Recommended Reading

The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell

The Other End of the Leash shares a revolutionary, new perspective on our relationship with dogs, focusing on our behavior in comparison with that of dogs. An applied animal behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell looks at humans as just another interesting species, and muses about why we behave the way we do around our dogs, how dogs might interpret our behavior, and how to interact with our dogs in ways that bring out the best in our four-legged friends. After all, although humans and dogs share a remarkable relationship that is unique in the animal world, we are still two entirely different species, each shaped by our individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (like wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. The Other End of the Leash demonstrates how even the slightest changes in your voice and the way you stand can help your dog understand what you want. Once you start to think about your own behavior from the perspective of your dog, you’ll understand why much of what appears to be doggy-disobedience is simply a case of miscommunication. In this book you will learn:

• How to use your voice so that your dog is more likely to do what you ask.

• Why “getting dominance” over your dog is a bad idea.

• Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble–and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of trouble.

• How dogs and humans share personality types–and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha-wanna-bes!”.

In her own insightful, compelling style, Patricia McConnell combines wonderful true stories about people and dogs with a new, accessible scientific perspective on how they should behave around each other. This is a book that strives to help you make the most of life with your dog, and to prevent problems that might arise in that most rewarding of relationships.

How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Dr. Sophia Yin

How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves takes a scientifically sound yet practical approach to explaining dog behavior and training theory, and then shows you how to apply these concepts so you can train your dog to be well behaved. Written by one of the leading veterinary behaviorists in the country, this revised and expanded edition of the original bestseller features brand new chapters that provide the most up-to-date science of dog behavior and explains key concepts in clear, straightforward language. The user-friendly, full-color instructional drawings enhance the informative text, while the all-positive training advice helps you change undesirable behaviors without resorting to aversive corrections such as yelling, hitting, pushing, or other outdated forms of punishment. Good behavior and problem solving exercises are broken down into easy-to-read “5 Minute” sections, while “Spot” quizzes throughout the text help reinforce your grasp of the material. Science-based methods for observing, understanding, and modifying behavior are applied to everyday situations, offering numerous examples of how training exercises can be turned into fun games for both dogs and owners.

The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller

Renowned dog trainer Pat Miller gives you the positive training tools you need to ensure that you and your dog share a lifetime of fun, companionship, and respect. Following her step-by-step, six-week basic training program, you'll learn how to develop a relationship with your dog based on friendship and positive reinforcement, not fear and punishment. Plus, you'll get:

Information on the importance of observing, understanding, and reacting appropriately to your dog's body language

Instructions on how to phase out the use of a clicker and treats to introduce more advanced training concepts

A helpful diary to track progress, suggestions for delicious treats your dog will respond to, and a glossary of training terms

Whether you've never trained a dog or are just switching over to positive training, with Pat's proven method you'll discover that training your four-legged friend is easy, fun, and effective. Now that's The Power of Positive Dog Training.

On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas

Yawning, lip-licking, sneezing, even scratching are just a few of the 30-plus signals or that dogs use to communicate with one another. Now, with On Talking Terms with Dogs, you can learn to recognize these signals and use them to interact with your dog. The new second edition has color photographs throughout with detailed captions explaining the behavior. Norwegian dog trainer and behaviorist Turid 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, invite play, and communicate a wide range of information to other dogs. Learn to identify situations that are stressful to your dog so that you can resolve or avoid them, and rehabilitate a dog that has lost her ability to read or give calming signals. Become a keen observer of canine behavior at home, in the community, and among dogs to get better behavior and build a solid relationship.

For the Love of a Dog by Patricia McConnell

Yes, humans and canines are different species, but current research provides fascinating, irrefutable evidence that what we share with our dogs is greater than how we vary. As behaviorist and zoologist Dr. Patricia McConnell tells us in this remarkable new book about emotions in dogs and in people, more and more scientists accept the premise that dogs have rich emotional lives, exhibiting a wide range of feelings including fear, anger, surprise, sadness, and love. In For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend, McConnell suggests that one of the reasons we love dogs so much is that they express emotions in ways similar to humans. After all, who can communicate joy better than a puppy? But not all emotional expressions are obvious, and McConnell teaches both beginning dog owners and experienced dog lovers how to read the more subtle expressions hidden behind fuzzy faces and floppy ears.

For those of us who deeply cherish our dogs but are sometimes baffled by their behavior, For the Love of a Dog will come as a revelation–a treasure trove of useful facts, informed speculation, and intriguing accounts of man’s best friend at his worst and at his very best. Readers will discover how fear, anger, and happiness underlie the lives of both people and dogs and, most important, how understanding emotion in both species can improve the relationship between them. Thus McConnell introduces us to the possibility of a richer, more rewarding relationship with our dogs. While we may never be absolutely certain what our dogs are feeling, with the help of this riveting book we can understand more than we ever thought possible. Those who consider their dogs part of the family will find For the Love of a Dog engaging, enlightening, and utterly engrossing.

Don't Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor

Karen Pryor's clear and entertaining explanation of behavioral training methods made Don't Shoot the Dog! a bestselling classic. 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.

Don't Leave Me by Nicole Wilde

Separation anxiety can be an extremely challenging behavior issue for dogs and owners alike. This comprehensive guide includes all the information you need to help your dog, and to lower your own stress levels as well. You'll get plenty of tips, ideas, and step-by-step instructions; the interactive format will allow you to customize an effective rehabilitation plan for your individual dog. Topics include the role of management, nutrition, and exercise, whether pharmacological intervention could help, how to build canine confidence, creative management solutions, step-by-step behavior modification protocols, alternative therapies that can be invaluable, and how to put it all together in a customized plan. Also included are real-life stories from experts telling how they handled separation issues in their clients' dogs and their own dogs. Written in a down-to-earth, straightforward, and often humorous manner, this book will enable you to successfully teach your dog to feel comfortable being left alone.

10 Minute Dog Training Games by Kyra Sundance

Get the most out of your training time while learning foundation skills with 10-Minute Dog Training Games! Renowned trainer Kyra Sundance utilizes scientifically-proven methods and learning theory in this expert addition to her best-selling series of dog training books. Step-by-step in these pages, Kyra shows how to create a happy, confident dog who is ready and motivated to work in a short amount of time. She teaches how to use positive, reward-based techniques that are fun for both the dog and trainer. Foundation skills like basic obedience, following directional signs, jumps and balancing, memory strengthening, and overcoming fears and obstacles are covered in detail. Quick exercises utilize tons of varied props and creative ideas, resulting in a dynamic, engaging curriculum!

Getting In Touch With Your Dog by Linda Tellington-Jones

Animal bodywork expert Linda Tellington-Jones's latest offering in getting in Touch with Your Dog: A Gentle Approach to Influencing Behavior, Health, and Performance. Tellington developed the Tellington Touch Method (TTouch) throughout her 40-year career working with animals. Here, she offers a way to effectively influence dogs' behavior and character, as well as their ability to learn. The guide enforces mutual respect between dog and owner, stressing a relationship based on appreciation and friendship rather than dominance and submission. By using a specific combination of Touches (there are 22 altogether) and performing exercises, Tellington insists dogs' performance, health and behavior can improve.

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