More advanced training books

[Sugardog]

I don't know about you guys, but one thing that gets to me is the number of really, really basic books that flood the book area of Petsmart or Barns and Nobles. Things like "How to Potty Train your pup" and "train your dog in 5 minutes a day" and other books that contain the mere basics of dog training and behavior.

I'm always on the look out for more advanced books and I think it might be a good idea to make this thread where we can exchange suggestions.

One of my favorite books is "How to Teach Your Dog to Talk" by Captain Haggerty. It has over a hundred tricks to teach your dog, ranging from simple things like say your prayers and balancing tricks, to things like jump roping, tracking, and walking on a tight rope.

Another one I've found enlightening is "The Power of Positive Training" by Pat Miller.

And a good Agility book is "The Beginner's Guide to Dog Agility" By Laurie Leach. Although it's more of a beginners book, they kind of take forgranted that your dog already knows all his basic obediance and has a reliable recall because she doesn't spend much time elaborating on it.

I'm hoping to get Click to Calm and Click for Joy, both of which have been endorsed and praised by some good friends who are also positive reinforcement only trainers.

So anybody got any to add?

[rmci]

I like your suggestion. There are tons of beginner books out there because so many people need it. It would be nice to know where to look for more advanced stuff.

[sammy]

My favorite *training* book of all time is "Shaping Success" by Susan Garrett. It's geared towards agility but I think it has extremely useful info for training for any performance event, building drive, dealing with a high or low drive dog, creating a motivating toy, breaking behaviors down into little chunks and building a soild foundation, proofing for all sorts of entries and situations from day one etc etc.

My favorite book about dog behavior in general is (yes, I've said this ten million times) "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson. I had so many light bulb moments when I read that book and I refer back to it still. A second choice would be "The other end of the leash" by Patricia McConnell. I thought there was some really interesting stuff in that book that I haven't seen anywhere else and that all dog owners should know.

My top two both won "Dog writers of america awards" the years they came out and are thought of as classics in training circles.

I have a long list of favorites, but those are my top picks.

For aggression I like Pam Dennison and Emma Parsons.

[sammy]

Originally Posted by rmci

I like your suggestion. There are tons of beginner books out there because so many people need it. It would be nice to know where to look for more advanced stuff.

I find the best place is www.dogwise.com you can search by subject, title or author. You can also see various recommended book lists. You can also click on a book and it lets you read the table of contents and often the first couple of pages- very handy. I tend to pick my books on dogwise and order them from amazon b/c of the free shipping for purchases over $30 or it might be $40.

[elegy]

schutzhund obedience: training in drive by Gottfreid Dildei & Sheila Booth

[Sugardog]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, they all sound like great books.

I've heard some good things about "The Other End of the Leash" from a few others as well.

I haven't looked much into Schutzhund, but I think it's something I should start researching. I have a GSD and I want to get into a sport with her so I'm looking at all my options.

[elegy]

the schutzhund obedience book is just about obedience, but it's working the dog in drive. i just saw it recommended again in a different group by someone who is very competitive in agility.