“The Culture Clash,” by Jean Donaldson (James & Kenneth Publishers, Berkeley, CA, 2005; $17.95)

      This is Donaldson’s second edition of one what is considered an all time classic canine behavior book. Any dog trainer who has not read this book should not be training dogs.

      Even if you don’t agree with all of Donaldson’s theories, she’s guaranteed to inspire those neurons in your brain to fire. You’ll like have an “ah ha” moment or two, thinking, ‘Oh, that’s why Fido does that.” 

      Donaldson, who is the director of training at the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, refutes that people must be the dominant pack member. She maintains dogs branded “training lemons” just aren’t being communicated with and appropriately motivated. This isn’t meant to be a standard dog training guide for teaching dogs house training or to heel, but instead offers a basic understanding which may serve as a foundation training. It sure helps to train a dog if you understand your dog.  

      
    “Puppy Perrfect: The User-Friendly Guide to Puppy Parenting,” by Sarah Hodgson (Howell Book House, New York, NY, 2006; $16.99). Hodgson proves training can be fun. And, after all, puppies should be fun. Hodgson concedes that while people (including kids) need to be in charge, the idea of people being ‘alpha’ may not turn out to be appropriate.

      This easy to read and user-friend book is filled with practical advice. Included are tips other books often don’t have. One idea to expose young puppies to novel objects and sounds, from umbrellas to wailing babies. She writes about age appropriate discipline (which is as important for puppies as for toddlers).

      Hodgson offers a guide to some novel and fun games the entire family can play with a puppy, like follow the leader. Of course, aside from being fun and involving the kids, all the games have a purpose.  

      
    “Happy Kids, Happy Dogs: Building A Friendship Right from the Start,” by Barbara Schumannfang (Top Notch Dog Books, Durham, NC, 2006; $16.95). This is a desperately needed book, and the title says it all! It’s all about setting up a relationship that kids and dogs should have. But Lassie’s and Timmy’s just don’t typically happen without a little help. This book more than about preventing dog bites (important since most bites happen to children, and by the family’s own dog), it’s all about making those special child/canine bonds happen and then flourish. It all begins with fun, and with mutual respect.

      Two important parts of this book: What parents need to know about violence to companion animals, and about how to say goodbye to a pet, coping with loss and grief. 

    
    “Pup Parenting,” by Lynn Lott and Jane Nelson with Therry Jay (Rodale, Emmaus, PA, 2006; $14.95). Parenting experts Lott and Nelson team with Jay, who is a canine expert. According to the book’s back page, Lott and Nelson are internationally renowned with more than two million copies of their Positive Discipline books in print. I suppose that’s true. Why would I think otherwise? The back cover also indicates that Jay is an acclaimed animal behaviorist. Well, Jay is not a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, or a PhD certified applied animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist. So, how is she certified? Even if Jay’s advice is superb – she’s isn’t what the publisher is suggesting.

      About that advice offered, overall, it’s quite good. For starters, the author suggests avoid purchasing pups in pet stores (they’re likely from puppy mills), and encourages shelter adoptions.

      Instead of taking a single approach on training, the authors offer various alternatives, which sounds good – and sometimes is good. But the book lacks a consistent approach; the advice is often too broad to really be helpful. However, general statements like, developing routines for puppies and obedience training is about creating a common language between pups and parents do ring true. This book promises a contemporary approach, rejecting both harsh discipline and overindulgent cookie pushers. 

      
    “Click & Easy: Clicker Training for Dogs,” by Miriam Fields-Babineau (Howell Book House, New York, NY, 2006; $19.99). Certainly clicker training is an absolutely valid and humane method to train. However, I wonder why the author doesn’t discourage the use of training collars (choke collars), particularly among toy dog puppies (these collars are downright dangerous, and downright unnecessary if you have a clicker).

      The basic premises in this book are adequate, but she sometimes misses the mark .For example, if you’re teaching clicker training, why is a shake can (a soda can filled with pennies) required to prevent problem jumping? You click the clicker so you don’t require aversive training. .The author’s personal anecdotes, based on real-life clients, are interesting. Still there are better and easier to follow clicker books out there. One is called “Quick Clicks,” written by Cheryl Smith (co-author of the next book on this list) and several books on the topic are available through clicker guru Karen Pryor’s website: www.clickertraining.com. 

     
    “Right on Target: Taking Dog Training to a New Level,” by Mandy Book and Cheryl Smith (Dogwise Publishing, Wenatchee, WA, 2006; $19.95). Ramp up your dog training, or training of any kind…learn to teach an elephant to high-five or a boxer to skate board. Targeting is an alternative to using lures (like cookies). Although, you can still use treats – this is another way and clearly a humane method to train.

      Targeting might sound complicated if you don’t give the authors a chance. It takes a while, but they do break down the concept. If your dog rings a bell to say “I have to go out” you’ve already taught your dog to target. No approach is perfect, and this approach does require some mechanical skill.  In any case, targeting doesn’t call for yanking or pulling on your dog, and that is good. This book can have a particular appeal  for those who are ultimately interested in participating in a canine sport (like agility) or in auditioning their pooch for TV commercials (since targeting is an effective way to teach complex series of tasks). 

     
    “Parrot Tricks: Teaching Parrots with Positive Reinforcement,” by Tani Robar and Diane Grindol (Howell Book House, New York, NY, 2006; $19.99).  A bird’s brain is a terrible thing to waste. We teach dogs, in part, because they require proper manners when they go out into the world. While birds don’t require training for the same purpose, it’s downright inhumane not to train them, that’s assuming your training methods are positive and fun as they are in this book.

      Training enhances the bond between you and your feathered friend and engages the parrot’s mind. The authors also write about how training can enhance their physical health, by teaching birds to allow a veterinarian to handle them, to spread their wings and lift legs so they can be examined.