About Patricia
Patricia is known worldwide as an expert on canine training and behavior and for her engaging and knowledgeable books, speeches, and seminars. She is the author of the much-acclaimed books The Other End of the Leash (published in 14 languages), For the Love of a Dog, and her memoir, The Education of Will. Her debut mystery novel, Away To Me, published in 2026, has received rave reviews. Her self-published books and booklets on dog training and companion animal behavior problems have sold over 750,000 copies, and are treasured by professional trainers, veterinarians, and animal lovers from all over the world. She was the behavior columnist for The Bark magazine, “the New Yorker of Dog Magazines,” and wrote for many other publications, including APDT’s Chronicle of the Dog and Natural History. She has made numerous television appearances, including spots with Anderson Cooper on CNN, Martha Stewart, and Wayne Brady.
Patricia saw clients for serious behavioral problems for thirty years and taught “The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships” Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for twenty-five years. For fourteen years she dispensed advice about behavior problems, and information about animal behavior research, on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Calling All Pets, which was heard in over 110 cities around the country.
A highly-sought after speaker, McConnell has presented seminars all over the United States, and in Canada, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Belgium, Scotland and New Zealand. Retired from seeing cases in 2018, Patricia stays active by writing a popular blog, The Other End of the Leash, making numerous appearances on podcasts, speaking about her books and animal behavior, and having an active social media presence.
Patricia received her Ph.D. in Zoology in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, researching dog behavior and communication between professional trainers and working domestic animals. Her dissertation received the prestigious Allee Award from the Animal Behavior Society that same year. Patricia co-founded Dog’s Best Friend, Ltd(opens in new tab) in 1988, now owned and operated by Aimee Moore (see their website for more information about dog training classes and behavior consultations in the Madison, WI area). Patricia and her husband, Jim, have two dogs and a very spoiled flock of sheep on a small farm in Southwestern Wisconsin. Her gardens and her beloved Border Collies, Maggie and Skip, keep her outside and active. Patricia suffers from Separation Anxiety each time she leaves her farm, but loves continuing to spread the word about understanding the animals around us.
