In our library, we have approximately 400 books, tapes, and CD’s. All  have been valuable, if only for one idea. Each of these references offers valuable perspective… in some cases if only to help us decide what not to do. The list below contains selected references from our Library. Note that the age of the publication does not indicate the value of the book.  Some of the older references are classics that more recent authors quote as foundation for their work. You may find these references in bookstores, on the web or at your local library.

Abrantes, Roger. Dog Language: An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior. Wakan Tanka Publishers. 1997. Ethology. Like the illustrations on body postures… non-verbal language used by Canine in social settings.

Bauman, Allan. Paw-sitive Dog Training: Goldenbrook Kennel, 1995. I have met Allen, seen him work, attended seminars at his kennel and wanted to know more about his approach. Also have the tapes that accompany this book. Have used several sequences from this book in my training.

Beaver, Bonnie V. DVM. Dipl ACVB. Canine Behavior: A Guide for VeterinariansW. B. Saunders Co. 1999. A reference on problem cases. Very well documented.

Boone, Allen J. Kinship With All Life. Harper San Francisco. 1954. The relationship between Allen Boone and his companion, Strongheart give us all reason to pay attention to the power of relationship which is beyond the obvious.

Brown, Ali. Scaredy Dog! Understanding and Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog. Tanacacia Press 2004. I purchased and red this book because many of my clients have dogs with similar problems. Good descriptions and a Sequential approach.

Burch, Mary R., Bailey Jon S. How Dogs Learn. Howell Book House 1999. I love this book and recommend it to anyone interested in becoming a “dog Trainer”. This book does a great job of reviewing most training approaches/methods and identifying their strengths and areas of vulnerability. A great resource for clarification and provides an overview of the magnitude of the field of training and behavior work.

Campbell, William E. Behavior Problems In Dogs. Behavior RX Systems, 1999. I like it as a practical case book for reference on problems I encounter.

Case, Linda P. The Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition & Health. Iowa State University Press, 1999.  Comprehensive reference guide to theory and case study.

Chance, Paul. Learning and Behavior, Brooks/Cole Publishing Co. 1999.An excellent basic text which overviews Pavlovian Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, Stimulus Control/Discrimination/Generalization. Good explanations of classical and operant conditioning. Good examples. My basic psychological reference text.

Clothier, Suzanne. If A Dogs Prayers Were Answered: Bones Would Rain from the Sky.  Warner Books. 2002. Liked this one because it also comes from living and interacting with dogs. Contributed to my general protocol.

Coppinger, Ray and Lorna. Dogs: A startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, & Evolution. Scribner, 2001. Authors were courageous in putting forth a new view of the way dogs became associated with man. Opens the mind to new thinking about relationships with dogs, dogs in groups.

Dennison, Pamela S. Bringing Light To Shadow: A Dog Trainer’s Diary.  Dogwise Publishing. 2005. Bought the book because it gave a blow by blow breakdown of Shadow’s case. Liked the discussion between Pamela and Ted Turner. Liked the fact that emotions were dealt with when things did not go as hoped. Liked the looking back/looking forward discussions. Especially valuable because many books quickly outline a case, then proceed to diagnosis. This one showed every nook and cranny. A valuable perspective.

Dennison, Pamela. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Positive Dog Training. Alpha, Penguin Group. 2003. I bought and reviewed this book because I have clients who buy this book.

Donaldson, Jean. Mine! A practical guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs. Kinship Communications. 2002. Liked the book because it provided a step by step (literally) guide to working through resource guarding problems.

Donaldson, Jean. The Culture Clash. James & Kenneth. 1996. Important because of the “new” perspective on relationship between humans and dogs. If Dunbar said “…the best dog book I have ever read!” it is a must for those who work in the field.

Fennel, Jan. The Dog Listener. Harper Resource. 2000. I liked everything about this book. It’s basis comes from living with dogs. It covers many common problems. Contributed to my general protocol.

Fogle, Bruce. DVM. The Dog’s Mind: Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior. Howell Book House. 1990. Liked the sections on aggression.

Fox, Michael W. Behavior of Wolves, Dogs, and Related Canids. Krieger Publishing, 1971. Good overview of relationships between Canids, good pictures and examples. Well documented.

Hart, Benjamin L., Lynette A. and Bain, Melissa J. Canine and Feline Bee, perhaps the most rapidly emerging discipline in animal health care. Covers diagnosis and treatment including both behavior modification and psychotropic medications.

