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Your Training Companion
 Outwitting Dogs is the book I wrote with
world-reknowned trainer Terry Ryan.
We wrote the book to help people design
a positive, rewards-based training program for their dogs. Here are
some of the the things we tried to do with this book:
- Present solid information, that
reflects, to our best ability, the science of dog
behavior and training today;
- Present that information in a
simple, clear, easy-to-understand way;
- Help people who are trying to solve
specific problems they might be facing with their dogs;
- Help people who have more general
needs--for example, people who are adopting a new dog or puppy and
want their new friend to fit comfortably into their
lives.
If you're new to dogs and dog training,
Outwitting Dogs will be a great fundamentals handbook.
If you're a practiced "dog person,"
you'll find the book has some fresh new ideas to help you hone your
training skills.
What you'll learn
Here are just some of the topics
covered in Outwitting Dogs.
Preparation: picking the
right dog, assembling the right stuff.
What kind of dog is right for you?
What tools and supplies should you have on hand before you bring
your dog home? What are some reasonable training goals that you
should set for your new canine friend? This chapter helps you get
off on the right foot--even before your dog comes
home!
Puppies, puppy
socialization and puppy training
Do puppies have special needs? What
are their developmental stages? When should you start training,
and what should you work on? Should you "socialize" your puppy,
and if so, how should you go about it? A great chapter for
anyone who is "starting out with a puppy"!
Housetraining
Why is "management" so
important to housetraining dogs? What's the right way to use
a crate? How about tethering? Why do accidents happen
when your dog "should be" housetrained? Why is it better to
use rewards, not punishment, for housetraining? (Be sure to catch
the story of the fellow who accidentally trained his dog to
"go" on the coffee table!)
Chewing
Why do dogs chew? What's the
best way to manage chewing? What should you think about
when picking out a chew toy? What are "taste deterrents" and how
can they help?
Recall (coming when
called)
Why is training a recall so
challenging? What are the foundation behaviors you should
work on before you train a recall? How can you truly motivate your
dog to come when called? When should you introduce the word
"come"--and when is it a good idea to choose a completely
different word?
Inside
manners
How do you want your dog to
behave when indoors? What's the fastest way to train key
obedience behaviors like "sit" and "down"? How can you
arrange training practice so that your dog becomes more and more
fluent with obedience behaviors?
Leash
walking
What should your leash walking goals
be? When is a formal "heel" behavior necessary? How can you train
a "heel" using rewards? What are some tricks for rewarding your
dog for walking nicely on leash? What leash walking tools should
you avoid--and what tools might help you with leash walking
behavior? (See here, too, for
information on the Easy Walk Harness, which came to market after
Outwitting Dogs was published!)
When your dog is left
alone
How can you help prevent
problems from arising when you leave your dog alone? What are the
main reasons some dogs develop problem behaviors when left alone?
How can you tell if your dog is anxious or simply bored? How can
you use management to help your dog cope with being alone? Can
desensitization help with your
dog?
Barking
Why do dogs bark,
anyway? How can you figure out why your dog barks? How does
knowing "why" help you train your dog to go easy on the
barking?
People
manners
What does your dog's behavior around
other people mean? What is the best way to socialize your dog? Why
is it important to watch your dog closely--and take care not
to push your dog too quickly, during socialization? How
can you help your dog tolerate--or even enjoy--visits to the
vet? This chapter also addresses the issue of dog
bite.
"Other dog"
manners
How should you interpret your dog's
behavior around other dogs? What are the causes of "aggression"?
How do dogs communicate with other dogs? When should you get
professionl help for dog-to-dog behavior
issues?
Kids and
dogs
What are the three most
important words when it comes to kids and dogs? (Answer:
Supervision. Supervision. Supervision.) What are the things you need to teach to the kids? How
should you introduction a new ba by to your
dog?
Your neighbor's
dog
What can you do about problem
behaviors when the dog belongs to someone else? What are some
things you can do if you encounter a loose
dog?
Teaching
tricks
What is clicker training? What
is "capturing" and "shaping" behavior--and how can it help you
become a better trainer? What are "chained behaviors"? This
chapter includes a list of neat tricks you can train your dog to
do!
Picking a
trainer
How should you evaluate dog training
classes--and instuctors? What is a behaviorist, and when might you
need one? Does a trainer's schooling matter?
Outwitting Dogs is available
from major online and "bricks and morter" bookstores. Or click on
the link below to order from Amazon.com today!
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