% of the time.

The main takeaway from this how-to book is the importance to remember that your dog lives by it’s it’s prey drive all day, every day (even the more couch potato-y one’s 😊).

I very much enjoyed this audiobook. The points got across simply and the narrator was easy to understand. The dog history was interesting and the instructions were fantastic. It’s not only for new puppy-people either. You definitely can teach your old dog new skills.

The only trouble with this pet book is recommending its audio vs physical. I genuinely enjoyed listening to it (it’s long, so I took it in bits) but when it came time for step by step training instructions, I wished I had it written down to refer back to when implementing.
I’m giving it 5 stars and I highly recommend it to all doggo owners. I’ve already started to train Rio using Behan’s techniques and she is thriving.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC (in audiobook format).

Kevin Behan’s Natural Dog Training offers a refreshing perspective on our canine companions. Rather than relying solely on traditional training methods, Behan delves into the very essence of what makes dogs tick. As a book reviewer, I found this exploration both enlightening and thought-provoking.

Unleashing Canine Instincts

Behan’s central thesis challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding dog behavior. He posits that the drive to hunt—not pack instincts—forms the bedrock of canine behavior. This shift in focus opens up new avenues for understanding our furry friends. After all, every dog has an inner wolf yearning to explore, track scents, and engage with the world.

Bite-Sized Insights

The book is divided into four sections, each offering valuable insights:

The Social Behavior of Canines: Behan introduces his theory, emphasizing the primal urge to hunt. As a reviewer, I appreciated the departure from the usual dominance-based approaches. Behan’s ideas resonate with my experiences working with dogs.

How Dogs Learn: Behan reinterprets the learning process. Forget rigid commands; instead, he encourages us to tap into a dog’s natural instincts. It’s like speaking their language—a language of energy and emotion.

Practical Exercises: Behan provides hands-on techniques for puppy training. These exercises align with his theory, emphasizing cooperation and trust.I found these methods invaluable.

Recall Training: The final section focuses on coming when called. Behan’s approach is both practical and compassionate. It’s about building a bond that transcends mere obedience.

The Writing Style

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the book’s writing style. Yes, it’s true—the editing and formatting leave much to be desired. But don’t let that deter you. Beneath the rough exterior lies a treasure trove of ideas. Think of it as a well-loved dog with a few scruffy patches—it’s the heart that matters.

Narration

Patrick Lawlor’s narration adds warmth to the text. His voice guides us through Behan’s theories, making complex concepts accessible. Whether you’re driving or walking your own four-legged companion, Lawlor’s delivery keeps you engaged.

Final Thoughts

Natural Dog Training isn’t just a book; it’s a paradigm shift. Behan invites us to see dogs not as obedient subjects but as co-adventurers in the hunt. So, if you want to enjoy your dog more, dive into this unique guide. And remember, understanding your dog’s true nature begins with embracing their wild side. 🐾

Note: As a book reviewer, I appreciate Kevin Behan’s innovative approach. While the writing could use a polish, the content shines through. Let’s celebrate the spirit of discovery and wagging tails! 📖🐶

I had high hopes for this book to help with my 3 year old beagle who likes to pull and gets excited when dogs walk by. However, this book uses shock collars and prong collars which seem to be the opposite of natural dog training. There were also multiple comments that if you don't do xyz, then you have messed up the dog forever and no mention of how to correct it.

Began gives a level headed and easy to understand into to dog training. Narration was also easy to listen to and paced very well.

I was hoping this would be more instructional but I should have realized when it was almost 13 hours long that this was a lot more history and has a lot of the authors thoughts on how a dog thinks. I found it interesting but just too long for my taste. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for more inside the mind of a dog and less how to train your dog.

Excellent I would definitely recommend this audiobook to anybody that's wanting to learn how to train their dog I learned so much stuff here
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC

I might be in the minority here, but when I pick up a non-fiction book about a topic, particularly one that is supposed to teach me something or help me accomplish something, I went to get to the teaching/information right away. Here actionable anythings didn't come along until 32%

I don't mind a little philosophy but this was too much and may have been better broken up with the various "actionable" chapters. I ended up skipping quite a lot as I imagine any dog owner would trying to get to the "solutions." If you've picked up this book because you have a 'problem' you don't want to slog through his beliefs. There's a reason Caesar Milan's show got straight to the point every episode and then offered the explaining with application.

Unfortunately for me, this book seems wholly useless if you don't have a puppy. Of the actionable chapters almost all of them are for puppy training. The title should evoke this as well as the blurb.

Behan quips later if you have an older dog you can still get help just relisten to the puppy chapters and figure it out. Not helpful.

In my particular case, the behavioral issues (whining) didn't seem to come up nor was I offered much in the way of a solution. I can't be the only person with a whimpering dog. The training that was offered (e.g. how to properly walk a dog on a lead) I have no problems with, having used techniques by others (e.g. dog classes, caesar milan books).

Sighs,

I will say the vibes did not give “this is for all dog owners”. They refer to small dog breeds as a sort of “other” (in my opinion) and mention big breeds often. Such a bummer, because I’m sure most of this is applicable to the referenced “toy breeds” and they deserve training just as much. Though I totally agree that when most people buy small dogs, it’s not to put them to work. Regardless, good dog training keeps all pets safe and alive. As a shihtzu owner, it was a bummer to read most of this. Would recommend for hunting/working dog owners though as the training advice feels solid.

I’m confused by the jargon the author chose. I can understand wanting to use big words to show people that you know what you’re talking about, but if your goal is to teach everyday people who to train their dogs — using the most fancy version of most words isn’t relatable. Wouldn’t say this is language that is inviting. It gives “I know more than you and it’s your fault if you can’t follow along”.

The advice is very puppy from breeder based. They mention breeders very often. It’s almost discouraged to adopt a rescue if you want to be able to train them? At least they bash puppy stores.

I’d say the information of this book definitely taps into the ancestry of a dog as a domesticated wolf. They refer to pack mentality a lot and it gives macho vibes. They also refer to dogs as “he” which is another bummer as a girl dog owner.

This book isn’t for the DINKWADS of the world. The author very clearly states that we can’t view dogs as family, they’re our dogs. We shouldn’t kiss them on the nose/forehead, etc. I kiss my dog on the head and she’s a good girl!!!

This book gets released May 14th! I received it as an audiobook and the narrator read it kind of the way you would expect a textbook reader to read it. Very neutral, but factual. Towards the end it felt a little long and drawn out, but the actual audio production was great.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.