So one of my new year resolutions was go look info some dog trainer courses just for me rather activities with Juno. So with some trepidation, taking in my advancing years , I'm enrolled on a 6 month course and am currently awaiting my course material. Having received my recommended reading list I've already stockpiled 7 books some from the strongly recommended and a few from the really useful to read. So the first course unit covers :- A practical history of dog training Challenging the dominance myth - dogs are not wolves and The secrets of the domestic dog So with out further ado I'm off to start reading Dominance in Dogs. Fact or Fiction? by Barry Eaton to be followed up with Reaching the Animal Mind by Karen Pryor.
How interesting Rosemary! So looking forward to hearing how you get on, and what you think of the course
Hi MaccieD, where did you enrol? Is it online or do you go to a class? I was looking at a couple of courses last week but couldn't make my mind up. I thought as I was trying so hard to learn along with my dog it might be a great idea to do some training myself.
I'm not sure on the forum advertising policy so will send more information in a pm if you like. The course is a correspondence course if that helps.
Thank you MaccieD, not sure I know about pm but if you send me one I'll probably find it. The courses I was looking at was correspondence too, with tutor help via phone, email etc.
Best of luck with it,and good for you sticking to your resolution I like the sound of that Karen Pryor book myself .....keep in touch with how you get on x
Yippee! My course material has just arrived ready to officially start next week on the 1st module . Also made the mistake of having a quick glance through the material and made the mistake of reading the 2nd assignment which sent me into a panic wondering how on earth I was going to answer the questions . Give self a good slap - oops! sorry that's aversive, now giving self lots of encouragement - you CAN do this . Must get back to reading Dominance in Dogs as I don't seem to have picked the book up this week apart to move it for my coffee mug
Good luck Rosemary Try not to look ahead too far, its not good for your health Seriously though , I remember the massive box of study books that arrived when I embarked on my Blue Cross work , I hadn't studied since nursing days many moons before, but somehow , you do get through , honestly
Have to admit I'm one of those people who have to flick through a book and read bits - one of the main reasons I love my eReader, not so easy to flick through pages. I've had to study for various courses and exams over the years but I guess this feels a bit daunting at the moment compared to purchasing or project/programme management but we will not only survive but succeed
Thought it was time for a quick catch up. I've spent what appears to be the last 3 weeks reading various books and still got a couple to read before sitting down to write my first assignment. Have to say life may have been easier over the last week or so if I'd read the first assignment before starting reading as I most definitely would have read the books in a different order . So in the last 3 weeks I've read:- Dominance : Fact or Fiction by Barry Eaton (A book on the highly recommended to read list for the course) Clearly written and easy to read which left me asking the question why would anybody believe that your dog is a wolf so you must treat it as one. He argues that dog's can not be "dominant" as the domestic dog relies upon us for his food (a key resource) and that if left to fend for themselves will slowly starve as they don't have the hunt instinct of the wolf. Dominance Theory and Dogs by James O'Heare (Highly recommended to read list for the course) A complex book which looks much more at what dominance is and the studies which relate to dominance. The book is full of information, statistics, probability etc etc and then relates that to "dominance" and training in dogs. O'Heare concedes that Barry Eaton's book is a much easier for those who don't have a scientific interest. Luckily enough it's not a big book Think Dog by John Fisher (Highly recommended to read list for the course) 2012 revised edition A clearly written book of case histories covering most behaviours that cause problems for dogs and their owners and the suggested action plan. I was unhappy with his suggested use of training discs to create a noise interruption for behaviour modification. There is also some interesting information on the use of Bach Flower remedies which used to be popular. Reaching the Animal Mind by Karen Pryor (Recommended reading list) Easy read book of case histories/studies training animals from dolphins to cold water aquarium fish, dogs to breaking and training ponies with children using only positive reinforcement. A good book to recommend to those people who say you can't train solely by C&T or reward based training. Dogs :A new understanding of Canine Origin, Behaviour and Evolution by Raymond Coppinger and Lorna Coppinger ( Highly recommended on reading list) The postman only delivered this at lunchtime so have only just started reading but this book is quoted numerous times by Karen Pryor in Reaching the Animal Mind and Barry Eaton in his Dominance book. I will write more when I've finished the book. Finally for the assignment I have a choice of books. I have to write an book review on any dog training book I wish. At the moment it's between Victoria Stilwell - Train your dog positively or Jean Donaldson - Train your dog like a pro. Suggestions as to which one to go for as both are now sitting on the bookshelf looking at me. Have to admit I was tempted to go for a CM as it does not have to be from a "trainer" who the positive reinforcement would advocate.
I'd go for the one that for whatever reason grabs you the most, sounds like you have a lot to think about. Very interesting though
