Here are suggestions for learning more about canine behaviors and training.  This listing is more more extensive than the one called Agbeh Group Reading List. Some titles here you'll want to read right away; some you'll put on your personal list to read later. I hope you'll find this listing helpful. 

New books: This first paragraph is announcing new books:

Karen Pryor's Reaching the Animal Mind

James Akenhead, Ed.D, Thoughtful Owners, Great Dogs --  Canine Behavior  Training, a Triadic Approach  Published 2009, 234 pages.

Patricia McConnell's Tale of Two Species. Essays on Loving and Living with Dogs,

Jean Donaldson's Oh Behave!,  

Cheryl Smith's Grab Life by the Leash, 

Meg Daley Olmert's Made for Each Other: The Biology of the Human-Animal Bond,

Gail Fisher's The Thinking Dog -- Crossover to Clicker Training.

Nan Arthur's Chill Out Fido! How to Calm Your Dog

Sarah Fisher Unlock Your Dog's Potential-- How to Achieve a Calm and Happy Canine    127 pages

                      They're each listed in more detail below.

In addition, here are three new books from other sources:

Susan Wagner and Joshua Leeds' Through a Dog's Ear: Using Sound to Improve the Health and Behavior of Your Canine Companion  http://www.throughadogsear/music_to_enjoy.htm (Link not clickable. Type it into your browser.) 

 Linda Case's Canine and Feline Behavior and Training: A Complete Guide to Understanding our Two Best Friends, published by Delmar Cengage Learning in May 2009. Pre-orders are being taken by Amazon. Detailed information is available at Linda's web site <Http://www.autumnggoldconsulting.com> Type link into your browser. When the page opens, click on the book icon on the left. 

Please click the red "read more" link just below.

Vital Must Haves

Donaldson, Jean,  Culture Clash  and Dogs Are From Neptune   *** These are the top recommended books for Agbeh group members. If you can only buy two books this year, I suggest that you buy these!!!  More details below in the alphabetical section.

Well-Recommended Books on Dog Behavior and Training 

Some of thes book titles are annotated with comments. For others, brief reviews will be added in the weeks to come.

James Akenhead, Ed.D, Thoughtful Owners, Great Dogs --  Canine Behavior * Training, a Triadic Approach  Published 2009, 234 pages.

Alexander, Melissa,  Click for Joy, **Instructive, fun, and very popular. 

Anderson, Teoti,  Your Outta Control Puppy. 

Arden, Andrea  Dog-Friendly Dog Training  **** Second edition, published 2007, 232 pages. An immensely helpful guide to teaching basic obedience skills.The author has a kindly way of presenting information without overwhelming the reader. It's clear and concise. The humerous illustrations add a great touch. I recommend it highly Four stars.

Arden, Darlene,  Small Dogs, Big Hearts    Excellent, top notch reference book, helpful for all families who may consider adding a toy breed or small breed dog to their households. The author discusses known health concerns of the different breeds, and gives very helpful recommendations on raising small dogs. 

                           Petiquette - Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multi Pet Household A topic that may be overlooked in dog training books, but it's vitally important to understand how to blend a family that has more than one cat or dog.  **** Highly recommended. 

Arthur, Nan, Chill Out Fido!  How to Calm Your Dog   **** Highly recommended. Published 2009; 189 pages.  The author addresses the needs of owners whose dogs are highly excitable, a bit over the top, unable to settle. She teaches the owners how to deal with this calmly, effectively. There are benefits for the entire family. 

Ascione, Frank,  Children and  Animals -- Exploring the Roots of Kindness  Purdue  University Publication, a professional examination, well worth reading , 160 p.What a fascinating topic. How do children learn to be kind to other creatures?At what age do they have the cognitive understanding the small animals may experience fear or hurt?

Bradley, Janis,  Dogs Bite: But Balloons and Slippers Are More  Dangerous (The author has tackled a critically important topic. The public is easily aroused by sensational newspaper headlines to be wary of just one breed, perhaps. In some areas, city councils are proposing Breed Specific Legislation to outlaw one breed or another. Are dogs generally dangerous? Published 2005, 175 pages.)

Campbell, William E.,  Behavior Problems in Dogs,  ***** Campbell is one of the first nationally known dog-behaviorist trainers in the US; he set a very high standard for others to follow. This book is excellent!!  For people who may consider a career in dog training and behavior consulting, I recommend this book the highest. 

