Training & Behavior Resources

Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy by Zazie Todd

Everything from how dogs learn and the best ways to train to health, welfare, veterinary concerns for the lifespan of a dog. Very accessible, easy read; extremely helpful resource. 

Manage It!: Hacks for Improving Your Dog’s Behavior by Juliana DeWillems

Presents management hacks for a variety of problems that are easy and fast to implement. In many cases good management can replace or significantly reduce the need for training.

Plenty In Life Is Free - Reflections On Dogs, Training and Finding Grace by Kathy Sdao

Part memoir and a little bit spiritual, Kathy reflects on positive reinforcement training philosophy and how to build deeper relationships with our dogs. Introduces the SMART 50 technique for shaping behavior. This book may change your life. 

Don’t Shoot The Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor

Dr. Pryor was a pioneer in the profession of animal training, and this book continues to be the gold standard in positive reinforcement training and understanding the animal mind.  "Whatever the task, whether keeping a four-year-old quiet in public, housetraining a puppy, coaching a team, or memorizing a poem, it will go fast[er], and better, and be more fun, if you know how to use reinforcement."  Applicable to dogs, spouses, and any other creature who shares your life. 

The Dog Trainer’s Complete Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Pet by Jolanta Benal

Part memoir, part training tutorial, this well-written book covers training and behavior topics in an easy, accessible read, and is laugh-out-loud funny. 

Meet Your Dog: the Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog's Behavior by Kim Brophey

Understanding your dog’s behavior by looking at a dog’s needs from multiple levels - species, breed type and as an individual.

The Ultimate Guide To Dog Training by Teoti Anderson

This step-by-step book covers training in an easy format with excellent colored pictures and extra hints for success.

Being A Dog, Inside Of A Dog, Our Dogs, Ourselves, and The Year of The Puppy by Alexadra Horowitz

Researcher, scientist and writer, Dr. Horowitz’ books include topics about the innate abilities of dogs, puppy growth and development, and our interdependent relationship with our dogs. Lovely reads.

Love Has No Age Limit: Welcoming an Adopted Dog Into Your Home by Patricia McConnell, PhD and Karen London, PhD

This little book, written in Patricia’s warm, easy style, is a good resource for fosters and adopters. 

Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household by Patricia McConnell, PhD and Karen London, PhD

Written to help “maximize the joy of living in a multi-dog household”, this little book is full of useful information to help dogs live peaceably in a home, including practical ways to manage testy situations and change behavior. 

Doggie Language: A Dog Lover's Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend by Lili Chin

Brilliantly teaches better understanding of dog body language using charming illustrations. Accessible enough for kids yet complete enough to be highly regarded by dog professionals.

On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas

This time-honored classic was instrumental in human understanding of dog body language, and remains an amazing resource.

A Guide To Living With and Training a Fearful Dog by Debbie Jacobs

Debbie is recognized as a leader in the field of working with fearful dogs, and this book is full of insight and strategies to help the scared dog thrive. 

Be Right Back by Julie Naismith

This book is written for the guardian of dogs who struggle with true separation anxiety. While treatment for this panic disorder should always be done with a trainer certified in this specialty, Julie’s book is an excellent resource, and her website www.julienaismith.com offers support and additional resources. 

Puppy Start Right by Kenneth Martin, DVM, and Debbie Martin, RVT, VTS 

The authors are experts in the fields of veterinary care and training, and this book includes numerous step-by-step instructions with corresponding color photos, and focuses on building a strong, trusting relationship with your puppy. 

The Puppy Whisperer: A Compassionate, Non Violent Guide to Early Training and Care by Paul Owens and Terence Cranendonk. Also available as an ebook from Dogwise. 

Not to be confused with a certain TV personality who claims to “whisper”, this book is all things puppy, written by trainers who once used more punitive methods and have embraced humane training. 

Puppy Brain by Kerry Nichols 

The author is a Golden Retriever breeder; a rare one who does it all right. She’s also an educator and canine welfare advocate, and has extensively researched and studied puppy development . An easy read, this is an excellent resource on how puppies think, learn, and feel.  

Control Unleashed: The Puppy Program by Leslie McDevitt. Also available as an ebook from Clean Run. 

Written by the author of Controlled Unleashed, this is a comprehensive guide emphasizing fundamental training from the beginning in order to minimize or prevent problems common to puppies and adolescent dogs. The book includes key skills such as arousal regulation, self-control, and other foundational behaviors, and though it has a bent toward dog sports, is a helpful resource for any puppy parent. 

The Whole Dog Journal Handbook of Dog and Puppy Care and Training by Nancy Kerns

The author was the long time, respected editor of the Whole Dog Journal, and in her clear and warm writing style, this book addresses everything from nutrition to training, and many other aspects of dog parenting.