What's a Dog For?: The Surprising History, Science, Philosophy, and Politics of Man's Best Friend


John Homans - 2012
    Soon enough, she is happily ensconced in the daily workings of his family. And not only that: Stella is treated like a family member—in ways that dogs of his youth were not. Spending humanlike sums on vet bills, questioning her diet and exercise regimens, contemplating her happiness—how had this all come to pass, when the dogs from Homans’s childhood seemed quite content living mostly out in the yard?In What’s a Dog For?, Homans explores the dog’s complex and prominent place in our world and how it came to be. Evolving from wild animals to working animals to nearly human members of our social fabric, dogs are now the subject of serious scientific studies concerning pet ownership, evolutionary theory, and even cognitive science. From new insights into what makes dogs so appealing to humans to the health benefits associated with owning a dog, Homans investigates why the human-canine relationship has evolved so rapidly—how dogs moved into our families, our homes, and sometimes even our beds in the span of a generation, becoming a $53 billion industry in the United States in the process.As dogs take their place as coddled family members and their numbers balloon to more than seventy-seven million in the United States alone, it’s no surprise that canine culture at large is also undergoing a massive transformation. They are now subject to many of the same questions of rights and ethics as people, and the politics of dogs are more tumultuous and public than ever— with fierce moral battles raging over kill shelters, puppy mills, and breed standards. Incorporating interviews and research from scientists, activists, breeders, and trainers, What’s a Dog For? investigates how dogs have reached this exalted status and why they hold such fascination for us. With one paw in the animal world and one paw in the human world, it turns out they have much to teach us about love, death, and morality—and ultimately, in their closeness and difference, about what it means to be human.

The Official Ahimsa Dog Training Manual


Grisha Stewart - 2007
    Save time on write-ups by using this booklet as an in-home reference for your clients.Breeders: send your puppies home with this book to start them off on the right paw.

How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain


Gregory Berns - 2013
    Loyal, obedient, and affectionate, they are truly “man’s best friend.” But do dogs love us the way we love them? Emory University neuroscientist Gregory Berns had spent decades using MRI imaging technology to study how the human brain works, but a different question still nagged at him: What is my dog thinking?   After his family adopted Callie, a shy, skinny terrier mix, Berns decided that there was only one way to answer that question—use an MRI machine to scan the dog’s brain. His colleagues dismissed the idea. Everyone knew that dogs needed to be restrained or sedated for MRI scans. But if the military could train dogs to operate calmly in some of the most challenging environments, surely there must be a way to train dogs to sit in an MRI scanner.   With this radical conviction, Berns and his dog would embark on a remarkable journey and be the first to glimpse the inner workings of the canine brain. Painstakingly, the two worked together to overcome the many technical, legal, and behavioral hurdles. Berns’s research offers surprising results on how dogs empathize with human emotions, how they love us, and why dogs and humans share one of the most remarkable friendships in the animal kingdom.   How Dogs Love Us answers the age-old question of dog lovers everywhere and offers profound new evidence that dogs should be treated as we would treat our best human friends: with love, respect, and appreciation for their social and emotional intelligence.

Daring to Dream


Suzanne Weyn - 2010
    and the start of an exciting new horse series!Taylor Henry loves horses, but her single mom can't afford riding lessons, much less a horse. So when she discovers an abandoned gelding and pony, Taylor is happy just to be around them.But the rescued animals have nowhere to go, and Taylor is running out of time to find them a good home. Could the empty old barn on Wildwood Lane be the answer? And could Taylor's wildest dream -- of a horse to call her own -- finally be coming true?

Losing My Best Friend: Thoughtful support for those affected by dog bereavement or pet loss


Jeannie Wycherley - 2017
    Remember me though it hurts to do so, because the pain you have is equal to the love we shared, and as long as you feel something, I am here with you. There is no goodbye if you carry me in your heart. Remember all the joy we shared, because there was so much of it for both of us.” Herbie Longfellow Alderdice Are you a dog owner who is in the process of losing your best friend to illness? Or have you lost your beloved friend and you are struggling to get over them? Pet bereavement is tough. Not everyone sympathises with you. Jeannie Wycherley chose to write this book after the loss of her beloved boy, Herbie, because she was hurt by the repetition of the phrase, “he was just a dog.” She realised that her grief transcended that tired notion - one tritely rolled out by people who think they’re being helpful and supportive, failing to realise the guilt and shame many pet owners already experience when they are locked deep in mourning. Losing my Best Friend seeks to dispel the myth that any of our best friends are ever ‘just’ dogs, and it acknowledges that the recovery from dog bereavement is a journey we make mostly on our own, which many find isolating. Losing my best friend demonstrated that there is no rule book, and no hard and fast techniques that will make you ‘better’. Recovery should be taken at your own pace. There is no schedule, and no-one has the right to say, “Oh, I thought you’d be over it by now.” Losing my Best Friend: thoughtful support for those affected by dog bereavement or pet loss also offers practical advice about what to do when your dog passes away, including tips on helping your children or other pets cope with the loss, designing your own ceremony to celebrate your dog’s life, and creating memorials. One of the biggest strengths of this book is that it validates what you are feeling. Other people share similar experiences and emotions, and recognise your struggle. You’re normal! In these pages Jeannie Wycherley has created a loving tribute to Herbie, and Losing my Best Friend delivers support with a light and loving touch.

