Summer Reading: Sound Advice

A summer reading list for dog and cat people.

Sound advice to read while relaxing, like this Cocker Spaniel on a swing


By Zazie Todd, PhD

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This year’s theme is sound advice on dogs and cats. In a world where good information is hard to come by and persistent myths about animals continue to lead people astray, sound advice is well worth sharing. And sharing again.

Read on for some of my favourite posts that help us to understand – and train – dogs and cats better.


“Some dogs do not appreciate being rudely awoken” Let sleeping dogs… lie? By Kristi Benson CTC

Does your cat run and hide under the bed at the first sign of the cat carrier? This post, complete with videos, has everything you need to know: How to train your cat to like the cat carrier by Sarah Ellis at Katzenworld Blog

Dogs and wildlife – tips for going off-leash from Allison Wells of I Love Your Dog  Don’t miss Shadow’s happy “recall face”!

Have you ever thought of training your cat? Cats would like you to know they are open to training by DogSpies by Julie Hecht.

“He didn’t understand her.” Why did that dog growl? Tracy Krulik on an incident at the vet.

“When your own dog growls at you it can feel awful. But try not to take it personally, it is the only way he has of telling you that something is making him uncomfortable or nervous." Understanding dog aggression towards family by Sarah Pennington at Yaletown Dog Training.

What’s stress got to do with it? Cats and urination outside the litterbox by Mikel Delgado PhD at Cats and Squirrels.

“The biggest responsibility of raising a puppy is not to teach them “manners”, it is to ensure they have a bright future. And that future lies in your hands.” The almost unbearable burden of raising a puppy by Sylvie Martin of Crosspaws.

Choosing the right toys for your cat. 12 tips from Pam Johnson-Bennett.

“Many such cats spend a great deal of their time under the bed or on top of the wardrobe, hiding from the world.” How to behave around anxious cats, from International Cat Care.

“The good news is that a little preparation and know how can help reduce the likelihood you’ll encounter problems with your pet once your baby comes home.” Bringing home baby: Preparing pets for parenthood by Kate Mornement PhD at Pets Behaving Badly Solutions with Dr Kate.

Spotting the signs. Separation Anxiety: two truths and a lie by Casey McGee.

"No reputable trainer who has stayed current on valid developments in the field is still talking about “pack leadership” or “energy”; and they certainly aren’t employing prong, choke, and shock collars.  If you’re a dog owner looking for a professional trainer, the likelihood you end up with one of these folks is still sadly very high." More than fancy words by Lisa Skavienski for Your Pit Bull and You.

It’s more than just a box. A pictorial display of all the uses cats have for cardboard boxes by Ingrid Johnson of Fundamentally Feline.

And if you need help finding a dog trainer, I have a post for that: How to choose a dog trainer.


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