The first book I read was The Dog Whisperer: A
Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training by Paul Owens dogwhispererdvd.com.
I found his ideas concerning dog training to be refreshing and up beat. On the
other hand, some of his metaphysical ideas did not register with me at all. There
is a great philosophic practice I apply in such instances: chew up the meat,
spit out the bones.
The next book I read was The Other End of the Leash
by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. patriciamcconnell.com This lady can put an idea
across! I was touched as she shared her personal experiences concerning the
dogs in her life. Although I never
knew it, she states that dogs do not naturally like to be hugged nor enjoy
being pet, pet, petted on their heads. A pity, really, but if that is the
reality, I want to make the appropriate adjustments. McConnell points out that
dogs are students of our body language and she suggests a number of techniques
that we can use to be consistent both verbally and physically when we try to
communicate with our dogs. She also reviews many behaviors that dogs exhibit
that allows us to understand their body language in return. There were so many
nuggets in this book, that I purchased my own copy to keep in my personal
library.
Although out of alphabetical or chronological order, I
thought it be advantageous to put all of McConnell’s books that I read together.
For the Love of a Dog by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. is a sequel to The
Other End of the Leash and is also heartwarming and informative.
Family Friendly Dog Training: A Six Week Program by
Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., and Aimee M. Moore
as titled, offers a 6‑week training program you can use. This is particularly
appropriate for puppies, but could be used with adult dogs as well. The
training approach is totally non-aversive. This book is in my top five. I own
it.
How to be the Leader of the Pack by Patricia
McConnell, Ph.D. explains various non-aversive training techniques that are
effective so that you not only train your dog to be obedient, but in the
process you earn your dog’s respect. Not necessarily for puppies. I own it.
Puppy Primer by Brenda Scidmore & Patricia
McConnell, Ph.D. This is more of a large-format booklet than a book and has a
number of basic training techniques for puppies. I would call this an
appetizer, not the main course. I own it.
Dog Training for Dummies by Jack & Wendy Volhard volhard.com
was the third book I actually read, after reading The Other End of the Leash.
Permit me to
digress concerning the “for Dummies” books. Many years ago a new office machine
came out. It was called a “personal computer”. I could see the business value
and purchased one to replace our office IBM Selectric typewriter. It had two
7.5 inch floppy drives, and each floppy disc could hold a phenomenal amount of
data - 360 kilo bytes! The software program resided on one floppy disc and the
material you wanted to create or massage
was on the other floppy disc. We purchased “word processor” software called Word Star. The only
way for us to make the machine work was to go back to school. Therefore, three
of my office staff and I attended a local business school that offered night classes
twice a week for 6 weeks. I realized that if I didn’t have a concept of the hardware
and software, I would become a stumbling block to its efficient implementation.
Those classes formed a wonderful foundation for all of the computer knowledge I
have assimilated since. I became quite expert in making Word Star dance to my tune. So it was
with fear and trepidation that a few short years later I voluntarily switched
to a totally new and better software program called “Microsoft Word.” Back in
that day, software came with an instruction manual. Before installing new
software, I would get out the documentation and read it cover to cover as if it
were a novel. When I finished the last page, I couldn’t remember a thing! But
as I began to use the program I knew that the answer to any questions I had were
in the book! Now, many years, many computers, and many updated software
programs later, no printed instructions are included, instead everything is on
disc which you can access through the help menu. For the troglodytes like me,
who demand to hold hard copies in our hands the “for Dummies” books are a
Godsend! I’ve purchased so many of these books related to computers that I’ve
lost track. Dog Training for Dummies was the first of three “for
Dummies” books that I read and then purchased just related to dogs. They are
all excellent.
Now back to Dog Training for Dummies by Jack and
Wendy Volhard. Jack Volhard is quoted in so many of the other books I’ve read,
it is obvious that the Volhards have earned the respect of many people in the
dog community. They took a puppy personality test, that was created by William
Campbell, author of Better Behavior in Dogs, and tweaked it and it has
been used by many breeders over the years. Dog Training for Dummies covers
many topics, it is very thorough, and it is well balanced. It forms the
foundational concepts that I have ultimately adopted. This book is one of the
best I’ve read, definitely in the top five. I own it.
