Puppy aptitude testing was developed as early as the 1930's and has been adapted for use for testing for service dogs, then adapted for use for puppies from working breeds for obedience aptitude. The PAT test is used by many breeders to help them properly match puppies with the appropiate families. The purpose of this book is to help not only breeders, but those looking for service dogs, therapy dogs, or performance/show dogs to be able to asses litters so that they can pick their own perfect puppy. It will also help those looking for their perfect companion. This is meant to be a guide to picking the right puppy-best suited for service work, therapy work, performance or show, or just your best companion ever.

Orysia Dawydiak and David Sims have achieved international fame for their pioneering work with livestock protection dogs. For years they have championed the age-old practice of using dogs to guard herds and flocks. With the environmental damage caused by poisons and traps, livestock guardian dogs provide an ecologically sound, safe and economical alternative for farmers and ranchers trying to reduce their losses. This complete guide will tell you all you need to know, including the authors' revolutionary discoveries on temperament testing these breeds. This extraordinary book is chock full of useful information.

This book is an absolute must for anyone thinking of getting a puppy. Canine author Linda Whitwam provides a step-by-step guide to selecting the unique puppy most likely to fit in with you and your family. This latest book in the acclaimed Canine Handbooks series steers anyone thinking of getting a puppy or rescue dog around the many pitfalls and arms them with the expert knowledge to select the one puppy which is right for them. Written in an easy-to-understand manner, this 224-page manual is packed full of invaluable information you won’t find elsewhere and makes a great gift. It includes: The insider’s guide to the 25 most popular breeds registered with the Kennel Clubs – and one that isn’tChoosing a crossbreed or mixed breedSuitable breeds and crossbreeds for allergy sufferersCurrent health issues with various pure breedsHow to find a good breeder – and the right questions to askHow to reduce the risk of buying a puppy with health problemsHow to pick the puppy with the temperament and energy levels to suit youThe book is full of tips on what to do before and after you bring your new arrival home, covering:Puppy proofing your homeA checklist of things you’ll need before your pup arrivesBringing your puppy homeFeeding schedules, charts and types of food, including a raw dietHousetraining and crate trainingBasic obedience and collar and lead trainingPuppy bitingSpaying, neutering and vaccinationsGetting a puppy from a rescue centreThe signs of a healthy puppyHow to spot if your puppy is unwellOne of the main reasons puppies are given away or end up in rescue centres is owners’ unrealistic expectations of their dog. Pick the puppy that’s right for you and look forward to a decade or more of happiness with the perfect companion – who turned out to be all that you'd hoped for. Reviews for How To Pick The Perfect Puppy: “This book is not just another handbook, more an owner's manual for choosing the right furry addition to the family Breeds and cross-breeds are discussed at length, helping you choose the right temperament, size and exercise requirements for your pooch, including advice for those with allergies to choose a pup with a coat to suit. Also choosing a rescue pup or dog is covered too with sensitive insight into the extra requirements they may need for helping them settle. Feeding, positive training tips and advice on helping your new furry settle into your environment along with lovely pics make this a good read,” J. C. VICKERMAN, YORKSHIRE, UK “Extremely helpful and informative. Planning to purchase a puppy soon and will continue to use the guidance given,” HEATHER FISHER, UK “What a great resource for those considering acquiring a family pet. It contains lots of practical information and tips. I have owned dogs as pets all my life and I learned a lot from this book. I have 14 year old dog now who has had separation anxiety issues and I wish I had this book when she was young. It will, unfortunately, not be long until she is no longer with us (still healthy, but showing her age) and I will definitely rely on this book when it is time to bring a new puppy into the house. I would highly recommend this to anyone thinking about choosing a family pet," N. CLARK, USA “I bought this book for my son who is considering buying a puppy. I made the mistake of flicking through it before I gave it to him. I just couldn't put it down, so now it looks as though it's been read from cover to cover, which it has! Linda Whitwam writes in the most down to earth, readable fashion and the book is packed full of really useful information. She outlines the pros and cons of all the most common breeds and even the crossbreeds and mixed breeds. And when you've decided upon your puppy there's loads of advice on how to look after and train it,” S. E. KAYE, UK

The tools you need to think and train like a professional Jean Donaldson is one of the top dog trainers in the United States, and her training academy has gained a reputation as the Harvard for dog trainers and behavioral counselors. Now, you can harness her highly effective dog-training techniques and benefit from her expert guidance without leaving your home. If you're like most dog owners, you treat your four-legged friend as a valued member of the family who enjoys the full run of the house-which is why good behavior is so important. Train Your Dog Like a Pro offers a trusted, systematic approach to positive dog training that anyone can follow. You'll get clear, detailed instructions for teaching essential behaviors, more advanced skills, and even some fun tricks. Training is based only on positive reinforcement, patience, and persistence Donaldson is the best-selling author of The Culture Clash: The Revolutionary New Way to Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs Whether you're the proud parent of a puppy, an adolescent, or an adult dog, this book truly give you everything you need to train your dog like a pro.

A revolutionary way to raise and train your dog, with “a wealth of practical tips, tricks, and fun games that will enrich the lives of many dogs and their human companions” (Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian and animal behaviorist). Zak George is a new type of dog trainer. A dynamic YouTube star and Animal Planet personality with a fresh approach, Zak helps you tailor dog training to your pet’s unique traits and energy level—leading to quicker results and a much happier pup. For the first time, Zak has distilled the information from his hundreds of videos and experience with thousands of dogs into this comprehensive dog and puppy training guide that includes: • Choosing the right pup for you • Housetraining and basic training • Handling biting, leash pulling, jumping up, barking, aggression, chewing, and other behavioral issues • Health care essentials like finding a vet and selecting the right food • Cool tricks, traveling tips, and activities to enjoy with your dog • Topics with corresponding videos on Zak’s YouTube channel so you can see his advice in action Packed with everything you need to know to raise and care for your dog, this book will help you communicate and bond with one another in a way that makes training easier, more rewarding, and—most of all—fun!

Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.

Is it heredity or environment that shapes the dog? Researchers J.P. Scott and John L. Fuller, authors of Genetics and Social Behavior of the Dog, bred and cross-bred dogs in their quest to understand human heredity and behavior. Their research yielded a gold mine of data that Pfaffenberger turned into practical information for dog breeders and trainers. Learn about the critical stages of puppy development, how breed differences make dogs suitable for specialized work, and how to breed and socialize temperamentally sound dogs. Reprint of a 1963 classic.