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Train Your Dog, Change Your Life   Also available on Kindle e-books

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Books, DVDs, Audio, Visual, TV programs ... WOW, it's overwhelming how many ways you can google positive training for dogs these days.  Historically, it is an evolutionary process, that has not always been pleasant for the DOG.  Kept in perspective, we recommend that you educate yourself, listen to your intuition and do what's best for your dog!  Everyone's situation is different.  Each dog is an individual.  Over 20 years of researching, reading and living with dogs has gifted us with some robust learning experiences.  The following are the best of the best books and sites (including ours) on training/behavior/well-being. Enjoy the Journey!

We welcome you to view excerpts of our book, Train your Dog, Change your Life, Howell Book House, 2001 at www.amazon.com, www.dogwise.com or www.wiley.com.  TYDCYL is an Interactive Training Program for Individuals, Families, and their Dogs by Maureen Ross, MA, NCC, RYT and contributor, Gary Ross:  (Wiley, Inc. www.wiley.com:  1-800-225-5945 for discount quantities.

Genetics may load the gun, environment may pull the trigger

 We can make informed choices about our (and our pet's) health and well-being that is creative and unique!

Our Passion:  Bringing People & Pets Together to Enhance Well-Being and Education for Pets and their People!  TYDCYL provides a mindful approach to living, learning and training with dogs.  It's about time we evolve in our way of training our dogs too!  It is integrative and helps to create healthy relationships for you with your dogs and others.   

If you know your dog's top 5 life rewards (motivators), training is easy and fun!

Don't change your dog's personality with training, enhance it! 

Training your dog can change your life.  If you want a lifetime relationship with your canine companion that is based on well-being, respect and learning, then enjoy a look at TYDCYL. 

Chapters cover well-being and the family dog, lifestyle management, body language and attitude, Calming Signals®, socialization, housetraining, nutrition and exercise, grooming for health and self-esteem, relaxation, focused training (that goes beyond the positive), creativity and games, clicker training, and other more!  Learn how dogs can teach us about how we intereact in our everyday relationships (family, career, pleasure, contentment)!   
But relax.   It's a journey, a way of finding out what really turns you (and your dogs) on.  Enjoy the Journey!

"In spite of us, our dogs do amazingly well at adapting to our human world.  If you could imagine looking through their eyes and feeling what they feel for just one moment, what would you see, hear, feel?  If you could imagine yourself being parachuted into a foreign country, not knowing the language or culture, what would it be like?"  Maureen Ross, M.A.~

"…A delightful, sensitive, loving book."  Dr. Jane Goodall, animal behaviorist, author, and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute.  

"...This book is not just about dog training -  it's a self help book.  It helps you enhance your relationship with your dog by teaching you how to understand and appreciated him.... This book covers more than canine body language: the authors discuss two-way communication and urges you to actively listen to your dog.  It's fascinating stuff...For those who find self-help books appealing, this book provides a solid, practical foundation for building a great dog-owner relationship."  Dog World Magazine, Paws in Review, August 2004

"…Train Your Dog, Change Your Life focuses on the very heart of dog training-- relationships and interactions within the family, and awareness about yourself and in relationship to your dog. The Ross’ philosophy is a simple one, but the best.  I know because I recommended their manuscript to the Publisher and wrote the foreword with a smile.  Dogs live in families and/or with humans.  As I've always said, it makes perfect sense to look at the "whole family system" when training dogs.  To change anyone's behavior we first have to explore changing our own or at the very least, take a look at what part we play in reinforcing behaviors in our dogs.  Assessment is a big part of this and they are excellent at this.  I enjoy their bigger message, a passionate one;  take time to savor life; take time to enjoy yourself, your family and your dog, and take time to learn from the experiences". 

Dr. Ian Dunbar, Ph.D., M.R.C.V.S., author, lecturer, BBC television personality.

"Read this book for a really great relationship with your dog!  Readers all over the world are better off because they can benefit from Maureen and Gary's gentle, but meaningful approach that looks at how we are involved more than we think on our dog's responses to our training.  They offer great dog training advice in a easy to read way".  Joel Walton, CPDT author of "Labrador Retrievers for Dummies" and "Positive Puppy Training Works."

