Behavioral Book Recommendations by Dr. Manette Kohler

I am often asked what animal behavior books I would recommend so I have compiled a list of some of my favorites both for veterinary clinics and clients.

Books for Clinics:

1. Blackwell’s Five Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion:  Canine and Feline Behavior, by Dr. Debra Horwitz and Dr. Jacqueline Neilson (This book is designed as a quick reference. Coverage includes typical problem behaviors in dogs and cats)
2. Low Stress Handling and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats:  Techniques for Developing Patients Who Love Their Visits, by Sophia Yin, DVM, MS (Solidly grounded in science, this book includes over 1600 photographs of dogs and cats as well as a DVD illustrating techniques for developing patients who love their vet visits)
3. Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals, by Dr. Karen Overall
4. Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, by Dr. G. Landsberg, Dr. W. Hunthausen and Dr. L. Ackerman

Books for both clients and veterinary staff:

1. Barking:  The Sound of a Language, by Turid Rugaas
2. On Talking Terms with Dogs:  Calming Signals, by Turid Rugaas
3. If Your Dog Could Talk…  A Training Guide for Humans, by Dr. Bruce Fogle
4. The Dog’s Mind:  Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior, by Dr. Bruce Fogle
5. Doctor Dunbar’s Good Little Dog Book, by Dr. Ian Dunbar
6. Before and After Getting Your Puppy:  The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy and Well-Behaved Dog, by Dr. Ian Dunbar
7. Puppy’s First Steps:  The Whole-Dog Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, Well-Behaved Puppy, by Faculty of The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Edited by Dr. Nicholas Dodman
8. Raising a Behaviorally Healthy Puppy:  A Pet Parenting Guide, by Dr. Suzanne Hetts and Dr. Daniel Estep.
9. Puppy Primer, by Brenda Scidmore and Dr. Patricia McConnell
10. Getting Started:  Clicker Training for Dogs, by Karen Pryor
11. Don’t Shoot the Dog!  The New Art Of Teaching and Training, by Karen Pryor
12. Click to Calm:  Healing the Aggressive Dog, by Emma Parsons
13. How To Behave So Your Dog Behaves, by Dr. Sophia Yin
14. The Power of Positive Dog Training, by Pat Miller

The following booklets by Patricia McConnell are also valuable sources of information for both your clients and staff:

• How to be the Leader of the Pack and Have Your Dog Love You for it!
• Play Together, Stay Together: Happy and Healthy Play Between People and Dogs
• The Cautious Canine:  How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears
• I’ll Be Home Soon!  How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety
• The Fastidious Feline:  How to Prevent and Treat Litter Box Problems
• Way to Go!  How to House-train a Dog of Any Age (also by Karen London)
• Feeling Outnumbered?  How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household (also by Karen London
• Feisty Fido:  Help for the Leash Aggressive Dog (also by Karen London)

Here’s a few entertaining/fun reads:

1. For the Love of a Dog:  Understanding Emotions in You and Your Best Friend, by Dr. Patricia McConnell
2. The Other End of the Leash:  Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, by Dr. Patricia McConnell
3. Tales of Two Species:  Essays Loving and Living with Dogs, by Dr. Patricia McConnell

Happy Reading – Enjoy!  Manette M. Kohler, DVM