Dog Man


Book Description

Morie Sawataishi lives a life that is radically unconventional by any standard but almost absurd in blatantly conformist Japan. Journalist Martha Sherrill provides a profound look at what it takes to be an individualist in a culture where rebels are rare.




The Akita


Book Description

Covers breeding, training and health issues for this strong breed from Japan.




The Complete Guide to Akitas


Book Description

Author Erin Hotovy teamed up with several top-Akita breeders to create the ULTIMATE book for new Akita owners! The Akita, also known as the Akita Inu, is an ancient spitz breed that is known worldwide for its loyalty and steadfast nature. Akitas have been used for several different purposes throughout the centuries, including hunting, military work, search and rescue, and show-ring work. In 1931, the breed was named a national monument of Japan. These large, powerful dogs tend to be aloof with strangers but are exceptionally affectionate and loyal towards their family members. Akitas are a powerful and dignified breed, but with a strong independent streak that can be too much to handle for some pet parents. While they are unwaveringly loyal towards their family, they can also be aggressive or territorial with other canines. This book will provide you with clear insight into this breed’s history, behavior, and health, as well as delivering actionable tips and tricks that you can use to refine your dog’s behavior, both at home and out in public. Covering crucial questions about owning an Akita, including: What temperament does the Akita have? Selecting an Akita pup from a breeder How do I prepare my home for an active Akita pup? Diet and nutrition for the Akita breed Step-by-step instructions for training the Akita dog What is the best way to train and socialize an Akita Inu? While these dogs are exceptionally devoted animals, they are also independent thinkers with strong protective instincts. Early socialization and training are essential to ensure that your active Akita pup develops into a dependable, well-mannered adult Akita. This comprehensive guidebook covers all of the essential information you will need to give your new Akita the best life possible, including: The history of the Akita Inu Adopting an adult Akita What to expect the first few days at home House-training your Akita The importance of Akita socialization and training Best practices for grooming your Akita The travel-savvy Akita—taking your canine companion on the road Proper health and wellness guidance specific to the breed Sharing your life with an Akita ensures that you will have always have a devoted companion at your side, ready for adventure—like all dog breeds, however, these exemplary animals have their own unique challenges. The Complete Guide to Akitas is a wide-ranging guidebook that offers you all the tools you need to not only choose the right canine companion for your household, but also to provide your dog with the guidance he needs to grow into a happy, healthy, and well-mannered companion animal. This book is required reading for anyone who is considering adding an Akita to their family!




Empire of Dogs


Book Description

In 1924, Professor Ueno Eizaburo of Tokyo Imperial University adopted an Akita puppy he named Hachiko. Each evening Hachiko greeted Ueno on his return to Shibuya Station. In May 1925 Ueno died while giving a lecture. Every day for over nine years the Akita waited at Shibuya Station, eventually becoming nationally and even internationally famous for his purported loyalty. A year before his death in 1935, the city of Tokyo erected a statue of Hachiko outside the station. The story of Hachiko reveals much about the place of dogs in Japan's cultural imagination. In the groundbreaking Empire of Dogs, Aaron Herald Skabelund examines the history and cultural significance of dogs in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Japan, beginning with the arrival of Western dog breeds and new modes of dog keeping, which spread throughout the world with Western imperialism. He highlights how dogs joined with humans to create the modern imperial world and how, in turn, imperialism shaped dogs' bodies and their relationship with humans through its impact on dog-breeding and dog-keeping practices that pervade much of the world today. In a book that is both enlightening and entertaining, Skabelund focuses on actual and metaphorical dogs in a variety of contexts: the rhetorical pairing of the Western "colonial dog" with native canines; subsequent campaigns against indigenous canines in the imperial realm; the creation, maintenance, and in some cases restoration of Japanese dog breeds, including the Shiba Inu; the mobilization of military dogs, both real and fictional; and the emergence of Japan as a "pet superpower" in the second half of the twentieth century. Through this provocative account, Skabelund demonstrates how animals generally and canines specifically have contributed to the creation of our shared history, and how certain dogs have subtly influenced how that history is told. Generously illustrated with both color and black-and-white images, Empire of Dogs shows that human-canine relations often expose how people—especially those with power and wealth—use animals to define, regulate, and enforce political and social boundaries between themselves and other humans, especially in imperial contexts.




Japanese Dogs


Book Description

This is an illustrated guide to the ten breeds of dogs developed on the Japanese mainland. Images of champion dogs within each breed are included, along with breed history and development and the work of Japanese societies dedicated to various breeds.




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.




