7 key tips to becoming the perfect dog owner – all in an easy to read photo and text format!
Welcome to those of you visiting from the Canine Insight interview this week. Now is your chance to win a signed copy of my book ‘What your dog wants’ – see below.
The book is written to help family dog owners that I work with every day, struggling with all the debate and confusion surrounding how to get the best from your family dog. From choosing a nice pup, maintaining his health and keeping him trained, sensible, calm and happy, I wanted to share this to owners and families in a visual, easy to dip in and out of format.
There are so many training books and behavioural advice sections but these can become very indepth and hard to really get a feel for the clearest route to success. My goal with ‘What Your Dog Wants’ is to give a clear, time-is-critical overview to any dog owner without needing them to plough through reams of text.
Behavioural health is one of the most underestimated features of any pet dog’s life. We make sure they have regular Vet checks for fleas and other illness, but there is a missing section. What if our dog is worried or stressed? How can we help him to stay calm and happy? Training is not the complete answer, so what can we do to help our family dog deal with the manic activity levels of the everyday.
My hope is that this book is a support to new and existing owners and keeps the dog in their homes forever. Sections on Comprehension, communication, motivation, stimulation, awareness and responsibility all provide a clear visual overview of what to expect. I also rated these on difficulty with the little ‘bone’ scale at the start of each chapter! My aim was not to provide weighty references or long-winded descriptions, since a photo can speak more clearly to any owner who wants to learn more about body language signals in their dog.
Nearly all of the photos are original artwork taken specifically to illustrate the behaviour you should learn to spot. They were carefully chosen after each photoshoot and represent a number of breeds. I hope that professional trainers can use the book as a supplement to teaching owners what to look out for and to give them general behaviour care that all dogs need!
The book’s oficial launch was held last October at PATS Harrogate on the Collarways stand G7. Do let me know if you are interested in stocking the book at your training club, behaviour or Veterinary practice, too.
WIN! To enter our Canine Insight competition to win a signed copy, which will be drawn on 10th June 2013, please leave a comment below telling me in ten words (no more, no less) what it is YOUR dog wants.
If you cannot wait, and would like to order your copy, please follow this link: Order a signed copy of ‘What Your Dog Wants’ NOW!
Thanks for sharing this special event with me!
Karen
Iām a full-time U.K. dog trainer and behaviour consultant based in Peterborough with 17 years in the field. My work ranges from class teaching, obedience, flyball, agility and working trials, competition, to running a popular dog display team.
Good luck with your book launch Karen, well done and how exciting!!
Not in order of needs š
Communication
Consistency
Exercise
Food
Job
Love
Pack
Shelter
Training
Understanding
Thanks for the interesting online session today. Every dog brings new challenges to us, each so unique. Wonderful to hear discussion of issues that many deal with on a daily basis.
Helen
Hi…I enjoyed the interview today, but would like more info on exactly what to do when walking a dog that is on high alert and pulling excessively on the leash when he/she sees other dogs. I do fostering for Loyal Rescue and one dog in particular has bitten the foster dad that he is with now, when he tried to pull the dog away. They no longer want to foster this dog, so I have offered to take him. I have 3 foster dogs now and 2 dogs of my own and 2 cats. One foster dog is a 3 legged mill dog (chinese crested powder puff) that is terrified of me, but likes the dogs and cats. If I take this new dog ( a mini Eskie) on as a foster I would like to be armed with information to deal with his biting. Being a rescue dog I’m assuming it is fear biting, as I have also been warned that Annie (the chinese crest) may also be a fear biter. I have not touched her yet, in 5 days. I’m doing no talk, no touch, no eye contact with her fear of me. She has slowly come up to me to sniff the back of my hand. Baby steps, one day at a time. Love and patience wins.
Hi Judy. There are lots of helpful articles free here on this blog that could help. I can’t advise on specific cases but I recommend you contact your local APBC member as they are registered and qualified. http://Www.apbc.org.uk Best wishes, Karen
My dog wants comfort, health, respect, human companionship and love.
Hi posters – loving your messages – if you want to win a copy please do follow the rules above or we can’t count your entry! Thanks!
Great interview; my dogs want food, love, regular schedule.
For me to understand what my dog is telling me.
My dog wants food, to play fetch and belly rubs.