Cantrell, Krista Catch Your Dog Doing Something Right    (published 2004, 208 pages)

Chong, M.Shirley,  A Clicker Cookbook with Training Schedule   *Excellent, a  superb way to begin clicker teaching your dog. Mrs. Chong's suggeswtions are top notce, a  great way for you to begin teaching your dog!  While supplies last, this book is available from http://www.shirleychong.com  ****The lessons are riveting, clear, and precise, easy to follow, very effective. I recommend this for each of my clients. This book seems to be out of stock at DogWise. BDB)

Dennison, Pamela S.,  Road Map for Rehabilitating Your Aggressive Dog  (**** Excellent!! Carefully presented; helpfully detailed., a comprehensive text on aggressive behaviors in dogs. I admire the author's ability to help the reader to focus on each lesson. I recommend it highly to my clients.

Dodman, Nicholas, DVM

     The Dog Who Loved Too Much (****excellent, insightful; a must buy for every trainer/ dog-behavior consultant) 

     Dogs Behaving Badly  (***)

     If Only They Could Speak  (**** published 2008)

    The Well-Adjusted Dog (**** 262 pages, published 2008)

Donaldson, Jean, 

Culture Clash  ***** This outstanding book describes dog's normal aggressive displays, explains why dogs do them, what they mean, and how we may help to modify such behaviors in our dogs. In canine society, dogs communicate with each other by giving such aggressive displays -- signals to increase social distance,  and thus serve to *reduce* dog fights.  Culture Clash is perhaps the single most important book for pet owners to read. It's thorough, comprehensive. Published 1996, 224 pages. A second edition has been published.

Dogs Are From Neptune    *****  Second  edition. In this book, author Donaldson devotes the entire first section to object guarding behaviors. She offers a brilliant protocol for teaching owners how to teach their dogs object exchanges, all with the minimum of tensions. She does this by removing all of the factors that heighten tensions: by moving the lesson away from the dog food bowl, away from the kitchen entirely, away from meal times, and by beginning with an object that holds no value at all for the dog.  It is her attempt to help pet owners realize that some items are perceived by their dogs as of much higher value than others. We call those items "hot."  Of course dogs will wish to safeguard them. Any owner attempting to resolve such issues with his dog gently, without exacerbating aggression, needs this book!  The author uses the format of actual case studies. It's very helpful to read her evaluations and recommendations for problem behaviors. Published 2009, 150 pages.

Mine! A Guide to Resource Guarding, also called "object guarding" behavior. In this book, Donaldson takes the lessons from Neptune even further by providing great help for setting criteria for each lesson within the hierarchy of difficulty. This book, then, helps pet owners not to jump too high for each subsequent lesson, a critically important skill to learn. Published 2002, 102 pages. 

Fight! A Practical Guide to the Treatment of Dog-Dog Aggression.  In this interesting book, Donaldson explains some social ritual behaviors in which dogs engage when playing with one another, helps their owners to understand when or whether to intervene. Then she goes on to describe various different typs of dog-to-dog aggression. It's very helpful to understand such differences, for the intervention strategies will differ markedly.  (Caveat: I find Donaldson's writing to be very helpful in understanding dogs' behaviors. But the writer uses a sentence structure that is oftentimes difficult to decipher. As always with Donaldson, I would suggest that readers plan to read and reread various paragraphs. Think of her books as ones not to rush through but to contemplate and savor.) Published 2004, 116 pages.

Oh  Behave!  From Pavlov to Premack to Pinker    ***** 264 pages, published April 2008. Interesting, but sometimes the text is more cute than informative.

Tales of Two Species. Essays on Loving and Living with Dogs     Published in 2008, 192 pages. 

Dunbar, Ian, DVM, PhD

      Dog Behavior: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet (1999, explains how dogs relate to each other, their natural behaviors. The book is well illustrated with excellent photographs that convey important meanings.  It seems to be out of stock at DogWise, out of print, but you may find it by searching Amazon.com, Overstock.com, or eBay; and

     How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks 

     Before & After You Get Your Puppy

Fisher, Gail. The Thinking Dog -- Crossover to Clicker Training (2009, 328 pages) 

Fisher, John

       Reinforcement Training for Dogs,   

       Diary of a 'Dotty Dog' Doctor,   (case histories, written with warmth, caring and humor)

       Why Does My Dog?   (published 1991, 231 pages) 

Fogle, Bruce, DVM.   If Your Dog Could Talk  (published 2006. 160 pages.  Excellent. Well-recommended.) 