Hachiko


Book Description

Imagine walking to the same place every day, to meet your best friend. Imagine watching hundreds of people pass by every morning and every afternoon. Imagine waiting, and waiting, and waiting. For ten years. This is what Hachiko did. Hachiko was a real dog who lived in Tokyo, a dog who faithfully waited for his owner at the Shibuya train station long after his owner could not come to meet him. He became famous for his loyalty and was adored by scores of people who passed through the station every day. This is Hachiko’s story through the eyes of Kentaro, a young boy whose life is changed forever by his friendship with this very special dog. Simply told, and illustrated with Yan Nascimbene’s lush watercolors, the legend of Hachiko will touch your heart and inspire you as it has inspired thousands all over the world.




People I Want to Punch in the Throat


Book Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A debut collection of witty, biting essays laced with a surprising warmth, from Jen Mann, the writer behind the popular blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat People I want to punch in the throat: • anyone who feels the need to bling her washer and dryer • humblebraggers • people who treat their pets like children Jen Mann doesn’t have a filter, which sometimes gets her in trouble with her neighbors, her fellow PTA moms, and that one woman who tried to sell her sex toys at a home shopping party. Known for her hilariously acerbic observations on her blog, People I Want to Punch in the Throat, Mann now brings her sharp wit to bear on suburban life, marriage, and motherhood in this laugh-out-loud collection of essays. From the politics of joining a play group, to the thrill of mothers’ night out at the gun range, to the rewards of your most meaningful relationship (the one you have with your cleaning lady), nothing is sacred or off-limits. So the next time you find yourself wearing fuzzy bunny pajamas in the school carpool line or accidentally stuck at a co-worker’s swingers party, just think, What would Jen Mann do? Or better yet, buy her book. Praise for People I Want to Punch in the Throat “People I Want to Punch in the Throat is so good that it’ll make you want to adopt all the cats in the world. I’m not sure about the correlation, but it’s that good. It should come with a warning.”—Jenny Lawson, author of Let’s Pretend This Never Happened “Jen Mann has an amazing way of telling stories that will make you cringe and burst out laughing at the same time. From swinger parties to racist toddlers, she makes the suburbs unbelievably funny.”—Karen Alpert, author of I Heart My Little A-Holes “Jen Mann says the things we’re all too afraid to say. Her honest and hilarious writing style reminds me of David Sedaris and Tina Fey.”—Robin O’Bryant, author of Ketchup Is a Vegetable: And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves “Jen Mann’s shrewd and unrelenting assault on the absurdity of suburban life is an honest peek into the occasional nightmare that is part of living the American dream. I love Jen. I wish she was my neighbor. It’s so refreshing to know that I’m not the only one who wants to punch almost everyone in the f***ing throat.”—Nicole Knepper, author of Moms Who Drink And Swear




Train Your Dog Like a Pro


Book Description

The tools you need to think and train like a professional Jean Donaldson is one of the top dog trainers in the United States, and her training academy has gained a reputation as the Harvard for dog trainers and behavioral counselors. Now, you can harness her highly effective dog-training techniques and benefit from her expert guidance without leaving your home. If you're like most dog owners, you treat your four-legged friend as a valued member of the family who enjoys the full run of the house-which is why good behavior is so important. Train Your Dog Like a Pro offers a trusted, systematic approach to positive dog training that anyone can follow. You'll get clear, detailed instructions for teaching essential behaviors, more advanced skills, and even some fun tricks. Training is based only on positive reinforcement, patience, and persistence Donaldson is the best-selling author of The Culture Clash: The Revolutionary New Way to Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs Whether you're the proud parent of a puppy, an adolescent, or an adult dog, this book truly give you everything you need to train your dog like a pro.




The Official Ahimsa Dog Training Manual


Book Description

Ahimsa \uh-HIM-sah \ n. a Buddhist doctrine of non-violence. Add in a fun, modern, scientific approach and you've got a great way to train your dog! Dog Lovers: Learn to solve and prevent a variety of problems, including barking, fear, puppy socialization, housetraining, aggression, fear, separation anxiety, and pulling on leash. Pro Trainers: Get more ways to teach skills and solve problems. Save time on write-ups by using this book as an in-home reference for your clients. Breeders and veterinarians: Send puppies home with this book to start them off on the right paw. This 108-page book is an introduction to dog training that started as the companion exercises for Ahimsa Dog Training classes in Seattle. It has practical exercises that start from a basic level and work up through advanced work on the most important behaviors for dogs to know. This quick manual is helpful for dog trainers to use with clients or new ideas for exercises and for breeders to share with new puppy parents. Includes info on how dogs learn, clicker training, how to get rid of bad behaviors (puppy biting, fear/aggression, separation anxiety, etc.), and how to teach good behaviors, like coming when called, the name, watch, relaxation, sit, down, stay, wait, touch, walking on leash, give, go to your bed, and more!