Favorite Dog Books

[knightrider]

What are you favorite dog training books? I’m looking for good ones on Agility or Foundation for Agility, dog games and/or dog motivation books. Have one dog with some focus issues and another that is a little overwhelmed with agility, but found is very motivated by toys so trying to see if there is another way to tap her drive.

Thanks!

[BostonBanker]

Shaping Success - mostly a journal of sorts (it was glued together from a series of magazine articles), but filled with lots of tidbits and training ideas and wonderful in general. A really fun read with lots of good information mixed in.

Control Unleashed - Great program on teaching the sort of focus and relaxation that benefits sport dogs (and pets for that matter). Really neatly broken down into lessons, with lots of pictures as well.

Not a book but a video - Crate Games. I laughed at everyone who swore the program was the second coming of the agility gods. It seemed absurd all the things people were saying you could train with a crate. I’m a total convert. My puppy learned his stays, his start line, his releases, his table and started distance work all with his crate and the skills learned from the program.

[Satin_Filly]

[QUOTE=knightrider;6558723]
What are you favorite dog training books? I’m looking for good ones on Agility or Foundation for Agility, dog games and/or dog motivation books. Have one dog with some focus issues and another that is a little overwhelmed with agility, but found is very motivated by toys so trying to see if there is another way to tap her drive.

Thanks![/QUOTE]

I have a GREAT book recommendation for your not so focused one.

I got this book when I got my Bull Terrier, which could be considered one of the most stubborn breeds out there. Terriers in general are independent thinkers; but this breed has an agenda of his own with a high desire of self satisfaction, and takes it to a whole 'nother level. I love my boy to bits, but it is rather difficult to tap into that mind which suffers from horribly from selective hearing. :lol:
Not much falls on deaf ears anymore after following her book.

Anywho, the book is Jane Killion’s “When pigs fly”. She does work mostly with Bull Terriers and other non-biddable breeds, and has successful ones in the agility ring…which is not the easiest thing to do. This book is not just catered to Bull Terriers, but to any breed out there who’s less willing to do what you want. Her methods revolve around positive reinforcement, and clicker training. She uses a step by step process and gives you exercises to do. I enjoyed her sense of humor, and not only was this an informative read, it was FUN to read!

The book is geared towards getting your dog to be “operant”, which is a mindset all dogs must have to do agility. Not only a good foundation book for agility dogs, but really for any dog who needs better listening skills.

http://www.amazon.com/When-Pigs-Fly-Training-Impossible/dp/1929242441/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347714453&sr=8-3&keywords=when+pigs+fly