"…The nice thing about this book is that it provides sufficient solid information on the behavior of both species to do some effective problem solving. In the best tradition of solution focused counseling the emphasis throughout is small, easily implemented, positive interactions that have far reaching consequences for the behavior of the dog and the humans in the household… This information is like having a personal chat with some knowledgeable dog folks who have ‘all their stuff together’ and are willing to help educate all of us who share a passion for healthy, positive interactive relationships. Be sure this book is part of your "stuff"."  Mary Lee Nitschke, Ph.D., Pet Behavior Consultant, Professor of Psychology, Linfield College, Portland, Oregon.

Train Your Dog, Change Your Life, by Maureen and Gary Ross, is a “must read” for any dog lover, behaviorist or trainer.  This book is written in easy-to-follow steps with emphasis on the positive interactions between the animal/human relationship. There is something for everyone in this book.  The weekly lesson plans are extremely useful for those who like step-by-step directions, while chapters such as “Relationship Training” and “Understanding Canine Body Language” will appeal to those who enjoy learning more about overall companion dog behavior.  This book is a real asset to any dog lover’s library. –Christine M. McNiff, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Animal Assisted Therapist

BEHAVIOR / TRAINING / WELL-BEING

No-one gets to write a book, be on TV, be successful or learn anything without the help of mentors and teachers.  These inquisitive pioneers carve pathways that oftentimes illuminate windows of opportunity. Historically, paradoxically and through paradigm (evolving) we all learn from others, then process it in our own unique ways.   Mentors recognize a "spark" and are confident enough to share their wisdom.  When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.  They offer gifts, and it is our choice whether or not to embrace them.   

As you explore, if it speaks to you, absorb it with all your gusto.  If it does not, form your own opinion and creative style, write your own book, or produce a dvd, and let the flow of the universe guide you. 

The following recommendations are a path on which to begin your journey!   

Books

Train You Dog, Change Your Life ~ Maureen Ross, MA, Contributor Author, Gary Ross

Animals Make us Human ~ Dr. Temple Grandin

Animals in Transition  & Thinking in Pictures ~  Dr. Temple Grandin

The Well-Connected Canine ~ Amy Snow & Nancy Zidonas, www.animalacupressure.com 

Energy Healing for dogs ~ Nicole Wilde

Focus not Fear & Scaredy Dog! ~ Ali Brown 

Get Connected with Your Dog ~ Brenda Aloff 

Before you Get Your Puppy and After You get your Puppy, Dr. Ian Dunbar

Barking:  The Language of Dogs ~ Turid Rugaas

On Talking Terms with Dogs (body language) ~ Turid Rugaas

Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution ~ Dr. Raymond Coppinger

Reason for Hope ~ Dr. Jane Goodall (Mentor, Excerpt in "Train Your Dog, Change Your Life").

Pleasurable Kingdom ~ Jonathan Balcombe   

Don't Shoot the Dog ~ Karen Pryor

Culture Class, Predation in Family Dogs:  Predation, Predatory Drift and Preparedness Seminar DVD, by Jean Donaldson

Exel-lerated Learning ~ Dr. Pam Reid

The Other End of the Leash / Family Friendly Dog Training ~ Dr. Pat McConnell

How Dogs Learn ~ Mary Burch, Ph.D

Second Start (on adoption) by Jacqueline O'Neil

Great Dog Adoptions:  Guide for Shelters ~ Sue Sternberg  

Click to Calm:  Healing the Aggressive Dog ~ Emma Parsons  

Power of Positive Training ~ Pat Miller

The Dog Trainers Resource APDT Chronicle of the Dog Collection

Coaching for Instructors ~ Terry Ryan

TTouch ~ Linda Tellington-Jones 

Dog Massage ~ A Whiskers-to-Tail Guide to Your Dog's Ultimate Petting Experience ~ MaryJean Ballner

