Best Training Book Recomendations

[krisykris]

I'm going to be out shopping tomorrow and I'd really like some opinions on the best training book out there with clear instructions. Thank you!!!

[sam]

Before anyone sets out to "train" or even own a dog I wish they were required to read "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson. It's not a training recipe book but it helps so much in understanding about dogs and dog behavior and dispells so much of the commonly held beliefs about dogs and dog training which are actually based in myth and misunderstanding. It has helped me so much and it's the only book that I still often refer back to after all these years.

As for recipe book type training books I have always heard good things about Ian Dunbars books-- he has quite a umber to choose from wether you are training a young dog pup or adult do you can choose whichever is most appropriate. **I would probably go with Allan Baumans book and DVD. I'll see if I can find the link on dogwise.

Typically the best books aren't the ones you can get at your local bookstore but luckily amazon.com has excellent prices and have always had the titles I want.

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB428

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB464

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=A107

[Doberluv]

I echo Sam's post 100%.

Another new book on the market is written by one of my pals on another forum. I haven't read it but am ordering it. It is called Dogs Made Easy, by Kathie Compton. This trainer knows her stuff and is very smart. She's another "positive" method trainer and has been doing this for a long, long time. If anyone doubts the benefits of positive training or think this method has shortcomings, they ought to learn more about it. I bet it is a great book. It is apparently covering the things people have the most trouble with.

Later, after you get a handle on training and your dog gets under way, I recommend the book by the Coppingers, Dogs, a Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution. It's not a training book, but it is certainly very relevant to training. It explains why dogs are the way they are, where they came from and why dominance and pack theory are really not relevant to our domestic dogs. It has a very strong bearing on training. It's a wonderful and fascinating book written by a couple who have done extensive studies in the field, have travelled all over the world observing all kinds of dogs. They're biologists and ethologists who have a very compelling theory. They make an extemely strong case for that theory. There is also evidence which backs up some of their theory. I highly recommend it.

[kidsanddogs]

I love all of Ian Dunbar's books, especially Before and After Getting Your New Puppy. Excellent and easy reading.