Where can I get updated AKC dog breed & training standards books?

Perfect Puppy in 7 Days by Dr. Sophia Yin and The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey are great training and dog raising books! 101 Dog Tricks, Kid Edition is a good one with pictures. The Complete Dog Book also has more medical information. I hope this helps and I think it is great a 12 year old is so interested in their dog!

Here are some book recommendations: Miller's Anatomy of the Dog Guide to the Dissection of the Dog Here is a free online anatomy site: http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/vetneuro/ You may also call your school for their book list. Good luck!

Hi there. This situation is precisely why we do not recommend any kind of harsh discipline - this is a common trigger for aggression in many dogs, as it makes them feel threatened and they may become aggressive to try and defend themselves. Dogs do not think they are "alpha" - this is a myth, and does not accurately describe the underlying causes of most problem behavior. I would recommend discontinuing this type of punishment immediately, as it may very well cause you to be bitten and will not help resolve the behavior issues you're having. It's likely that your dog simply needs to be taught in a positive way what you DO want him to do, rather than being punished for doing things you don't like. You can find a good reward-based trainer in your area here to help guide you: www.ccpdt.org A great, practical book on dog training and behavior in general is "How To Behave So Your Dog Behaves", by Dr. Sophia Yin. I would highly recommend it if you're looking to learn more about how to train your dog effectively. Jean Donaldson's "The Culture Clash" is also excellent. :) For more information on dominance theory and why this is not a useful way to view dog behavior, see the position statement on this issue from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT): https://ahimsadogtraining.com/dominance-training-position-statement-by-apdt/

One recommendation I have for all new puppy owners is to go to a puppy training class. Even if you've raised puppies before it's always a great refresher course for you and Olie has never been to school before. Right now she's probably a little bit too young, you do want to make sure she's had several set of vaccinations and your veterinarian says she is healthy enough to go to class. Another great resource is how to raise a perfect puppy by Dr. Sophia Yin. https://drsophiayin.com/product/perfect-puppy-in-7-days-how-to-start-your-puppy-off-right/ Barking and biting our normal puppy behaviors but they do need to be addressed so that they do not interfere with being a good companion. When she is biting tried to redirect her to a toy or other objects she is allowed to bite. Www.veterinarypartner.com also has some good articles on puppy training. Good luck and thank you for using PetCoach

Dogs are "disobedient" when we have not done a good job of teaching them what we want them to do - so it's really never a problem with the dog, but rather with our training :) I would suggest the book "How To Behave So Your Dog Behaves" by Dr. Sophia Yin - it goes into a lot of detail about how training works, with lots of specific suggestions for dealing with common problem behaviors and teaching specific skills. You could also get in touch with a different trainer to work with you one-on-one to help you understand why your dog is struggling, and how you can make things more clear for him. You can search for a qualified trainer in your area here: www.ccpdt.org

Unfortunately aggression is a very complex topic and one not likely to be fixed without a trainer. Because it is multifactoral- Dobby’s temperament, your temperament, Dobby’s experiences, your experiences, the environment- your surest, fastest and safest bet is to work with a trainer or behaviorist. Basically, the trainer will watch you and Dobby’s, paying attention to how you react to each other and the environmental stimulus. The trainer will then work with both of you to modify both of your behaviors to meet a common goal. The humane society can often recommend a trainer/behaviorist. Otherwise go online and read ratings and reviews. There are several different training methods so you will need to find the one that works best for you and your pup. You should also pick up a book about canine behavior and training so that you can learn to read his body language. I hope this at least points you in the right direction. Please post again with any further questions.

I recommend to do a lot of reading about owning a submissive dog, positive reinforcement training techniques and REALLY focus on socialization. Grizzley is in a crucial socialization time period and if since he is so timid, he REALLY needs to build his confidence. Without proper socialization, puppies can grow into fear biters and other negative behaviors. https://www.petcoach.co/article/socialization-of-your-puppy/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/dog-behavior-tips-for-social-situations/ Due to his age and his breed (A fear biting Akita would be much more damaging than a fear biting Chihuahua), I strongly recommend to work with a canine behaviorist (not just a trainer). You need to learn ways to build his confidence and work on positive training techniques. There is a well known dog trainer named Victoria Stilwell who has written several books and I recommend to pick some up and do some reading. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.