Recommended
Reading
Any
responsible pit bull owner should be a well-educated owner. These books
are excellent resources and a good portion of them belong on every pit
bull owner's bookshelf. Some of these books are not about dogs at all,
but they address many of the social aspects that pit bull owners deal
with on an almost daily basis - stereotyping, hatred, media bias, and
how to express one's views without falling apart. Yes, I have personally
read all of these books and many more. These are my favorites.
Click on any
book photo to learn more or buy!
Books
about pit bulls | Training books | Social
issues
Books
about pit bulls
The Working Pit Bull by Diane Jessup - One
of my all-time favorites, this hefty tome is a page turner rife with
information. A good reference book with info on the breed's history,
social aspects, care, training. Added bonus - hundreds of beautiful
color photos.
Click on the
photo for more info or to buy.
The
Ultimate American Pit Bull Terrier
by Jacqueline O'Neil - A close second to Jessup's book, IMO. Great information
on the breed's history, care, training. Lots of color photos.
Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
The
American Pit Bull Terrier
by Jacqueline O'Neil - Pretty much the same book as above.Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
Pit
Bulls for Dummies by D. Caroline Coile - I've always enjoyed
the "Dummies" series; things always seem a little less intimidating
when the author understands you're a novice. This is a good book for
beginning pit bull owners who need a little hand-holding.Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
American
Pit Bull Terriers: Fact or Fiction / The truth behind one of America's
most popular breeds
by Dawn M. Capp, Esq. - A somewhat short book that discusses the myths
and misunderstandings associated with the breed-type. A good read
for those seeking to understand how the pit bull got in its current
predicament. Capp also tells a handful of stories of individual pit
bulls and their wonderful accomplishments. (Not an owner's guide.)
Yes, I know the photo is not correct. Amazon did not
have the correct photo. Nyah.
Click on the photo for more info or to buy
The Guide
to Owning an American Pit Bull Terrier by J.D. Pierce - A decent
beginning owner's guide. Lots of color photos. Shameless advertising
for Nylabone.Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
Training
and ownership books
The
Culture Clash
by Jean Donaldson - One of my hands-down favorite books, and a must-read
for all dog owners. Learn about: dog body language, canine social behavior,
aggression, proper training techniques, puppy mental and social development
stages, and tons more. Highly recommended by many behaviorists and trainers
(and myself). This is not a shallow book, but it is not technical. Perfect
for anyone who wants to learn more about dog behavior.
Click on the
photo for more info or to buy.
Dogs Are
From Neptune by Jean Donaldson - Another fine book from Donaldson,
focusing more on aggression issues and how to deal with them.
Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
Handbook
of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol. 1, by Steven R.
Lindsay - Some training books talk about theories without discussing
the science behind them. Lindsay's book, on the other hand, is a highly
technical book on dog behavior, but if you are interested in the scientific
basis behind current dog training techniques and dog behavior theories,
this is the book to buy. Lindsay deftly outlines hundreds of
scientific experiments and what they suggest about dog behavior and
learning. His writing is not biased by personal feelings or pet theories;
instead he sticks with cold, hard logic and focuses on what we do and
do not know through science. The meaty chapter on biological processes
is an added bonus since so many behavioral texts tend to gloss over
the influences of genetics, biology, and chemistry on canine behavior.
This book is a bit expensive but well worth the price for anyone who
values scientific research or wants to work in a field related to dog
behavior.
Click on the
photo for more info or to buy.
Responsible
Dog Ownership
by Kathy Diamond Davis - A basic handbook covering dog selection, care,
training, and even a section on the Canine Good Citizen test.
Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
Don't Shoot
The Dog!
by Karen Pryor - A good training book, often recommended by behaviorists
and trainers. Learn about dog training using positive techinques.
Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
Social
Issues
Fatal
Dog Attacks
by Karen Delise - This is a must-read. If everyone
read this book, we would not be dealing with rising incidents of dog
bites, lousy dangerous dog laws and total lack of enforcement, breed-specific
legislation everywhere, and lots of idiots who do not know how to contain
their dogs safely. Delise researches hundreds of fatal dog attacks over
a thirty-year span and discusses the common elements. Buy several copies
and hand them to your legislators - especially the ones who think BSL
is a fantastic solution to our current dog bite epidemic.
Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
Dog
Law
by Attorney Mary Randolph - Learn your legal rights and responsibilities
as a dog owner. Also helps people with dog problems (barking dogs, stray
dogs, vicious dogs) understand what their options are.
Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
Dogs Bite
: But Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous by Janis Bradley
- I highly recommend this book as an antidote for the constant hysteria
about dog attacks that is produced by the media and politicians. Bradley
helps put dog bites in perspective. Unlike what the news media reports,
most dog bites are "at the Band-Aid level". And you are more
likely to be struck by lightning than killed by a dog. Get a wealth
of carefully analyzed statistics and a dose of reality from this book...
and it's cheap enough to buy multiple copies to send to dog-hating politicians!
Click on the photo for more info or to buy.
Prisoners
of Hate
by Aaron T. Beck, M.D. - Pit bull owners frequently deal with unwarranted,
unprovoked hostility and fear from other people - strangers, friends,
coworkers, neighbors, and family members. Dr. Beck explains where hate
comes from, why it persists, and what methods can be used to encourage
others to put down their fists and open their minds. An excellent book
for anyone trying to understand why we don't "all just get along."
Click on the
photo for more info or to buy.
Crucial Conversations: Tools for talking
when stakes are high by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron
McMillan, Al Switzler, Stephen R. Covey - Crucial conversations are
defined as discussions where both emotions and stakes are high. Pit
bull owners often face these kinds of conversations when talking to
others about their dogs, breed-specific legislation, and stereotypes.
This team of highly respected communicators explains what it takes to
hold effective conversations with others over high-stakes issues. Although
the book focuses somewhat on business and management techniques, the
basic principles are designed for a wide variety of situations. Excellent
for anyone trying to improve their communication skills in any area,
for any reason.
Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
The
Culture of Fear
by Barry Glassner. Glassner's book explores the various ways in which
the media manipulates public perception of various social problems.
He does not touch on dogs at all, but the parallels between pit bulls
and the false dangers he discusses are almost... scary. Before I read
this book, I didn't fully understand how much damage the media can do
in the interests of selling papers and keeping us all on the edge of
our seats. This is an extremely valuable book for anyone interested
in understanding what part the media plays in the creation and maintainence
of a monster myth.
Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
Off
the Chain (video)
- Director Bobby Brown. This 2005 documentary is an undercover
look at the world of dog fighting, its horrific consequences, and its
devastating effect on the pit bull breed-type. It is gut-wrenching,
heart-breaking, and eye-opening. Highly recommended. Not for kids. Do
not watch on a full stomach.
Click
on the photo for more info or to buy.
