Yay! It's been a couple of dark, rainy days. A nice break from the perfect early fall weather we've been having. Since rainy days are a good chance to stay inside and a read a good book, I thought I'd share a couple of books I've been enjoying recently.
The first, is my new most favorite book ever. This is possible the BEST book on why dogs do what they do that I've ever read. Not only does it explain why dogs do what they do, but why WE do what we do, and why that usually doesn't mesh well, plus how to work with your dog...instead of against him. This is probably the first "training" book I've read in a looong time (ever) that made me feel optimistic and excited to work with dogs. Usually reading through training books makes me feel uncomfortable at times. I just don't agree with what the author is saying. Often I'm convinced he's a moron and fear that other people reading his book will agree and DO what he writes. But this book...this is a good look at dogs. Most important, I think, is that it examines not only dog behavior and genetic hard wiring, but HUMAN behavior. Plus, it's easy to read and covers alot of ground without discouraging the owner.
Guess you want to know what it is, eh? The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs , by Patricia B. McConnell. I highly recommend it to everyone that has a dog, is ever around a dog, or likes learning about why things are as they are. Even if you don't have any problems with your dog, it's worth reading.
The other book is a great book for the common dog owner about grooming. Everything Dog Grooming Book: All you need to help your pet look and feel great! (Everything Series), is another easy to read book written by a professional groomer Sandy Blackburn. This little book briefly covers the ins and outs of grooming, plus some basic health care. While it doesn't go into a whole lot of detail and I wouldn't consider it a map for grooming your own pet, it's a great overview of what grooming is, why it needs to be done and it does cover pretty much every aspect of grooming at home or at a grooming shop. This would be a great book to look over for any dog (or cat!) owner, whether you groom your pet yourself or take it to a professional. Plus it can give you a new appreciation for your groomer and all they do for your pets!
Both of these books I found at my local library and are easily found online. While I won't say that all information is 100% accurate or that I might agree with everything 100%, since dogs and grooming are ever changing and widely open to opinion and differences in interpretation, I think they are solid reads with a wealth of information.
