1. Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan with Melissa Jo Peltier. Her is the tagline: “The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems.” What does this book have going for it? Sheer numbers: this book has had over 1,000,000 copies sold worldwide, as well as being deemed a #1 New York Times Best Seller. The author, Cesar Millan, is also known for his educational TV smash hit, The Dog Whisperer, on the National Geographic Channel.

Synopsis: this book is a tangible guide to understanding the primary needs and cares of your pets by creating a healthier relationship between you and your pet in a motivating fashion. This book simply lays out 3 key elements in the lives of dogs: exercise, discipline and affection. Millan’s viewpoint stresses that dogs with problems are a result of owners who have problems. This book ultimately teaches that change will result when the owner develops a better understanding of their “best friend.”

And finally, here is some basic publishing information:
Paperback: 320 pages.
Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 Reprint edition (September 18, 2007).

2. The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Training by Paul Owens with Norma Eckroate. The tagline on the front cover of this book is, “A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training.” Similar to the previous selection, this book has also has been popular in sales: over 200,000 copies sold.

This book contains 4 parts that are laid out in such a way that allows for easy reference access. The 4 sections include: Basics of Dog-training, Training Essentials, The Lessons, and Problem Behaviors. The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Training promotes dog training with reward incentives and tender persuasion. Some examples of positive training include: praise, food treats, toys, extra playtime and show of affection. This is simply a stress on substitute behavior; that is, instead of teaching your dog what not to do, teach it instead an allowed alternative.

Again, some basic publishing information:
Paperback: 289 pages.
Publisher: Adams Media Corporation; 2 edition (March 2007).

3. The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation by Jan Fennell. Here is the tagline: “Learn How to Communicate With Your Dog for Willing Cooperation.” This book has only two simple sections that are titled as the following: The Dog Listener, and 30-Day Training Guide. Sounds simple enough.

This book essentially focuses on men’s relationship with dogs as two different species. This book communicates there is a lost translation between humans and dogs that must be repaired by stressing the close relationship between man and dog through an examination of the past. The training focus in this book is human’s respect for dogs throughout the training process by bridging the language barrier gap that is communication between you and your dog.

Publication information:
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Collins (January 20, 2004)

Though this small list has by no means been exhaustive, I hope it has provided you with 3 exceptional, yet simple books to aid you in understanding, loving, and communicating efficiently and effectively with your pet throughout the training process. Enjoy your reading!

Article provided by Discount Pet Mall – A site featuring dog beds, dog steps and elevated dog feeders!

These websites are extremely helpful in narrowing the search for finding a friendly hotel for Fido. These searches cater to your specific travel dates and destination city to help you find a hotel that suites the needs of you and your pet. Hotel websites are sometimes confusing to navigate while some don’t even list specifically whether they are pro or anti-pets. Sometimes calling on the telephone or speaking to a hotel staff member may be a more efficient use of your time. There are many hotels that consider themselves “pet friendly,” but you will need to check up on the rules and requirements they have in effect for lodging pets.

Many hotels accept pets, but they have may have specific restrictions and/or fees for Fido. Some hotels require a pet-lodging fee, and these prices vary for each hotel. Some hotels may also require your pet to be kept in a dog crate or kennel when you are not in the room with your pet. The primary reason for this is that some pets may become anxious when traveling and develop separation anxiety when they are in unfamiliar surroundings; of course, the hotels want to avoid pets chewing on or scratching the furniture or carpet in the room. Some hotels also have specific pet designated rooms, so the availability may be limited for travelers with pets.

Here are a few hotel group suggestions that are highly recommended on these pet friendly hotels searching websites:

Intercontinental Hotels Group: This is not a specific hotel, but the hotels that are part of this group all allow pets. The hotels in this group are: Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Indigo, and Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts.

Wyndham Worldwide Franchise: AmeriHost, Baymont, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada Worldwide, Super 8, Travelodge, Wyngate Inn, and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

Starwood Hotels and Resorts: Sheraton, Four Points, W Hotels, aloft (a vision of W Hotels), The Luxury Collection, Meridien, element (inspired by Westin), Westin, and St. Regis

Though the majority of these hotels allow pets, be sure to contact the hotel of your choice to confirm their pet allowance.

Many of the pet hotel search websites also offer helpful tips for traveling with your pet, by air or by car. It is always a good idea to make sure you have thought through your trip thoroughly, so that you and your pet are able to have the best traveling experience possible.

Sharon Michaels writes articles for Discount Pet Mall, a site featuring dog beds and elevated dog feeders.