Your Favorite Training Book

[Jakhi]

I've seen many of you recommending books lately and I'm a huge reader so I wanted to hear about them all!

Ideally everyone would post a mini book review, but at least put these:

Title/Author
School of Thought
Subject
Like/Dislike and Why
Mini Review (optional)

I would like to request that, for organizations sake, if you want to comment on a book someone else has posted put the tile before your comments...I'm sure many of us have had similar reading lists

So, I'll start!

The Other End of the Leash - Patricia McConnell
Positive reinforcement
How to effectively use a relationship with a dog to change their behavior.
Like, because her ideas were clear and specific and I loved her examples.
Review: I loved this book, it's well written, well thought out, and it made me stop and think about my everyday relationships with dogs. I regularly apply some of the principles (working on some still ) in my day to day working life, and have used many of the techniques suggested very successfully with 'aggressive'/'reactive' dogs.
I would/have suggested it to anyone who is interested in deepening their relationship or the understanding they have for their dog. Without having read the book many of my students have developed much better working relationships with their dogs; by using a few ideas, and with me having pointed out certain things that Patricia's book helped me notice.
Overall I would say reading and thinking about this book made me and immediately better dog trainer, and (hopefully someday) owner.

(I have also just read Bones Would Rain From the Sky - Suzanne Clothier, The Loved Dog - Tamar Geller, part of Cesar's Way - Cesar Milan, Feisty Fido - Patricia McConnell, I'll Be Home Soon - Patricia McConnell, and The Cautious Canine - Patricia McConnell. I just got Don't Shoot the Dog - Karen Pryor, Calming Signals - Turid Rugaas, and Click to Calm - Emma Parsons. Hurray for Amazon!)

[ouesi]

Great thread!! Thank you!
I will reply this evening (I hope)

[crdane]

I am trying to go get some new books. I also like Other end of the leash, and am working on Bones would rain from the sky, but have not had a lot of time. Now the kids are back in school, and I want to finish Bones, and get click to calm. There are two click to calm books, by two authors, and I am wondering which one people usually get.

[Jakhi]

I got the one by Emma Parsons, it's part of the 'Karen Pryor' series of clicker books...or so it says on the cover. I really like it, and have started using some of the techniques in my classes.

[Meatos]

These are my top two favourites...but I really do like all that I have read!!

CLICK TO CALM
Emma Parsons
Positive Reinforcement/Clicker Training
Subtitle is "Healing the Aggressive Dog" but all the exercises are beneficial for all dogs.

I love that Emma Parsons's foreword is all about her experience with her own dog, who was severely aggressive. She really outlines how finding the right method for her dog was a long road, and how clicker training helped them. The book is chock full of useful exercises with clear descriptions of why you would need to practice these in anticipation of certain situations, and she gives great how-to instructions on how to work on each one. I also like that it has really worked for us!

I don't dislike anything about this book. It's excellent.

THE CULTURE CLASH
Jean Donaldson
Positive Reinforcement
It's about dog behaviour and human behaviour and the resulting "culture clash."

I really like this book because it shows what idiots we are. Donaldson goes through pretty much every aspect of dog behaviour (be it over-excitement, puppy training, working with fear and aggression, resource guarding, etc.) and gives excellent descriptions of why dogs do the things they do and how our misunderstanding of dog behaviour can make things worse. She gives awesome how-to instructions on how to deal with several behaviours.

I also like that I disagree with her on some points, which really forces me to think about my position.

The only thing I dislike about this book (but I kinda really admire her for it at the same time) is her attitude. She is a bit abrasive and very hardcore in her delivery. I like that she is hardcore, but at the same time think that the book could be a little bit less loaded with certain comments.

Oh, and an honourable mention goes to...

BONES WOULD RAIN FROM THE SKY
Suzanne Clothier
Positive Reinforcement
It's a guide to understanding dog behaviour and the amazing impact a strong relationship with your dog can have on their behaviour.

I really liked this book because it changed the way that I look and think about dogs. I think this book is a must read for all dog owners, whether or not they have a deeper interest in training and behaviour. It should be on the required reading list for anyone thinking about getting a puppy/dog!

[ouesi]

Great books so far

I wouldn't necessarily call "Bones" a training book as in teaching any how-to's, but it is IMO a must read for anyone who loves dogs - well, animals. I like Suzanne Clothier so much, Donaldson is sometimes a bit over the top for me, either that or I'm just not creative enough to ever give up R-/P+. But Clothier seems well rooted in reality while still really making you think.

