SHOPPER'S HELPER — Understanding our Dogs
Our Expert Book, Magazine, Video & DVD Picks
 
Books & Media  |  Giving Programs  |  Featured Products
Purchases help fund Cancer Treatment Grants for working dogs  


Working with Goldens since 1987, the following favorites include products we've personally used or found success with, or those from recognized persons (authors, manufacturers) that we trust. However, clicking on them FROM HERE is critical to your being tracked so that the foundation can benefit from any potential sales. Once that tracking sequence is in place, ANY products you buy at these redirected stores helps with our cancer treatment/research fundraising efforts. And, just as importantly, it provides you with what we believe are the best and most innovative dog wares available. Just click on the item titles/names for pricing and availability.  

Understanding our Dogs

The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy - and Why They Matter (2007)  
Written by Marc Bekoff. Any dog owner knows that her own pet has feelings, but what evidence exists beyond the anecdotal, and what does this evidence teach us? Bekoff, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Colorado, pores through decades of animal research-behavioral, neurochemical, psychological and environmental-to answer that question, compelling readers to accept both the existence and significance of animal emotions. Seated in the most primitive structures of the brain (pleasure receptors, for example, are biologically correlative in all mammals), emotions have a long evolutionary history. Indeed, as vertebrates became more complex, they developed ever more complex emotional and social lives, "setting rules" that permit group living-a far better survival strategy than going solo. Along the way, Bekoff forces the reader to re-examine the nature of human beings; our species could not have persevered through the past 100,000 years without the evolution of strong and cohesive social relationships cemented with emotions, a conclusion contrary to contemporary pop sociology notions that prioritize individualism and competition. He also explores, painfully but honestly, the abuse animals regularly withstand in factory farms, research centers and elsewhere, and calls on fellow scientists to practice their discipline with "heart." Demonstrating the far-reaching implications for readers' relationships with any number of living beings, Bekoff's book is profound, thought-provoking and even touching.

What Animals Can Teach Us About Spirituality: Inspiring Lessons from Wild and Tame Creatures (2003)
Written by Diana L. Guerrero. Written by Diana L. Guerrero. Do you want to deepen your spiritual connection? Do you want to strengthen your bond with animals? What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality will help you unlock the secrets of the animal kingdom, provide intriguing perspectives on the complex relationships between nature and humans, and lead you to a greater awareness of yourself and the world around you. Respected animal behaviorist and therapist Diana L. Guerrero demonstrates the ways in which animals can teach us about: Bringing Out the Best in Each Other Living in the Now, Moving Beyond Fear, Helping One Another Healing through Life Experiences, Living by Example, Embracing Change Positively Listening to the Unspoken, Unconditional Acceptance, and Making Time to Play. With practical and meaningful advice, Guerrero will help you understand why animals touch the soul, and explore your own answer to the question: "Do animals have souls?"

The Other End of the Leash (2002)
Summary: Now available in Paperback! When humans communicate with dogs, a lot can get lost in the translation. Focusing on human behavior, Dr. McConnell teaches readers how to retrain themselves to speak consistently in a language dogs understand and avoid sending conflicting and confusing messages. The new insights into human and dog interaction will forever alter and improve our relationship with our best friends. Combines true stories, scientific perspective and professional dog training tips.

Bones Would Rain from the SKY: Deepening our Relationships with Dogs (2002)

Written by Suzanne Clothier. If you started life as a child who loved dogs more than anything else in the world and grew to an adult with the same love, then this new book by Suzanne Clothier belongs at the top of your list! Suzanne talks about her childhood with dogs and her relationship with them, and the differences between training and having a real relationship with your dog. She talks about specific dogs and situations, what she learned from them, and how they have changed her attitude towards dogs and towards training. The dogs you'll meet and the lessons they teach may make you want to start over with your dogs and develop a better relationship. At the very least you will come away from this special book with a different attitude towards your canine companions and a new understanding of training and relationships.

How Dogs Learn (1999)

Written by Mary Burch & Jon Bailey. Explains the science of operant conditioning, the psychological principle upon which almost all animal training is based. Operant conditioning is the place where science and dog training meet, and the authors bring you there in terms anyone can easily grasp. Every scientific concept is explained clearly and precisely, and its relevance to your dog is laid out. Includes a history of animal training, the basic principles of behavior, behavioral diagnostics (why does the dog do that?), increasing behaviors (teaching your old dog new tricks), decreasing behaviors (dealing with canine delinquents), differential reinforcement, antecedent control, and using punishment. A must-have book for the more serious dog person or behaviorist.

when animals speak (2004)

By Penelope Smith. Advanced interspecies communication. You will discover who animals say they truly are; how they feel about humans and life on earth; how they choose their paths in life and death; what their spiritual understanding and purposes are; and how they can be our teachers, helping us heal ourselves and guiding us back to wholeness. You will experience the animals' refreshing, moving, and sometimes startling points of view.

