Recommended Books
Decoding Your Dog, by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.
A clear, accessible, rigorously researched book that covers a different dog care topic or dog behavior challenge in each chapter. The SF SPCA’s own Dr. Berger contributed chapter 7: I know they are normal behaviors, but how do I fix them? A wonderful resource for addressing nuisance behaviors.
How to Behave so Your Dog Behaves, by Dr. Sophia Yin.
This book provides the most up-to-date science on dog behavior and explains key concepts in clear, straightforward language. How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves takes a scientifically sound yet practical approach to explaining dog behavior and training theory, and then shows you how to apply these concepts so you can train your dog to be well behaved.
Reactive Rover: An Owner’s Guide to On-Leash Dog Aggression, by Kim Moeller.
This book is written to help owners learn how to manage dogs who are reactive when they see another dog on leash.
The Culture Clash, by Jean Donaldson.
An excellent resource on positive reinforcement-based dog training, by the former director of the SF SPCA’s Academy for Dog Trainers.
Don’t Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor.
A clear and entertaining book for anyone who wants to understand the steps towards changing the behavior of animals. Easy to understand and quick to read.
Puppy Books
Perfect Puppy in 7 Days: How to Start Your Puppy Off Right, by Dr. Sophia Yin.
A must-have for all puppy owners, this book includes pictures and clear “how to” exercises, making the first few weeks with a new puppy a walk in the park.
Before You Get Your Puppy and After You Get Your Puppy, by Ian Dunbar.
Further Reading
The Other End of the Leash, by Patricia McConnell.
A fascinating book on why we do what we do around dogs, and how to better understand and communicate with them.
The Power of Positive Dog Training, by Pat Miller.
Follow Pat’s unique six-week training program and your dog will learn to think and to choose proper behavior.
Plenty in Life is Free – Reflections on Dogs, Training and Finding Grace, by Kathy Sdao.
This books describes in narrative fashion how to emphasize and develop partnerships in which humans and dogs exchange reinforcements and continually cede the upper hand to one another.
The Dog Who Loved Too Much, by Nicholas Dodman.
Clear writing on treating various behavior problems, written by a Veterinary Behaviorist.
The Domestic Dog, by James Serpell, Ed.
The latest scientific and scholarly information on the origins and evolution of canine behavior from international experts will give you insights into the behavior of the domestic dog.
Excel-erated Learning, by Pamela Reid.
Geared towards the dog trainer, this book explains scientifically how dogs learn, and how best to teach them. Required reading for the SF SPCA’s Academy for Dog Trainers.
Dog Language, by Roger Abrantes.
Contains great encyclopedia-style information and photos of dog body language and facial expressions.
Pet Behavior Protocols, by Suzanne Hetts, PhD.
Plans for solving behavior problems.
Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet, by John Bradshaw.
Help For Your Fearful Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Your Dog Conquer His Fears, by Nicole Wilde.
Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog (Karen Pryor Clicker Book), by Emma Parsons.
The Cautious Canine- How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears, by Patricia B. McConnell.
Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs, by Jean Donaldson.
Fight! A Practical Guide to the Treatment of Dog-Dog Aggression, by Jean Donaldson.
Dogs Bite: But Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous, by Janis Bradley.
I’ll be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.
Don’t Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety, by Nicole Wilde.
Help! This Animal is Driving Me Crazy!, by Daniel Tortora.
Download our list of great books about dog behavior, from practical how-to guides on specific issues to scholarly tomes on the origins and evolution of domestic dogs.