Pet Massage Institute ~ Pet Massage   

When Elephants Weep ~ Jeffrey Mousalef Masson

DVDs

Calming Signals - On Talking Terms wtih Dogs -  Turid Rugaas

Pet Whisperer Vol II - Paul Owens

Body Language of Dogs - Sarah Kalnajs

Wolves at our Door - Jim and Jamie Ducher

PET-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES & THERAPY

Reading about or taking an online or college course in Psychology, Ethology, Evolutionary Psychology (family systems and pack dynamics in any species) is empowering.  Watching dvds or programs especially on wolves and dogs in packs, and/or family systems is an invaluable experience.   Leaning from nature, pets and mentors in observation and relationship = priceless!

To become a registered Pet Partner® or Reading Education Assistance Dog Team, you MUST go through a process that requires a training

manual and/or workshop.  Journey to Delta Society or www.therapyanimals.org (R.E.A.D.®).

Journey to Delta Society for extensive research and books on animal-assistet activities and animal-assisted therapy

Therapy Pets:  The Animal-Human Healing Partnership ~ Jacqueline J. Crawford & Karen A. Pomerinke

Volunteering with your Pet ~ Mary Burch, Ph.D.

Therapy Dogs ~ Kathy Diamond Davis

K-9 Therapy Group ~ Jacqueline P. Root

Love on a Leash ~ Liz Palika

Pets and the Elderly ~ Odean Cusack and Elaine Smith

A Cry Unheard ~ Dr. James Lynch (Research on Children and R.E.A.D.ing with dogs.

The Four-Footed Therapist ~ Dr. Janet Ruckert

Good for Your Animals, Good for You ~ David Waltner-Toews and Andreas Ellis

Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of your Pet ~ Moira Anderson, M.Ed.

NUTRITION:  Genetics loads the gun, Environment pulls the trigger

We can make informed choices about health and well-being for us and our pets!

The New Holistic Way for Dogs and Cats ~ Dr. Paul McClutcheon

Optimal Nutrition-Raw and Cooked Canine Diets:  The Next Level ~ Monical Segal / K9 Kitchen  

Whole Health for Happy Dogs ~ Jill Elliot and Kim Blommer.

Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats & Natural Nutrition No-Cook Book ~ Kymythy Schultz

Give your Dog a Bone (BARF Diet) ~ Dr. Ian Billinghurst 

Natural Dog and Cat ~ Dr. Pitcairn

WHOLE DOG JOURNAL ~ www.whole-dog-journal.com

Animal Wellness Magazine ~ www.animalwellnessmagazine.com

BUSINESS  

Service and Therapy Dogs in American Society ~ John Ensminger

Making it Work and Getting It Done ~ David Allen

Send (and Sensivility): Effective E-mailing ~ David Shipley

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People ~ Stephen Covey

Real Life ~ Dr. Phil

Permission to Succeed ~ Noah St. John

Unlikely Teachers ~ Judy Ringer

Stand up for your Life ~ Extreme Life Make-Over ... Cheryl Richardson

OTHER MEANINGFUL BOOKS (sites) ON WELL-BEING 

Daily Doga ~ in creation ~ mindfully living and learning with dogs, by Maueen Ross, MA

Words that Matter ~ Oprah Winfrey O.W.N. Network

Cheryl Richardson ~ Life Coach on Call and Hay House Radio

Reflections in the Light & Awakening ~ Shakti Gawain

Meditations from the Mat ~ Rolf Gates & Katrina Kenison

The Places that Scare You, Don't Bite the Hook (audio), Getting Unstuck (audio), Comfortable with Uncertainy or anything by Pema Chodrin

The Work ~ Byron Katie -- Is it True?

The Power of Now  ~ Eckhart Tolle

A Path with Heart ~ Jack Kornfield

Peace in Every Step ~ Thick Nhat Hahn

The Four Agreements ~ Don Miguel Ruiz

Your Body Speaks Your Mind ~ Deb Shapiro

Anything by Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, Martha Beck, Cheryl Richardson, Judy Ringer and other self-help explorers/leaders ...

Yoga and anything that will help ease you into the present moment, to breathe, center and focus on what is important for you ...