EDITOR ' S REVIEW | BOOKS , DVDs AND MORE
wishing to enhance their knowledge of the science of cognition and behavior will enjoy having this on their bookshelf . It ’ s a hefty price , but worth it .”
• Excel-Erated Learning : Explaining in Plain English How Dogs Learn and How Best to Teach Them by Dr . Pamela Reid . “ If you don ’ t understand your learning theory , you really aren ’ t ready to train dogs . And Pam boils complex theory down into easy-to-understand bites .”
• How Dogs Learn by Mary Burch and Jon Bailey . “[ The authors ] teach key learning and behavior modification principles .”
• Jagdverhalten by Anja Fiedler . “ The title translates to “ predatory behavior ” and as the title says , it ’ s about predation and how to deal with it in a force-free and science-based way . It ’ s the most comprehensive book on this topic on the market right now and it ’ s an absolute must for any dog owner whose dog loves to hunt or any trainer who deals with client ’ s dogs that love to hunt .”
• Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats by Dr . Karen Overall . “ This was the book that I bought when I felt like I finally made it as a dog trainer and I needed to expand my understanding of behavior and ultimately medication , as well . The book is worth the price for the protocols alone , but the information in it , while at times dry , is worth the book ’ s weight in gold . I can ’ t even say how often I refer back to the book or look stuff up and the number of times I refer back to the protocols or demonstrate the protocols to help my clients . There are a ton of books on the market , but none that I refer back to as often as this one .”
• Oh Behave ! Dogs from Pavlov to Premack to Pinker by Jean Donaldson . “ I love anything by Jean Donaldson .”
• People Training Skills for Pet Professionals : Your Essential Guide To Engaging , Educating and Empowering Your Human Clients by Niki Tudge . “ I won the book at the PPG Educational Summit in 2016 and I ’ m so glad that I did . A lot of valuable ways to communicate to our learners on both ends of the leash !”
• Positive Perspectives 2 : Know Your Dog , Train Your Dog by Pat Miller . “ I learned a great deal from [ Miller ’ s ] book about the application of advanced concepts to dog training ”
• Separation Anxiety in Dogs : The Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices by Melena DeMartini-Price . “ A practical guide for how to assist a client who has a dog with mild isolation distress . It does not make you a CSAT , but it will help a large number of dogs who will be experiencing difficulty with their humans returning to work after two years of COVID .”
• Training Levels by Sue Ailsby . “ The size of the two volumes is intimidating , but if a trainer is looking for detailed , clear instructions for how to break down a behavior into smaller steps , Ailsby ’ s book is the manual . Even trainers who are happy with the way they train a behavior may find some good nuggets in this book . It ’ s always great to learn a better way of training something , and Ailsby ’ s decades of achievement in all areas of dog training — from competitive dog sports to service dog training — makes this book a reliable resource . It is especially good for crossover trainers or those who are stuck trying to move away from coercion and the use of aversive methods and equipment . Ailsby crossed over many decades ago during her search for excellence in dog training .”
• Treat Everyone Like a Dog : How a Dog Trainer ’ s World View Can Improve Your Life by Karen B . London , Ph . D . “ London is a favorite author of mine . Her collaboration with Dr . Patricia McConnell over the years drew me into her narrative . Her new book showcases her relatable examples for the everyday pet owner . She provides a closer look into behavior science and why positive reinforcement is beneficial for both dogs and their humans .” “ This book offers practical ways for dog trainers to take all the skills and knowledge they already have from teaching dogs how to behave and apply it to influencing the behavior of people .”
• Wag : The Science of Making Your Dog Happy by Zazie Todd . “ There ’ s so much of ‘ it depends ’ in this one .... and so many great books out there now ! ( Unlike 20 years ago ...) If I have to pick just one I would probably go with this one , just published last year .”
54 Building Better Trainers Through Education