What do you think?
Rate this book
The Perfect Companion - Understanding, Training and Bonding with your Dog!
[Alternate cover edition for ASIN: B0083J6YZ0]
The Perfect Companion, Understanding, Training and Bonding with your Dog! Written by professional dog trainer and canine behaviourist Karen Davison, is essential reading for all new puppy owners and a valuable source of information for those of us who want to get the best out of our relationship with man's best friend. 2017 Revised and Extended Edition!
This publication is much more than a training manual; it explores the inner workings of the dog's mind to give you a real understanding of how and why positive reinforcement gains the best and most reliable results. From a detailed puppy socialisation program to environmental enrichment and suggested activities and games that will build confidence, give your dog a happy fulfilled life and strengthen the bond between you, laying the foundation for a strong and rewarding relationship.
You will find detailed step by step instructions on how to teach basic commands using various different positive training techniques, so that you can choose the method that best suits you and your dog. It encourages you to consider your dog's natural behaviour and to channel their instincts into positive activities and reveals why stimulating your dog's mind has many behavioural and physical benefits, possibly contributing to longevity.
Some common behavioural issues are covered in detail, explaining the causes, prevention and solutions, as well as a general problem solving guide, with a checklist to help you diagnose the root cause of problems and suggests what action may be needed, in order to resolve them
The Perfect Companion, Understanding, Training and Bonding with your Dog! Written by professional dog trainer and canine behaviourist Karen Davison, is essential reading for all new puppy owners and a valuable source of information for those of us who want to get the best out of our relationship with man's best friend. 2017 Revised and Extended Edition!
This publication is much more than a training manual; it explores the inner workings of the dog's mind to give you a real understanding of how and why positive reinforcement gains the best and most reliable results. From a detailed puppy socialisation program to environmental enrichment and suggested activities and games that will build confidence, give your dog a happy fulfilled life and strengthen the bond between you, laying the foundation for a strong and rewarding relationship.
You will find detailed step by step instructions on how to teach basic commands using various different positive training techniques, so that you can choose the method that best suits you and your dog. It encourages you to consider your dog's natural behaviour and to channel their instincts into positive activities and reveals why stimulating your dog's mind has many behavioural and physical benefits, possibly contributing to longevity.
Some common behavioural issues are covered in detail, explaining the causes, prevention and solutions, as well as a general problem solving guide, with a checklist to help you diagnose the root cause of problems and suggests what action may be needed, in order to resolve them
- GenresDogsAnimalsNonfiction
148 pages, ebook
First published April 29, 2012
82 people are currently reading
843 people want to read
About the author
Karen Davison
9 books80 followersKaren Davison grew up in Bedfordshire, England. She has been both an avid reader and a lover of animals since early childhood. When she was eight, the family got their first dog, Scamp, whose great character started Karen's lifelong devotion to dogs.
Since qualifying in Canine Psychology in 2001, she has worked as a professional dog trainer and canine behaviourist. She went on to study Wolf Ecology in 2009 and was lucky enough to spend time with the wolves at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust in Reading.
Her first publication, The Perfect Companion: Understanding, Training and Bonding with your Dog, a comprehensive guide to canine psychology, training and problem solving, was published in June 2012 and won an IndiePENdants' award for quality. Since then she has published The Complete Guide to House Training Puppies and Dogs, Companion Huskies: Understanding, Training and Bonding with your Dog, and two Fun Reads for Dog Lovers: It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog Trainer and A Dog's Guide to Humans. She is in the process of developing the next title in the series 'A Dog's Guide to Cats' and having enormous fun doing it!
After joining a local writers group, she has spread her author wings and is now enjoying writing poetry, flash fiction and short stories, and after taking a course in screenwriting has just completed her first radio drama script. Karen is also working on her first fiction novel, which combines her love of writing, wolves and fantasy - Wolf Clan Rising which is due to be published 2017.
Karen is now living the dream, she resides in a country cottage on the west coast of Ireland, drawing inspiration for her writing from the peace and beauty of her surroundings where she shares her life with her husband, two daughters and nine special needs pets. Her seven rescue dogs and two rescue cats have a mixture of emotional, behavioural and physical disabilities
One of Karen's favourite sayings: 'Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.'
Excerpt: Wolf Clan Rising
BLEYD
The setting sun filters through the forest, casting golden rays that dance with the spirits of the living canopy. Through the dappled sunlight, a lone wolf moves on silent paws along the narrow trail, his powerful legs cover the ground at an easy trot.
Far to the north, the distant howls of stranger wolves carry to him faintly on the wind; he pauses, pricking his ears towards the sound. Licking his nose he inhales to explore his surroundings.
