Listen Like a Dog: And Make Your Mark on the World

I will admit that a book about listening was less than thrilling for me to read. One of my co-workers has had Listen Like A Dog on his desk for a couple of weeks. The cover definitely caught my eye but based the subject, I ignored it. One day, at lunch, some of the other members of the team were talking about the book and laughing about something in the book, so I figured that I should join the club and see what the book was about. It's endearing how the author tells us how he talked to his dog and felt heard; something I admit to not trying. The chapter, "Leash Law Violations" says it all - our bad habits when it comes to listening. We all really have so much to learn and are far from great listeners. This book is well written, provides us with a few laughs, but most importantly, provides us with insight and thought-provoking ideas that really make you think. Last week I started working on my "herding" skills (chapter 10) and made some progress - I'm not a dog therefore I'm not perfect. If you, or someone you know, wants to improve their communication, and relationships in general, this is really a great book. Knowing that others in the office have read this, I better be listening!

Loved this book. I didn't think I could like anything better than Dogtology but this one is right on target. Oh, how I wish this gem had been written when I was in the corporate world. But now that I'm' retired It still hits close to home. As long as we continue to interact with others it doesn' t really matter if its a customer, your boss or your next door neighbor.. I have fallen into the black hole of bad listening...thinking while the other person is talking and interrupting because I cant say what I'm thinking fast enough. I have a wonderful dog. I interrupt him too. I anticipate what he is thinking and barking (his way of communicating). So...I've taken a deep breath and forc4d myself to try to listen to his way of communicating with out interrupting because he never interrupts me. Once I became aware of this habit I've tried to better with family and friends but old habits don't go away easily.It takes practice.. I really urge everyone to enjoy a humorous and look at ourselves and the way we don't effectively communicate by reading this delightful and insightful book. By the way, .need a practice partner why not stop by your local shelter and adopt a "good listener".`

If you care about nurturing healthy relationships and like to be entertained as you learn, this book will fulfill your needs!If you have a desire to nurture and strengthen relationships in all aspects of your life, I highly recommend this clever, entertaining and enlightening book. Jeff Lazarus manages to take a very serious subject (LISTENING) and makes it fun to learn new techniques and concepts by using man andwoman's best friend, DOG, as the model of how to do it effectively.My biz partner and I teach modules on listening in our leadership trainings and I am excited to use some of the powerful metaphors to help our clients better grasp the power of fully giving one's attention. Since we each desire to simply be heard, listening like a dog will naturally fulfill many needs without extreme effort or time.Since life provides a continual source of learning and growing, I highly recommend this book as a primer when it comes to learning the importance of listening to create better connections that include trust, sincerity, understanding and unconditional love. If dogs can do it, we can do it. :-)

I have always been one of those who believes that I am a great listener, however Jeff Lazarus has a perspective that makes it very clear that I am far from one. As he breaks down how Listening is the Key to True Connection, in both professional and personal relationships, I am beginning to understand how my pattern of listening was far from smart.The book is a very fun and easy read, and gives a thorough explanation of what the tools are for what listening like a Dog really means. I believe the tools that he gives will help me get more connected through listening. To start he suggests to go low-tech with listening, take a pause instead of going on and on in conversation, better understanding of what the other is sharing with you by paying close attention, and don't interrupt the other person you are talking with, just to name a few he pointed out. He calls these "leash law violations" - cute!And in the end who wouldn't want to make their mark in this world with listening to those around you, and if dogs are a part of it, then even better.

Listen Like A Dog is a fun and insightful way to enhance your listening and, therefore, communication skills!!! There are lots of books out there on this topic but none as fun and brought to life as this book! The playful but, very accurate reflections on dogs superior listening/communication abilities, keeps you interested, engaged, and helps you to reflect more easily on your own communication and listening skills. I find myself naturally thinking about the techniques described in the book and actively trying to ensure that I am engaging in new behaviors (letting some of my fears go) as I interact with my customers and strangers in elevators, coffee shops, and stores! Reading a book on listening/communication skill enhancement AND actually wanting to apply those techniques are determined by the effectiveness of the author connecting the information for the reader. This author hits the mark! You will want to improve your listening skills and realize the benefits of the changes after reading this book and you will have some laughs along the way.