Training

Of all the things we can do for our dogs, training is quite possibly the most beneficial. By training our dogs, we give them a framework to draw from when interacting in the human world. They gain confidence in us, and in themselves, as they learn the expected responses to the prompts given them. Learning new behaviors engages their minds and they become less prone to boredom. The act of training itself, imparts a sense structure that is important to dogs. In short, training our dogs is the best way to ensure their successful integration into our family.

We recognize that the methods employed in training range from those that are harsh, punishment based, to those dealing in primarily positive, reinforcement. According to this statement, released by the American Animal Hospital Association, the punishment based methods employed by such popular TV shows as “The Dog Whisperer” are, “outdated and — at times — dangerous for pets and their owners.” It is our goal to promote those training methods that would be considered “Dog Friendly.” We take our definition of “Dog Friendly” from this position paper published by The Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Choosing A Trainer

Following is a list of articles that offer good advice about things to consider when choosing a trainer for you and your dog.

• How to Choose a Dog Trainer – Association of Pet Dog Trainers
• Choosing a Dog Trainer – The Humane Society of The United States
• How to Find a Good Trainer – Petfinder
• Choosing a good dog trainer – dogtime
• How to Choose a Dog Trainer – pet education.com
• Guidelines for Choosing a Dog Trainer or Behavior Consultant – www.HelpingFido.com

Websites

• AskDrYin.com – Website of Veterinarian, Author, Trainer, Dr. Sophia Yin DVM. Her bio page alone is worth visiting this site, but there is also a ton of useful and relevant information on training and behavior. Not to be missed.
• Dog Star Daily – Thinking of getting a dog or puppy? Need to train a dog you already have? This site should be at the top of your favorites! Advice and articles from experts like Dr. Ian Dunbar, Patricia McConnell PhD, Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, and many many more!
• clickertraining.com – Karen Pryor is an Internationally known trainer and author. This website has a good deal of free information and advice on training as well as books, dvds, videos, classes, seminars, etc.

Articles

Following is a list of “Behavior Blueprints” provided courtesy of Dog Star Daily -

• Come, Sit, Down, Stay
• Destructive Chewing
• Digging Problems
• Dogs & Children
• Excessive Barking
• Fear Of People
• Fighting With Dogs
• Home Alone
• Housetraining
• Hyper Dog
• New Adult Dog
• New Puppy
• Puppy Biting
• Puppy Training
• Walking On Leash

Videos

Following are some really good training videos that use positive methods.

• Dog Training Videos – Playlist Created by Dog Lovers Digest
• Dog Lovers Digest on YouTube – Our YouTube Page!
• KIKOPUP Dog Training Channell – Excellent YouTube channell on dog training. All her videos are highly rated.
• Dog Star Daily – Official YouTube channell of Dog Star Daily and Ian Dunbar. Nuff said!

Books

Following is a list of some of our favorite books dealing with “Dog Friendly” methods of training.

• The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson – If dogs are ever required to come with an owners manual, this book should be it.
• The Other End Of The Leash by Patricia McConnell – Excellent book on the differences in communication between humans and dogs.
• Don’t Shoot The Dog! by Karen Pryor – Great book on behavioral training.
• How to Teach o New Dog Old Tricks by Dr. Ian Dunbar – Dr. Dunbar is the founder of Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and one of the premiere authors on the subject of dog training.
• Play Together, Stay Together – by Karen London & Patricia McConnell – Happy and Healthy Play Between People and Dogs
• The Dog Whisperer by Paul Owens – No this is not Cesar Milan. A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training
• Dog-Friendly Dog Training by Andrea Arden – Humane, user-friendly and dog-friendly training methods.
• The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller – Use reward to obtain and reinforce the behavior you want.
• How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Dr. Sophia Yin – Another good book on getting humans to see things from the dogs point of view.
• On Talking Terms With Dogs – Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas – This is not a book on training but on canine body language.
• How To Be The Leader of The Pack by Patricia McConnell – Booklet on providing love without spoiling, and setting rules without trying to intimidate.
• Clicker Training For Dogs by Karen Pryor – Introduction to clicker training — positive reinforcement based on operant conditioning.

If you know of a book that you think should be added to our list, let us know!

DVDs

• Perfect Paws in 5 Days featuring Jean Donaldson’s Modern Dog Training Methods by Jean Donaldson – A good primer on teaching basic skill by Jean Donaldson, author of The Culture Clash
• Training The Companion Dog (4 DVD Set) by Dr. Ian Dunbar – 4 DVD Set taken from Dr. Dunbar’s BBC television series.
• The Dog Whisperer Vol. 1 Beginning & Intermediate Dog Training DVD by Paul Owens – The author of the popular book, The Dog Whisperer, takes you through his nonviolent methods.
• Sirius Puppy Training by Dr. Ian Dunbar – One of the best selling DVDs on training.
• Really Reliable Recall – Train Your Dog to Come When Called No Matter What! by Leslie Nelson – Having a reliable recall on your dog is essential. This DVD illustrates the steps to building a reliable recall in a very accesible manner.

If you know of a DVD that is missing from our list, please tell us.