The north east wind brings with it the scent of snow from the high peaks and the freshness of the White Water river. Close by, rain and earth, the souls of trees, and spirits of a myriad living things that inhabit the forest. The wolf smells what is and also, what has gone before. The older scents are fainter, like the tracks of ghosts.
He registers this in a few heartbeats then lifts his muzzle and flaring his nostrils, casts his mind out further still, seeking the one scent that has caused such restlessness. The one that surrounds him, an invisible force that pulls him further and further away from his pack.
The scent of the she-wolf.
On the wind, a minute trace of what he seeks causes his heart to race. He lifts his head and raw emotion flows from his lips, quietly at first, rising and falling until the air is filled with a long and wavering howl. Caught by the wind, it travels through the forest.
Away to the south his own pack add their song, their voices weaving around his, wrapping him with warmth and comfort, and bringing with it an overwhelming sense of loss.
In the midst of the voices, he hears his soul brother calling to him. His chest tightens and for a moment he looks back over his shoulder but as twilight descends, the faint cry of the she-wolf beckons him north.
Sign up for SmartDog Books newsletter for notifications of new releases, giveaways and free promotions:
http://dogtrainingkerry.us9.list-mana...
Since qualifying in Canine Psychology in 2001, she has worked as a professional dog trainer and canine behaviourist. She went on to study Wolf Ecology in 2009 and was lucky enough to spend time with the wolves at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust in Reading.
Her first publication, The Perfect Companion: Understanding, Training and Bonding with your Dog, a comprehensive guide to canine psychology, training and problem solving, was published in June 2012 and won an IndiePENdants' award for quality. Since then she has published The Complete Guide to House Training Puppies and Dogs, Companion Huskies: Understanding, Training and Bonding with your Dog, and two Fun Reads for Dog Lovers: It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog Trainer and A Dog's Guide to Humans. She is in the process of developing the next title in the series 'A Dog's Guide to Cats' and having enormous fun doing it!
After joining a local writers group, she has spread her author wings and is now enjoying writing poetry, flash fiction and short stories, and after taking a course in screenwriting has just completed her first radio drama script. Karen is also working on her first fiction novel, which combines her love of writing, wolves and fantasy - Wolf Clan Rising which is due to be published 2017.
Karen is now living the dream, she resides in a country cottage on the west coast of Ireland, drawing inspiration for her writing from the peace and beauty of her surroundings where she shares her life with her husband, two daughters and nine special needs pets. Her seven rescue dogs and two rescue cats have a mixture of emotional, behavioural and physical disabilities
One of Karen's favourite sayings: 'Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.'
Excerpt: Wolf Clan Rising
BLEYD
The setting sun filters through the forest, casting golden rays that dance with the spirits of the living canopy. Through the dappled sunlight, a lone wolf moves on silent paws along the narrow trail, his powerful legs cover the ground at an easy trot.
Far to the north, the distant howls of stranger wolves carry to him faintly on the wind; he pauses, pricking his ears towards the sound. Licking his nose he inhales to explore his surroundings.
The north east wind brings with it the scent of snow from the high peaks and the freshness of the White Water river. Close by, rain and earth, the souls of trees, and spirits of a myriad living things that inhabit the forest. The wolf smells what is and also, what has gone before. The older scents are fainter, like the tracks of ghosts.
He registers this in a few heartbeats then lifts his muzzle and flaring his nostrils, casts his mind out further still, seeking the one scent that has caused such restlessness. The one that surrounds him, an invisible force that pulls him further and further away from his pack.
The scent of the she-wolf.
On the wind, a minute trace of what he seeks causes his heart to race. He lifts his head and raw emotion flows from his lips, quietly at first, rising and falling until the air is filled with a long and wavering howl. Caught by the wind, it travels through the forest.
Away to the south his own pack add their song, their voices weaving around his, wrapping him with warmth and comfort, and bringing with it an overwhelming sense of loss.
In the midst of the voices, he hears his soul brother calling to him. His chest tightens and for a moment he looks back over his shoulder but as twilight descends, the faint cry of the she-wolf beckons him north.
Sign up for SmartDog Books newsletter for notifications of new releases, giveaways and free promotions:
http://dogtrainingkerry.us9.list-mana...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 21, 2013
This has really helped me understand what I've been doing wrong. Love the common sense, kind and calm approach to training your dog. Although I suspect I am the one who needs to be retrained, Lady is just waiting for me to get my act together! Well written, easy to understand. I have to chuckle, because I really do get the idea when reading the book that the author is "training" me! Thanks for this book! Highly recommend.
