Wish I could recall the authors of the training manuals I used. One is a monk in a California monastery that trains German shepherds, and another trained the "Lassies" and other large Hollywood dogs. And didn't Desmond Morris write _Dog Watching_ or some such? But you don't need training manuals after you've put them to use.

There are 2 main things to understand about dogs, I've found:

1. They are pack animals and must have company. Preferably, that's you, but if you're not available 24/7, then you should enlist another person or another dog. The dogs will settle who's Beta and who's Gamma in the pack, and of course you will establish yourself as Alpha. As Lewis Grizzard said, If you're not the lead dog on a sled team, the scenery never changes.

2. What dogs seem to like to do better than anything, is to follow you around and do what they're told. Pack mentality again. Use it to your advantage, and the dogs will love it. Seeing-eye dogs are happy, and mighty remarkable animals. Lots of dogs have been named Fido, since Roman times. It's Latin for Faithful.

Dana says that the author you are looking for Job Michael Evans. She has an autographed copy of it. He was a monk at the New Skete Monastary. She feels that the book may be a little outdated with all the new advances being made in training techniques.

She says that not all training techniques work for every dog. Some need a gentle approach whilest (that's a Katie word) other need a firmer hand. You will have to determine which direction is best for individual pets.

Dana's dog knowledge absolutely astounds me. Heck, she saved this ol' sign dog from a life a misery... LOL!

While I was teaching obedience classes, I would use a combination approach, adjusting it as needed. I still think the basic chain training collar (if worn upside down is a choke chain), a couple treats and TONS of praise will cover 80-90% of the dogs out there.

Too many people let their dogs get away with too much. Or they expect 'plug-n-play', without having to put much effort into it.

Working at the shelter - especially at the surrenders desk - makes me wonder if there outta be a law about who gets and SHOULDN'T get a dog!!

I am also a bronze enthusiast at ASK JEEVES (Ask Other People) under the nick of SPCAgal. If anyone has any questions, check out there or email me. I'll help ya out best I can! But sometimes a hands-on approach is the best way to explain, so local training schools are the BEST thing people can do with their dogs.

Yes - it was Job Michael Evans. I believe the books are 'Friend to Friend', and 'How to Counsel Dog Owners' (or something like that). There are also some books written directly by the Monks of New Skete, with Evans writing a chapter or two before he left.

I went to a seminar by him. I also attended a few others, like Volhard & Fisher, Benjamin Hart, Jean Peterson. I always like Carol Benjamin books - she has great cartoons! But it has been many years since I have read through a training book. I have several... upstairs in one of the boxes!

Oh by the way, it was Rudd Weatherwax that trained the first Lassie (who's real name was Pal and 'she' was actually a he - all Lassies are male). Rudd's son, Robert, is carrying on the tradition - currently with the 8th generation Lassie.

[ October 04, 2001: Message edited by: Dana Bowers ]

Thank you for the book suggestions, I will have to check them out once I am done with the ones that I have. The Library only allows 4 books per subject.

I am primarily reading them to "refresh" my memory of having a puppy. It has been 11 years since we have had a puppy around. We lost our 11-year-old, over a year ago. We had worked with a trainer for her, but its all the little things you forget over time of having a "trained" dog.

So I am trying to read everything to get all different opinions.

So again thanks for the suggestions.