If Dogs Could Talk: Exploring the Canine Mind (2005)

By Vilmos Csanyi. Exploring the canine mind. Captures the high degree of mutual understanding and empathy that exists between humans and their proverbial best friends. Argues that the long-standing alliance of dogs and humans arose from the problem-solving and communication skills evident in wolves, from which all modern dogs are descended. These basic intellectual skills were refined and enhanced as dogs and humans evolved together over tens of thousands of years. Notes that our co-evolution with dogs is far from over, and invites dog owners to contact him and participate in his program to breed more intelligent, better-communicating family dogs. 

Dog Spelled Backward (2005)

Written by Fernando Camacho. Natural disasters ravage the world, while people scramble to save themselves. On the day the terror strikes New Jersey, Ryan finds a strange dog on his doorstep. The dog looks like an average stray, but Ryan soon learns that this is no ordinary canine. Guided by this extraordinary dog, Ryan travels across the countryside, surviving everything from raging fires to explosive earthquakes. Along the way, he is joined by other survivors and together they are witness to the evils and injustices of man. To stay alive, Ryan must not only put his faith in this unique dog, but in himself as well. Soon, Ryan realizes that he’s not only fighting for his own survival, but the survival of all mankind.

The Dog Listener (2001)

Written by Jan Fennell. A noted expert tells you how to communicate with your dog for willing cooperation. The author's unique knowledge of the canine world and its instinctive language has enabled her to bring even the most desperate and troubled dogs to heel. Her simple techniques draw on countless case histories of problem dogs to show how we can bridge the language barrier that separates man from his best friend. She considers horse whisperer Monty Roberts to be her mentor. Includes a new comprehensive 30-day training guide.
 
An Owner's Guide to Dog Behavior (1999)

By Ian Dunbar. Explains how a dog's perceptions and desires result in its conduct. By understanding what makes your dog tick, you'll learn how to socialize and train your dog to be the companion that you want. Modifying a dog's behavior isn't hard, it's simply a question of reinforcing the behavior that you desire. By using the proven techniques described in this book, you can teach your dog to be the model companion. The better you understand your dog, the better your relationship will be.

On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals 2nd Ed. (2006)

Written by Turid Rugaas. One of our all time best selling books is now in its second edition with three additional chapters, color photos and descriptive captions. Turid Rugaas is a noted expert on canine body language, notably "calming signals" which are signals dogs give to other dogs and humans to denote stress and to attempt to defuse situations that otherwise might result in fights or aggression. Written in practical, down-to-earth, logical language. Here is a Midwest Book Review from James A. Cox: On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals by international dog trainer and behaviorist Turid Rugaas is a truly "user-friendly" guide to understanding and communicating with your dog. Introducing its readers to many conceptual tactics and subtle tendencies which might imply the dog's desires, On Talking Terms With Dogs is an invaluable reference for dog owners who truly wish to help their friend to an ultimate happiness. On Talking Terms With Dogs is very strongly recommended to all dog owners, especially those highly devoted and owners of multiple canine companions.

Calming Signals: What Your Dog Tells You DVD  (2005)  
This presents Turid Rugaas working on her own home turf, doing what she does best, communicating with dogs. She shows footage of many calming signals, and how dogs use them. She also shows us how people can use calming signals in their own interactions with dogs. You'll enjoy visiting Turid's own dogs and those of her clients, while seeing her in action on her beautiful farm in the fjords of Norway. This is the DVD format and companion to the popular book, On Talking Terms with Dogs.

