Cheryl May's Dog Behavior and Basic Training Page

Basic obedience


  • The Education of Lacy Training diary from the first six weeks of my young German shepherd dog
  • How to be the leader your dog needs
  • Basic Obedience -- The Down
  • Basic Obedience -- The Recall
  • Basic Obedience -- The Sit
  • Teaching Your Dog to do Tricks
  • How to Succeed in Basic Obedience Class ... by Really Trying
  • Questions and answers about training and behavior

  • Books on Clicker Training

    • If you decide to compete ...

  • Do's and Don't's for Obedience
  • Quick Fixes for Obedience Scores
  • Conquer Ring Nerves!
  • Survey: Dog Trainers Consider Their Dogs a Part of the Family
  • Overcoming Shyness in Dogs

  • Books on Competitive Obedience

    • Behavior links, behavior articles and books


  • Behavior articles from the San Francisco SPCA, by the wonderful Jean Donaldson. This site has advice on many behavior problems.
  • Nothing in Life is Free compiled by Lynda Oleksuk
    This is a valuable program for behavior modification for shy or aggressive dogs. I also recommend Patricia McConnell's booklet, "How to be the Leader of the Pack. It's easy to read and inexpensive to purchase. Don't miss McConnell's Web site.

  • Overcoming Shyness in Dogs - an article I wrote based on personal experience with my shy and fearful blue merle sheltie, Spike

  • Dr. Sophia Yin's Web site is a wonderful resource for trainers who want to use operant and classical conditioning to solve their pet's behavior problems. Dr. Yin has posted many excellent articles, but the best part of her Web site is the video section where you can watch training problems being solved. Excellent site!

  • Pat Scott's Web site Click on "Pat's articles" for excellent articles on training and behavior. Pat teaches classes and gives private consultations in Nebraska. Recommended!

  • Bridge and target training. Home page of Kayce Cover and information on her innovative training method, which goes beyond clicker training to enhance communication between humans and animals.

  • Dee Dee Rose's Web site Dee Dee has several articles on common behavior problems. Scroll down. Dee Dee teaches basic obedience classes and gives private competition lessons in Kansas. Recommended!

  • Dr. Wayne Hunthausen's home page. Click on "behavior" for sound advice on solving behavior problems. Dr. Hunthausen's office is in the Kansas City area. He is an outstanding veterinary behaviorist. Recommended!

  • Housebreaking and crate training Articles by Leah Spitzer. She also has articles on chewing and other problems.

  • Suzanne Clothier's collection of articles

  • Possession aggression Excellent article on dealing with a pup or dog that is defensive about food or objects.

  • Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson's site with many excellent articles on behavior and training.

  • Pet behavior advice from Denver Dumb Friends League.

  • Karen Pryor's home page. Lots of articles and information from the author of "Don't Shoot the Dog" and other classics.

  • Clicker solutions Web page and mailing list. Excellent resource on operant conditioning and use of clickers to train behaviors.

  • Gary Wilkes' home page

  • Doggie Door to Canine Behavior This site has masses of helpful information on solving behavior and training problems.

  • William Campbell's Pet Behavior Resources. Don't miss his Guide to Selecting a Behavior Consultant.

  • How Dogs Think - A Non-Verbal Link to Canine Communication by William Campbell.

  • Suzanne Clothier's articles on behavior and training.

  • Volhard personality testing for German Shepherd dogs.

  • Who's in Charge Here? A Lesson in Becoming Alpha, by Vicki DeGruy,another excellent article on establishing Alpha position in non-confrontational ways.

  • Do You Think YOUR Dog Has an Aggression Problem? This is a brief article I wrote with a few basic tips on things to do to begin working on solving an aggression problem.

  • Well-Mannered Dog Keeper page Articles on solving problems using the principles of operant conditioning. From the clicker training list.

  • Dr. P's Dog Training page This is an excellent resource with links to a wide variety of training articles.

  • Books on Behavior

  • Lonnie Olson's I.M.P.R.O.V. Obedience Impromptu Multifarious Performance Requiring Obedience and Versatility. Fun and challenging.

  • Books on Behavior/Body Language

  • Applied Animal Behavior magazine

  • Applied Animal Behaviour Science journal.

  • ARF - Animal Reinforcement Forum ARF is a mailing list for students and practitioners across the globe in animal training and behavior modification.

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