Follow The Leader Dog Training and Behavior LLC Reading Room

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We maintain an extensive canine library. The best dog training skills can only be maintained through education. These are a few of the books that Becky and I have read and reread. Any books purchased using one of our links provide funds for Star Bright Therapy Dogs. Manyt of these books can be purchased using the links to Dogwise.com or check with your local library for availabilty.

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	DOGS:A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF CANINE ORIGIN, BEHAVIOR, AND EVOLUTION Drawing on insight gleaned from 35 years of raising, training, and researching the behaviors of dogs worldwide, Ray and Lorna Coppinger explore in detail how dog breeds have evolved into their unique shapes and behaviors. Concentrating on five types of dogs - modern household dogs, village dogs, livestock guarding dogs, sled dogs, and herding dogs - they examine our canine companions from a unique biological viewpoint. Clearly points the way for dog lovers, therapists, veterinarians, and all others who deal with dogs to understand their animals from a fresh perspective. How did the domestic dog become a distinct species from the wolf? Why do different breeds behave differently? How can we improve the relationship between humans and dogs? Shows how dogs' different abilities depend upon the confluence of their nature and nurture; both genetics and the environment play equally key roles.
	The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression, by Karen Delise explores and reveals how our views and beliefs about canine aggression have changed over the last 150 years and how our perceptions about the nature and behavior of dogs has been influenced and shaped by persons and organizations who often times disseminate information about dog attacks which is tailored to further an agenda unrelated to the improvement of the human/dog bond.
	AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN DOGS - A COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL MANUAL FOR PROFESSIONALS by James O'Heare is an advanced comprehensive technical manual, written for dog behavior professionals. It discusses understanding aggressive behavior in dogs, functionally assessing the behavior and constructing systematic behavior change programs, as well as consulting skills and case management. Comprehensive and systematic, it favors a behavioral approach. It includes an extensive glossary and functional assessment forms.
	FATAL DOG ATTACKS "Karen's book is the best out there on fatal dog attacks. She has done a great deal of research into the documentation around the actual attacks, unlike some who's "research" is nothing more than a rehash of the press reports on the incidents, which we all know are of the greatest accuracy......right. She and I share info too. As my project of doing actual, hands on, on scene investigations of fatal attacks around the country has grown, I have been able to share with her the most up to date, on scene data that there is." Jim Crosby Member, American College of Forensic Examiners Member, International Association of Animal Behavior Counsellors Consultant, National Canine Research Foundation http://www.canineaggression.org/
	The Dog Trainer's Resource The Dog Trainer's Resource: The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Collection is an anthology of 80 articles by 40 authors, all previously published by The Association of Pet Dog Trainers newsletter. Top-notch, cutting edge information on everything from puppy training to learning theory, dealing with aggression, shelter dogs, running a professional dog training business and meeting the needs of clients, and much more fill this expert-level resource. Lay people seeking to train their beloved pets will also benefit greatly from the wisdom and advice in The Dog Trainer's Resource.
	DON'T SHOOT THE DOG by Karen Pryor is one of the best selling teaching and training books. Not exclusively a dog training book - Karen is famous as an early dolphin trainer. Outlines 8 methods for putting an end to all kinds of undesirable behavior without yelling, threats, force, punishment, guilt trips - or shooting the dog; the 10 laws of shaping behavior through affection training; how to combat your own addictions to alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, overeating or whatever; how to deal with such difficult problems as a moody spouse, an impossible teen, or an aged parent; PLUS housetraining the dog, improving your tennis game, keeping the cat off the table, and much, much more! New revised edition has new chapter, "Clicker Training, A New Technique." This covers the use of clickers in dog training, why it works, and how it has caught on. There is little or no practical application. This is the theory!