Canine Body Language

Dogs use body language to communicate with each other. Often times we humans get in the way of that natural communication because we don't understand it. We pull our leashed dog closer to us when we pass another dog. We tell our dog "no" when we see the lip curl at another dog. We interrupt their communication and then wonder why problems occur. Canine Body Language, written by Brenda Aloff, uses photos of dogs interacting with each other and their environment to teach us what they are thinking. It's simply amazing what you'll learn. Packed with photos, there are tons of examples, each with an explanation. Learn how to interpret ear position, bared teeth, tongue flicking, yawning, sniffing and so much more. You'll begin seeing your dogs in a whole new light when you know what they are thinking. With a little practice and plenty of attention, you'll be able to anticipate your dog's actions and reactions. Training is so much easier when you know what they are telling you. (Paperback, 157 pages, Copyright 2005, 8.5" x 11")

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior

Autistic people can often think the way animals think, putting autistic people in the perfect position to translate "animal talk." Temple is a faithful guide into their world, exploring animal pain, fear, aggression, love, friendship, communication, learning, and, yes, even animal genius. Not only are animals much smarter than anyone ever imagined, in some cases animals are out-and-out brilliant. The sweep of "Animals in Translation" is immense, merging an animal scientist's thirty years of study with her keen perceptions as a person with autism -- Temple sees what others cannot. Among its provocative ideas, the book: *argues that language is not a requirement for consciousness -- and that animals do have consciousness *applies the autism theory of "hyper-specificity" to animals, showing that animals and autistic people are so sensitive to detail that they "can't see the forest for the trees" -- a talent as well as a "deficit" *explores the "interpreter" in the normal human brain that filters out detail, leaving people blind to much of the reality that surrounds them -- a reality animals and autistic people see, sometimes all too clearly *explains how animals have "superhuman" skills: animals have animal genius *compares animals to autistic savants, declaring that animals may in fact be autistic savants, with special forms of genius that normal people do not possess and sometimes cannot even see *examines how humans and animals use their emotions to think, to decide, and even to predict the future *reveals the remarkable abilities of handicapped people and animals *maintains that the single worst thing you can do to an animal is to make it feel afraid. 2005 Paperback, 348 pages.

Excel-Erated Learning: Explaining in Plain English How Dogs Learn and How Best to Teach Them (1996)

This book was written by Pamela Reid. The author is an agility enthusiast, obedience competitor and a psychologist. What a great combination! A certified animal behaviorist, she operates a Toronto-based private practice for problem pets. This book has lots of scientific techniques in dog training. For example, you will learn how to let your dog train itself!

Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution (2001)

Written by Raymond & Lorna Coppinger. Drawing on insight gleaned from 35 years of raising, training, and researching the behaviors of dogs worldwide, the authors explore in detail how dog breeds have evolved into their unique shapes and behaviors. Concentrating on five types of dogs - modern household dogs, village dogs, livestock guarding dogs, sled dogs, and herding dogs - they examine our canine companions from a unique biological viewpoint. Clearly points the way for dog lovers, therapists, veterinarians, and all others who deal with dogs to understand their animals from a fresh perspective. How did the domestic dog become a distinct species from the wolf? Why do different breeds behave differently? How can we improve the relationship between humans and dogs? Shows how dogs' different abilities depend upon the confluence of their nature and nurture; both genetics and the environment play equally key roles.

Dogspeak: How to Understand Your Dog (1999)

Edited by Matthew Hoffman. How to understand your dog and help him understand you. Canine language for the beginner or the younger owner! Well-illustrated in full color, everything you need to communicate effectively with your dog. From the power of eye contact to the mysterious sixth sense, how to understand what your dog is "saying" with his body and facial expressions, and how to respond so he understands you. This is basic material, clearly written and illustrated, for the pet owner.

Dogs Never Lie About Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs (1997)

This book was written by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson. Everyone who loves dogs, and who knows the joy of being loved by a dog, will want this book. Masson knows that dogs can experience joy and sorrow, fear and despair, and that they can be loyal and above all loving. This book will cause many to think about dogs in an entirely different light.

Canine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians (1999)

By Bonnie Beaver, this is an easy-read, examines all canine behavioral traits, both normal and abnormal. Explores how dogs play, communicate, interact socially and sexually, groom themselves, and much more. Provides revealing insights into the origins of this behavior. Most importantly, it details the best ways to solve a full range of behavioral problems, including the latest drug therapies and new treatments. A wealth of case studies makes this guidance simple to apply.

Conversations With Dog: An Uncommon Dogalog Of Canine Wisdom (2004)
In this book, professional animal communicator Kate Solisti-Mattelon poses some of life’s most intriguing questions to our canine friends. Dogs kindly spell it out with responses that offer insights into the spiritual, physical, and mental awareness of our canine friends. Read their tremendously touching and insightful answers to questions about matters practical and profound. This is not a dog-care manual. It is a tool for understanding. The dogs in your life can be valuable teachers. The book is  filled with inspiration and canine wisdom that will enhance your intimate connection with these beautiful creatures. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys life in the company of dogs.

