GRiC Bookshelf

General Training Books

That Winning Feeling : Program Your Mind for Peak Performance

by Jane Savoie

On Good Behavior : Questions and Answers for Solving and Preventing Dog Problems

by Bardi McLennan

Nicole Fassbender recommended this book and gives the following comments: This is a very basic question and answer book about behavior. I found it to be easy to use and made me feel as thought I was not the only one with some of my dogs' problems - a good feeling if you are a novice dog owner. As with any training guide, I don't follow every step to the "T" but it gives some good ideas on where to start.

Dog Behavior : Why Dogs Do What They Do

by Ian Dunbar Recommended by Steve Armstrong

People, Pooches and Problems

by Job Michael Evans, Kevin Smith

Highly recommended by several golden owners.

Childproofing Your Dog : A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Dog for the Children in Your Life

by Brian Kilcommons, Sarah Wilson

Master dog trainer and author of Good Owners, Great Dogs Brian Kilcommons shows readers how to encourage children and dogs to be perfect companions, in a comprehensive manual that demonstrates how to train an older dog to accept an infant, choose the right breed, and more.

Good Owners Great Dogs

by Brian Kilcommons

One of the world's foremost experts on dog training and animal behavior offers a comprehensive, practical, and innovative guide to dog ownership, care, and training. Kilcommons teaches dog owners how to master the effective training skills that will result in obedient, well-behaved pets who can accompany their owners anywhere.

Mother Knows Best : The Natural Way to Train Your Dog by Carol Lea Benjamin

An approach to training designed to make an obedient, reliable animal of the family dog. Based on the natural way a mother dog trains her puppies, this charming, useful reference incorporates much of known canine behavior patterns.

Dog Problems : A Professional Trainer's Guide to Preventing and Correcting Aggression, Destructiveness, Housebreaking Problems, Excessive Barking, Dogfights, Tugging, Jumping, Shyness, Stealing, Begging, Car Chasing, Fear Biting, Object Guarding, and much, much more

by Carol Lea Benjamin

Carol Lea Benjamin, dog trainer extraordinaire and author of five books devoted to dog behavior, shares her expertise in managing unruly canines in Dog Problems. One quarter of America's 55 million pooches suffer from some form of serious behavioral problem, and for all those frustrated owners, Benjamin's down-to- earth, humane approach provides practical steps toward owning a healthy, happy pet. Dog Problems outlines every conceivable canine problem, from petty larceny to chronic leg lifting and fear of random objects. Benjamin offers easily executable training methods for each predicament. Cited are many encouraging examples of cured dogs, such as Cybil, the timid German shepherd who, thanks to Benjamin's training techniques, overcame her shyness by learning to take walks with strangers. Dog Problems entertains with lighthearted language and hilarious drawings of dogs in compromising situations, all without detracting from the solid, humane training techniques certain to help most problem dogs.

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence : A Positive Training Program

by Stephen Lennard, Carol Lea Benjamin (Photographer)

Here's valuable information on why puppy training does not work on the older dog, plus, how to get and keep a dog's attention, which equipment to use and which to avoid, and how to teach basic commands and correct obnoxious behavior.

Dog Training in 10 Minutes

by Carol Lea Benjamin

In language that's clear and easy to follow, and with a method that's compassionate and humane, this book will teach readers about understanding their dog (the first step in getting a handle on the animal's behavior), training equipment, teaching sit, down, come, heel, and other essentials like wait, leave it, and off, and secrets of problem correction, and much more. 45 color photos. 62 color drawings. Dog Training in 10 Minutes is Carol Lea Benjamin's dog-training book for the 1990's, geared specifically for people short on time but long on intention. With this book, you learn: * How to Know What Your Dog is Feeling * Teaching via Praise and Correction * Ten Secrets of Problem Correction * Ten Ways to Play.

Second Hand Dog : How to Turn Yours into a First-Rate Pet

by Carol Lea Benjamin

Describes the care, training, and rehabilitation of previously owned or formerly homeless dogs, focusing on their special problems and needs.

A perfect book for anyone who adopts a dog from a shelter or rescue group!

How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With

by Clarice Rutherford, David H. Neil

This book has been recommended by many members of the golden email list.

Dog Tricks

by Arthur J. Haggerty, Carol Lea Benjamin

A delightful guide to training your dog to perform many amusing and useful behaviors. Tricks range from the sublimely fun and entertaining (silly tricks and kid tricks) to downright useful and lifesaving (fire and smoke detection and barking at intruders).

Beyond Basic Dog Training

by Diane L. Bauman

An authority and widely-known lecturer details her novel "teaching" approach--enabling Obedience enthusiasts and their dogs to further succeed in the sport. This new edition presents the most current knowledge on canine learning patterns, and provides updated American Kennel Club obedience trial regulations.