	CULTURE CLASH by Jean Donaldson is a revolutionary new way of understanding the relationship between humans and domestic dogs. The author's work with her own dogs and those of her clients, and her studies with other behaviorists has led her to the realization that dogs probably learn exclusively through conditioning of various types. Understand the role of conditioning on a dog's intelligence & morality; predatory & social behavior; socialization, conflict resolution, fear & aggression; behavior problems & solutions.
	DOMESTIC DOG, ITS EVOLUTION, BEHAVIOR AND INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE The latest scientific and scholarly information on the origins and evolution of canine behavior from international experts will give you insights into the behavior of the domestic dog. Discusses genetic and breed differences in behavior. Bibliographies follow each chapter for the serious student to do further reading. Fascinating! Important!
	CANINE BEHAVIOR: A GUIDE FOR VETERINARIANS examines all canine behavioral traits, both normal and abnormal. Explores how dogs play, communicate, interact socially and sexually, groom themselves, and much more. Provides revealing insights into the origins of this behavior. Most importantly, it details the best ways to solve a full range of behavioral problems, including the latest drug therapies and new treatments. A wealth of case studies makes this guidance simple to apply.
	THE OTHER END OF THE LEASH When humans communicate with dogs, a lot can get lost in the translation. Focusing on human behavior, Dr. McConnell teaches readers how to retrain themselves to speak consistently in a language dogs understand and avoid sending conflicting and confusing messages. The new insights into human and dog interaction will forever alter and improve our relationship with our best friends. Combines true stories, scientific perspective and professional dog training tips.
	ADVANCED CANINE BEHAVIOR DVD by Patricia McConnell Ph.D.This six video or DVD set is devoted to the understanding of who dogs are and why they do what they do. Taped in 2001 in Novato, CA at a two-day seminar on behavior and training, the package includes ten hours of discussion, slides, videos and demonstrations of how genetics, in-utero experiences, early development and the present environment influence a dog's behavior. The seminar emphasizes positive training techniques that combine ethology and learning theory to improve our relationships with our dogs.
	STEVE WHITE TRACKING SEMINAR: DVD This 2 day tracking seminar was taped in Sacramento, California and was sponsored by the Sacramento Dog Training Club. The video includes lecture, video presentations, power point graphics, and hands-on tracking instruction. There are at least two methods each for tracking, article identification and scent discrimination. The class works with their dogs using the lessons learned in the lecture. A hands-on seminar with lots of outdoor tracking experience. The focus is on getting the dog ready to pass the VST TRACKING PROGRAM. Steve White may be contacted through his website http://www.i2ik9.com
	CONTROL UNLEASHED - CREATING A FOCUSED AND CONFIDENT DOG Learn how to turn stress to confidence and distraction to focus using methods that are 110% positive. Leslie McDevitt's versatile Control Unleashed program is designed to help "dogs with issues" learn how to relax, focus, and work off-leash reliably in either stimulating or stressful situations. Whether you're training a challenging dog on your own, an instructor trying to figure out how to help dogs in your classes, or an instructor who wants to design a special program just for stressed out dogs, this book is for you.
	CHANGING PEOPLE CHANGING DOGS - POSITIVE SOLUTIONS FOR DIFFICULT DOGS an easy-to-read compilation of information and exercises to address canine fear and aggression issues, based on the science of learning theory combined with the author's insight as a trainer. The simple and effective exercises will have you and your dog, or your clients and their dogs, well on the way to a happy relationship. Strictly positive methods!
	LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR, by Paul Chance looks at learning as an evolutionary mechanism. Chance's book is stimulating, interactive, and peppered with high-interest queries and examples. Chance provides the depth of conceptual knowledge usually associated with books twice as dense and infinitely less interesting. Chance's engaging work has become a favorite of students because of his ability to illuminate how the psychology of learning can offer insight into our own behavior.
	Coercion and its Fallout, by Murray Sidman. is a seminal book written by a prominent behavior analyst and it outlines the argument against using aversives quite well. It containes a great amount of information about positive reinforcement vs punishment, how these two principles effect laboratory rats as well as us humans, like students, criminals, children, employees, soldiers.