I’m sometimes asked for a list of recommended reading or resources. I understand and appreciate that not every teaching style or learning method works for every person. In an effort to remain compassionate, honest, and transparent, as well as an effort to continue to add to MY knowledge (I am forever taking classes, reading articles, books, and watching videos to learn new things), I have compiled a list of my favorite books, trainers, inspirations and general material.
Don’t Shoot The Dog by Karen Pryor
The Culture Clash, Mine!, Fight! by Jean Donaldson (anything by Jean Donaldson really. She’s great!)
Sue Alisby’s Training Levels by Sue Alisby (available for free http://sue-eh.ca/page24/page26/ )
What The Dog Knows: Scent, Science, And The Amazing Ways Dogs Perceive the World by Cat Warren
Dog Sports Skills books by Denise Fenzi and Deborah Jones
Before and After Getting Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar (available for free https://www.dogstardaily.com/training )
Lighter fun reading I enjoyed:
Merle’s Door by Ted Kerasote
Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Bret Wittler and Luis Carlos Montalvan
Winterdance by Gary Paulsen
I’ve read all of these books and a lot more. There’s a much longer list of books I have read which have outdated and incorrect information and an even longer list of books on my shelves and listed in my phone that I WANT to read and haven’t yet found time. It’s a struggle. I love to read, but most of this stuff isn’t on audio and I can’t train AND hold a book at the same time, so I often put the reading aside. (Culture Clash is on audio book actually)
With that in mind, I suggest the following pod casts:
Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast with many guests
Drinking From the Toilet with Hannah Brannigan
Positively Dog Training with Victoria Stilwell
If you’re more of a visual learner (I’m one of the weird ones that isn’t. I’m audio and tactile mostly. Sitting to watch things is a chore) then perhaps you learn best from youtube channels. Here are some more resources I enjoy:
Zak George
All things Ian Dunbar (Just do a search and then watch everything that he endorses)
All things Jean Donaldson (Same)
Kikopup
These are short lists and I reserve the right to add, edit, or generally change these recommendations, but this is a good start. So if you’re a junkie, this should keep you occupied until our next lesson. 😉