The Other End of the Leash


Book Description

Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.




Treat Everyone Like a Dog


Book Description




Pit Bull Flower Power


Book Description

For decades, pit bulls have been demonized by society and portrayed as hellhounds. They've become the most feared, hated, and abused of all companion animals. Some cities and even entire countries ban them, while the media persist in associating them with viciousness. This unjust reputation has sealed the fate of millions of dogs, who face prejudice around the world and languish in shelters, where they are the most euthanized. In America alone, hundreds of thousands of pit bulls are put to sleep every year. Since 2014, French photographer Sophie Gamand has been composing portraits of adoptable pit bulls from more than thirty shelters and rescues throughout the United States. Many had been waiting for years for a home. Adorning her models with handmade flower-crowns, Gamand tells each dog's story and celebrates their inherent personality, vulnerability, and individuality. Posted and shared widely on social media, the portraits--at once charming, candid, and deeply affecting--have not only led to hundreds of dogs finding loving, forever homes, but have also spurred efforts to destigmatize an animal whose reputation for violence says more about us than it does the character of the dogs themselves. Full of moving, honest, and inspiring stories of individual dogs and their lives (and deaths), Pit Bull Flower Power presents a vivid, beautifully composed cross-section of Gamand's extraordinary work. The book also serves as a testament to the caring people who work in animal rescue, the passion and dedication of those who provide homes for these animals, and the dignity, forbearance, and love of these dogs, who are at the mercy of humans.




Unforgettable Aussies


Book Description

Unforgettable Aussies deftly blends Australian Shepherd history and genealogy with heartwarming stories of beloved pets, and is a priceless resource for Aussie breeders. 200 pages, 438 color photos.




Citizen Canine


Book Description

A pet-lover and award-winning journalist traces the history of cats and dogs and the changing social attitudes that transformed these furry creatures from pests and hunting tools in the middle ages to their current status as beloved family members. 30,000 first printing.




Behavior Adjustment Training


Book Description

Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) was developed by Stewart to rehabilitate and prevent dog reactivity. BAT builds confidence by giving dogs a chance to learn to control their environment through peaceful means. As you learn how to understand your dog and help him learn to safely get along with people, dogs, and other triggers, you will learn practical ways to keep your dog from being pushed into a reactive state in and around your home and on walks.




What Is a Dog?


Book Description

“An informative, well-written book on the evolution of all canids, including the wild types (wolves, coyotes, jackals, and dingoes)…Recommended.”—Choice Of the world’s dogs, fewer than two hundred million are pets, living with humans who provide food, shelter, squeaky toys, and fashionable sweaters. But roaming the planet are four times as many dogs who are their own masters—neighborhood dogs, dump dogs, mountain dogs. They are dogs, not companions, and these dogs, like pigeons or squirrels, are highly adapted scavengers who have evolved to fit particular niches in the vicinity of humans. This book present an eye-opening analysis of the evolution and adaptations of these unleashed dogs and what they can reveal about the species as a whole. Exploring the natural history of these animals, canine behavior experts Raymond and Lorna Coppingers explain how the village dogs of Vietnam, India, Africa, and Mexico are strikingly similar. These feral dogs, argue the Coppingers, are in fact the truly archetypal dogs, nearly uniform in size and shape and incredibly self-sufficient. Drawing on nearly five decades of research, they show how dogs actually domesticated themselves in order to become such efficient scavengers of human refuse. The Coppingers also examine the behavioral characteristics that enable dogs to live successfully and to reproduce, unconstrained by humans, in environments that we ordinarily do not think of as dog friendly. A fascinating exploration of what it actually means, genetically and behaviorally, to be a dog, What Is a Dog? is likely to change the way beagle or bulldog owners reflect on their four-legged friends.




The Complete Guide to the Great Pyrenees


Book Description

If you’re looking for a big dog with an even bigger heart, the Great Pyrenees may be the dog for you! These gentle giants are fiercely loyal to their owners and make great family pets. Great Pyrenees are cuddly, adorable dogs that love to play and have a good time. They are smart and hardworking, but they have a mind of their own. Because of their tendency to be mischievous, these dogs are best suited for someone with prior dog ownership experience. It may take a little work to train a Great Pyrenees to follow your rules, but once you do, you’ll have a companion for life.

Great Pyrenees were originally bred to guard shepherds’ flocks. Today, they find work as service dogs because they love to be close to people who matter to them. They’re especially good for nursing home residents or people who use wheelchairs, as they’re tall enough to stand beside someone in a chair. These dogs may also find “work” as your family watchdog, as they have superior hearing and a loud bark. However, if you don’t have work for your Great Pyrenees, regular obedience training and lots of playtime will still give your dog the job fulfillment he craves.

The Complete Guide to the Great Pyrenees will answer all your basic questions including:

  • Is a Great Pyrenees the right dog for me?
  • I brought my Great Pyrenees home. What now?
  • What are the best ways to train my GP?
  • What are some common mistakes should I avoid?

The Complete Guide to the Great Pyrenees gives you everything you NEED to know about this wonderful breed. Chapters include basics and advanced topics such as:
  • Great Pyrenees History
  • Choosing a Great Pyrenees
  • Preparing Your Home for Your Great Pyrenees
  • Bringing Your Great Pyrenees Home
  • Being a Proud Puppy Parent
  • Housetraining
  • Socializing with People and Animals
  • Great Pyrenees and Your Other Pets
  • Physical and Mental Exercise
  • Training your GP
  • Basic Commands
  • Advanced Commands
  • Dealing with Unwanted Behaviors
  • Traveling with a Great Pyrenees
  • Nutrition
  • Grooming your Great Pyrenees
  • Basic Health Care

Let’s be honest here. Owning a Great Pyrenees is no easy task. This breed will challenge your authority if you let it. Raising a dog is a lot of work, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences a human can have. This book breaks down each stage of your dog’s life, giving you all the tips and tricks you need to make your life with your new dog a breeze. You’ll learn everything you need to know about the Great Pyrenees, from picking out the perfect puppy to senior dog care. You’ll learn how to prevent bad habits and naughty behavior, and how to train your dog to be a model citizen. You’ll read about the best exercise, diet, and grooming techniques to help your dog feel happy and healthy. By the end of this book, you’ll feel confident in your ability to raise this majestic breed.




Dog World


Book Description




In Search of April Raintree


Book Description

Memories. Some memories are elusive, fleeting, like a butterfly that touches down and is free until it is caught. Others are haunting. You'd rather forget them, but they won't be forgotten. And some are always there. No matter where you are, they are there, too. In this moving story of legacy and reclamation, two young sisters are taken from their home and family. Powerless in a broken system, April and Cheryl are separated and placed in different foster homes. Despite the distance, they remain close, even as their decisions threaten to divide them emotionally, culturally, and geographically. As one sister embraces her Métis identity, the other tries to leave it behind. Will the sisters’ bond survive as they struggle to make their way in a society that is often indifferent, hostile, and violent? The first edition of In Search of April Raintree, published in 1984, has since touched many generations of readers, becoming a Canadian school classic. In this edition, ten critical essays accompany one of the best-known texts by an Indigenous author in Canada. Great ideas for using this book in your classroom can be found in the Teacher’s Guide for In Search of April Raintree and April Raintree. A FREE copy of the guide is available for download on the Portage & Main Press website.