Description
As any visit to a book store or pet supply store will confirm, there are dozens of books about dog training. With the proliferation of titles, the question “Why another book on dog training?” needs to be asked.
The answer—or rather, answers—to that question are varied. First, many dog training books are written by trainers who are looking to create name recognition for themselves. Others are looking to impress colleagues, especially if these trainers want to pursue seminar or speaking careers. Then there are those who are tired of training and hope to make a living as writers. While there is nothing inherently wrong with any of these motives, I think they miss what I believe must be the primary motive for anyone who is writing a serious book on training: that any such book must first and foremost be written for dog owners who are looking for answers about how to properly train their pets.
In my experience, dog owners are looking for answers that are humane and that work. This book is dedicated to them. I didn’t write ABC Practical Guide to Dog Training to win points with other trainers,
nor did I write it to build my business. Instead, I wrote it because I am very passionate about certain things.
Shelter and rescue organizations throughout North America will confirm the fact that at least 60 percent of all dogs in shelters are there because of untreated behavior problems. They will also confirm, as will many veterinarians, that millions of dogs are killed in shelters every year. This makes untreated behavior problems the largest preventable cause of death of pet dogs in North America. That’s an appalling statistic. As a trainer, it seems logical to me that a training message based on methods that work needs to be shared with the public, and what better way than a book?
This book is not for everyone. While the methods I have described are strongly focused on using rewards, I make no bones about the fact that correction sometimes has a place in the training process.
It used to be that dog training was almost always based on compulsion. This means the dog learned to listen primarily to avoid some sort of correction or punishment. The problem with these techniques is that the physical punishment was sometimes emotionally and physically damaging to the dog. Anyone who took a training class 25 or more years ago will remember just how rough training classes could be.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 A Dog Story
Chapter 2 If You Have A Dog, You Are A Trainer
Chapter 3 How Your Dog Learns: A Basic Primer That Makes Sense, Without A Lot Of Jargon And Psychobabble
Chapter 4 Your Dog As A Family Member
Chapter 5 Simple, Effective Ways To Address Basic Problems, Part 1
Chapter 6 Simple, Effective Ways To Address Basic Problems, Part 2
Chapter 7 Off-Leash Obedience
Chapter 8 Finding A Trainer Who’s Right For You And Your Dog
Chapter 9 Have Fun: Resources For You And Your Dog