The Dog Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore

 The Dog Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore, 223 pages

I didn't have dogs growing up, so I never knew too much about their handling and care. Recently, I stumbled into dog ownership, so I decided to educate myself. 

Arden Moore's book is full of information and tips on how to train and handle your pet. The author makes it a point to reinforce training gently as opposed to using punishment, which is how I prefer to handle animals.

I have a way to go, but I feel better prepared for the journey having read this book. 

Cat Body Language: 100 Ways to Read Their Signals by Trevor Warner

 Cat Body Language: 100 Ways to Read Their Signals by Trevor Warner, 208 pages

This book is a sort of beginner's primer on life as a feline servant.  It wasn't the sort of information I was looking for, but would be a nice starting point for newbies. The pictures are cute, though. 

Freakonomics: a Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner 315 pages published 2005

Freakonomics: a Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by

Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner 315 pages published 2005

What happens when an economist and an inquisitive journalist ask questions like:

1) Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?

2) How much do parents really matter?

By applying all pertinent data (not just the data that supports your position) and mathematical rigor, a whole fresh set of answers arise.

These answers tend not to fall in line with what we have been lead to believe. But by reading the book we may reexamine what we think and why we think the way we do.

The writing was good. The examples and presentation made the rather involved concepts understandable. The story telling was entertaining. If it hadn't been entertaining you couldn't finish the book. I have already checked out the second book  Superfreakonomics.

answers: 1) Cheap product and multiple street level dealers drive profit margins way down.

              2) In general, who the parents are is more important than what parenting techniques are used.

The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg

The Power of Habit: why we do what we do in life and in business by Charles Duhigg - 400 pages

Duhigg, an investigative reporter for the New York Times, turns his research skills on the question of "why do we do the things we do?"  Scientists have discovered that a lot of routine brain function is handled by habit loops where the brain essentially goes on autopilot through a series of actions based on a given cue.  This is why you can drive home successfully but not remember the last few miles of the drive when you are tired.  Duhigg argues that when you recognize your behaviors that are truly habits, then you can set about changing them by altering your reaction to the cues and leading your actions to a different reward.
 
The self-help part of the book is minimal.  The majority focuses on fascinating case studies from how people with brain injuries adapt to the world and create new habits to how habit research has influenced product marketing.  Duhigg also raises intriguing ethical questions in where we as a society draw the line in saying a person has a choice about their actions and can be held accountable for the results.  

Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Dr. Kevin Leman

Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Dr. Kevin Leman, 272 pages.
Dr Leman's parenting theory centers around discipline versus punishment.  He believes that parents should set themselves up as having authority over their children - not vice versa.

He is also a strong advocate for "pulling the rug out from under" children who have gotten too far out of control - letting them suffer consequences that are a direct result of their misbehavior. That is to say, not always catching them when they fall.

Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care by Dr. Benjamin Spock

Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care by Dr. Benjamin Spock, 992 pages.

This book covers it all - from caring for a newborn to dealing with injuries and illnesses - be forewarned - if you imagine every small illness is life threatening, this book is NOT for you! He addresses every illness and disease know to man!

Parents, this is definitely a book you want to buy and keep on hand as your child ages as it covers multiple age levels. Your library won't be happy if you keep it for your child's entire childhood!

Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson

Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson, 284 pages.

Nelson's approach to parenting is to be positive role models and have firm, but loving discipline. Further parents should give children the space to grow and try things on their own - they should be allowed to make mistakes.

At all times, parents need to remember to keep control of their emotions so that the discipline they do give is based on the child's behavior - not on the parents anger.

1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan

1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan, 212 pages.

This is where it all began - parents counting to 3 to give their children the opportunity to stop bad behavior before punishment is metered.

While I have seen this process fail repeatedly in daily life, it seems that if you read the book and actually follow the steps - by following up once you get to 3 - the process SHOULD work.