BEGINNER'S BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY

BEGINNER'S BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY

compiled by Pam Green, & 2003

The following bibliography is far from exhaustive. It is merely a short (yes, it really is short, compared to the many good books worth reading) list of books of an introductory nature or of special value. The notations *** and ***** etc indicate exceptional value. Prices (may be out of date) and sources are indicated for books that might be difficult to order through a bookstore. Links to my reviews of some of these books are provided. Some books appear under more than one heading. I hope to make it easier for you to find what you want.

Read all you can : knowledge empowers you ! Read critically, think about what you read and argue with it, and be prepared to re-evaluate in the light of your own growing experience. Re-read again later on when you have more real expereince; some books will mean more and more as you learn more from your dogs themselves. Remember that dogs are individuals.

BOOKS OF INTEREST TO ALL

• NORMAL DOG BEHAVIOR
  (You must know what is normal dog behavior before you can do anything else !)

 

• Pfaffenberger, The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior, Howell *** (now a classic)
• Fox, Understanding Your Dog, Bantam
• Lorenz, Man Meets Dog and King Solomon's Ring, Penguin (utterly charming ; disregard the jackel vs wolf ancestry)
• DOGS, A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, & Evolution by Ray & Lorna Coppinger , thought-provoking book about canine behavior , physical qualities, and upbringing, especially as related to working dogs.
• Dog Language by Roger Abrantes, ****** canine communication and behavior ; superb illustrations. of value to everyone !!!
• The Other End of the Leash, by Patricia McConnell, PhD ********** review of superb book on how our natural human behaviors can cause us to mis-communicate with our dogs; how the 2 species are alike and how they are different. absolutely ESSENTIAL reading for everyone !!!
• "For the Love of a Dog" by Patricia McConnell, PhD ********* a superb book on canine emotions and the body language reflecting these emotions. Consider this a sequel to "The Other End of the Leash">
 

• PROBLEM DOG BEHAVIOR
  (You must also read abut normal behavior, because many behaviors that owners consider "problems" are normal behaviors that clash with our human social context.)

 

• Benjamin, Dog Problems, Doubleday (good basic info on problem solving)
• Evans, Evans' Guide for Counseling Dog Owners , Howell (for professionals, but very readable)
• Evans, People, Pooches, and Problems ***** (for all owners; includes prevention)
• Dodman DVM, The Dog Who Loved Too Much, Bantam ***** (behavior therapy & meds ; serious problems)
• Dodman DVM, Dogs Behaving Badly , Bantam ***** (see especially the appendix)
• Dogs Are From Neptune by Jean Donaldson behavior problem solving. Lasar Multimedia ** (read Culture Clash first)
• Aggression In Dogs : Practical Management, Prevention, and Behavior Modification, by Brenda Aloff, published by Dogwise.com. ***** an absolute MUST READ for anyone who has a dog with even the beginnings of a dog-to-dog or dog-to-human aggression problem or has a dog who is fearful of dogs or humans (thus at high risk of developing an aggression problem). Also an excellent review of the behaviorist principles of training, using mostly positive reinforcement, and an excellent review of canine body language. If you don't (yet) have any aggression or fear problems , this book is still of great value because it will enable you to prevent most aggression problems.
 

• PUPPY RAISING / DOG AS MEMBER OF FAMILY / OWNER RESPONSIBILITY
  (How to raise a puppy to be a civilized dog and valued family member; your responsibilities towards your dog.)

 