The Good, the Bad, and the Furry: Choosing the Dog That's Right for You (2005)

1594740216 What's the perfect dog for you? It depends on your lifestyle. Are you a couch potato or an athlete? A city slicker or a suburbanite? Do you suffer from allergies? Are you paranoid about security? With The Good, the Bad, and the Furry, author Sam Stall offers the inside poop on the world’s most popular breeds—and describes which ones are right for you. Stall has consulted with dozens of breed rescue groups to learn the best—and worst—perks, quirks, and personality traits of more than 100 different dogs. You'll learn that, contrary to what you see on Frasier, Jack Russell terriers make terrible apartment dogs (they have tremendous energy and need plenty of open space to burn it off). A much better choice for apartment dwellers is the Greyhound. (Sure, they can outrun virtually anything on four legs, but they're also content to spend all afternoon lounging on the couch.) Complete with more than 100 whimsical illustrations, The Good, the Bad, and the Furry make choosing the right dog a snap!

Dominance Theory and Dogs (2003)

By James O'Heare. An exploration of the theory of dominance and how it applies to domestic dogs. Dominance is one of the most controversial topics in the dog behavior and training field and is ripe with confusion and misunderstanding. This book is an evaluation of dominance theory as it applies to dogs and is a contribution to the ongoing debate.

Dominance: Fact or Fiction? (2002)

By Barry Eaton. Recent research has resulted in new theories as to how our pet dogs perceive us humans, particularly in a dog/owner relationship. There have been a number of books and papers that have started to dispel the idea that our dogs, given the chance, would try to raise their status in their human "pack." The purpose of this booklet is to pull the new research and theories together, and combined with the author's own ideas on the subject, produce an overview of an alternative view of dominance. In other words, do some dogs really want to raise their status within a human pack? Is it fact or fiction?

Nova: Dogs and More Dogs (2004)

This DVD was released on April 20, 2004. Narrator John Lithgow highlights the evolutionary history of dogs in this fascinating attempt to discover why mankind is so obsessed with the little canine creatures. Their origins as wolves are fully explored, as are the different breeds of dog that happily coexist today, making this a thorough and informative look at the history of the pooch.

Why Dogs Smile and Chimpanzees Cry (1999)

This DVD was released on April 11, 2000. Are animals closer to humans on an emotional level than generally has been believed? The many scientists, researchers, wildlife photographers, and other animal experts interviewed in this Discovery Channel video answer with a resounding yes. They make their case in this 93-minute documentary, narrated by actress Sigourney Weaver, with stories of despondent dogs, grieving chimps, and lab rats who laugh when tickled. The first half focuses on happy bonds between mother and child, siblings, and animals and humans. The second half delves into the darker subjects of sadness and grief, offering astounding assertions such as elephants secrete a tearlike substance when upset and search dogs finding only corpses in the Oklahoma City bombing case needed treatment for depression. While the focus is on mammals, mollusks get some air time in the form of octopuses that appear to change color according to their situation. Backing up observations with brain imaging and genetic testing, the scientists and this film make a compelling view for any animal love.

The Culture Clash (1996 expanded edition)

Written by Jean Donaldson. Get rid of your dogs-are-like-humans thinking and learn to appreciate the TRUE strengths and abilities of your canine companions. Find out what really makes a dog tick, what motivates him and how to get the behavior you are looking for! A revolutionary new way of understanding the relationship between humans and domestic dogs. The author's work with her own dogs and those of her clients, and her studies with other behaviorists has led her to the realization that dogs probably learn exclusively through conditioning of various types. Understand the role of conditioning on a dog's intelligence & morality; predatory & social behavior; socialization, conflict resolution, fear & aggression; behavior problems & solutions.

Dogs are from Neptune (1998)

Written by Jean Donaldson. Candid answers to urgent questions about aggression and other aspects of dog behavior, from the author of best seller, Culture Clash. Includes case histories and guidelines for dealing with: aggression toward strangers; resource guarding; dog-dog aggression; behavior problems such as counter surfing, barking, mouthiness during play, mounting, stool eating; obedience problems such as off leash control, stay breaking, recall off distractions, pulling; and fear and anxiety problems. Uses positive reinforcement methods: clickers, food treats, praise, and recommends Gentle Leader in certain cases.

Back to Book/Video Categories

image