The Dog That Saved My Life: Incredible True Stories Of Canine Loyalty Beyond All Bounds (Heroes)


Isabel George - 2010
    For as long as dogs have lived alongside man, they have saved their lives in wartime with their bravery, loyalty and companionship. From the WWII dog that was adopted by the Royal Navy as a mascot, torpedoed, shot at and registered as a prisoner of war, to the more recent heroics of explosives dog, Bonnie, in Afghanistan and Iraq where she saved hundreds of military and civilian lives, this is a collection of the most incredible and heartwarming accounts from around the world.Capturing the fear, uncertainly, determination and undying devotion of these amazing dogs and the young soldiers, sailors and airmen they befriended, these are truly inspirational tales of loyalty and companionship beyond all boundaries.

Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy: Your simple step-by-step guide to raising and training a happy puppy or dog


Steve Mann - 2019
    As founder of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, I've helped transform the lives of over 100,000 dogs and their families - and now I want to help you, too!Whether you're living with a brand-new puppy, an adult dog or rescue dog, my methods will give you everything you need to know. Using simple, proven, science-based and ethical techniques, I'll show you how to have the best relationship with your pup, as well as teaching you how to get: super-fast recalls, great loose lead walking, perfect manners and much, MUCH more... I promise, it really is easy peasy and every tip, trick and lesson will bring you and your puppy closer together. I'll see you on the other side, Enjoy! Steve Mann

Be Right Back!: How To Overcome Your Dog's Separation Anxiety And Regain Your Freedom


Julie Naismith - 2019
    Is your canine companion endlessly whining for your return? Does your dog trash your house while you’re gone? Is caring for your frightened pet making you feel trapped in your own home? Experienced, certified dog trainer Julie Naismith has helped hundreds of stressed owners get their furry friends past separation anxiety. Having cured her own dog, Percy, of the same phobia, Naismith is here with a game plan to guide you and your four-legged pal toward independence and peace of mind.Be Right Back!: How to Overcome Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety and Regain Your Freedom is a proven, evidence-based approach to retraining a pooch who feels deserted. Naismith’s step-by-step program lets you gently move your dog from a place of fear to a brave new world of tail-wagging tranquility. By implementing this treasure trove of coping strategies and tried-and-true methods, you’ll soon feel sure that your doggy is happy and healthy at home. In Be Right Back!, you’ll discover: A comprehensive system to transition from frazzled pup to contented canine Common training myths that may worsen your pet’s condition Success stories from other pet owners who have reclaimed their freedom Tips for dealing with judgmental friends and family so you can side-step Case studies, downloadable resources, a full workbook, and much, much more! Be Right Back! is a complete reference for you to rehabilitate any anxious dog. If you like expert advice, simple-to-use techniques, and getting positive results quickly, then you’ll love Julie Naismith’s practical guide. Buy Be Right Back! to get you both on the trail to sanity today!

Raw Dog Food: Make It Easy for You and Your Dog


Carina MacDonald - 2003
    You may have heard about the "BARF" diet - Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods. Learn why and how to feed your dog this new (but really OLD) diet. "Raw Dog Food: Make It Easy for You and Your Dog " explains in simple, friendly and understandable terms the logic behind this approach. This fun and slightly irreverent book shows you how feeding your dog a raw diet can be effective, economical, and easy for you and healthy for your dog. Learn how to make it work for your dog and you!

The Hidden Life of Dogs


Elizabeth Marshall Thomas - 1993
    The author visits their minds and provides an insight into a species different from our own, but in many respects surprisingly the same.

Clever Dog - The Secrets Your Dog Wants You to Know


Sarah Whitehead - 2012
    Dog is not wolf. Clever Dog is an uncompromising demand for a new truth about the domestic dog that occupies both our hearts and our homes. From startling facts about its origins, to the fundamental reasons behind dog and man’s unbreakable attachment, ‘Clever Dog – The Secrets your dog wants you to know’ explores the myths that so many pet owners have been led to believe - and forms conclusions as to how our future relationship with the dog needs to change in order to survive, and thrive.

My Smart Puppy (TM): Fun, Effective, and Easy Puppy Training


Brian Kilcommons - 2006
    And it's far simpler than people think.With the intuitive and step-by-step methods included in this invaluable book from experts Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, including tips on how to deal with every kind of personality, puppies can be trained quickly and painlessly.With humor, time-tested advice, and an arsenal of tricks, My Smart Puppy teaches new dog owners everything they need to know to raise a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog.

Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men: Searching through Scotland for a Border Collie


Donald McCaig - 1991
    McCaig delves into the mysterious pact between dog and man, which involves trust and deep communication. Traveling from town to town, to competitions and farms, meeting shepherds and trainers, McCaig introduces us to unforgettable animal and human characters.

What Is My Dog Thinking?: The Essential Guide to Understanding Pet Behavior


Gwen Bailey - 2002
    From tail wagging to growling, from play bowing to lip licking, this fascinating book explains why your dog behaves the way he does. What Is My Dog Thinking? covers six major aspects of dog behavior: the importance of hierarchy, food and fitness, staying safe, reproduction, social behavior, and people and dogs.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Dog: 101 Stories about Life, Love, and Lessons


Jack Canfield - 2009
    Join Wendy Diamond, editor in chief of Animal Fair magazine, judge on Greatest American Dog, pet rescue advocate, author, regular expert on Today and general dog-lover and read 101 heartwarming, amusing, and inspirational stories about our best friends and faithful companions — our dogs.You’ll see your own dog with a new eye through these true stories about: the amazing intuition and intelligence of dogs dogs teaching us to enjoy every day learning to put things in perspective dogs changing people’s lives learning to say goodbye fabulous rescue dogs therapy dogs