Lee Charles Kelley

Lee Charles Kelley

Lee Charles Kelley is a rare breed of dog trainer: he's a neo-Freudian.

Kelley has been studying and training dogs for more than 20 years, and uses a unique approach based on the premise that the prey drive of the wolf - which requires intense cooperation, emotional flexibility, and an almost laser-like group coherence in order to hunt large prey animals - is the central organizing principle in all canine behavior, from a puppy's developmental phases on through adulthood. He uses biting games such as tug and fetch as the focal point for obedience, and employs a form of play therapy to resolve behavioral problems.

Kelley is also the bestselling author of a series of dog-related mysteries for Avon. His books include A Nose for Murder, Murder Unleashed, To Collar a Killer, 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas (an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association bestseller), Bark M for Murder, Dogged Pursuit, and Like a Dog With a Bone.

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Author of

My Puppy, My Self

A fresh, innovative look at canine behavior, based on an interdisciplinary approach, melding principles of emergence theory, systems dynamics, information theory, computationalism, Freudian psychology, and more. The title refers to Kelley's belief that a dog's behavior is often a reflection of its owner's unresolved emotions, a lesson Kelley first observed in dog owners he knew personally, and later learned first-hand from his Dalmatian, Freddie. (And yes, Kelley is currently writing on a book on the subject.)