March 4, 2013
This book really helped me with my dog. The section on wolves was interesting and it made me look at my dog in a new way. I feel that I understand him better, and the step by step training methods really worked. I do find myself referring back to it, as there is a lot of information contained in the book. Would recommend it to anyone who has a dog or a puppy.
June 12, 2012
I like to think that I have done a reasonable job with my dog. He sits, stays and goes to bed when I tell him. One thing however, is that when I take him out for a walk and let him off the lead, I usually spend the next hour trying to retrieve him.
This book has given me a different perspective and insight to the way dogs tick. After a few weeks following the suggested course of training, he now behaves himself and comes when I call him. It is both a revelation and relief to myself, and other local dog owners.
I initially brought the book in the hope it would help with just this problem, but after such success I have read the whole book and now understand so much more about the way he behaves.
The book is very well written and easy to understand and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a problem dog, or just wants to understand their companion better.
This book has given me a different perspective and insight to the way dogs tick. After a few weeks following the suggested course of training, he now behaves himself and comes when I call him. It is both a revelation and relief to myself, and other local dog owners.
I initially brought the book in the hope it would help with just this problem, but after such success I have read the whole book and now understand so much more about the way he behaves.
The book is very well written and easy to understand and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a problem dog, or just wants to understand their companion better.
September 19, 2012
Won a copy through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Quick and easy read. I learned some new things about training techniques, but most of what the book teaches I've managed to figure out on my own after having dogs my entire life. It is written with British English, if that matters to my fellow Americans. I was able to understand it easily even if some of the terms aren't typically used here.
Quick and easy read. I learned some new things about training techniques, but most of what the book teaches I've managed to figure out on my own after having dogs my entire life. It is written with British English, if that matters to my fellow Americans. I was able to understand it easily even if some of the terms aren't typically used here.
June 11, 2012
Anyone that has dogs, thinking of getting a dog should have this book. Its well written, easy to follow and I think its the best dog training book out there. It tells you all about positive training and you do develop a closer bond with your dogs. This author is definitely one to watch. Looking forward to the next book.
December 7, 2015
I learned a great deal reading this.
Karen breaks down the training into easy to understand chunks, making training your dog, old or young very simple.
Explaining the reasons behind certain behaviour also helps us humans understand situations from your dogs point of view, making it much easier to train or to correct unwanted behaviour.
Karen breaks down the training into easy to understand chunks, making training your dog, old or young very simple.
Explaining the reasons behind certain behaviour also helps us humans understand situations from your dogs point of view, making it much easier to train or to correct unwanted behaviour.
June 27, 2013
Great book for the dog lover and owner!
February 2, 2018
Good information
An interesting read some excellent suggestions for training your dog. Tells you a little about what your dog is thinking
An interesting read some excellent suggestions for training your dog. Tells you a little about what your dog is thinking
July 26, 2018
Perfect companion
Good though very basic if you are newer to dogs or to training them it is best and you will learn a lot
Good though very basic if you are newer to dogs or to training them it is best and you will learn a lot
April 15, 2013
The content is succinct, useful, and easy to follow.
Unfortunately, the writing is not. Here are some examples:
From a dogs perspective
In particularly [no comma]
Success breed's success
Heal (for the "heel" command)
Questions ending with periods instead of question marks
Run-on sentences and inappropriate usage or failure to use commas, creating some very difficult-to-read sentences. One example: "Dogs are very intelligent, if we do not stimulate them enough, they will make up their own entertainment."
It's also poorly formatted. The paragraphs don't have any indents, which makes the text feel denser, like reading one long paragraph. Also, there is a strange formatting issue that indents the last line of the left page if it gets too close to the page number. It's distracting.
It's hard for me to get through a book with poor proofreading, no matter how useful the content. It also would have been nice to have a conclusion, rather than feeling like the book ends mid-chapter.
Unfortunately, the writing is not. Here are some examples:
From a dogs perspective
In particularly [no comma]
Success breed's success
Heal (for the "heel" command)
Questions ending with periods instead of question marks
Run-on sentences and inappropriate usage or failure to use commas, creating some very difficult-to-read sentences. One example: "Dogs are very intelligent, if we do not stimulate them enough, they will make up their own entertainment."
It's also poorly formatted. The paragraphs don't have any indents, which makes the text feel denser, like reading one long paragraph. Also, there is a strange formatting issue that indents the last line of the left page if it gets too close to the page number. It's distracting.
It's hard for me to get through a book with poor proofreading, no matter how useful the content. It also would have been nice to have a conclusion, rather than feeling like the book ends mid-chapter.
April 15, 2019
Much preferred this to the last doggy book I recently read, Raising Healthy, Happy Dogs. There are more specifics and fewer vague generalizations
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews