Product Description

Training the Behavior, by Gary Patterson, is about developing and training a working dog by starting and working outward from the dog's mind. Where traditional training for sport and service dogs has centered on making the dog enter the trainer's world of thinking, this book reverses the process by examining how the trainer can take the dog's view of its world and mold it into a positive and confident relationship with the handler. Instead of force and incomplete training results, the reader will find there is an alternative of manipulating the dog's natural desire to work with the trainer that can only result in clarity in the dog and the picture of a relationship in training that all dog owners want. This book shows that this approach is simpler than you might think, even if it isn't always easy.

The 29 chapters cover everything the beginning or advanced trainer needs to know about concepts and details that confront the working dog trainer in day to day training sessions.

Behavioral Theory...Trying to translate dry research into useable training theory? This chapter looks at defense, prey and social behaviors as they relate to how the a dog can be developed in training. It also covers the important subjects of drives and conflict.

Selecting a Dog...Whether you are looking for a puppy or older dog, this section helps the reader weigh the pros and cons of picking a puppy or trained older dog. There isn't a perfect answer and many issues have to considered before the final decision. It also includes selecting a breeder, puppy tests and breed specific issues for the German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Bouvier and Giant Schnauzer.

Training Theory...Surprisingly there is little about training theory that wasn't known 100 years ago. Instead, the revolution has been in developing applications for this theory. This section reviews, in depth, the progression of a dog from foundation development through teaching and, finally, establishing reliability and a strong positive attitude through motivational levels. This section may be the most fascinating to the reader as it brings in modern ideas of developmental psychology and learning. It is also the area where mastering the concepts distinguishes the outstanding dog trainer from the rest of the pack.

Equipment...Each section contains an examination of what is good and bad equipment for training. The book concludes that much of the promotional advertising of equipment is just not accurate and, in many cases, isn't even needed. Included is an examination of the use and need for electric collars in training.

Imprinting...For someone seeking a puppy, the subject of imprinting may seem controversial, but it isn't. Simply-It Works! Included in this section is the whole philosophy of imprinting and molding the young dog's attitude about work and training. It also includes a complete program for properly imprinting and modeling the puppy.

Physical Conditioning and Nutrition...How to keep a working dog fit with aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Also includes a comprehensive view on what the trainer needs to know about good nutrition as fuel for the active working dog.

Complete and Exhaustive Sections on Tracking, Obedience and Protection training. These sections are the core of the book in demonstrating that a developmental and systematic approach to bringing out the dog's behavior simplifies the entire training process while producing a strong, positive working attitude. Each section includes a step by step progression for taking the starting dog through advanced levels and how to maintain this high level of training once reliability is established. Also included are specific problems solving techniques where either the theory or the dog aren't cooperating.

TRACKING. Tracking theory·Laying the track·Foundation tracking·Teaching the track·Motivational tracking·Aging·Starting a new tracking season·Advanced tracking training.

OBEDIENCE. Heeling and capping drives·Turns, the finish, downs and recall·Jumping and retrieval·Send away·Sit, Down and Stand·Putting the exercises together·Preparing for competition and certification.

PROTECTION. We hope this section will put to rest all the public concern, even criticism, about why protection training is important to breeders, trainers and, most importantly, the public's need for the skills of the good working dog. Included is: Reading the working dog·Protection training theory in action·Novice protection work·Drive shaping and bite development·Control training·Advanced protection training·Maintenance of the trained dog.

There is no part of working dog development and training that isn't explained in this book. If you are working in any aspect of Schutzhund, K-9, Ring Sport, AKC tracking or obedience, or have plans for more advanced work in search and rescue or law enforcement, Training the Behavior has something for you.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Foundations of Behavior
• Selecting a Dog
• The Training Environment
• Imprinting
• Training - An Overview
• Tracking
• Tracking Theory
• The Track
• Foundation Tracking
• Teaching the Track
• Motivational Tracking
• Advanced Tracking
• Special Tracking Issues
• Obedience
• Introduction to Obedience
• Heeling, the Sit and Capping Drive
• Turns, the Finish, Down and Recall
• Jumping and Retrieval
• The Sending Away
• The Stand
• Preparing for Competition
• Protection
• Introduction to Protection Training
• Reading the Working Dog
• The Training Environment
• Four Steps to Successful Protection Training
• Step One: Novice Protection Training
• Step Two: Drive Shaping & Bite Development
• Step Three: Control Training
• Step Four: Advanced Training & Special Issues
• Physical Conditioning & Nutrition