The Well Mannered Pooch - some ideas from the SJPL collection:

Good dog! : The Easy Way to Train Your Dog, by Sarah Whitehead. London, England: Collins & Brown, c2011.

Sarah’s credentials: owner of Clever Dog Training Company, Masters degree in Animal Behavior, member of the Association of Pet Behavior Counselors, and MD of Alpha Education. She is the author of several books on animal behavior.

Philosophy: “Training is all about clever strategy – not bullish tactics”

Good Dog! is a beautifully photographed training manual illustrating the instructional moves of both human trainer and canine subjects. Sprinkled throughout the chapter on “Training Your Dog,” are red-boxed highlighted common problems/solution charts to assist in the progress of the pupil.

It’s Me Or The Dog, How To Have The Perfect Pet, by Victoria Stillwell. New York: Hyperion, c2007.

Victoria’s credentials: Dog walker, volunteer and then staff member of a number of rescue agencies and shelters, star of Animal Planet’s, Me or the Dog,  behavior advisor to rescue shelters throughout the world and wasthe 2011 recipient of the “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award, recognizes individuals in the media who have the power to influence millions of people and use this to positively promote the joys and benefits of pet ownership”

Philosophy: “Training isn’t about imposing your will on your dog; it’s about giving him the tools he needs to live in your world.”

It’s Me or the Dog teaches humans basic canine communication and treat based cognitive instruction. Nice layout – less impressive photography. Information on toys, tricks, leashes and collars included.

No Bad Dogs : The Woodhouse Way, by Barbara Woodhouse. New York, N.Y.: Fireside, 1992, c1982.

Barbara’s credentials: trainer of 17,000 dogs and their owners in her 30 years of experience, international star of PBS series, “Training Dogs the Woodhouse Way.” (Note: Barbara passed away in 1988.)

Philosophy: “There is no such thing as a difficult dog, only an inexperienced owner.”

No Bad Dogs, written in old school style, is a classic. Some questionable advise, but thoroughly entertaining. Black and white photos included.

SEARCHING FOR DOGS AND TRAINING THROUGH THE CATALOG

• Key word search:  Dog Training
• Key word search:  Dog Behavior
• Key word search:  Dog Training and Fiction
• Keyword search:   Dog and Training and Juvenile
• Keyword search:   DVDs on Dog Training

Remember: should you not have a four footed companion to practice your teaching skills on, please visit:  The San José Animal Care Center today. Share your heart and your home. Behavior modification links available. Also, some of the best training may not get through your four footed friend's noggin in the first round of instruction. If necessary, for some of the more egregious offenses, please consult with Nolo Press’, Dog Law.

As Keats proclaimed, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever,” how much more so, when the one depicted as the object d’art is a four legged being regarded as man’s (and woman’s) best friend. From oft the printed page of the three titles listed below, surely you’ll find within an artistic representation of a beloved or nefarious canine, which speaks to you.

Dog: A Dog's Life in Art and Literature,by Iain Zaczek.

Dog - historical and symbolic, inscripted on caves, as sculpted pieces, depicted in oils and photographs, all with a European bent.  Poetry included - "The rich man's guardian and the poor man's friend, the only creature faithful to the end."  George Crabbe, as quoted on page 82, alongside Mayde Meiers Herberg's brilliant, On Vincent Oh.

Blue Dog Speaks, by George Rodrigue.

A blue dog, a blonde woman and a lonely artist - an illustrated love story.

The Art of Stephen Huneck, by Laura Beach

Sculpted dogs, a canine chapel proclaiming on its marquee, "Welcome all creeds, all breeds, no dogmas allowed."  Whimsical and adorable, this Vermont artist has given dogs life beyond their unfortunately abbreviated span.

As it has been said, "Ain't nothing like the real thing" ... If you'd like a four footed friend to share your life with, please visit the City of San José Animal Care Center today.

When other people in the family give Buddy orders, Buddy always does the opposite.  When the boy gives orders, Buddy always does whatever he asks.  His advice is:  "You have to know how to talk to a dog."

The cartoonish illustrations make this book look very cute and fun to read.

Written by David Milgrim.

Grade level: Preschool-K-1.

Is your dog in the pokey and needs to be sprung?  Have the law on your side with information extracted from Nolo Press’ magnum opus, 6^th edition, by Mary Randolf, J.D.      

Every Dog’s Legal Guide – A Must-Have Book for Your Owner

Thirteen chapters broken up into bite sized bits:

• Dogs and people
• State and Local regulation
• Buying and selling dogs
• Landlords and dogs
• Veterinarians
• Traveling with your dog
• Barking dogs
• Assistance dogs
• If a dog is injured or killed
• Providing for pets (Including a chapter on: Why you can’t leave money to a dog- and what happens if you try.)
• Dog bites
• Dangerous dogs
• Cruelty

A guide to legal research and state statutes is included.

Abundant resources (references to corresponding Nolo legal publications) and endnotes provided. For those with furry four-footers and those who live amongst them, I highly recommend this work that is peppered with humor, providing necessary information, simply stated and cleanly formatted.

You’ll find copies of this work located in branches throughout San José, and an eBook to boot.

If you don't have a pooch to share your life with, consider a visit to the San José Animal Care Center  Bring a friend home with you today.