Worth reading

from Remo Wegmüller

There are numerous approaches to dog training - one of which is the alpha theory. What does it say and does dominance behavior between humans and dogs actually exist?

The dog, Canis lupus familiaris, has lived with humans for longer than any other animal. Domestication of the dog began at least 14,000 years ago when wolves began to join human settlements and feed on human food scraps. Over time, humans began to tame these wolves and use them for hunting, guarding and companionship. This is how the close bond between four-legged and two-legged creatures came about.

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by Helen Zulch and Daniel Mills

Every year, millions of puppies find new owners - and many of them end up in shelters or at the vet after a few months because of behavioral problems. Yet the development of typical behavioral problems - above all fear-related aggression - can never be prevented as well as in puppyhood. For the first time, this unique book does not focus on training common obedience commands, but summarizes in ten key lessons what turns puppies into trusting, polite and self-contained dogs. From being touched to tolerance of unexpected events, being calm, being able to wait, learning to make decisions, and politely saying please, a puppy learns everything that is important for life without being reduced to a mere recipient of orders. Puppies with such a strong character have the best chance not only to become problem-free and happy companions, but also to learn "sit" and "down" in no time!

by Katja Krauss and Gabi Maue

Dog body language in a different way: This unique illustrated book, created over many years of observation, focuses on a real eye training for dog owners and trainers: What can an insecure, fearful, curious or aggressive dog look like? How do facial expressions differ in floppy-eared or stick-eared, long-haired or short-haired dogs, and how do I learn to correctly interpret the expressions shown in the context of the situation? After first examining the individual communicating body parts of the dog and their signals, a detailed section on the individual basic emotions follows, thus illuminating the topic from the other side. The result is a comprehensive overall picture that helps to read dogs better in the future.

from Ulli Reichmann

• How much education do dogs really need?

• Do some human intrusions into their behavior go too far?

• Are human solutions to problems actually better than those offered by dogs on their own?

• Do we have the right to mold dogs completely to our liking?

• Do we value our dogs for who they are or just what we have made of them?

This book provides the obvious, sometimes astonishing or even shocking answers to these questions, illustrated with the author's typical personal stories. A partly provocative, partly touching, but never instructive book, which above all wants one thing: to stimulate reflection and thus pave the way for an even friendlier relationship between (not so) different species.

by Maria Rehberger

More and more people want a mindful, respectful and friendly approach to their dog. In recent years, the focus of training has shifted to deepening the bond and building trust, as both are absolute prerequisites for positive and balanced character development. In her new book, Maria Rehberger describes how reward-based training and needs-oriented handling can steer the coexistence between humans and dogs in this direction and what advantages this has.

by Elli H. Radinger

Dogs are great, no matter what age! Living with an old dog and accompanying him in his last years opens our eyes and our hearts. Old dogs can teach us a lot: Take each day as a gift; have no regrets. A warm and amazing compliment to man's best friend.

by Anna Oblasser-Mirtl and Barbara Glatz

The dog's personal hygiene and veterinary care are often associated with stress for both dog and owner. Often, the dog is pressured into certain treatments, which results in problems and sometimes even aggression, both within their own four walls and in the veterinarian's office. The good news is: this doesn't have to be the case. This book explains how owners can use positive reinforcement and a marker signal to prepare their dog for a variety of procedures in a relatively short amount of time, while strengthening bond and trust. It also shows how to use management to make the animal feel secure even in unusual situations. If primates in the zoo voluntarily let themselves be drawn blood, tigers urinate in the cup and elephants enjoy their pedicure - then with targeted training it will also succeed that the dog looks forward to the vet and can be treated there without any problem.

by Turid Rugaas

Her research on calming signals in dogs and wolves has made Norwegian Turid Rugaas famous worldwide. In this book she explains why, when and how calming signals are used by dogs. She also describes how we humans can recognise and interpret the signals.

Petra Frey

Further important information can also be seen on the "YouTube" channel of Petra Frey around the topic of preparation for and education of puppies: www.welpenkanal.com

Christiane Jakobs

Information about body language and learning behavior of dogs and puppies, as well as further background knowledge about modern dog training: www.sprichhund.de