Suggested Reading - Dog Training

Many people are looking for a "Lassie", a "Benji" or an "Eddie" as a pet. They go to breeders, pet shops and shelters to find one. Once home, they realize what they have is a dog that may resemble what they want, but in no way acts like the one on the television screen. Too often, in frustration and disappointment, the dog ends up in a shelter. What people must realize is, before the animal hit the "screen," someone spent hours, if not years, training the dog. Benji didn't go straight from an animal shelter to stardom. "Lassies" aren't born, they are trained.

Below you will find a list of suggested reading. We do not endorse every sentence of these books. Rather, we have found them helpful in learning different techniques in training dogs to be better community members. There are many books on the market. These are just a few.

The biggest key to training any dog is to be consistent. If you don't want your dog to jump on you when you are nicely dressed, don't let him jump on you when you are in jeans. If you don't want him to chew your new shoes, don't let him chew an old pair.  If you want him to come when called when you are outside, don't let him get away with not coming when called when you are indoors. Dogs don't understand the difference between nice clothes and casual clothes, new shoes and old shoes, having to come in one location and not having to come in another. Dogs are extremely smart. However, they don't have the reasoning abilities of humans. Don't confuse your dog with inconsistency and ignorance.


So, are you looking for what Timmy had with Lassie? Great!  Work at it and it can be yours.
 

Suggested Reading:

Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog

Carol Lea Benjamin

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence: A Positive Training Program

Carol Lea Benjamin

Carol Lea Benjamin developed her training techniques from watching the interaction of a mother dog with her young. We can teach our dogs by mimicking the natural language of our canine companion. Her books are an easy read and filled with humane and proven techniques.
 

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog Owners

The Monks Of New Skete

The Art of Raising a Puppy

The Monks of New Skete

The monks of New Skete support themselves by breeding, raising and training Germen Shepherd dogs, although they train all breeds. They advocate the philosophy that “understanding is the key to communication, compassion and communion” with your dog. Their books will teach you how to be your dog’s best friend, and gain his respect and loyalty in return.
 

No Bad Dogs: The Woodhouse Way

Barbara Woodhouse

Dog Training My Way

Barbara Woodhouse

Barbara Woodhouse is best known in her home country of Britain. She has had over 30 years of experience and has personally trained over 17,000 dogs and their owners in her weekend classes. Her enthusiastic approach to training has lead many “failed relationships” into the happy union they were meant to be. Barbara teaches there are no bad dogs, only inexperienced owners.
 

The Koehler Method of Dog Training

William Koehler

William Koehler’s experience includes the training of K-9 greats such as “Chiffon” in the motion picture “The Shaggy Dog”, “Asta” in the “The Thin Man” series, “Big Red”, and “Duke” in Disney’s “The Swiss Family Robinson”. Although somewhat harsh in his “old school” methods, Koehler is a master at explaining the why in his step-by-step principles of obedience training and sets forth the logic behind the training exercises beautifully.