For the Love of a Dog Audiobook By Patricia B McConnell cover art

For the Love of a Dog

Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend

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For the Love of a Dog

By: Patricia B McConnell
Narrated by: Ellen Archer
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About this listen

The critically acclaimed author of The Other End of the Leash offers fascinating insights into the canine mind - critical tools for a healthy relationship with a well-trained dog.

In this remarkable book, renowned canine expert Patricia McConnell answers the questions of dog lovers everywhere. Do dogs have emotions like we do? More to the point, does my dog love me? Such questions have fueled best sellers like Elizabeth Marshall Thomas' The Hidden Life of Dogs and Jeffery Moussaieff Masson's Dogs Never Lie About Love.

Sharing riveting dog stories from her experiences, Dr. McConnell also offers accessible science that clues listeners in to what's going on behind those puppy dog eyes. We learn the fascinating similarities and surprising dissimilarities in dogs' and humans' brains, and how current scientific studies have led McConnell to conclude without a doubt that dogs share a profound emotional life with us.

The information found in this book will help listeners have better-trained dogs, at the same time deepening their dog-human connections. For the Love of a Dog is a must-have for dog lovers everywhere.

"Highly recommended." (Library Journal, starred review)

©2006 Patricia B McConnell (P)2006 Tantor Media
Emotions Personal Development Pets & Animal Care Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Dogs Inspiring Dog Behavior

Critic reviews

  • Winner of Audio Publishers Association 2007 Audie Award, Personal Development/Motivational

"A compelling combination of stories, science, and practical advice to show how understanding emotions in both people and dogs can improve owners' relationships with their pets." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about For the Love of a Dog

Highly rated for:

Insightful Dog Psychology Informative Dog Stories Excellent Narration Engaging Scientific Explanations Clear Voice
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent, insightful, well-written

Patricia McConnell's clear-headed, accessible book about our relationship with dogs is well-researched without being academic or tedious. She draws from a wealth of practical experience. Best of all, she is clearly in love, passionately, with dogs, and this makes a compelling book even more powerful. I learned so much, enjoyably, easily. The narrator has the perfect voice, well-modulated, clear, and she imbues her "read" with the empathy that the writer clearly has. Some reviewers have commented that references to photos detract, but for me, hearing it offered a different way of "seeing" the dog - in my mind's eye. Well done. Highly recommended.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

needs pictures

If you could sum up For the Love of a Dog in three words, what would they be?

chewy my bff.

Which scene was your favorite?

love

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Why my bff isn't the cat...

Any additional comments?

At times it was hard to keep listening. Not because of the narration she was great. Just a bit slow. but for what I gained I'm glad I hung in. This book also left me wanting to learn more about my lil bundle of fur that makes me swoon. Defiantly a great start to understanding feelings of other species.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

of dogs and owners

this book is all about dog behaviour, and it covers that subject very well. if you ever wished dogs came with an owners manual, here it is. an interesting side benifit of this book is that once you learn to read dogs better, you also start to notice the same body language in humans. this book makes no attempt to delve into the minds of people beyond their interactions with dogs, but the link is impossible to miss once you know what to look for.

lots of emotional ups and down here also. the narrator does a great job not only delivering the technical lessons, but also delivering dramatical performances in the sections where the author gives dialog to help illustrate a point. an excelent book for drama fans, psychology fans, and dog lovers alike.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I love my dog

so good to hear from a professional that loves her dogs as much as I love mine and recogises constructive anthropomorphizing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book

If you love dogs and the animal world, like science and scientific studies about animals, and these subjects done with good authorship and performance, you will totally enjoy this book & want to pass it on.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Trisha McConnell - As Good as it Gets

I have read "For the Love of a Dog" several times, and I know I will do so many times in the future. It is one of those rare books that offers insight in layers such that the more one reads it, the more it has to offer. I have made a career understanding and living with my dogs, and helping my clients understand and live with dogs of their own. Trisha McConnell has helped me immensely in both exploring and marveling the rich, complex behavior and emotional capacity that give dogs their unique place in the world. Read this book again and again. You and your dog will be the better for it!

Bob Ryder
PMCT, CPDT-KA

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Cesar Milan, same thing but more entertaining.

The book is ok but too long, it could be half the size. Watching just one season of Cesar Milan should be enough and more interesting for the same knowledge

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Informative and Compassionate

I run into so many people who don't get dogs and abuse them. This book is so helpful to confirm that dogs really are emotional beings that need love, empathy, compassion and patience - just like we humans. And that fear inducing and painful punishments are damaging. Also, after volunteering at the Humane Society, I realize that there are always new helpful things to learn about dogs, like from this author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

if you love dogs

you'll love this book. My, how thoughts have changed over the years on dog training and the way we should interact with our furry friends.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I could not stop listening!

Would you consider the audio edition of For the Love of a Dog to be better than the print version?

If you would like to understand your dog better this is the best book I have heard so far about dog behavior and humans relationships with our best friends.

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