Train Your Best Friend, LLC Frederick County Maryland Dog Behaviorist

Train Your Best Friend, LLC

My Articles plus recommended Books, Magazines, Journals & Articles

MY ARTICLES

New Puppy – What You Need to Know

Rehabilitating a Puppy Mill Dog or Extremely
Fearful/Anxious Dog

How to Care for an Adopted, Foster, or Generally
Fearful Dog

The Power in Breaking Down Dog Training and Life
Into Smaller Steps

Although, I recommend the resources below, they may include some
techniques/ideas I do NOT personally recommend. In a nutshell, any
technique using pain, fear, or intimidation, such as harsh voice, spray bottles,
& startle sound makers, choke chains, leash corrections, pinch collars,
electric collars that may make sound, spray liquid, or deliver electric shock or
stimulation.

I also avoid force whenever possible and especially close force/constraint
training techniques, such as forcing an animal to stay in your arms when the
animal has not been patiently conditioned to be comfortable with handling.
Avoid anything that frightens your dog. For Example - Forcing a dog into
frightening situation, taking a dog afraid of people, cars, and traffic, to busy area,
could have devastating and lasting effects. Always work within your dogs comfort
level introducing new things gradually. I do NOT recommend using negative
reinforcement (This is removing the unpleasant/scary thing when the dog does
the desired behavior.) I especially don't recommend negative reinforcement to
treat fear.

BOOKS

When Pigs Fly! Training Success With Impossible Dogs by Jane Killion (You
don't have to have an impossible dog to get a lot out of this fantastic training
book.)

Positive Perspectives: Love Your Dog, Train Your Dog by Pat Miller

The Power of Positive Training by Pat Miller (This is a great book and easy to
use time and again because it has a good index.)

The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson (I love this book.)

Dog Friendly Dog Training by Andrea Arden (This is a beautifully illustrated and
simple book that is also good for children to read. It is designed for the whole
family. Fabulous!)

More in Depth

For the Love of a Dog by Patricia McConnell PH. D. (This is not a training
manual but provides valuable up to date information on fear and anger in
dogs that everyone should know. If you are only going to read part, read the
parts on fear and anger. This is also available in audiobook.)

Stress in Dogs, Learn how dogs show stress and what you can do to help. by
Martina Scholz & Clarissa von Reinhardt (I wish I could buy this book for every
dog owner it is that good. You will find information here that is not found in
other popular books about dealing with and explaining stress in your dog. I
urge you to get this book! You can order this book at dogwise.com)

A Guide to Living With & Training a Fearful Dog by Debbie Jacobs Excellent
book I use in my Fearful Dog Class along with my materials. Order at dogwise.
com or download at fearfuldogs.com

Adopting a Puppy Mill Dog DVD by Mission Dog (Rescues and Shelters should
send adopters home with this DVD or have adopters view this DVD before
adoption. It is good at capturing the importance of gradually and gently getting
an adopted dog acclimated to the dog's new home. You can order this book at
dogwise.com)

If A Dog’s Prayers Were Answered …Bones Would Rain From The Sky by
Suzanne Clothier (This is not a training manual but a book you can sit down
and read. Yeah! I love it because it looks at the whole picture and balances
out some of the other great books. It really brings love, compassion, and
empathy to the discussion, which is too often forgotten or intentionally left out
in discussions about dogs.)

Jean Donaldson’s books Fight! & Mine! (These are great books for working
with dogs that fight or overreact to other dog (Fight!) & dogs that guard
objects & food (Mine!).

Patricia McConnell has written some great small booklets on specific behavior
issues such as The Cautious Canine: How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears
and I’ll Be Home Soon! How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety, Feisty
Fido Help for the Leash-Aggressive Dog co-authored with Karen London to list
a few.

DON'T LEAVE ME - STEP-BY-STEP HELP FOR YOUR DOG'S SEPARATION ANXIETY
by Nicole Wilde available as book and e-book. Wilde is good at writing for the
public so this should be user friendly.

Separation Distress and Dogs by James O'Heare (Also he has an excellent
book on aggression.)

