Category Archives: Book Review

Director’s Book Club- September: “Dogs” – by Raymond and Lorna Coppinger

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Marika S. Bell

Part 1:     “Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, and Evolution” by Raymond Coppinger and Lorna Coppinger The first topic in this book I would like to bring up is commensalism. Commensalism is when one species benefits from another … Continue reading →

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There’s More Than One Way to Train a Dog.

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Marika S. Bell

Even using only ‘dog friendly’ methods there is more than one way to train a dog. With my recent book list blog, I am getting some questions about books that recommend different techniques for the same problem. And I want … Continue reading →

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Recommended Reading: changed the page a bit…

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Marika S. Bell

I have altered the layout of the recommended readingpage just a little. I have now organized the books into new sections, with my top picks in the first section. These are books I feel that every person interested in dog … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Chill Our Fido! How to Calm Your Dog by Nan Kene Arthur

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Marika S. Bell

Its funny, the thing I liked most about Chill Out Fido! was how validated it made me feel with my own training program for dogs with reactivity issues.  I loved how Arthur  organized the book  so that you could easily … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Of Wolves and Men by Barry Lopez

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Marika S. Bell

This book, originally published in 1978 is such a beautiful read you almost get lost in the fantastic information tucked inside the pages. Lopez not only covers basics of wolf behaviour and research but also attends to the more intimate  … Continue reading →

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Scenting and Tracking

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Marika S. Bell

I recently read the book “Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a Search and Rescue Dog” by Susannah Charleson, in preparation for a HITT (Hydration Intensified Tracking Training) weekend seminar I attended on the 25th and 26th of … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Wolf in the Parlor, How the Dog Came to Share Your Brain by Jon Franklin

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

I admit to being mildly sceptical of this book initially because the writer is not a dog ‘expert’ nor is he trained in behavioural learning. He is simply a journalist who has gotten obsessive about something that is scientifically mysterious, … Continue reading →

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Do Dog’s Experience Grief?

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

In a recent dog behaviour guided study group, one of my students brought up the issue of anthropomorphism. Is it a useful to anthropomorphise? Or are we silly to believe that dogs experience emotions or similar motivations to humans. Both … Continue reading →

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Review of TTouch

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

I have long advocated massage as part of the bonding process between a dog and their human. So when I wanted to find even more information on this subject I looked into Tellington Touch Massage and read the book “The … Continue reading →

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Distance Increasing Behaviours

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Marika S. Bell

DIB’s are a technical term for “Get the F- away from me!” These behaviours are typically seen in dogs who are fearful and are trying to send the message that they want you to leave, sooner rather than later. DIB’s … Continue reading →

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