Happy Dog, Happy You – Happy Reading
Last month our very own Yorkshire lass, Verity Hardcastle launched her first book Happy Dog, Happy You and I was lucky enough to make the guest list for the launch party. And to get my book signed!
“To The Best Dog Walker in Yorkshire” and who am I to argue with a Master Groomer, Author, TV Judge, Presenter and Star!
I enjoyed Happy Dog, Happy You so much, it’s inspired me to write a little blog and tell the four people who actually read my blogs, why I enjoyed it and also do a bit of a recommended reading list (for dog owners and dog walkers alike).
Happy Dog, Happy You
“A positive guide to a joyful relationship with your dog” and it really is just that. Verity looks at a wide range of aspects of being a responsible dog owner, from the importance of learning how your dog communicates with you, to dog walking etiquette, training and handling in a positive way, diet, selecting the right breed and preparing to welcome a puppy, of course grooming and even picking up poo!
While covering all these important topics, Verity weaves in stories about her own life with four poodles, two children and a hectic work schedule. She doesn’t set some unobtainable, perfect image of what being a dog guardian can be like, she keeps it real. Happy Dog, Happy You even discusses our dog’s twilight years and when its time to stay goodbye, in a heartfelt, honest and personal way (I cried).
What sets this book apart from other dog related books I’ve read, is the conversation around mindful practises and how they can be applied to our dogs and how to go ‘that mindful extra mile’.
Happy Dog, Happy You is the perfect book for snuggling up on the sofa, with your dog by your side (with a blanket and a brew) and taking some time just to chill.
Other Recommended Reading
Covering the Basics
On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, Turid Rugaas
A lovely short read about canine body language and how dogs communicate with us and other dogs. There are example photos of the signals that dogs use to talk to us as dog guardians.
*Warning – after reading this book, you will never scroll through dog photos on social media in the same way ever again!
Dominance in Dogs Fact or Fiction, Barry Eaton
Another short read but it’s an important one for those dog guardians that want to move towards kinder, science backed dog handling but are being held back by outdated and false claims around ‘pack theory’ and ‘dominance’ and how, in order to train your dog, you must be the ‘alpha’ because we have been bombarded with these ideas for years through TV and media.
This book looks at up to date research, based on wolves in the wild, and explains how wolves do form packs but they are largely harmonious and more like a family unit. This in turn debunks the whole alpha theory. The author goes on to look at more effective ways to train and care for your dog, using modern methods.
*Warning – after reading this book, you will have difficulty stopping your eyes from rolling when some doughnut starts bragging about being the pack leader in the park.
Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy, Steve Mann
Your simple step-by-step guide to raising and training a happy puppy – I can’t explain this book any better than it does on the cover. Teaching basic cues, management and training for unwanted behaviours like mouthing and jumping up, careful socialisation, recall, loose lead walking, toilet training… all using modern, force free methods that are rooted in science.
*Warning – after reading this book, you’ll kick yourself you didn’t read it sooner!
Nutrition & Wellness
The Forever Dog, Rodney Habib & Dr Karen Shaw Becker
This book looks at how to optimise food, exercise and environment to help our dogs lead long and healthy lives. It discusses the pros and cons of different types of pet food (revealing things that will make your toes curl) and gets into how movement, exercise and environmental factors can also have a massive impact on our dog’s health and lifespan. It’s a bit of an epic read and I’m a certified book worm saying that, but worth it.
*Warning – this book will have you grabbing our dog’s food and reading that ingredients label like a dog lover possessed.
Understanding Fear & Reactivity
Inspiring Resilience in Fearful and Reactive Dogs, Sally Gutteridge
In this book the author talks about how dogs see the world, why they react (barking, lunging, trying to escape) and explains why they cannot help it. This book will help you understand your fearful dog, make you feel empathy for them and give you confidence to take steps (steps that are outlined in the book), to help make life more comfortable for them.
Fear in Dogs, Lynda Taylor MSc
This is a guide for owners and pet professionals living with or working with fearful dogs. It describes why dogs experience fear, what happens physiologically when they experience fear and how us humans play a part in either helping our dogs, or making the situation worse.
*Warning – both these books will empower you to advocate for your dog and not give a monkeys what Bob down the road thinks.
Positive Reinforcement & the Science
EXCEL-ERATED Learning, Pamela J. Reid PhD
How animals learn, the four quadrants of learning (Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment), Operant Conditioning, Classical Conditioning – this book
gets into it all. But don’t be put off, the jargon is explained and there are little drawings and diagrams to go with all the info.
Warning – after reading this, when someone says ‘it’s like Pavlov’s dog’, you won’t have to nod and pretend you know what they’re on about (you’ll actually know)!
Don’t Shoot the Dog, Karen Pryor
How to use Positive Reinforcement to change your dog’s behaviour. Or indeed, our own behaviour or those around us.
*Warning – this book will have you telling your other half how wonderful they are every time they bring you a cup of tea in bed – you may never have to brew up ever again!
LINKS