Out and About with Your Dog, Dog to Dog Interactions on the street, on the
trails and in the dog park by Sue Sternberg (This is a good clear small book on
dog-dog interactions.)

Plenty in Life is Free- Reflections on Dogs, Training and Finding Grace by
Kathy Sdao This book will change you look at your relationship with your dog
and how you approach training. I highly recommend. Smart and honest book. I
put down my fiction novel to read this one. (FYI- I LOVE fiction so big
compliment for this book.)

Dog Sense by John Bradshaw (book or audiobook) This has so much up to
date information on everything about dogs. Lots of science here but
explained for the public. Great book if you want to really know alot about dogs.
Not a training book but does explain why many training methods are out of
date and misguided. Excellent.

Inside of the Dog by Alexandra Horowitz (I am reading now and so far I LOVE IT.
It is not about training but understanding dogs. If you are interested in
knowing more about dogs you will like this intelligent read.)

Train Your Dog - The Positive Gentle Method DVD by Nicole Wilde (This is a
good beginner DVD. The only part I didn't care for was the housebreaking
section.)

Help for the Fearful Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Your Dog Conquer
His Fears by Nicole Wilde

Dogs and Storks DVD (www.dogsandstorks.com) Planning for dogs and young
children together. Great for anyone expecting or planning on having a baby.

Fiction

For a light fun read with some talk about positive reinforcement training and
the dog show world and malamutes try Susan Conant's most recent
paperbacks. Easy to find in bookstores and online. I enjoy them.

MAGAZINES
Reading a magazine is an easy way to get current information. I recommend a
subscription to anyone who has a dog. Put the magazine in the bathroom, in
the car, in your bag to read when you have a few moments to spare.

The Whole Dog Journal – This simple magazine has a holistic point of view if
you are interested in holistic care. It also has great training articles by Pat
Miller and other trainers.

Bark Magazine – This magazine has great behavior and training articles by
Patricia McConnell. If you enjoy reading articles and want something unique,
you may enjoy this magazine.

MISCELLANEOUS
Veterinary College and University Newsletters Many of the most reputable
schools have newsletters geared towards the general public.

Free Training and Behavior Articles Online www.kathysdao.com , www.i2ik9.
com ,www.petfinder.com , www.legacycanine.com, www.sfspca.org ,www.
siriuspuppy.com , www.dogstardaily.com , www.clickertraining.com , http://www.
jeandonaldson.com/, www.yourdogsfriend.info , caninewatersports.com

Check out my dog blog
www.trainyourbestfriend.
com/blog/

Training dogs using fun, simple,
and gentle methods. Training
using rewards and positive
reinforcement.

301.349.2449

articles:

Excellent Audio Blog On
Aggression
http://www.jeandonaldson.
com/understanding-dogs-
mainmenu-39/32-evolution-and-
behavior/78-aggression-begets-
aggression

Check out Darlene Arden’s Great
myth busting article on aggression.
http://www.dogsincanada.
com/aggression

Using 'Dominance' To Explain Dog
Behavior Is Old Hat
http://www.sciencedaily.
com/releases/2009/05/090521112711
.htm

If You're Aggressive, Your Dog Will
Be Too, Says Veterinary Study
www.sciencedaily.
com/releases/2009/02/090217141540
.htm

Growling at Your Dog Won't Work
http://www.livescience.
com/animals/090217-dog-training.
html

What Really Prompts The Dog's
'Guilty Look'
www.sciencedaily.
com/releases/2009/06/090611065839
.htm

Are Dogs Pack Animals?
http://www.jeandonaldson.
com/jeans-blog-mainmenu-51/64-
are-dogs-pack-animals

Everyone Should Watch All 7 Of
The Videos Below on Body
Language & Dog Behavior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0VmWizZueFQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Jw6ONwp-42A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=9loVtVheexY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=PT4hLYdd5HY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=M-VNVvmjb6c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Rj_8ehodBmQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=B_5J5fAyFmo

Check this
out!
Read the
Association of
Pet Dog Trainers
new myth busting
position
statement on
Dominance and
Dog Training at
http://www.apdt.com/
about/ps/defau lt.aspx