Training materials I’ve read recently.
Books:
Training Dogs: A Manual, Colonel Konrad Most, 1910
Schutzhund Obedience: Training in Drive, Sheila Booth with Gottfried Dildei, 1992
Purely Positive Training: Companion to Competition, Sheila Booth, 1998
The Other End of the Leash, Patricia McConnell, 2003
The Puppy Primer, Patricia McConnell, 2010
DVD’s:
German Shepherd Dog: The German Way, Canine Training Systems, 1998
– Disc 3 Handling
– Disc 4 Advanced Handling
I read Konrad Most’s book mostly for curiosity as it was very influential on dog training in the 20th century. His methods sound quite harsh to a modern reader but then again he stated that his training was meant for police dogs and the text often refers to how the dog will respond to “the criminal.” And it was written in 1910! With that context it’s more of a novelty read. It is interesting though to note that he described what would later be termed operant conditioning. And 20 years before BF Skinner!
For my needs I found the others very helpful. I particularly like McConnell’s writing. She has a unique background as a trainer and animal behaviorist. She also has a way of making technical material very reachable. Her book “The Other End of the Leash” isn’t a training book at all, it’s about dog behavior and explains why they think the way they do. I enjoyed all of these!
The DVD’s were focused on SV style conformation showing. That won’t be an immediate need but it’s the one area in which I had no experience.
I like Patricia McConnell’s books also. Not sure which or how old your pup is, but try Denise Fenzi’s “Dog Sports Skills, Book 1: Developing Engagement and Relationship”. I really liked it and have gone back and started a redo on a couple of the basics w/both Ziva and Libby and like the results. I’m sure Julie and Carole would have some suggestions as well.
Thanks for the recommendation on Denise’s book. I thought it over but never ordered it.
It is a really good basic begining book. Very simply it implies why and how training should be fun (especially important for re-educating folks that learned via compulsion training). I am waiting for the 2nd one 🙂
Charlene’s favorite dog training book ( at least from the newer books that have come out) is “Control Unleashed:.
I had it and borrowed it out and never got it back. What kind of idiot borrows out a book before they have read it? Yep this kind.
It wasn’t me!!!!
BTW, thanks for making me order and spend $ on yet another book 🙂