List of Books & Videos
General Dog Training
Ain’t Misbehavin’ – John C. Wright
I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s on the to read list, and is already checked out by me from the library
“You’ll take away from his book the idea that you should look at your own unique pet in your own unique circumstances to pinpoint any behavior problems you may be having, letting just exactly what is happening, when, and where help you guess _why_. If you can guess the why, you can plan a way to intervene that will be effective — and you’ll learn how best to decide if you are indeed being effective. Dr. Wright also emphasizes assessing the mood of your dog and changing a bad mood to a good one in order to facilitate behavior change. He further gives good research-based information about reading dogs’ body language and how to respond if a dog is fearful, aggressive, etc. But Ain’t Misbehavin’ doesn’t just address problems such as aggression or separation anxiety. On the contrary, how to build a positive relationship with your pet (so problems don’t appear) is a primary focus.”
Don’t Shoot the Dog – Karen Pryor
“A Better Way to Better Behavior
Karen Pryor”s clear and entertaining explanation of behavioral training methods made Don”t Shoot the Dog! a bestselling classic. Now this revised edition presents more of her insights into animal-and human-behavior.
A groundbreaking behavioral scientist and dynamic animal trainer, Karen Pryor is a powerful proponent of the principles and practical uses of positive reinforcement in teaching new behaviors. Here are the secrets of changing behavior in pets, kids-even yourself-without yelling, threats, force, punishment, guilt trips…or shooting the dog:
•The principles of the revolutionary “clicker training” method, which owes its phenomenal success to its immediacy of response-so there is no question what action you are rewarding
•8 methods of ending undesirable habits-from furniture-clawing cats to sloppy roommates
•The 10 laws of “shaping” behavior-for results without strain or pain through “affection training”
•Tips for house-training the dog, improving your tennis game, or dealing with an impossible teen
•Explorations of exciting new uses for reinforcement training
Learn why pet owners rave, “This book changed our lives!” and how these pioneering techniques can work for you too.” – The Publisher
the Culture Clash – Jean Donaldson
“The Culture Clash is special. Jean Donaldson’s first book is quite simply the very best dog book I have ever read. It is utterly unique, fascinating to the extreme, and literally overflowing with information that is so new it virtually redefines the state of the art in dog behavior and training. Written in Jean’s inimitably informal yet precise lecture style, the book races along on par with a good thriller. In fact, I read the manuscript three times in a row before it was even published. The Culture Clash depicts dogs as they really are – stripped of their Hollywood fluff, with their loveable ‘can I eat it, chew it, urinate on it, what’s in it for me’ philosophy. Jean’s tremendous affection for dogs shines through at all times, as does her keen insight into the dog’s mind. Relentlessly, she champions the dog’s point of view, always showing concern for their education and well being. The Culture Clash joins a very distinctive group of books and it runs at the head o! f the pack. Like Karen Pryor’s Don’t Shoot the Dog, The Culture Clash has a refreshingly original perspective. Like Gwen Bohnenkamp’s books, The Culture Clash cuts to the chase – no if’s and no but’s – here’s the story – now educate your dog! Without a doubt, Jean’s book is the hottest doggy item on the market – the quintessential book for dog owners and dog trainers alike – a very definite two paws up! Do yourself and your dogs a big favor: Give it a read! And let’s look forward to many more books by Jean Donaldson.” -Dr. Ian Dunbar
On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals – Turid Rugaas
“Your dog is talking. Do you know what he is saying? Yawning, lip-licking, sneezing, even scratching are just a few of the 30-plus signals that dogs use to communicate with one another. With On Talking Terms with Dogs you can learn to recogize these signals and use them yourself to interact with your dog.