I picked up Cesar’s Way by Cesar Millan cesarmillaninc.com because, as I’ve
mentioned previously, I had seen a snippet of him on a TV interview. I was initially
turned off by some of the terminology in the introduction and was not going to read
it at all. After setting it aside for several weeks, I was curious enough to
pick it up again and I’m glad I did. I subsequently read his second book Be
a Pack Leader and I have watched the various videos he offers on his
website. The Cesar Millan story is a testament to the opportunity that America
offers to anyone who is willing to subject his raw talents and abilities to the
refining fires of hard work. Cesar brings to the table a truly amazing,
intuitive sense as to what each individual
dog and each individual owner needs in order to create a well balanced
relationship that is beneficial to both. Certainly Cesar often deals with dogs
that are on the extreme end of the behavioral bell-shaped curve, and clearly, his
techniques work for those dogs. That is not to say that other techniques would
not work, nor does it prove that his techniques should be used universally. It
is critical to acknowledge that Cesar states that he “he trains people and he rehabilitates
dogs.” He never claims that his methods are for dog training per se, but rather
to change that particular dog’s state of mind into one that is appropriately
calm and submissive in relation to people. Cesar’s often stated principles of:
(1) no talk, no touch, no eye contact;
and
(2) rules, boundaries, limitations;
and
(3) exercise, discipline, then affection;
and
(4) nose, eyes, ears (in that order);
and
(5) animal, dog, breed, name (in that
order); and
(6) preparation, patience, practice;
and
(7) trust, respect, love; and
(8) body, mind, heart; and
(9) animals first connect
instinctually, then emotionally, then spiritually.
All of these concepts are valid. Certainly, if these principles are applied
early, often and throughout the dog’s life, the relationship between the dog
and its human partners would not require extreme techniques. I own it.
Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan – The Ultimate Episode
Guide by Jim Milio and Melissa Jo Peltier is just what the title promises.
It provides an opportunity to appropriate the information through active
reading in addition to video viewing. I own it.
While I was reading McConnell’s The Other End of the
Leash, I was also leafing through How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend by
the Monks of New Skete dogsbestfriend.com and came across a picture that was titled “The Alpha Roll.” McConnell
specifically mentions this technique as something that should NOT be used. When
I checked the publishing date of How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend it was
1979 and I decided that this book was too “old school.” So I set it aside to
return to the library. In passing, I mentioned to my dog breeder that I was
opposed to the Alpha Roll and she said that in some instances even the Alpha
Roll might be appropriate. Since this was the last book in my initial foray to
the library, I decided to read it and I’m glad I did. Yes, there are a number
of old school ideas but many of them are still valid. Interestingly enough a
new, updated edition was published in 2002. I purchased it and read it as well.
The Monks too have moved away from the Alpha Roll and have instituted many of
the newer techniques. The Monks have not thrown the puppy out with the
bathwater but have retained the tried and true.
Having completed this first group of books, I made a list of
titles and authors that were mentioned by these writers and over the months of April, May, and
June I read the following books. Certainly there is a significant amount of
overlap in the various books, but each writer has something new to offer and I
came away with more than I had prior to each of these readings. Taken in
alphabetical order, here is a short take on each.
The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete dogsbestfriend.com was published in 1991 and
has a number of positive ideas. It didn’t make my top five, but it is a
worthwhile book to read. I found their ideas regarding dog massage and repositioning to be intriguing. I
own it.
Before & After Getting Your Puppy by Dr Ian
Dunbar siriuspup.com was one of
two best puppy books I read. Dunbar is chock
full of ideas, concepts, and practices that will either prevent problems or
stop negative behaviors before they become significant. The book is fast-paced
and fun to read. Dunbar brings his expertise
as a veterinarian and a dog behaviorist to the table as well as his good humor
and writing abilities. I own it.
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