The relationship between canids and humans goes back 40,000 years when dogs split away from wolves. With a blend of humor, story-telling, perception, compassion, and insight, the author shares his perspective; what he has learned through years of interaction with dogs, and why our animal friends will help us heal the challenges of the 21st century.

"...this book should be on every animal trainer's bookshelf for future reference. How Dogs Learn covers the content of an undergraduate course in learning and behavior, but the examples are taken from dog training it is practical and very useful without sacrificing scientific and technical accuracy." --Jack Michael, PhD, Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University How Dogs Learn explore the fascinating science of operant conditioning, where science and dog training meet. How Dogs Learn explains the basic principles of behavior and how they can be used to teach your dog new skills, diagnose problems and eliminate unwanted behaviors. It's for anyone who wants to better understand the learning process in dogs. Every concept is laid out clearly and precisely, and its relevance to your dog and how you train is explained. A Howell Dog Book of Distinction

Dogs are often thought of as obedient, loyal animals, but their repertoire of attributes and emotions stretches across the spectrum. They're also advanced communicators, peace ambassadors and effective thinkers, with unique avatars and identities. From their puppy eyes to their protective stance, there is a lot of fragility and balance in their communication. Written by a renowned canine behaviourist, Dog Knows navigates the journeys of several dogs through life, embraces their vulnerability, and helps us decode their nuanced communication strategies and messages. Rooted in reality and science, and woven into an engrossing narrative, the book handles the enigmatic world of dog communication and intuition with great sensitivity.

A revolutionary way to raise and train your dog, with “a wealth of practical tips, tricks, and fun games that will enrich the lives of many dogs and their human companions” (Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian and animal behaviorist). Zak George is a new type of dog trainer. A dynamic YouTube star and Animal Planet personality with a fresh approach, Zak helps you tailor dog training to your pet’s unique traits and energy level—leading to quicker results and a much happier pup. For the first time, Zak has distilled the information from his hundreds of videos and experience with thousands of dogs into this comprehensive dog and puppy training guide that includes: • Choosing the right pup for you • Housetraining and basic training • Handling biting, leash pulling, jumping up, barking, aggression, chewing, and other behavioral issues • Health care essentials like finding a vet and selecting the right food • Cool tricks, traveling tips, and activities to enjoy with your dog • Topics with corresponding videos on Zak’s YouTube channel so you can see his advice in action Packed with everything you need to know to raise and care for your dog, this book will help you communicate and bond with one another in a way that makes training easier, more rewarding, and—most of all—fun!

An intimate, surprising look at man’s best friend and what the leading philosophies of dog training teach us about ourselves. Years back, Melissa Holbrook Pierson brought home a border collie named Mercy, without a clue of how to get her to behave. Stunned after hiring a trainer whose immediate rapport with Mercy seemed magical, Pierson began delving into the techniques of positive reinforcement. She made her way to B. F. Skinner, the behavioral psychologist who started it all, the man who could train a pigeon to dance in minutes and whose research on how behavior is acquired has ramifications for military dolphin trainers, athletes, dancers, and, as he originally conceived, society at large. To learn more, Pierson met with a host of fascinating animal behaviorists, going behind the scenes to witness the relationships between trainers and animals at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, and to the in-depth seminars at a Clicker Expo where all the dogs but hers seemed to be learning new tricks. The often startling story of what became of a pathbreaking scientist’s work is interwoven with a more personal tale of how to understand the foreign species with whom we are privileged to live. Pierson draws surprising connections in her exploration of how kindness works to motivate all animals, including the human one.

Free of self-pity and pretension and bursting with meaning, this memoir of a resilient girl who went from "homeless to Harvard" is a masterwork of the genre.

Excel-erated Learning: Explaining in Clear English How Dogs Learn and How Best To Teach Them reveals the secret for increasing the speed and efficiency of dog training. With the freedom of understanding "how your dog learns" comes the ability of making the process easy, efficient and enjoyable for your dog.