Recommended Dog Owner Essentials
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Ain't Misbehavin': The Groundbreaking Program for Happy, Well-Behaved Pets and Their People
In this book John C. Wright, Ph.D., CAAB makes pet behavior problems easier to understand. He provides effective, humane, easy-to-follow solutions to hundreds of common misbehaviors. Readers will learn how their pets communicate, learn, and think!
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Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training
Like a "click" preceding food, Karen Pryor and Clicker training are deeply associated. Karen has made clicker training one of the most popular dog training methods. Rightly so! It's based on scientific principles and, when used correctly, is extremely effective at shaping behavior. She has built an entire empire on clicker training that applies basic learning theory. My college adviser had me read this book as I started getting into behavior. In this book Karen takes learning theory and applies it to day-to-day life. This is a great book for anyone interested in learning how to change their dog, roommate, husband, or wife's (although highly unlikely) annoying behavior.
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Managing the Home Alone Dog
I'm not going to tell you details because you'd think I'm crazy but I go to great lengths to make sure my dogs are comfortable and relaxed while I'm at work or away from the house. My husband calls my morning routine with the dogs superstitious but they've not destroyed the house yet so I'm not changing a thing.
If your dog is destructive I strongly recommend checking out this product.
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The Culture Clash: A Revolutionary New Way to Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs
Occasionally I'll see big macho guys with big macho dogs. The funny thing is, they carry the leash like they'd carry a suitcase. You know, chest all puffed out and arms out and slightly back. For these gentlemen their dog serves as a status symbol. Dogs aren't meant to be accessories, toys, or part of an image. They are animals with basic needs. Jean Donaldson does a great job with this book. She describes dogs as they really are giving the reader a reality check of what to expect when they own a dog.
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The Dangers of Dominanace
Misunderstanding your dog's behaviors as dominance can get in the way of building a bond between you and your pet. Plus it is exhausting thinking a member of the household is trying to one up you all the time. Thank goodness ethologists and animal behaviorists have made life easier for us all by teaching us that dogs are our friends and partners, NOT social climbers continuously demising our defeat. So go ahead and let your dog sleep on the bed or couch, let him/her lean on your feet, step over him/her while he/she is sleeping peacefully in the door way. I promise you they'll be happy you did. If you don't believe me or want to know more. Check out this DVD by Drs. Hetts and Estep. You'll be glad you did!
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The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs
Okay, the last chapter of this book totally made me cry in the middle of a cramped airplane. This book is so beautifully written and clear in its meaning it makes me yearn for more, ever striving for complete, in-depth, scientifically supported information in my field.
Often behavior problems are the result of a miscommunication between primate (pet owner) and canine (pet dog). Patricia McConnell, P.hD., CAAB does a beautiful job explaining the difference between the behavioral communication styles of primates and canines. For example, the greeting behavior of many cultures consists of walking head on into the other person with direct eye contact and arm/hand extended, all of which are terrifying or threatening to a dog with limited experience and/or training. After reading this book you'll watch your dog more carefully (since they are always watching you!) and see how your behavior directly elicits a behavior change in him or her.
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Understanding Canine Communication: Observing and Interpreting Canine Body Postures
Ever wonder what your dog is trying to tell you? If you don't know what to look for, it is difficult to tell. Misinterpretation leads to what could have been an avoidable bite. This DVD by Suzanne Hetts, PhD, CAAB, Dan Estep, PhD, CAAB and David Grant, DVM will teach you how to observe behavior like a professional. It is one of the first programs I watched when I started working with dogs and is recommended for shelter workers and veterinary staff.
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Understanding Fido's Behavior
Don't get caught up in the pop culture view of dog behavior. Animal behavior scientists know that dogs are not wolves dressed up in different shapes and sizes. They've been domesticated for over 15,000 years, and therefore their behavior no longer resembles wolf behavior and your family is not their pack. The more these popular myths are perpetuated, the more dogs suffer the consequences as people try to act like wolves.
This 4 disc DVD set comes with extensive notes and dispels all the made up stuff (MUS) that can make living with canines difficult for both dog and owner. Once you and your dog have the same understanding, you'll both be happy you purchased this program.
