So what’s a dog owner to do when the weather is bad, they’re stuck at home and there’s no dog obedience class happening? Read a book about dogs, of course.
Book recommendations are a common question that dog trainers get. While we strongly believe that any questions on behavior, obedience training and other issues should always first be directed to your veterinarian and/or a qualified dog trainer, if you want to find some books that give you a little more insight into your dog’s behavior here are our recommendations:
“Excel-Erated Learning” by Pamela Reid Ph.D
Dr. Pamela Reid is described as an agility enthusiast, obedience competitor and psychologist. Her book introduces you to autoshpaing retrieval (letting the dog train itself), as well as scent training and directed jumping.
“Don’t Shoot the Dog” by Karen Pryor
Karen Pryor is a proponent of positive reinforcement training utilizing a clicker. She promises tips to change your animals behavior with no yelling, threats or punishment.
“The Art of Raising a Puppy” and “How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend” by the Monks of New Skete
The Monks of New Skete have been the highly acclaimed “go-to” of dog obedience trainers across the spectrum for more than thirty years. They specialize in dog training, behavior and the dog/human bond. From their monastery they breed German Shepherds, teach dog obedience and are instrumental in working with the rescue community.
“On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals” and “My Dog Pulls – What Do I Do?” by Turid Rugaas
Turid Rugaas has been a trainer her entire life, teaching classes from her beautiful farm in Norway and hosting seminars around the world. She focuses on teaching owners to see and understand the signals that our dogs give us and utilizing these to build a better relationship with your canine companion.
There is no one book that will give you all the answers you need. Dog training involves a balance of methods that are customized for your dog, their personality and temperament, and your own personality and lifestyle. Books will help you to understand the process a bit more, but be sure to consult with your trainer before you try to implement anything you learn from a book. You don’t want to undermine the hard work you’ve put into your training.
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