Geller, Tamar,  The Loved Dog -- The Playful, Nonaggressive Way to Teach Your Dog Good Behavior  

Hammer, Christine & Hevel, Margaret,  Parenting with  Pets -- The Magic of  Raising Children With Animals  (Published 1007; 178 pages. Very important topic. Excellent educational material here for families and for instructors.)

Handelman, Barbara, Canine Behavior: a Photo-Illustrated Handbook  Published 2008.  ***** Excellent. A comprehensive view of canine behaviours to help professionals and pet owners gain a greater understanding of how dogs exhibit both affiliative (distance-decreasing) and agonistic (distance-increasing) behaviors in their attempts to communicate.

Jecs, Dawn.  Choose to Heel   ***** Excellent! Superbly creative methods by a hjighly-accomplished ionstructor/trainer.  This book is well worth your serious consideration. 

                         Simply Living With Your Dog   (Recommended highly; the author has fantastic experience. I'm glad she found the time to write this.)

Jensen, P. (Ed.) The Behavioral Biology of Dogs    Oxford University Press, 2007. 288 pages.A superb reference.

Jones, Deborah, PhD

     Clicker Fun: Dog Tricks and Games Using Positive Reinforcement 

     Click Here for a Well-Trained Dog

     Click 'n' Sniff, about teaching scent discrimination 

Kilcommons, Brian Child-Proofing Your Dog    published 1994, 84 pages. 

Killion, Jane. When Pigs Fly -- Training Success With Impossible Dogs     (Published 2007, 198 pages. Highly recommended.) 

King, Trish,  Parenting Your Dog  (Book, top notch, new title. Trish King is a very accomplished trainer and instructor.)

Krause, Carolyn  Try Tracking! -- the Puppy Tracking Primer    Published 2005, 90 pages.

Laurence, Kay  Learning Games   (2008, 157 pages. The author is an active presenter at Clicker Expo. Attendees have been raving about her learning games.  

                            Teaching with Reinforcement-- For Every Day and Every Way  (2009 spiral,105 pages)

McAuliffe, Claudine. Mindful Dog Teaching -- Reflections on the Relationships We Share With Our Dogs     (Published 2006, 115 pages)

McConnell, Patricia, PhD

       How to Be the Leader of the Pack, and Have Your Dog Love You For It,  (booklet, highly recommended)

       "The Cautious Canine: Helping Your Dog Overcome Its Fears,"   (booklet, highest recommendation)

        "I’ll be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety," 

        "Feisty Fido: Help for the Leash Aggressive Dog,"  (booklet about reactive dogs).

        "Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage & Enjoy a Multi-Dog Household"    (booklet)

        "Way To Go!, How to Housetrain a Dog of Any Age,"  by Karen London and Patricia McConnell (booklet)

        The Other End of the Leash    (book, comprehensive, general overview.)

         For the Love of a dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend  (book, 332 pages, published 2007. Very powerful, a favorite.) 

McConnell, Patricia and Moore, Aimee M. Family Friendly Dog Training -- a Six Week Program for You and Your Dog    (Published 2007, 103 pages)

McDevitt, Leslie Control Unleashed - Creating a Focused and Confident Dog.  (Very popular new title; many trainers recommend it highly.  This program works along with desensitization and counter conditioning; it seems to help speed the process because of the way the owner learns to communicate with the dog. 

Miller, Pat  The Power of Positive Dog  Training  ***** Second edition, published 2008, 300 pages. Excellent, all you need to know to begin positive-reinforcement teaching for your dog. This book is a superb text, written concisely and in an easy-to-implement style. The author is outstanding in her presentation for clarity, ease of understanding. 

Mitchell, Lana.  The Clicked Retriever (booklet, 83 p.) An outstandingly helpful, concise guide.  I found  it to be extraordinarily helpful when I was first starting clicker training!!!

Olmert, Meg Daley. Made for Each Other - The Biology of the Human-Animall Bondl Bond   (February 2009, 276 pages).

Overall, Karen, DVM,  Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals   (***** professional text; excellent reference. We keep hearing that Dr. Overall's second edition, with the title, Handbook of Small Animal Medicine,  will be published soon, in 2008?, 2009?) 

Owens, Paul  The Dog Whisperer Presents Good Habits for Great Dogs - a positive approach to solving problems for puppies and dogs     Published 2009, 217 pages.

Pelar, Colleen, Living with Kids and Dogs -- without losing your mind   Published 2007, 160 pages.

