Cesar's Rules - Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog

The answers will surprise and delight you as Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, explains how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and that other quirky animal, the human.

Horowitz introduces the reader to dogs’ cognitive abilities and then draws a picture of what it might be like to be a dog. What’s it like to be able to smell not just every bit of open food in the house but also to smell sadness in humans or even the passage of time? How does a tiny dog manage to play with a Great Dane? What is it like to hear the bodily vibrations of insects? Why must a person on a bicycle be chased? What’s it like to use your mouth as a hand? In short, what is it like for a dog to experience life from two feet off the ground, gazing at our ankles or knees?

Inside of a Dog explains these things and much more. The answers can be surprising—once we set aside our inclination to anthropomorphize dogs. Inside of a Dog also contains new research—on dogs’ detection of disease, the secrets of their tails, and their skill at reading our attention—that Horowitz puts into useful context.

This friendly guide shows you how to select the right training method for your dog, based on his unique personality, to reach your desired goals. Whether you want to teach Buddy to sit or master retrieving, you'll get expert training tips and techniques for you and your dog — to ensure a mutually respectful relationship with your four-legged friend.

• Concentrate on canines — discover why your dog acts the way she does, understand her nutritional needs, and ready yourself for the task of training your dog

• Prep for your pup — prepare your home for your puppy's arrival, discover the importance of socialization, and get started on housetraining

• Put your best paw forward — teach basic commands like Sit, Stay, and Down, and get the scoop on how to deal with doggie don'ts like chewing, digging, and excessive barking

• Take training to the next level — get involved in organized dog activities and competitions, where you'll both show off impressive tricks like retrieving, figure 8s, and much more

Open the book and find:

• Step-by-step instructions for teaching your dog basic commands

• Helpful advice on crate training

• Safe ways to address aggression and separation anxiety

• Tips for teaching Buddy to behave himself around people and other dogs

• Techniques to keep your senior dog feeling young

• Health issues that can interfere with training

• Experts to turn to for training help

Learn to:

• Use positive reinforcement as an effective teaching tool

• Select the gear you need for training success

• Teach the basics including Sit, Stay, and Down

• Eliminate unwanted behavior