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Training

Dogs are not born knowing what is considered appropriate versus inappropriate behavior; they depend on us to teach them house rules and good manners. Every responsible dog owner needs to learn effective canine communication skills and how to use positive, rewards-based training methods to help even the most errant dog become a well-mannered member of the family. These articles and links can help you learn the basics and cope with some common behavior and training issues. (Many of the trainers we’ve listed always have new books coming out as well, so this is not an exhaustive list.)

Training

  • How to Raise a Well-mannered Dog: A must read for dog owners of all breeds.
  • Why Train?: by Dennis Stauffer: Attending obedience class and training is more than getting your dog to sit or stay.
  • Keep Your Dog Safe: by Heather Hatt: Tools and preventatives to keep your dog from getting loose.
  • Dog Parks: Shy Dogs and Etiquette: by Dennis Stauffer: Determine if the dog park is right for your dog and etiquette rules to follow when you go.
  • Bribe or Reward: by Dennis Stauffer: Learn the difference between bribing and rewarding your dog and the impact on positive rewards-based training.
  • Winter Fun and Exercise: by Dennis Stauffer: Get some great ideas on keeping your dog active indoors when it’s cold and blowing outside.
  • Leave It: by Dennis Stauffer: Teaching your dog to obey these two words can save their life.
  • Cozy and Safe – The Magic of a Crate: by Dennis Stauffer: Dogs are inherently den animals and feel safe in their crate. Learn how to use that to your benefit.
  • Management… an Important Part of Training: by Dennis Stauffer: Living with dogs involves training and management, the latter being preventing them from doing what we don’t want them to do.
  • The Canine Teenager: by Dennis Stauffer: Despite doing everything right through puppyhood, you now find your dog seems out of control, having forgotten everything they learned. Welcome to the canine teenager.
  • Training Treats: by Dennis Stauffer: Here’s an overview of the best training treats to use with your dog.
  • Food Toys, and Puzzles: by Lisa Jagielski: Many bad behaviors are related to too much energy. Learn out various food toys and puzzles can help.
  • Counterconditioning & Desensitization: by Lisa Jagielski: These two training methods work together to help your dog overcome various fears.
  • Collars and Halters and Harnesses… Oh My!: by Lisa Jagielski: With so many choices available, which one is the best choice for your dog?
  • Holiday Behavior: by Lisa Jagielski: When the holiday season approaches, whether you have a shy dog or one that’s overly rambunctious, planning gatherings at your home can be stressful.
  • Nose Work: By Matt Woodard, DVGRR Volunteer: Learn more about this activity that has many proven benefits for the DVGRR dogs… and all dogs!
  • Not All Car Rides Are Fun: by Lisa Jagielski: Dealing with a dog that gets car sick.
  • Treat Retreat: by Lisa Jagielski: This training approach can help you teach a fearful dog that you (or other people) are not a threat.

Books

Positive Training:

  • The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller
  • Bringing Light to Shadow by Pam Dennison
  • Bones Would Rain from the Sky by Suzanne Clothier
  • Train Your Dog Positively by Victoria Stilwell
  • The Secret Language of Dogs by Victoria Stilwell

Shy & Fearful Dogs:

  • A Guide to Living With & Training a Fearful Dog by Debbie Jacobs
  • Rescue Your Dog from Fear by Peggy O. Swager
  • The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell
  • Help for Your Fearful Dog by Nicole Wilde
  • Puppy Mill Dogs, SPEAK! by Chris Shaughness & Chris Slaweck

Reactive Dogs:

  • Scaredy Dog by Ali Brown
  • Click to Calm by Emma Parsons

Resource Guarding:

  • Mine! by Jean Donaldson

Separation Anxiety:

  • Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs by Malena DeMartini-Price

House Training:

  • Way to Go! by Patricia McConnell
  • Hard to Housetrain by Peggy O. Swager
  • Bones Would Rain from the Sky by Suzanne Clothier
  • Train Your Dog Positively by Victoria Stilwell
  • The Secret Language of Dogs by Victoria Stilwell

Here’s a list of internationally recognized positive dog trainers that are great resources:

  • Debbie Jacobs
  • Sophia Yin/Cattledog Publishing
  • Pat Miller
  • Rise Van Fleet
  • Ali Brown
  • Nicole Wilde
  • Patricia McConnell
  • Ian Dunbar
  • Chirag Patel
  • Jean Donaldson
  • Victoria Stilwell
  • Peggy O. Swager
  • Zak George
  • Nicole Skeehan

    Other Helpful Sites:

    Kyra Sundance: www.domorewithyourdog.com

    Humane Society of the United States

    ASPCA