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Simon Wooler

More Than Just a Dog: Understanding, loving and living with dogs. The indispensable guide for all dog lovers Kindle Edition

by Simon Wooler (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

33 ratings

3.5 on Goodreads

30 ratings

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Our ability to make meaningful connections with other animal species and their ability to return the favour is, perhaps, never more beautiful than the bond we have with dogs.

This book explores what every dog owner knows – that a dog is never just a dog. They are our companions, best friends, members of the family and for some the most important part of our lives.

Simon Wooler, trainer to social media’s most famous fearful dog, Sophie from Romania, unlocks the heart of the special relationship we have with dogs. He explores how over millennia, they have inveigled their way into our homes and hearts and evolved to live alongside us. He explains how dogs learn (and why they sometimes seem immune to our efforts to train them), how they communicate and what influences the powerful bond they form with their people. He unpacks the problems of fear and reactivity and with insight and humour acts as a guide for all dog lovers navigating life’s changes and challenges.

Demystifying the science of dog behaviour and debunking the sticky myths that all too often can get in the way of understanding, this is a celebration of the joy of life with dogs in all its messy, loveable reality.

Print length

302 pages
Language

English
Publisher

HarperElement
Accessibility

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Publication date

Feb. 13 2025
File size

1.5 MB
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Enhanced typesetting

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About the Author

Si Wooler has been training dogs for more than ten years. He studied with the Academy for Dog Trainers, one of the most rigorous dog behaviour and training programmes in the world and specialises in training fearful and reactive dogs. In 2023, he worked with author and broadcaster Rory Cellan-Jones and his wife Professor Diane Coyle to help their Romanian rescue dog, Sophie, overcome her profound fears, bond with her people and gradually discover the world, a journey that was followed daily by hundreds of thousands of fans.

Si came to dog training after 20 years as a sound engineer so loud barking hardly registers on his personal decibel scale. His own fearful, ‘unhomeable’ rescue dog, Thomson, was the motivator for seeking out effective, evidence-based training methods and leaving his career in sound and stage to focus on working with troubled dogs and the people who love them. This is his first book.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Review

‘This book is a wonderful read. Full of insights, essential as well as practical advice on dogs.’ Niall Harbison

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DJG7NHW7
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperElement
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ Feb. 13 2025
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008707491
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
�鶹�� Rank: #1,178,111 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #203 in Animal Husbandry (Books)
- #451 in Dog Training
- #745 in Zoology
Customer Reviews:
33 ratings

About the author

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Simon Wooler

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I started my working life as a live sound engineer believe it or not. Making things louder was my thing. Now I look to make the lives of fearful and anxious dogs quieter and calmer.

I qualified as a trainer with the Academy for Dog Trainers, one of the most rigorous dog behaviour and training programmes in the world. The Academy was devised by Jean Donaldson who is not only an amazing trainer and teacher but who I now consider to be a friend.

You may have come across me and "More Than Just A Dog" through my work with Sophie From Romania, one of the most famous fearful dogs on social media. Sophie certainly defines my process well and she highlights the need to be vigilant and patient with dogs like her. The need to go at their pace is crucial in everything I do.

But I'm not just about the dogs. I believe in compassion, understanding and kindness for the people who live 24/7 with the worries of life with a fearful dog. I hope that comes through in the pages of this book.

My training methods are entirely force-free, effective and based on behaviour science. And I'm continually updating my knowledge with the latest thinking on behaviour and training techniques, too.

Customer reviews

33 global ratings

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Ibu
Informative
Reviewed in Australia on March 20, 2025
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A must for All dog lovers.

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Sue Perry
Love it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2025
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I have 2 Romanian rescue dogs, both with inexplicable (to me) fears and issues. This book is brilliant. It's kind and intuitive, and so easy to read. It's full of helpful ideas and explanations but always conversational and humorous. And it's reassuring if you're floundering around trying to find ways to help your dog - I had no idea, for example, that by dishing out treats whenever we see a strange dog (I simply know they can't bark with a mouthful!) is actually counter-conditioning and I legitimate approach to try? But it works! I'm going to keep going back to this book - I really love it.

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�鶹�� Customer
A very informative read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2025
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How refreshing to read a book that doesn't go on about "the leader of the pack" and all that goes with that..dogs shouldn't be on the sofa or go through the door before you etc,etc. He explains the reasons for his thoughts and suggestions, and the science behind it.
The fact that he openly shares his personal experiences reassures me that he has the knowledge, understanding and genuine wish to help other owners and dogs.
It's a very helpful book and helps you understand why dogs react in the way they do and tips and how to help them.
Having recently taken on a rescue hound that we needed some behavioural help with,it was with good fortune that Si lived in the same town (what's the chances?)
I can honestly say he is very calm,knowledgeable, supportive and has a genuine passion to help the owners and the dog . Thank you Si , Nina and Ripley

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margaret krajancic
Good story
Reviewed in Australia on March 4, 2025
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Very enjoyable story especially for Dog lovers

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Ladytron
Helpful & reassuring
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2025
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Full of tips for dog guardians of all levels of experience. Written in a helpful, conversational style and NOT a “listen to me, I’m telling you what you should be doing” approach. Thankfully holds no truck with the “leader of the pack” nonsense that so many “trainers” have (and still do) spout.
As a guardian of a “reactive” rescue I found it informative & reassuring- a must read.

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