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

by Karen Pryor

Now Karen Pryor clearly explains the underlying principles of behavioral training and through numerous fascinating examples reveals how this art can be applied to virtually any common situation. And best of all, she tells how to do it without yelling threats, force, punishment, guilt trips--or shooting the dog. 8 methods for putting an end to all kinds of undesirable behavior. The 10 laws of "shaping" behavior--for results without strain or pain through "affection training." How to combat your own addictions to alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, overheating or whatever, how to deal with such difficult problems as a moody spouse, an impossible teen, or an aged parent. Plus. . .House training the dog, improving your tennis game, keeping the cat off the table, and much more!

The Art of Raising a Puppy

by Monks of New Skete

The book observes a litter of monastery puppies from birth to 12 weeks. Tender photographs and dialogue reflect these precious first few weeks of life. Even at this time, the human-canine link is vital; the monks stress the importance of gentle touch to help forge this connection. Basic puppy training techniques are explored and executed, all of which puppy owners should find easy to implement. Virtually all types of dog problems and dog training are examined in the book, always in compassionate and easily comprehensible language. The monks also look well beyond surface training techniques to analyze the roots of dogs' problems and explain how training can help. Owners are taught how to gently assert dominance over their dog, which will make for a long-lasting and fulfilling relationship. Beautiful black-and-white photographs of monastery puppies will pull at every heartstring.

This book recommended by Matt Molay.

The Trick Is in the Training

by Stephanie J. Taunton, Cheryl S. Smith

Beginning with four basic commands--sit, down, stand, and stay--this book shows dog owners how to train an animal to perform both simple and more complicated tricks. Instructions for each of the book's 25 tricks are presented with tips to help owners work through problems, and suggestions for putting the animal's training to effective use. 150 color photos. This book recommended by Rosanne Sax

The following titles suggested by:
Steve Armstrong

Dog Talk : Training Your Dog Through a Canine Point of View

by John Ross, Barbara McKinney

Incorporating the revolutionary teachings of John Ross's prominent dog-training school, this is the first and only dog-training book that truly takes readers inside the canine mind, enabling them to communicate effectively with their pets. Dog Talk has become a standard since its publication in 1992.

Therapy Dogs : Training Your Dog to Reach Others

by Kathy Diamond Davis

Therapy Dogs helps readers train and condition their dogs to interact with the elderly, the handicapped, and the mentally disadvantaged.

Catch Your Dog Doing Something Right : How to Train Any Dog in Five Minutes a Day

by Krista Cantrell

Taking a unique no-force training approach, "Catch Your Dog Doing Something Right" shows how happy dogs learn faster and have fewer problems when training sessions feel like playtime. Fifteen exercises demonstrate how dogs learn and reveal how to change a dog's behavior, while stories, facts, and step-by-step instructions make this book easy to understand. Photos

The Canine Good Citizen : Every Dog Can Be One

by Joachim Volhard, Wendy Volhard, Melissa Bartlett

Based on the fastest growing AKC program of its kind! This book is tailored to each dog's individual needs as determined by the canine personality tests explained within the book. Learn how to train a dog so that it can easily pass any of the Canine Good Citizen test's exercises!

The following titles suggested by:
Mary Ellen Lunde

Jumping From A to Z: Teach Your Dog to Soar

by M. Christine Zink

Flyball Training---Start to Finish

by Jacqueline Parkin

Agility Training : The Fun Sport for All Dogs

by Jane Simmons-Moake

Covering training for all levels, the book teaches you how to get started, work on your own, attend classes, earn titles, and organize a competition or practice event. Includes official regulations and obstacle construction plans.

Agility:Advanced Skills Training

by Simmons-Moake

Agility:Sequence Training

by Simmons-Moake

Enjoying Dog Agility : From Backyard to Competition

by Julie Daniels

The new Obedience sport that's sweeping the country agility training offers a challenge to you and your dog that keeps both of you interested entertained and coming back for more. the Author a noted trainer has competed in National competition with her Rottweiler and teaches Agility classes to eager learners. In this book a cookbook approach has been used that simplifies and illustrates all the right moves. Using the step-by-step approach and observing the wonderful pictures and diagrams you too can have a dog that can perform with the best of them. Nominated by the Dog Writer's Association as Best in its Category .

Dogs and Kids: Parenting Tips

by Bardi McLennan, Shon Cox Doucette (Photographer)

A unique feature of this book is the way it examines the dog-and-child relationship, with abundant guidance provided in an area seldom discussed.

Lori Whitwam of the G@H email list says: It talks about new babies, getting a dog when you already have a baby or toddler, and how to manage dogs with older kids.

Culture Clash

by Jean Donaldson

This is a must have book for all dog owners!