• Responsible Dog Ownership by Kathy Diamond Davis , , Howell ********** responsibilities of dog guardianship; absolutely MUST be read before you get a dog !!!!
• Dr Myrna Milani, DVM, DogSmart (book on issues you have to think through before taking a dog into your life) Contemporary books ********** absolutely positively MUST be read before you get a dog !!!!
• How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks, Dr Ian Dunbar, PhD, MRCVS. ******* outstanding book on puppy rearing; a MUST read.
• Benjamin, Mother Knows Best, Howell *****, emphasis on puppy raising, useful for all dogs; one of my very favorite books on rearing and training.
• Benjamin, Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, ("teenage" phase = 9 mo to 2 years)
• Monks of New Skete, How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, *** Little Brown (reccommend 2nd edition, 2003 , which corects missuse of advice about "Alpha rollover")
• Monks of New Skete, The Art of Raising a Puppy , *** Little Brown***
• Rutherford & Neil, How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With, Alpine
• Evans, Evans' Guide to Housebreaking, Howell *** housebreaking pup or adult ; and all housebreaking related problems
• McLennan, Dogs and Kids, Parenting Tips, Howell. all parents MUST read! all persons whose dog might someday encounter a child should read !! ** reviewed as one of four books in Dogs and Children ( reviews of 4 books about dog-child safety and relationship issues, parental responsibilities.)
• Living with Kids and Dogs ... Without Losing Your Mind, by Colleen Pelar, CPDT. Another MUST READ for parents. One of the four books reviewed in Dogs and Children
• Donaldson, Culture Clash, James & Kenneth **** The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson dog behavior and training, behavior problem prevention. Lasar Multimedia **
• Train Your Dog the Lazy Wayby Andrea Arden (book on puppy raising for busy people), Alpha (McMillian) **
 

• RESCUE and ADOPTING THE 'PRE-OWNED" DOG
  adopt a dog and save a life !!!

 

• Benjamin , Second Hand Dog, Howell **** (adopters MUST read ; of value for all dog owners)
• Benjamin, The Chosen Puppy, Howell (picking a puppy from the Pound)
• Christiansen, Choosing A Shelter Dog , Canine Learning Center **
• Rubenstein & Kalina, The Adoption Option, Howell
• Breed Rescue : how to start and run a successful program by Sheila Boneham, PhD (excellent book giving practical strategies for running a rescue program.)
 

• HEALTH
  (note : pay attention to publication dates as veterinary medicine progresses rapidly.)

 

• Siegel et al, The U.C.Davis Book of Dogs , Harper Collins***** (encycopediac; by staff of UCD Vet School --- published in 1995, thus some areas not up to date)
• "Taking Care of Your Dog" (book about when to go to the vet ; how to distinguish an emergency or urgent situation from less urgent situations.)
• The Pill Book for Dogs and Cats & Veterinary Drug Handbook (a laypersons book and a veterinary reference book with details about medications commonly used in vet med)
• Pet First Aid, by Dr Bobbie Mammoto, DVM, MPH, American Red Cross and Humane Society of United States. (book on first aid for dogs and cats.)
• Your Aging Dog, Amy Shojai, 2003, *** excellent and extremely up to date, including cutting edge veterinary methods , home nursing tips, practical tips, current costs.
• Pets Living with Cancer ***( review about cancer treatment and the good quality of life that can be enjoyed by dogs with cancer.)
• Preparing for the Loss of Your Pet, by Dr Myrna Milani DVM, ***** helping you to think about the unthinkable long before the crisis occurs; highly reccommended to everyone.
 

BOOKS ABOUT TRAINING & WORKING DOGS

• PRINCIPLES OF TRAINING

 

• Karen Pryor, Don't Shoot the Dog, Bantam *****(training with positive reinforcement. A great classic. This book will triple the value of every other training book you will ever read.
• Excel-erated Learning by Pamela Reid. ****** Could have been called "Don't Shoot the Dog , the Next Generation" principles of training, with illustrations from various dog sports. extremely valuable.
 

• WORKING DOGS, GENERALLY

 

• Humphrey & Warner, Working Dogs, Dehack (P.O. box 922, Cambell, Ca 95008.$15) a great classic, describing fortunate Fields, the single most extensive experiement in breeding for various types of work.
• DOGS, A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, & Evolution by Ray & Lorna Coppinger , thought-provoking book about canine behavior , physical qualities, and upbringing, especially as related to working dogs.
• Schwartz, Friend to Friend, Howell (various ways dogs serve as helpmeets, workers)
 

• OBEDIENCE
  (essential for all dogs & all owners !!!!)
  I reccommend reading several books; philosophies & methods differ greatly.

