If I had to buy one very good dog book which should I buy? I would like one that could give me all the information I need from training to caring for the dog to well, everything.

labman

It would be hard to go wrong with How to be Your Dog's Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete. I have heard good things from reliable people about The Cultural Clash by Jean Donalson, or her newer Dogs are from Neptune and the Dog Listener by Jan Fennell. All of those books are heavier on training than care. Most books include very little medical information expecting you to mainly rely on your vet.

Best thing I have ever read is the manual the dog guide gives us puppy raisers. It is written by people with an unusually deep knowledge of dogs and also practice teaching it. Unfortunately, although I often share info from it here, it is not available to the general public.

orange

Labman, what is your opinion of the book "No Bad Dogs: The Woodhouse Way" by Barbara Woodhouse? I'm asking because we own this book in my house, but haven't read it yet. If it's not a good book, I'm tempted to take it in to the used bookstore to be traded for something better.

labman

There are more good books around that I have a chance to check out. It at least sounds like it has a modern, positive tone.

There used to be a great expert around that I highly respected. He claimed any book is better than none at all. He just quit posting a few years ago. He was older and I am afraid he died.

I am sure there are some poor books out there. I have read some in the past, but forget the titles.

fredg

Hi,
You might be interested in this:
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

It is a Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, site, with his video on dog psychology. It's not a training video, like sit, lie down, etc, but a presentation on training owners, with insight on what makes dogs act they way they do.
Best wishes.

iluvdoxies

I found a good dog book with almost everything in it and it also has all the breeds as well it is called The Little Guides: Dogs, I dont know who the author is but it is a short book ( lengthwise) , i got it from my library , it is prob about 3 inches tall so its not that hard to tell it from the other books. hope i helped!

momincali

Thanks all! I noticed there is a revised/updated version of How to be Your Dogs Best Friend, is that much better than the original? Also, does anyone have any opinions on the book "Puppies for Dummies"???

labman

I haven't seen or heard much about either of those books. The How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend was getting to be a little old. Dogs haven't changed much, but some newer ideas seem to be working. An updated version should be a good book.

labman

I don't feel I have done a good job on this question. Part of the problem is that with all the training meetings I attend, plus the updated puppy raising manual I got in November, I haven't kept up on the newer books. 15 years ago, my daughter was bringing home a steady stream of books from the library. I can't go out and buy a dozen books and read them this week. I can't tell you where you can get a copy of my manual. I can copy the list of recommend reading in the back of it.

The Cultural Clash by Jean Donaldson, 1996

Excel-crated Learning by Pamela Reid, 1996

Don't Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor, 1996

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1993

Second Hand dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1988

Dog Problems, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1989

Super Puppy, by Peter J. Vollmer, 1988

HELP, Mt dog Has an Attitude, by Gwen Bohnenkamp, 1994

Owners' Guide Better Behavior in Dogs and Cats, by William Campbell, 1989

What All Good dogs Should Know, By Wendy Vollmer, 1991

Successful Dog Breeding, by Chris Walkowicz, DMV, 1994

How to Raise a Dog When Nobody is Home, Jerry Kilmer, 1991

Through Otis' Eyes-Lessons from a Guide Dog Puppy, by Patricia Berlin Kennedy and Robert Christie, 1998

Puppy Primer, by Brenda K Skidmore and Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996

Beginning Family Dog Training, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996

Planet of the Blind-A Memoir, by Steven Kuusisto, 1998

The Other end of the Leash, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.

The only one I am sure I read is Through Otis' Eyes, a fun children's book. Planet of the Blind sounds familiar. If so, it was hilarious.

The above list was put together by some very fine people, ones whose full time jobs are training dogs and teaching peole to care for them.

No doubt there are other good books out there. I would judge a book by its emphasis on leadership, a strict, but loving parent, not a drill sergeant. It should mostly rely on positive methods, Praise and not too heavily on treats. It should use modern methods including crates, head collars, Martingale collars. If it mentions prong collars, it should strongly recommend having an experienced person fit it. Feeding instructions should be based on controlled studies, not lists of ingredients.

momincali

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!