Another book I think is a must have on every serious trainer's shelf, is "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor. Oldie, but goodie.
Its a great overview of learning theory with great explanations of how to apply it in real life situations. She does an excellent examination of the many different ways to train a behavior using behavioral science, as well as ways to eliminate a behavior. My copy is dog eared and covered in notes and stickies, I refer to it often

[EMshablem]

I love books. Here are mine!

Reaching The Animal Mind by Karen Pryor
Clicker Training
How clicker training works
LOVE it!
I love this book because Pryor goes into detail on how she began using the clicker with sea life, and applied it to a lot of different species & animals. I LOVE the online videos that go with the book (especially the fish)! I also loved it in the end how she went into detail on how the brain perceives clicker training. And I feel like it was easy to read. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

also:
Before & After You Get Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar
The right way to pick out & raise your puppy
Like it a lot
I like this book because it puts puppies into perspective. I think one of the most important thing that Dunbar highlights is that dogs are animals that we expect to act human, and that's not really fair. Especially to puppies.
I also like that he covers socialization of puppies, and beginner training techniques.
I dislike that at some points in the book, it becomes overwhelming all the things that you "need" to do with your puppy. But overall, it's good


BTW, I bought the Culture Clash but have yet to read it because the first few pages make it seem like it's not an easy read....I better try again

[crdane]

I got the one by Emma Parsons, it's part of the 'Karen Pryor' series of clicker books...or so it says on the cover. I really like it, and have started using some of the techniques in my classes.

I now know that there is only one book, but someone on the internet when I did a google search had it listed as being BY Karen Pryor. My book is ordered!! It will arrive next week.

[Mom2Dori]

Agree to all so far...also like: Don't Shoot the Dog by Pryor.

[Meatos]

BTW, I bought the Culture Clash but have yet to read it because the first few pages make it seem like it's not an easy read....I better try again

You'll really like it! Her take-no-prisoners attitude is pretty prevalent throughout but the information is amazing. I read it aloud to my boyfriend all the time and we get into some pretty good discussions! I love that about this book. It really makes you think.

[Jakhi]

Hmm, seems like I've got another added to my list! I thought about buying 'culture clash' last time I ordered from amazon.

Once I get around to reading 'don't shoot the dog' 'culture clash' will be next!

On a side note, since I didn't actually read them, my public library had two books by the Monks of New Skete...very interesting to compare the two. It seems like they are still doing very similar training, if a bit toned down, but using nicer words to say it.

That whole 'dominance theory' thing...

I do have 'Caesar's Way'...I couldn't get through the first chapter. I thought I'd read it right after 'Bones' big mistake. The difference was literally so huge that I couldn't do it. Maybe I'll try again, but in the meantime I found some fun rebuttals for 'dominance theory' in general.

Karen Pryor: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/2297

Aidan Bindoff: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/2347


http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-10-1...leash-dog-park

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/31/op...f=cesar_millan

Interesting stuff....

[Meatos]

This thread should be stickied...there have been other threads about training books but none as descriptive as this one. Deb, can you sticky this?

Hopefully more people will add to it because the books I've read have honestly made me do a complete 180. The information is priceless.

I'll keep discussing books as I read them.

And just another plug for THE CULTURE CLASH!!!!!!!!

[Greenmagick]

I keep meaning to vet to this thread but my actual computer time is limited. I am on my phone most of the time so a good review is a bit difficult. But i have to mention one that hasn't been yet.

Control unleashed

this book is technically for getting focus and control in agility but the exercises are so unique and wonderful, and they have really practical applications in the real world as well.

[crdane]

I keep meaning to vet to this thread but my actual computer time is limited. I am on my phone most of the time so a good review is a bit difficult. But i have to mention one that hasn't been yet.

Control unleashed

this book is technically for getting focus and control in agility but the exercises are so unique and wonderful, and they have really practical applications in the real world as well.

Oh, I need to get this one. We are doing an exercise in agility for keeping our dogs right with us, eventually off lead. I have been working out in my yard with Carlie, and she is amazing at it. You are not allowed to say a word, but you have to walk in circles continuously supplying treats, with random turns to keep your dog by your side. I am now able to figure 8 and Carlie is right there, but boy, I would love this book.

[ouesi]

Yes, I agree with the sticky idea
Then as we read new stuff we can update