The holidays are coming quickly and you want to get a gift that goes beyond the bestseller list. Or maybe you just want to do a little dog reading next to the tree or fireplace. Or while waiting for the college football playoff.
Whatever your passion, here are some recommended reads to consider.
(If you’re not much for reading, check out our post on non-book gifts.)
FOR THE PERSON WHO SPENDS TIME WITH MULTIPLE DOGS
Rescuers, dog park fans or anyone who wants a quick hack to better understanding their dog can gain a lot from studying dog body language. This large book, filled with a pictures, is a great place to start.
Canine Body Language by Brenda Aloff
FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW DOGS RELATE TO PEOPLE
Patricia McConnell’s books are all worth reading, but this classic is a good place to start. It explains where a lot of the confusion people have regarding dogs comes from. This information will save you and the people you know from getting bit.
The Other End of the Leash – Patricia McConnell
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC RESEARCH ON DOGS
For years, dogs were not subject to serious study because domesticated animals were not considered worthy of academic study. But that has been changing recently, and (humane) dog research labs are popping up all over the country. This book is written by a professor at Duke’s Canine Cognition Center. So it’s not great on the training side of things, but it provides an interesting discussion of important research.
The Genius of Dogs – Brain Hare
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE INSPIRED
Jennifer Arnold of Canine Assistants in the Atlanta area tells the story of founding a nonprofit service dog organization and transitioning to completely force and pain-free methods of training. And achieving far better results in the process.
Through a Dog’s Eyes – Jennifer Arnold
FOR THE DOG FOODIE OR SCIENCE NERD
The title provides a pretty concise summary.
FOR THOSE WHO WANT THEIR MINDS EXPANDED
Karen Pryor discusses decades-worth of work at the leading-edge of animal training. This fascinating book covers more than just dogs, but the dog sections alone are well-worth the price. This book includes great discussion of why clicker training is so effective.
Reaching the Animal Mind – Karen Pryor
FOR A LOOK INSIDE THE MIND OF A DOG RESCUER
Steven Kotler is probably best known now for his work of “flow states” and extreme performance. But he also runs a small dog sanctuary in Arizona. An interesting tale about how he stumbled into rescue, and how it changed his life.
A Small Furry Prayer – Steven Kotler
Got a favorite read that should be added to the list?
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