Training Books

[BIG-DOG-LOVER]

Hi, we don't have a pup yet, but as it's been a LONG time since I owned one I would like to start reading up on how to best train a dog, I'm a keen non-fiction reader so would love any recommendations and eventually one day it will all be put into practice!

I wonder if any of my parenting books would help at all, I guess in a way the psychology of it all is rather similar, lol.

[Luke W]

Hi, we don't have a pup yet, but as it's been a LONG time since I owned one I would like to start reading up on how to best train a dog, I'm a keen non-fiction reader so would love any recommendations and eventually one day it will all be put into practice!

I wonder if any of my parenting books would help at all, I guess in a way the psychology of it all is rather similar, lol.

I'm a new puppy owner and I've been reading up a lot.

These would be my recommendations. Keep in mind that I'm a bit of a newby too, but I did a lot of research and think my choices are pretty sound.

Start with Ian Dunbar -

Before You Get Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar - you can download a PDF version here: http://www.siriuspup.com/beforebook.html

Then buy the full Before and After series:

Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Behaved Dog by Dr. Ian Dunbar - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=s...ds=ian%20dunbar

Gwen Bailey is very, very good:

The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey - http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Puppy-Gwen-B...9291&sr=8-1

I'm currently reading Jean Donaldson , not just a training book but an insight into dog psychology and our relationship with dogs:

The Culture Clash: A Revolutionary New Way to Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs (Paperback) by Jean Donaldson - http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Clash-Revolu...9397&sr=8-2

Here's some more from my collection.

- How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks by Ian Dunbar - http://www.amazon.com/How-Teach-New-Dog-Tr...9508&sr=8-2

- Doctor Dunbar's Good Little Dog Book by Ian Dunbar - http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Dunbars-Good-...9508&sr=8-4

- The Other End of the Leash (Paperback) by Patricia McConnell - http://www.amazon.com/Other-End-Leash-Patr...d_sim_b_title_4

- Positive Puppy Training Works by Joel Walton - http://www.amazon.com/Positive-Puppy-Train...9844&sr=8-1

- Dog-Friendly Dog Training by Andrea Arden - http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Friendly-Dog-Tra...9985&sr=8-1

- Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships with Dogs by Suzanne Clothier - http://www.amazon.com/Bones-Would-Rain-Sky...0028&sr=8-1

I've also read:

The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation by Jan Fennel - http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Listener-Communi...0724&sr=8-1

BUT - I'd take what she says with a grain of salt - she has some interesting and useful thoughts but personally I think some of what she says is a bit black and white and simplistic. It seems her answer for everything is that the dog thinks it's the

leader of the pack.

I started with these, in this order:

Ian Dunbar - Before Getting You Puppy

Gwen Baily - The Perfect Puppy

Joel Walton - Positive Puppy Training Works

Ian Dunbar - Before and After Getting Your Puppy

Also, there's a series of DVDs by Ian Dunbar.

I've watched the first one and enjoyed it immensely

Sirius Puppy Training by Dr. Ian Dunbar - http://www.amazon.com/Sirius-Puppy-Trainin...0452&sr=8-3

I've got this one, yet to watch:

Training Dogs With Dunbar by Dr. Ian Dunbar - http://www.amazon.com/Training-Dogs-Dunbar...0452&sr=8-7

The 4 DVD collection is on my shelf waiting for me to get to it:

Training The Companion Dog (Set of 4 DVDs) by Dr. Ian Dunbar - http://www.amazon.com/Training-Companion-D...0452&sr=8-6

If, like me, it's been a long time since you've trained a dog, things have changed a bit

Finally, on a personal note, I'm avoiding Cesar Millan - I'm not too sure about his methods

Hope this helps!

Edited May 9, 2008 by Luke W

[CliftonPark]

Luke you have an impressive library! I have read Dunbar and like his training methods (I like Cesar Millan but think his methods are most beneficial for dogs with issues that require more than positive reinforcement) I would love to get Dunbar's DVD's but have not been able to find any that suit our Region in Australia? Anyone know where I can obtain some that can be played on Australian DVD players?

[Luke W]

Luke you have an impressive library! I have read Dunbar and like his training methods (I like Cesar Millan but think his methods are most beneficial for dogs with issues that require more than positive reinforcement) I would love to get Dunbar's DVD's but have not been able to find any that suit our Region in Australia? Anyone know where I can obtain some that can be played on Australian DVD players?

It' my obsessive personality. My middle name is "Nothing By Halves"

I bought the Dunbar DVDs from Amazon and watch them on my computer. I use VLC Media Player to play them and they work fine.

I just tried one in my lounge DVD player - worked fine there too. It's a Pioneer DV-393.

Added - I'm in Australia too.

Edited May 9, 2008 by Luke W

[BIG-DOG-LOVER]

Wow Luke, thank you so much for ALL those recommendations!!!!

I'll start at the top and work my way down, lol.

Thanks

[BIG-DOG-LOVER]

I've just printed off Before You Get Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar and I'll bind it up and then have a read, looks pretty good though.

BDL

[helen]

Although Ian Dunbar is good I much prefer Gwen Bailey. She also has a new book called Puppy Pre School which has similar information to the Perfect Puppy but not as much information but lots of great illustrations for training exercises. They are both fantastic books but the choice would depend on how much theory you want.

[BIG-DOG-LOVER]

I'm planning on purchasing a Gwen Bailey book this week, I think it's great to read lots of different perspectives on things and work out what you think will be best for yourself.

I'm predicting that my dog book collection is going to grow as large as my parenting/child collection