Book reccomendations needd

[Casey Laurie]

My foster, Lilly, is just about ready to be eligible for adoption at our local MSPCA shelter. She will remain with us until she is adopted as I feel that putting her back on the floor in the main shelter would likely undo all of our hard work and be detrimental to her social/emotional well being. She just needs to pass the temperment test that she had previously failed and she'll be ready to put up on Petfinder. I think she has an excellent chance of passing now.

What I'd like to do is put together a packet for whomever adopts her of must have information for dog owners. I'll be picking up Calming Signals, a beginners r+ obedience training book, a clicker, and at least one other book that specifically deals with defensive behaviors. Lilly still has some issues with growling and trying to herd pedestrians that she sees as unruly (joggers! Oh no!), or startle her(small, boistrous, and unpredicatable short humans that run and screech). This is easily managed with a Halti, but whomever adopts her will need to continue with desensitization and r+ obedience training.

I was thinking about Clicking to Calm. Is that a good one?
I don't have unlimited resources for purchasing materials, and I don't want to overwhelm the new owner.

What would you suggest for "Must Reads" for the new owner of a rescued dog? (Lilly was a law enforcement rescue from a cruelty case)

[Renee]

My #1 recommendation would be the Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson and maybe Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor.

[Casey Laurie]

I'll look for those again. I saw them and would like to get them for myself, but I was really thinking along the lines of something to get them started, that won't overwhelm them, and also a recommended reading list. On second look though, Culture Clash is probably a good start too. Is it an easy read? You know how humans have such short attention spans >^_~ I wantt to make sure the info provided gets through..esp that "dogs are not people in fur suits" bit.

I'm sure you know how frustratingit is to listen to "Oh he knows what he did!", and trying to gently explain that no; he doesn't know what he did 3 hours ago while you were at work; he just know that you look like you're angry and he wants you to chill out so is offering appeasement behavior. Neither did he do it to "get back at you for ____ transgression on your part. :rolleyes:

These are the titles I was thinking about. Perhaps I could replace Leader of the Pack with Culture Clash, and print out the NILIF page?

Any thoughts on the other titles?
I'm getting the last two for myself as well. I already have Calming Signals.

HOW TO BE THE LEADER OF THE PACK
ON TALKING TERMS WITH DOGS: CALMING SIGNALS
CAUTIOUS CANINE, 2ND EDITION
COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO POSITIVE DOG TRAINING

[Melissa Brunoehler]

My #1 recommendation would be the Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson

I was thinking the same thing :D

[Renee]

Dr. Patricia McConnell has a bunch of great books that are really easy reads and are geared for the average pet owner...actually the books are more like pamhlets. Puppy Primer and Beginning Family Dog training would be excellent places to start...

http://www.dogsbestfriendtr aining.com/books-retail.php

I'm sure you could also find these books on www.dogwise.com

[Kathie Compton]

I like anything by Trish McConnell. And the pamphlets are great for "give aways". Pat Miller also has a collection of pamphlets. I don't know if they are available at Dogwise.com, but you could order them directly from her at peaceablepaws.com. Also, Ian Dunbar's pamphets are good. His publisher is...I forgot. Sorry! I'll return with website info if somebody else doesn't have it.
Kit

Got it. James and Kenneth is the publisher. jamesandkenneth.com

[Vanessa Lee]

I was going to suggest "The Cautious Canine"....I see you have it on your list already. Its short and easy to understand.

[Casey Laurie]

Great suggestions everyone. Thanks so much.
I just placed my prder at Dogwise. I tried looking for these at my local stores, but I didn't feel like waiting weeks for them to order them in.

I ended up getting The Complete Idiots Guide to Positive Dog Training at my local B&N...that's for me, but I will put it on a recommended reading list to go with Lilly. I ordered some just for me, and some I got 2 copies of so they could go with Lilly. We've been putting together a sort of "Doggie Dowry" for Lilly. The bolded titles are going with her.

CULTURE CLASH
HOW TO BE THE LEADER OF THE PACK
ON TALKING TERMS WITH DOGS: CALMING SIGNALS
CAUTIOUS CANINE, 2ND EDITION
DOGS ARE FROM NEPTUNE
BRINGING LIGHT TO SHADOW - A DOG TRAINER'S DIARY