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Behavior & Training Resources

There comes a time when all of us humans need a little help understanding our four-legged pals.  After all, they are a different species and communicate their needs differently than us.

The following information was collected by our volunteers in hopes that it will help you form a better understanding of dogs and ultimately increase the bond between you and your best fur pal.

Waggin' Tails Dog Rescue supports positive, reward-based, training methods to get your dog to do what you want (or not to do).  We believe that striking your dog or giving harsh collar corrections, using choke/prong collars, undermines your relationship. Your dog is your friend. It is your duty to be his advocate, protecting him from physical or emotional harm by being aware, alert and proactive on his behalf.  Be worthy of his devotion and please seek professional advice if serious behavioral issues arise.

-Your friends at Waggin' Tails Dog Rescue

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A WORD ABOUT AGGRESSION:

If your dog attacks another dog or person, please seek the advice of a qualified trainer/behaviorist immediately - for your own safety and the safety of your dog. There are many factors that can contribute to threatening behavior.

Understanding-aggressive-behavior-in-dogs/

A WORD ABOUT CONSENT - You want a healthy relationship with your dog?  Read this.  Your dog will thank you and we bet you'll say 'hmmm' while reading this article

What-my-dog-taught-me-about-consent 

BOOKS WE LIKE:

Before and After Getting Your Puppy, Dr. Ian Dunbar

Bonding With Your Dog, Victoria Schade

Decoding Your Dog, Debra F. Horwitz DVM

Do Over Dogs: Give Your Dog a Second Chance for a First Class Life, Pat Miller

How to Behave so Your Dog Behaves, Sophia Yin

How to Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication, Stanley Coren

It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet, Victoria Stillwell

Meet Your Dog, Kim Brophey, CDBC, BA

Parenting Your Dog: Develop Dog-Rearing Skills for a Well-trained Companion, Trish King

The Power of Positive Dog Training, Pat Miller

BOOKS FOR CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS:

Control Unleashed, Leslie McDevitt

Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household, Karen London and Patricia McConnell

Feisty Fido, Help for the Leash-Reactive Dog, Patricia McConnell

Fight, Jean Donaldson

From Fearful to Fear Free, Marty Becker DVM

I'll Be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety, Patricia McConnell

The Bark Stops Here, Terry Ryan

Mine, Jean Donaldson

Scaredy Dog, Ali Brown

The Bark Stops Here, Terry Ryan

When Pigs Fly: Training Success with Impossible Dogs, Jane Killion

We recommend the Thunder Shirtwww.thundershirt.com for high anxiety dogs and dogs afraid of thunder, fireworks, etc.

HOW TO LOCATE A TRAINER IN YOUR AREA:

Association of Pet Dog Trainers - www.apdt.com

LOCAL TRAINERS WE RECOMMEND:

Training Buddies, LLC, Livonia 

**Waggin' Tails foster dogs attend basic training class for free here!

www.trainingbuddiesllc.com

Force Free Dale, Ferndale

www.forcefreedale.com

Good Wolff, Ann Arbor

www.goodwolff.com

K9 Turbo Training

www.k9turbotraining.com

Kat Stevens Dog Training

www.katstevensdogtraining.com 

Longsnouts Dog Training, Ann Arbor/Ypsi 

www.longsnouts.com

Positive Pups Dog Training, Livonia

http://positivepupsdt.com

Trust and Obey Pawsitive Dog Training, Plymouth 

www.trustandobeydogtraining.com

 

VETERINARY BEHAVIOR IN MICHIGAN

 

Animal Behavior Consultants, Grand Rapids, Metro Detroit, Traverse City

Dr. Jill Sackman

www.animalbehaviormi.com/

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services OVRS, Bloomfield Hills

Theresa DePorter, DVM, MRCVS Diplomate, ACVB 

https://www.ovrs.com/specialty-services/veterinary-behavior.html

Camille Ward, M.S., M.S., Ph.D., CAAB, Ann Arbor

http://aboutdogsllc.com/

Union Lake Veterinary, Dr. Hawker

https://unionlakeveterinaryhospital.com/behavioral-services

Beyond the Bark

https://www.beyondthebarktraining.com/

 

DOG TRAINING WEBSITES / VIDEOS:

Every Dog Austin FREE WEBINARS on many useful training topics!

https://www.everydogaustin.org/videos

DINOS, Dogs in Need of Space.  For good dogs who just need space. Support for those living with challenging dogs

https://dogsinneedofspace.com/  For good dogs who just need space. Support for those living with challenging dogs.

Victoria Stillwell - www.positively.com Check out the Knowledge Center for tips on the basics.

Sophia Yin - drsophiayin.com  Good books and DVDs available.

Patricia McConnell - www.patriciamcconnell.com   Good resource on solving problem behaviors.

Resources for fearful, shy and anxious dogs www.fearfuldogs.com

Best Friends in Utah has great resources for new pet parents https://bestfriends.org/resources/dogs

BAD RAP   Training videos, multi-dog households, nail trimming, reactive dogs, etc.
www.badrap.org
www.badrap.org/favorite-how-links

The Wildest, sign up via email for free access to training, behavior, nutrition, ask a vet, and more.

www.thewildest.com

Good Pup, online and remote / accessible training support.

www.goodpup.com

SAFETY, KIDS AND DOGS:

Promoting Safety for Families and Dogs www.familypaws.com

Dog Bite Prevention - www.Doggonesafe.com

Book: Living with Kids and Dogs... Without Losing Your Mind, book by Colleen Pelar

PODCASTS WE LIKE:

The Bitey End of the Dog, Michael Shikashio - Tackles topics on aggression in dogs.

www.aggressivedog.com

Cog-Dog Radio, Sara Stremming at The Cognitive Canine

www.thecognitivecanine.com

Dog Happi, Melissa Courtney - Explores wide range of topics to keep your dog healthy.

www.doghappi.com

Drinking from the Toilet, Hannah Branigan

www.wonderpupstraining.com

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett - Shares everything she knows related to dogs.

www.shapedbydog.com

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