Noweigian dog trainer and behaviorist Turis Rugaas has made it her life work to study canine social interaction. She coined the phrase “calming signals” to describe the social skills, sometimes referred to as body language, that dogs use to avoid conflict, initiate play, and communicate a wide rande og information to other dogs – and also humans.” – Back Cover
Dog Behaviour
Animals in Translation – Temple Grandin
“I don”t know if people will ever be able to talk to animals the way Doctor Doolittle could, or whether animals will be able to talk back. Maybe science will have something to say about that. But I do know people can learn to “talk” to animals, and to hear what animals have to say, better than they do now. –From Animals in Translation Why would a cow lick a tractor? Why are collies getting dumber? Why do dolphins sometimes kill for fun? How can a parrot learn to spell? How did wolves teach man to evolve? Temple Grandin draws upon a long, distinguished career as an animal scientist and her own experiences with autism to deliver an extraordinary message about how animals act, think, and feel. She has a perspective like that of no other expert in the field, which allows her to offer unparalleled observations and groundbreaking ideas. People with autism can often think the way animals think, putting them in the perfect position to translate “animal talk.” Grandin is a faithful guide into their world, exploring animal pain, fear, aggression, love, friendship, communication, learning, and, yes, even animal genius. The sweep of Animals in Translation is immense and will forever change the way we think about animals. *includes a Behavior and Training Troubleshooting Guide Among its provocative ideas, the book: argues that language is not a requirement for consciousness–and that animals do have consciousness applies the autism theory of “hyper-specificity” to animals, showing that animals and autistic people are so sensitive to detail that they “can”t see the forest for the trees”–a talent as well as a “deficit” explores the “interpreter” in the normal human brain that filters out detail, leaving people blind to much of the reality that surrounds them–a reality animals and autistic people see, sometimes all too clearly explains how animals have “superhuman” skills: animals have animal genius compares animals to autistic savants, declaring that animals may in fact be autistic savants, with special forms of genius that normal people do not possess and sometimes cannot even see examines how humans and animals use their emotions to think, to decide, and even to predict the future reveals the remarkable abilities of handicapped people and animals maintains that the single worst thing you can do to an animal is to make it feel afraid” – The Publisher
animals make us human – Temple Grandin
“The best-selling animal advocate Temple Grandin offers the most exciting exploration of how animals feel since The Hidden Life of Dogs. In her groundbreaking and best-selling book Animals in Translation, Temple Grandin drew on her own experience with autism as well as her distinguished career as an animal scientist to deliver extraordinary insights into how animals think, act, and feel.Now she builds on those insights to show us how to give our animals the best and happiest lifeon their terms, not ours. Its usually easy to pinpoint the cause of physical pain in animals, but to know what is causing them emotional distress is much harder.Drawing on the latest research and her own work,Grandin identifies the core emotional needs of animals.Then she explains how to fulfill them for dogs and cats, horses, farm animals, and zoo animals.Whether its how to make the healthiest environment for the dog you must leave alone most of the day, how to keep pigs from being bored, or how to know if the lion pacing in the zoo is miserable or just exercising,Grandin teaches us to challenge our assumptions about animal contentment and honor our bond with our fellow creatures. Animals Make Us Human is the culmination of almost thirty years of research, experimentation, and experience. This is essential reading for anyone whos ever owned, cared for, or simply cared about an animal.”
Puppy Training
The Ultimate Puppy Toolkit – Urban Puppy Inc.
This toolkit, unfortunately has been discontinued, but I was fortunate enough to get the last copy in town! This makes puppy training much more simpler, with charts and pictures. For someone who is more of a visual learner this is great. I was recommended this book by Sue Alexander from Dogs in the Park. It’s a shame that this kit is no longer being published. There are 5 separate short books that explain different needs of the puppy as well as a pocket book to take with you and a poster of the puppy’s development. My favorite part is the socialization booklet. It has a checklist of almost everything the pup would need to be socialized and accustomed to. The six booklets are:
- start me up (introduction, how dogs learn, resources)
- socialize (helping the dog get used to stimuli)
- prevent (about handling and preventing the dog from doing undesirable things)
- games (explains what games to play and why they are important)
- jr obedience (sit, down, stand etc)
- house training (self explanitory)
