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02-22-2012, 01:01 AM
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#1 (permalink) |
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
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Best Comprehensive Book(s) on GSD Psychology, Behavior, Training, Nutrition, etc. ?
Looking for an end-all book on GSD's. Want to read about history, psychology, training, nutrition, etc.
Please make a few suggestions (or THE ultimate informational literature) on these topics. (Hopefully all included in a single comprehensive volume.) There are a lot of books titled things like "German Shepherd Dogs" and some seem a bit skimpy. I'm looking for the most thorough book I can find. Thanks so much! -Andy |
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02-23-2012, 03:35 PM
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#2 (permalink) |
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 29
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I'm far from an expert. However one thing I have done is buy and read a lot of books related to shepherds and dog training in general. So even though I have a lot to learn about training, I've read a lot.
Each book I've read had part of the information you are asking to receive. Most shepherd specific books haven't been very good for training or canine psychology and vice-versa. If you are looking to get just one book is there one area that is the most important for you? Does it have to be only one book? |
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02-23-2012, 08:33 PM
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#3 (permalink) | |
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
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Quote:
I understand, of course, that there will be many books to read (and I intend to read them all :] ), so to answer your question, no, I'm not looking for only one book. I was simply looking for the best place to start, perhaps including excepts on each of the topics I mentioned, and a list of further readings. I was asking here since, like you stated, most shepherd specific books don't have a lot of usable info. They seem to be abridged, covering many topics in brief. Which is fine. I would ideally want a book like the 120 page things you can find at book stores, but an "unabridged" version (a GSD Bible, if you will). If anyone has a favourite book on GSD's, please recommend it to me! Like I said, I'm looking for a first book (of many) in order to get my paws wet.  Thanks again! P.S. Your whitey looks very happy!
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02-24-2012, 12:19 AM
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#4 (permalink) |
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Knighted Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Northeastern Connecticut
Posts: 3,373
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It's not GSD specific but it's an excellant book if you're interested in canine body language.
Canine Body Language, Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog by Brenda Aloff Last edited by Whiteshepherds; 02-24-2012 at 12:21 AM. |
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02-24-2012, 11:27 AM
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#5 (permalink) |
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 29
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Here are some recommendations based on books that I have read. I can give some more details if you think any would be helpful.
German Shepherd books- both give an overview of the shepherd along with history and some shepherd specific traits. This one is a little more dated but gives a very thorough history of the shepherd. I've ready a couple of Stanley Coren books and really enjoyed each. This one gives a great overview of canine body language and psychology This is also a good but shorter read on canine body language This next book is a very thorough overview of clicker training and how to apply it to obedience for competition and non-competition. It also does a great job of covering operant conditioning This book is a fantastic agility guide if you are looking to do agility. Nutrition is tricky dependent on what you want to do. Are you looking to feed kibble, raw, or both? Once again my experience is limited by my shepherd's digestive system is finicky. From what I've read that is pretty common among GSDs. The German Shepherd books above have a little nutritional information but for RAW there are some other books out there than can provide a lot of additional information. |
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02-25-2012, 08:14 PM
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#6 (permalink) |
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
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Thank you both for your replies, especially your list of favourites.
I have added a few from your list to mine (now reaching close to $400 worth of books in my Amazon.com shopping cart). I have found an incredible guide to canine psychology, though in three volumes costs $275 and is probably on the book list for high level college courses somewhere. Very intrigued to read them, and it will probably take a month with psychology dictionary on hand at all times!Please, if you can suggest some nutrition books that may be of interest to me, I plan on feeding a strictly raw diet, no kibble. Though if I change my mind, I already know what kibble I will be feeding him. Thanks again, you have both been great! Love the whites! -Andy |
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02-26-2012, 12:07 AM
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#7 (permalink) | ||
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Master Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northwestern PA
Posts: 837
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Quote:
How Dogs Think by Stanley Coren Dog Language: An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior by Roger Abrantes The Dog Who Loved Too Much: Tales, Treatments, and the Psychology of Dogs by Nicholas Dodman Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz The Rosetta Bone: The Key to Communication Between Humans and Canines by Cheryl S. Smith Quote:
Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats by Kymythy R. Schultze Give Your Dog a Bone by Dr. Ian Billinghurst Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn D.V. M Foods Pets Die For by Ann Martin The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care by CJ Puotinen Switching to Raw by Susan Johnson Raw Meaty Bones by Dr. Tom Lonsdale Those should at least give you a pretty good bunch of reading!
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Our Zoo! Dogs: Krissie ~ Beagle Mix Extraordinaire 09/09; Koshka ~ GSD 11/11 Cats: Patches, Hellboy, Tabitha, Tess, Gwenyth, Cleocatra |
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02-27-2012, 12:43 PM
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#9 (permalink) |
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Elite Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,136
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Nutrition (click on "Books"): Individualized Nutrition For Your Dogs
__________________
Olivia von Jagenstadt "Nikki" 11/21/2009 Heidi Mouse 02/10/1995 - 02/21/2009 |
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