 

• Burnham , Playtraining Your Dog, St Martins (softer methods for softer dogs ; also very good material on your own attitude towards training and competition)
• Volhard & Fisher, Training Your Dog, Step by Step, Howell (good general obedience book)
• Bauman, Beyond Basic Dog Training, Howell (for those seeking CDX, UD, and O.T.Ch.)
• Holmes, The Obedient Dog , Trafalgar Square (Obed, Working Trials, Agility as practiced in the United Kingdom. some very interesting material)
 

• AGILITY
  (something dogs and owners enjoy)
  (note : there are many many more books on this subject; I am not well read on this subject.)

 

• Simmons-Moake, Agility Training, the Fun Sport for All Dogs, Howell
 

• TRACKING & OTHER SCENTWORK

 

• Johnson, Tracking Dog, Theory & Methods, Arner *** ("the Bible" for trackers)
• Brown, Bring Your Nose Over Here, $5, Brown, 6816 Carlton NW, Alburque, NM 87107. some useful ideas which can be used to modify Johnson's method.
• Cree, Nosework for Dogs, Pelham (tracking, article search, scent discrimination ; tests as practiced in the UK. very interesting.)
• Bryson, Search Dog Training, Boxwood (search & rescue ; also protection training for practical purposes; plus some excellent puppy rearing advice.)
 

• HERDING

 

• Holmes , The Farmer's Dog, Popular Dogs **** (read this one first because it explains the predatory nature of herding !)
• Taggert, Sheepdog Training, an All-Breed Approach, Alpine. intended primarily for AKC breeds.
• Jones, A Way of Life : Sheepdog Training, Handling, & Trialing, Farming Press
• Lithgow, Training & Working Dogs for Quiet Confident Control of Stock, Univ. of Queensland *** (appendix is remarkable & of interest to all dog owners!)
• Holland, Herding Dogs, Progressive Training, Howell **** Sets out a step by step system for variety of types of dog ; excellent re personality types and problem solving. I highly reccommend this book for every herding trainer, especially those with AKC breeds.
• Hartley , The Shepherd's Dogs, Whitcombe & Tombs. (some very unusual ideas.)
• Fogt, Lessons From A Stockdog, Working Border Collie, Inc ** (excellent re problem solving) intended primarily for highly motivated Border Collies with excellent instinct, but has useful ideas for the rest of us.
 

• PROTECTION
  (as a sport or for real)

 

• Koehler, Koehler Method of Guard Dog Training, Howell (includes basic obedience, taught very much from a compulsory methodology)
• Rapp, How to Train Dogs for Police Work, Denlinger
• Most , Training Dogs, Popular Dogs (older book on German methods)
• Rose & Patterson, Training the Competitive Working Dog, Giblaut (Schutzhund)
• Patterson, Schutzhund Protection Training, Sirius
• Weiss & Rose, Protection Dogs for You & Your Family, Denlinger **
(an essential introduction for all who think they want / need protection dog)
 

• GUIDE DOGS, HANDICAP ASSISTANCE DOGS, THERAPY DOGS

 

• Tucker, The Eyes That Lead, Howell
• Davis, Therapy Dogs, Howell (excellent guide to preparing your dog for therapy work, visiting nursing homes , etc. includes precautions to safeguard your dog's welfare in this work.)
• Teamwork and Teamwork II by Stewart Nordensson and Lydia Kelley, TopDog Publications. wonderful books on how people with physical disabilities (including severe disabilities) can train their own dogs; the first volumn concerns basic obediance and vol II concerns various service dog tasks. based on the experience of a variety of physically challenged people.
 

• PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF WORKING DOGS

 

• Elliot, The New Dogsteps, Howell (structure & gait, including specialized for special work)
• Zink, DVM, Peak Performance, Coaching the Canine Athlete, Howell (sports medicine)
• Lanting, Canine Hip Dysplasia & other Orthopedic Problems, Alpine. (an old book, so treatment options are far out of date)

• My TOP TEN Books just my own not so humble opinion on the books that every dog person should read.