[quote=dogonit](troubled loner’s wife here) I’m a huge dog fan, and have trained our dogs to follow hand signals, etc. The best dog training books, hands down, are by Patricia McConnell. Each publication is very short and easy to successfully follow. I suggest “The Puppy Primer” Her website: http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/category/dog-training-books
Happy Wags![/quote]

McConnell is good, but I don’t think she’s perfect. Her liberal use of treats at some stages of training, as reward for desired behavior, diminishes the importance of the relationship between the handler and the dog. Treats are great for teaching tricks, which is why they’re used for for show dogs (and other show animals like seals, porpoise and killer whales). They’re less than optimal for teaching trust and absolute consistent behavior. It is the only gripe that I have with any of her methods.