Guides, Books, and Papers
Providing quality educational resources is a big part of our job. This information is provided as a community service, free of charge, to anyone who needs them. We go to great lengths to ensure that only the best information and educational materials are provided.*
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What follows are some of the more commonly requested guides. We have also started a collection of books that we think can help a dog-lover have a long and successful relationship with their pet. If you do not find the information you need, shoot us a note and we will try to locate additional resources and include them in the future. In the same vane, if you have a book that you would like to recommend, please contact us.
Poisonous Plants and Fallible Foods
Pets are genetically configured to be curious eaters. In the wild, this has an advantage. But in the company of humans—where we surround ourselves with a wide variety of decorate plants and exotic foods—it can cause serious health issues for them. This guide was written and compiled from a variety of sources and is certainly not comprehensive or authoritative. Our hope is that it provides a starting point for a conversation that all responsible pet owners should have with their pet healthcare professional.
Nothing in Life is Free
“Nothing in Life is Free” is a training technique to help owners establish a healthy relationship with their pet. Dogs are more content when they know their “place” in the family. And happy dogs are less prone to distracting or destructive behavior. If you are new to dog ownership, start here with this helpful guide.
Canine Separation Anxiety
Canine Separation Anxiety is one of the most common challenges reported. This is when your dog exhibits unwanted behavior when its owner leaves to run errands or goes to work. Sometimes this behavior is just annoying–things like howling or barking … but sometimes it can be destructive, and include chewing, digging, and other behaviors. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Read this guide to learn more.
Crate Training
Sometimes the best way to help our pets feel safe, secure, and peaceful is to provide them a space that restricts their activity without threatening them. Vendors to experienced pet owners know this and made made a variety or portable kennels and pet crates available. But the key is to know when to use these tools and how to acclimate you pet to the defined space of a pet crate so they see it for what it is … a safe and secure place to be? Read this guide to find out more.
Fear of Thunder
Most of us have experienced the startling fear when a peal of thunder rattles the windows and shakes the ground during a storm. Even though we, as humans, know the science and mechanisms behind the flash of lightning and the rumble that follows, it can still be quite unnerving for us. How much more so when our dogs experience it for the first time? Don’t worry! There are methods to help your dog cope with storms, and the sooner you get them started the better.
The "Down" Command
The “Down” command is not just an expression of control and authority for a pet. It can be life-saving for them–keeping them focused and out of harm’s way. Use this helpful guide to train your pawed family member to respond to the “Down” command quickly and obediently.
The "Sit" Command
The “Sit” Command is one of the most basic. If you are just getting started on the journey of training yourself and your dog, start here.
Loose Leash Walking
We’ve all seen dog owners out and about where it looks like they are dragging the dog from one corner to the next. And we have also seen those where it looks like the dog is dragging them and it is all the owner can do to hang on to the leash. But experienced dog owners know that neither of those is the right way to walk your dog. And nearly every dog can be effectively trained to walk side-by-side with their owner / handler, as if the walk were a partnership between species. Sound good? It is, and you can learn how with this helpful guide.
Book Recommendations
Ruff Love, by Susan Garrett
Internationally-known canine sports instructor and competitor Susan Garrett shares her successful relationship-building program. Based on her years of experience working with dogs, the Ruff Love program is designed not only to help people dealing with problem dogs, but to help agility, flyball, obedience,and other dog sport handlers build a better working relationship with their current competition dog. This book can also help get the next puppy or rescue dog started out on the right paw.
Canine Citizen, by Mary Burch
Citizen Canine is the official book of the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Program, a 10-step training curriculum stressing responsible pet ownership and basic good manners for dogs. Written by Mary Burch for the AKC, this book provides everything you need to know in order to train your dog to pass the Canine Good Citizen Test.
*Important Disclaimer: Briard Rescue Trust (BRT) creates content and also curates content created by others. All content and resources created by us–including this website–are the property and copyright of BRT. However, all content and resources created by others are the property and copyright of the respective owners, even if the BRT is hosting, referencing, or linking to that content on our website. This is called “third-party content” and BRT references and / or displays it under “fair use” for non-profit and educational purposes. BRT displays all content as a free service “as is” and BRT is not responsible for the accuracy of any content or its applicability to any situation or set of circumstances. We always recommend that users and visitors perform their own due diligence by consulting with additional resources, a professional veterinarian, and / or other certified animal care professional before making an informed decision or implementing any instruction or procedure.