Hausman, Gerald and Loretta. The Mythology of Behavior Theory: Second Edition. Blackwell Publishing, 2006. A review of research on Behavior Medicine: Canine Legend and Lore through the ages. St. Martin’s Griffin Press. 1997.  I have always been puzzled by the close relationship that exists between human and dog. Explores pre-written history regarding attitudes about this relationship.

Hetts, Suzzan Ph.D. Pet Behavior Protocols: What to Say, What to Do, When to Refer.  AAHA Press. 1999. Step by step Protocols. Good reference and can be cross checked with other such references.

Kowalski, Gary. Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet.  Stillpoint Publishing. 1997 Helpful in giving perspective for clients who ask questions and seek counsel. 

Lindsay, Steven R. Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol. I, II, & III. Blackwell Publishing, 2000, 2001, and 2005. Comprehensive references for all facets of behavior… well documented, includes protocols. 

Lit, Lisa. Cognitive Canine II: Exploding the Myths. 1st Books. 2002. Explores awareness, perception, reasoning and judgment in dogs. Uses research from both human and animals. Develops a dialog about the thinking process of dogs.

McConnell, Patricia B. Ph.D. The Other End of The Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs. Ballantine Books, 2002. Offers a new perspective on comparison of human and dog behavior (humans are primates, dogs are canids). Notes how looking at behavior from a dog’s perspective helps know the difference between disobedience and miscommunication. 

McConnell, Patricia PhD. For The Love of A dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend.  Ballantine Books, 2006. As more and more scientists accept the premise that dogs have rich emotional lives, Zoologist McConnell provides perhaps the first up to date look at Canine emotions such as fear, anger, surprise, sadness, love and how they parallel with those of humans.

Milani, Myrna M., DVM. The Body Language and Emotion of Dogs. Quill Books. 1986. Good discussion of body language and its interpretation.

Millan, Cesar. Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide To Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems.  Harmony Books. 2006. Cesar is popular and I have many clients ask questions about him and his training techniques. I believe it is good to understand the approaches of others so I can explain where and why I might differ in my approach. Liked Cesar’s story line and his overview of how humans cause problems in dogs by treating them like humans. Methods aside, his approach has some interesting and I believe useful conceptual premises.

Miller, Pat The Power of Positive Dog Training. Howell Book House. 2001. Presents an emphasis on having fun while training. Gives positive games and exercises for use in training.

Morris, Desmond. Dogwatching. Three Rivers Press. 1986. Interesting discussion of common questions about dogs… barking, howling, submission, burying, purpose, genetics, physiology.

Pryor, Karen. Don’t Shoot The Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training. Bantam Books. 1985. Like to read the Classics.

Reid, Pamela J. Ph.D. Excel_Erated Learning! Prepublication Copy. February 1996.I like this book and I try to attend Dr. Reid’s seminars whenever possible because she is comprehensive. Explores and discusses the pros and cons of all quadrants of Operant Conditioning.

Rugaas, Turid. My Dog Pulls: What Do I Do? Dogwise. 2005. Read this one because I have seen Turid work, I have reviewed hours of her tape and because I check out anything new that looks at leash walking… It is one of biggest problems of my clients.

Scott, John Paul and Fuller, John L. Genetics and Social Behavior of the Dog. The University of Chicago Press. 1965. Considered the Classic Study. Useful to check original research. 

Skinner, B.F. The Behavior of Organisms: An experimental Analysis. 1938, reprinted, 1991, Copley Publishing Group. Like to go back to validate that original ideas and conclusions have not been misinterpreted in later translations. 

Thorndike, Edward L., Animal Intelligence: Experimental Studies. 1911, Transaction Publishers, reprint 2000. Again, original research and  previously familiar with Thorndike from prior psychology courses.

Volhard, Jack and Wendy. Dog Training for Dummies. Wiley Publishing. 2001. Important because it is a book that my clients read. helps me answer their questions with a perspective of their reference basis. 

Willis, Malcolm. Genetics of the Dog. Howell Book House. 1989. Useful and a necessary reference for me as a breeder. A perspective for making better breeding choices.

Wright, John C. Ph.D. and Judy Wright Lashnits. The Dog Who Would Be King. Rodale Press. 1999. Discusses differences between behavior work and “training”. Presents information on business realities and legal issues of behavioral consultation.