Books and Videos

Books

PWD Specific:

  • "The New Complete Portuguese Water Dog", 2nd edition, by Kathryn Braund
    [Available from amazon.com]
    Author Kathryn Braund discusses puppy and adult PWD care, health issues, breeding, grooming, training for Obedience, Agility and Water Trials and gives fascinating insights into the "Portie" in other countries.
  • "The Portuguese Water Dog: A Guide for the New Owner", by Verne K. Foster
    [Available through Pawtraits.com]
    This short book includes information on crate training and housebreaking, socializing and typical PWD behavioral traits. Training solutions are given for biting, chewing, barking in the crate, and more.

Puppy Training:

[The books listed below are available at Barnes & Noble or online at amazon.com and other online stores]
  • "Before & After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy & Well-Behaved Dog", by Ian Dunbar
    Dr. Dunbar's emphasis is on kind, positive approaches. The book also includes a step-by-step guide to every stage of puppyhood, a pre-puppy shopping list, and a complete list of the best dog training books and videos.
  • "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With", by Clarice Rutherford and David H. Neil, 4th Edition
    This short book is a collaboration between Mrs. Rutherford, an American breeder, obedience trainer, and animal behaviorist and Dr. Nell, a British veterinarian. It is a good introduction to how puppies develop and how to train them in a positive fashion.

Dogs and Children:

[The books listed below are available at Barnes & Noble or online at amazon.com and other online stores]
  • "Living with Kids and Dogs Without Losing Your Mind", by Colleen Pelar 2007, 2nd Edition
    The author goes through each stage in a child's life and discusses how dogs and kids interact at each life stage. She offers tips regarding behavior problems and suggests solutions for both people and dogs.
  • "Raising Puppies & Kids Together: A Guide for Parents", by Pia Silvani
    Includes tips on successfully integrating a puppy into your household with children.  Real-life examples of interactions between children and dogs clearly illustrate common problems and offer appropriate solutions, while instructional photos give examples of both "right" and "wrong" behavior.

Tips for Working with Dogs that have Issues (such as leash agression):

[The books listed below are available at Barnes & Noble or online at amazon.com and other online stores]
  • "Feisty Fido: Help for the Leash-Reactive Dog" by Patricia B. McConnell Ph.D. and Karen B. London Ph.D.
    Feisty Fido is designed for anyone who works with dogs who are overly reactive to other dogs when on leash.
  • "Control Unleashed: Creating a Focused and Confident Dog" by Leslie McDevitt
    Leslie McDevitt's Control Unleashed program is designed to help dogs with issues learn how to relax, focus, and work off-leash reliably in either stimulating or stressful situations. The training is helpful for dogs that are:
    • easily distracted and have difficulty concentrating
    • easily aroused and reactive
    • anxious or stressed and shut down
    • unable to control their impules when excited



Videos

  • "Show Grooming the Portuguese Water Dog" (Sonnen Video)
    [DVD available at dogwise.com]
    Professional handler Bill McFadden demonstrates show grooming of the PWD. This instructional video covers the basics of bathing, breed-specific grooming and handling and provides a look into the professional techniques required for show grooming Portuguese Water Dogs.
  • Susan Garrett's "Crate Games for Self-Control and Motivation"
    [DVD available at amazon.com]
    Featuring puppies as young as 9 weeks and dogs much older, "Crate Games" gives step-by-step instructions for games that encourage:
    • Focus and motivation for work
    • A dog that can relax in his crate even while you work another dog
    • A phenomenal sit stay
    • A speedy and dependable recall
    • Distance skills for obedience or agility
    • Self- rather then imposed-control
    • A remarkable working relationship
    • Confidence while being proofed during any tough distraction
    • A dog that keenly offers responses when being shaped

Valid HTML  | CSS