My Summer Reading List is Going to the Dogs

Besides spending ample amounts of my free time outside and taking Woody for long walks, one of the best parts of summer for me is stepping up my reading game. This year, it looks like I'm going to be spending lots of time reading about animals, both real life and fiction. I purchased John Grogan's Bad Dogs Have More Fun in Boston a few weeks ago, and a few months ago, I purchased Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain at a bookstore in Chicago. As you may have guessed, I like going to random bookstores when I go to different cities, and I just so happen to come away with dog books. While there are a few non-dog-related books on my list as well, it seems this summer will bode well with my new-found understanding (or at least my attempt at understanding) of my dog.

Another book I've decided to add to my list is probably going to be the most important one to assist my training progress and aid the bond between Woody and me. A friend posted an article on Facebook titled "5 Myths About Dog Behavior that Often Lead to Tragedy." Written by a dog behavior specialist, the contents of this article could not be more spot on with what I've learned in my behavioral modification classes. The author of this post, Melissa Berryman, wrote a book titled People Training for Good Dogs: What Breeders Don't Tell You and Trainers Don't Teach. The book's description is as follows:

As a former animal officer, Melissa Berryman witnessed every failure imaginable among dogs, their owners, and her community. Drawing from these experiences and her knowledge of both human and canine behaviors, Berryman created the People Training for Good Dogs program to help owners incorporate the canine point of view into dog owners' handling skills.

Current understanding leads owners to believe that they must accept a passive role in the complex relationships they have with their dogs and their com-munities. Berryman draws important contrasts between how we train horses and how we train dogs, and she brings to light the consequences of expecting dogs to act and react as people do. By offering insight into the importance of acknowledging and working with core canine social and behavioral drives, Berryman provides owners with sound handling techniques.

I don't know this woman, but she and her book both seem legit. Once I get to it, I'll be sure to provide a book review. In the meantime, enjoy a clip of Jesse the Jack Russell to start your weekend off right. I don't think this book or any book is going to teach me how to teach Woody to do all the tricks Jesse can do, but at least it will help me further understand his aggressive behavior.