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Further Reading

Here are some books that I have found to be particularly helpful, and which you might like to consider for further reading. I have written a review of each, and the pictures link to the book on Amazon UK's website, where you can see reviews from other readers and purchase on-line.

If you've read these books and wish to comment on them, or if you've found my reviews helpful, please let me know.

How Dogs Learn

Mary R. Burch PhD & Jon S. Bailey PhD

Amazon's synopsis: "How Dogs Learn" explains the science of operant conditioning, the psychological principle upon which all animal training is based. Every scientific concept is explained clearly, and its relevance to your dog is laid out.

My thoughts: This is a fairly in-depth introduction to dog psychology. I enjoyed this book a lot but it does take some thinking about. It is useful if you don't have any previous doggy experience and are more interested in learning what makes your dog tick, and although it covers some complex topics everything is clearly laid out and everything is explained well. It covers topics including how to train different types of dog, and encourages the use of positive reinforcement methods of training.

Dog Tricks: Step by Step

Mary Ann Rombold Zeigenfuse & Jan Walker

Amazon's synopsis: Explains how to train dogs to do a variety of practical, cute, and entertaining tricks, including door manners, "take this to Grandma," hide and seek, dancing, and catch.

My thoughts: I like this book a lot. It is fun and simple to use, and contains ideas on a whole host of different tricks you can teach your dog (yes, even a greyhound). It starts with a profile for you to fill in to determine what drives your dog possesses (pack, prey, fight or flight). After this, each trick is categorised into suiting a particular drive type, so you can start with tricks that your dog will find the easiest. Each trick is explained step by step, and there are lots of illustrations and photos. If you want to impress friends in the park and at the pub with your dog's amazing repertoire, then this is the book for you.

Don't Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training

Karen Pryor

Amazon's synopsis: Discusses the underlying principles of behaviorial modification and explains how to apply the methodology of positive reinforcement of areas ranging from memory improvement to breaking addictive habits.

My thoughts: The original book on positive reinforcement methods of training. It is one of those books that will make you look at your dog and the way you train him in a whole different light. It uses many examples throughout, including ones about dolphins and human relationships. It covers a philosophy that you can apply to all aspects of your life, not just your relationship with your dog. It covers shaping behaviour, reinforcing desirable behaviour, and how to get rid of unwanted behaviours. It is also an excellent introduction to the theory behind clicker training.

It does take a bit of thinking about, but I think if everyone who owned a dog even attempted to read this book there would be a whole lot more happy, well adjusted dogs out there.

An Owners Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet – The Greyhound

Daniel Braun Stern

Amazon's synopsis: This is our seventh set of Happy, Healthy Pet titles. Like the others, they are books pet owners can turn to for the essential information they need to raise a healthy, happy pet. All books contain information on: feeding, grooming, housing, health care, what to expect from the pet, and basic training. As our series expands and focuses on different kinds of pets, the emphasis remains on making the pet a companion. Owners of more unusual pets will particularly appreciate the expert advice in these books because professional care for exotic animals can be hard to come by. As always, the instruction on the books is from experts -- people who know their pets intimately but always remember what it was like to have one the first time. Happy, Healthy Pet guides are rich with professional quality colour photos and are designed to be enjoyable and easy to learn from. Most new Greyhound owners will be acquiring an ex-racer as a pet, so we've chosen Daniel Stern, an activist for the cause of Greyhound adoptions to write this straightforward guide covering all aspects of their care.

My thoughts: Another book about greyhound ownership that starts well, and then about halfway through it becomes totally non-specific, and offers general advice on dog ownership. If you were going to get a book specifically about greyhounds, then I would not recommend this one.

The Dog Listener

Jan Fennel

Amazon's synopsis: Jan Fennell's remarkable gifts have earned her the nickname "the dog whisperer". Her unique understanding of the canine world and its instinctive language has enabled her to bring even the most desperate and delinquent of dogs to heel. This easy-to-follow guide to understanding Jan's simple techniques draws on her countless case histories of problem dogs - from biters and barkers to bicycle chasers - to show how we can bridge the language barrier that separates man from his best friend. In "The Dog Listener" Jan shares her secrets, telling us how she grew determined to find a more compassionate alternative to standard "obedience" training techniques and ultimately how to communicate with canines.

My thoughts: Many people will be familiar with Jan Fennel from her numerous TV appearances. I personally find her attitude a little patronising, but there is no denying that she does know how to deal with many common problems. I think this book would be particularly useful for the first time owner to read soon after their dog arrives home. She does offer very basic step by step methods for dealing with a host of behavioural problems, although it is worth bearing in mind that she is usually citing examples of problems and solutions for non sight hound breeds.

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