Pryor, Karen 

     Don't Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training  *****explains how to change behaviors using positive reinforcement (***** Five stars, highest recommendation!!).    

    Lads Before the Wind    (A compilation of some of Karen Pryor's earlier articles; great reading)

and

   Clicker Training for Dogs     (Excellent guide for beginners to clicker teaching methods)

   Reaching the Animal Mind   Published July 2009, 200+ pages. ****Top notch; highest recommendation.  Karen Pryor relates her marvelous journey of discovery, from training sea mammals, to the clicker training adventure, on to TAGteaching for humans, children and adults both; on to her further explorations of the the brain and how it responds to the click sound. It's one fascinating page turner after another. 

Rugaas, Turid On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals  (*** Top notch paperback, excellent illustrations to depict dogs' appeasement gestures.This canine body language is important to recognize.) 

Ryan, Terry

        Toolbox for Remodeling Your Problem Dog (**** excellent book which, unfortunately, seems to be out of print) and booklets,

        The Bark Stops Here,  (booklet, 58 pages) and

        Take the Lead: Leadership Education for Anyone With a Dog,    (booklet, 16, pages, former title "Alphabetize Yourself),

       and Outwitting Dogs (full length book; excellent)

Schumannfang, Barbara Happy Kids, Happy Dogs    (published 2006, 184 pages. Prepare for baby's arrival) 

Silvani, Pia and Lynn Eckhardt Raising Puppies and Kids Together - a  Guide for Parents   published 2005, 250 pages.

Smith, Cheryl   Grab Life by the Leash: a Guide to  Bringing Up and  Bonding with Your Four-Legged Friend   ***Published April 2008, 232 pages.

          The Rosetta Bone      (*** a book which explains canine language and explains how dogs may perceive their humans' body language.) 

Sternberg, Sue,  A Guide to the Inducive Retrieve (booklet, revised 2006, 16 pages)

Stilwell, Victoria. It's Me or The Dog -- How to Have A Perfect Pet    (Now all the people who are enchanted and well informed from watching Victoria Stilwell's TV program on Animal Planet will be able to read her book. Published 2007, 215 pages.)

Taunton, Stephanie and Cheryl Smith. The Trick Is In the Training   (Published 2007, 198 pages.  Note for instructors using Mandy Book and Cheryl Smith's Right on Target, you may wish to recommend this book, The Trick is I the Training for your students. Just my suggestion. 

von Reinhardt, Clarissa  Chase! - Managing Your Dog's Predatory Instincts Published 2010, 136 pages.

Wilde, Nicole,  Help for Your Fearful Dog  (*** Comprehensive, excellent guide, particularly for a pet owner who has a very timid dog. The book is extremely lengthy, but the writing is superb, the recommendations top notch.) 

Yin, Sophia, DVM. How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves   (**** Highly recommended. At last, the book dog-behavior consultants want to recommend to pet owners. Pet owners: Learn to see your behaviors as your dog perceives them. Published 2004, 240 pages. 

  Here are some additional recommended books you  may enjoy: 

Beckoff, Marc and Jane Goodall. The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorry, and Empathy -- and Why They Matter. (Published 2008.)  

Hetts, Susanne,PhD and Estrep, Dan, Understanding Canine Aggression, CD,   http://www.animalbehaviorassociates.com

Hunthausen, Wayne, DVM  (These next three titles are not available from DogWise)

      Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat  available from Amazon.com

      Behavior Problems in Geriatric Dogs

      Dog Behavior and Training: Veterinary Advice for Owners

Lindsay, Steven R.,   (These three books are professional texts, references.)

        Handook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol 1. Adaptation & Learning, 

       Handbook of Applied dog Behavior and Training, Vol .2 Etiology & Assessment. 

       Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol 3, Procedures & Protocols

Ostrander, et al. (Ed.), The Dog and His Genome     (Published 2006, 566 pages. A comprehensive scientific review.)    

Shoen, Allen, DVM.  Kindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans & Animals Can Change the Way We Live     

Scott, John Paul Scott and Fuller, John L., Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog,     (****Major scientific work, research investigation into which canine traits are inherited. This book is a reprint of that landmark study, 469 pages.)

Willis, M. B., (2001) Genetics of the Dog, Howell Book House. ISBN-10 087605551x 

Rvinsky, A.(editor) (2001) The Genetics of the Dog, Division of Animal Science, University of New England, Australia. ISBN 970-8085-1995205   http://www.cabi.org/bk_BookDisplay.asp?PID=1514