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207 of 213 found the following review helpful:
 My experience with this DVD Jul 31, 2006
By A. A. Madden
"A Reader"
I have a ten year old terrier and a one year old terrier. The first was trained the old-fashioned way (punishment/reward), the second was trained according to Paul Owen's method in his dvd and book. I achieved faster and more reliable results with Paul's method than with the traditional way, while retaining more of my terrier's happy-go-lucky nature. Though my first dog is well behaved, the traditional method was a longer, more stressful road for both of us.
Paul's method involves giving a command to the dog, then rewarding that behaviour. So, in the case where the dog is doing something you don't want, like jumping on a guest, instead of saying "No Jumping!" and scolding, you say "Come!", then "Down", and bring the dog to your side. The theory is, instead of telling your dog what you DON'T want, have them do what you DO want, thus eliminating the undesirable behaviour. This way, the dog chooses to "be good", instead of being forced or threatened to "be good".
I recommend it very highly if you are a looking for quick results while maintaining a close and equitable relationship with your dog. If you enjoy a more stern and severe approach involving domination-based punishment, and you are a very controlling person, then don't waste your time. If you are a dog lover willing to put in some time and patience at the beginning in exchange for an obedient dog for the long term, then this method is for you. Paul's dogs obey because they CHOOSE and WANT to, not because they fear punishment.
One handy aspect to Paul Owen's DVD is that you can select from different commands "Sit", "Stay", etc, without having to go throught the whole DVD. This was especially helpful because my terrier learned certain behaviours quickly while others took more time, so it was very effective to be able to access only the command we needed to work on.
Also, to address the Cesar Millan issue, Cesar has never professed to being a dog trainer. He says many times on his show "I am a dog psychologist, not a trainer", and his dog rehab program in LA is called the "Dog Psychology Center", not a "training school". Cesar rehabilitates dogs that have chronic, compulsive behaviour problems, he does NOT teach them to "Sit", "Stay", "Come", etc. So comparing Cesar's Way to Paul's Way is silly, they perform entirely different functions and I appreciate both.
76 of 78 found the following review helpful:
After countless attempts - this is the only method that truly worked! Jul 23, 2006
By S. Hollingsworth
First off, let me preface by saying that I own 2 highly rambunctious (some would have said out-of-control) herding dogs. I had tried many, many training techniques (including the current fad "dominance theory"), yet my dogs weren't responding. In fact, one became so afraid of the leash (which we had been using during training) that it became impossible to take her on walks. Then I discovered (through some great resources like "Whole Dog Journal", my local humane societies and a WONDERFUL book entitiled "The Other End Of The Leash" by Dr. Patricia McConnell) reward-based training which is completly non-violent and turned training into a favorite part of the day for both my dogs and I. During my copious research one name that kept coming up was dog-trainer Paul Owens. I bought the DVD and the book and was amazed to find that I got reliable results in usually no longer than 3-15 minute sessions. My dogs WANTED to do the right thing - not be "corrected" for doing the wrong thing. Many people criticize treat-reward training and think that you will constantly have to carry food in your pockets. This is simply not true. We are currently down to about a 50-50% treat-affection reward and the treats are lessening daily while the results are not. Mr Owens also calls to attention the fact that our states-of-mind during training have a direct impact on our dogs and their ability to focus and learn. My dogs and I still practice a little every day, but the minute my dogs see me head for Mr Owen's book they come running.
66 of 68 found the following review helpful:
The ORIGINAL Dog Whisperer Aug 08, 2006
By A reader
This is, hands down, the best dog training DVD available today. Paul Owens bases his entire approach to dog training on a philosophy of nonviolence, which means not causing any physical, emotional, or psychological harm to your dog. What a relief for those of us who are tired of being told to bully or "dominate" our dogs! The training exercises that Owens explains and demonstrates work wonderfully at producing a dog who is cooperative and enthusiastic about responding to requests, without any yelling or jerking of chains or grabbing and shaking. I don't WANT to do that to my dog, and Owens shows how you don't HAVE to do that in order to have a dog who fits in as a well behaved member of a human family.
What's unique about this DVD is that it combines the sound scientific principles behind "reward-based" training with a philosophical approach that draws on yoga and other Eastern disciplines. Reward-based training uses techniques that reward the dog for doing "good" behavior, and witholds rewards when the dog doesn't do the good behavior. It sets up a situation in which dogs enjoy doing the things you ask of them. On the other hand, the breathing techniques that Owens demonstrates have a concrete effect on the way your dog reacts. They really work! I have calmed down my barking dog many times, simply by changing the way I breathe.
Seven years ago, I read Owens' book THE DOG WHISPERER, and this DVD takes up nicely where the book left off. The advantage to the DVD is that you get to see the training exercises actually demonstrated. I also appreciate the fact that you can go directly to the exercise you would like to work on by choosing from the menu, without having to rewind or fast forward.
This should NOT be confused with Cesar Millan's DOG WHISPERER television series. Cesar Millan uses very different methods, including choke chains, etc. I think it's unfortunate that Millan chose to use the name of a book that was published long before Millan ever appeared on TV. Paul Owens is the original Dog Whisperer.
As a bonus, the DVD starts with a cartoon that made me laugh my head off. It captured so well the way stress around the household can escalate to a boiling point, and how we relate to our dogs in both good and bad ways because of it. It made me both recognize and laugh at myself.
Overall, the DVD is very accessible and fun, and works well as an introduction to training for the whole family--kids as well as adults.
57 of 61 found the following review helpful:
 Buyer Beware! Mar 04, 2007
By Marcus Peacock
The review by Paul Baack has got it exactly right, although I think his star rating is a little harsh. I've watched several dog training videos and this is mediocre. I can only guess the higher than average price is because people assume it has some connection with Cesar Millan's popular show, which it doesn't. Paul Owens is genial enough and I learned a couple things I didn't elsewhere, but there is way too much quirky and unnecessary filler, from skunk puppeteering to breathing exercises (for you, not your dog). I recommend "Train Your Dog -- The Positive Genial Approach" which gives better step by step instruction and much better coverage of advanced commands which are really given short shrift here.
30 of 33 found the following review helpful:
Paul Owens - The ORIGINAL Dog Whisperer Sep 26, 2006
By Mugsy's Mom
"The Pet Teacher"
For those or you who are griping that this DVD is not Cesar Millan, you should learn something. Paul Owens is the ORIGINAL dog whisperer. He wrote the book, The Dog Whisperer, long before Cesar was in business! Paul Owens is a highly-educated animal behaviorist who knows how to correctly communicate with a dog - without techniques like hanging, rolling, choking, e-collars, leash pops, choke chains, hand bites or foot corrections. If you purchased this DVD thinking it was Cesar, you should have looked at the name of the author! Someone should explain copyright infringement to Cesar and National Geographic for using the name The Dog Whisperer when it properly belonged to Paul Owens.
This is an EXCELLENT DVD and shows you how to work with your dog with respectful techniques - no need for force, fear or intimidation techniques. These techniques work - I use them with my own dogs as well as the dogs I instruct. Paul Owens' techniques work as fast as people think that Cesar's techniques work ... they last longer ... they work with the dog's natural state ... and they are pleasant for the owners to use.
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