Science

Dogs have shared our lives for thousands of years – to the benefit of both species. However, it’s only relatively recently that dogs, in many societies, have lived primarily as companions within the heart of the home.
This close relationship, together with society’s expectations of dogs, can pose problems. All relationships have challenges, and where individuals of different species live closely together, these can be magnified, and misunderstandings occur. These can lead to fractures in the family/dog relationship, and, in some cases, result in dogs developing behaviours that are problematic for us.
This unique book, written by professionals in the field, explains how and why many of these misunderstandings occur, and how we can work to resolve them. It aims to help us adjust the way we interact with our dogs, in order to help our dogs be well behaved, whilst at the same time enabling us to enjoy fulfilling relationships and a good quality of life with them.
Especially commissioned images illustrate the text, and worksheets are provided to help owners focus on the areas where their dog and situation can benefit from applying the suggestions made.

Your dog and you ... understanding the canine psyche examines the relationship between people and dogs from a psychological perspective, incorporating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to facilitate this: uniquely, the first time that CBT has been used to help owners relate to their dogs. A dog's behaviour can be a reflection of the emotions an owner may be experiencing; it follows that insight into our behaviour using CBT to reduce emotional unrest will, in turn, be reflected in our dog's behaviour. Dogs have had to become experts at reading people in order to live with us. By understanding our dog and how he responds to us, we can comprehend more about our world and how our dog sees us. Dogs are naturally expert psychologists, and have, over centuries, been bred and domesticated to live harmoniously with us. That they have – in the main – achieved this so well reflects this amazing animal’s ingenuity.

Why do owners wait until their dog becomes anxious when alone at home, before investing time in teaching him how to become comfortable alone? Owners often assume that their dog will sleep, yet many dogs suffer from anxiety and stress when left alone – and some owners only discover this when their dog becomes destructive, or a neighbour complains about his barking.
Home alone and happy! was born out of the need to educate pet owners before the problems of separation anxiety arise. Written for those who wish to maintain their dog’s emotional wellbeing, and those who want to take action before a very mild issue grows into something more serious.
Kate Mallatratt shows you the problem through your dog’s eyes when he is alone at home, and offers you valuable insight and advice to help make his time alone pleasant and stress-free. Beautifully illustrated, with worksheets to evaluate your dog’s level of contentment and chart his progress, you’ll learn how you can both spend quality time alone, despite being apart.

All in the Family takes an in-depth look at owning two or more pets. This insightful book is aimed at both current and potential pet owners who would like to share their home with an animal companion, but can’t make up their mind what kind – or if two or more animals might be a better solution.
Through studies and lots of real-life examples, the author hopes to convince animal lovers that two’s company – and even three is definitely not a crowd! The book explores why more than one pet is a great idea for all concerned – for both owners and pets. It is also highlights how pets could benefit from the presence of other animals in the household, and in some cases be given a completely new lease of life.
Although many might feel two dogs or cats are plenty, it could be that more are even merrier. Expert advice is given on making the right choices to avoid a combination that clearly won’t work, perhaps due to the breed of dog or cat; the owner’s location or residence; a current lifestyle situation, or the incompatibility of some species combinations.
Combinations of dogs and cats, as well as other animals, are discussed, with clear evidence that pets such as rabbits, pigs and hedgehogs, among others, can all live happily in a mixed-species environment.
Featuring interviews with real-life, multi-animal families, who relate their personal experiences of mixed species, the book is illustrated throughout with dynamic photographs of pets at play, eating, sleeping and interacting with each other, their owners and families, showing what fun, joy, laughter and love animals can bring to a home.

One cold February night, a terrified feral dog was carried into the author’s home, and began a very different life to everything he had previously known. This is the true story of the extraordinary bond that developed between Lisa and Charlie, a one-eyed Romanian feral dog, who had lived wild until he was captured and sent to the UK to be homed. Unused to the presence of people, Charlie had no coping skills other than to follow his instincts. Although Lisa had worked with many deeply troubled dogs, the challenges posed by Charlie’s background were unique. Wild, fearful and highly reactive, more wolf than dog, Charlie needed a great deal of understanding, patience and compassion in order to help him adjust to his new life.
Despite numerous obstacles and setbacks, the developing relationship between Charlie and Lisa, Lisa’s daughter, Amber, and resident dog, Skye, transformed all of their lives. Charlie’s gradual shift from fearful feral to happy, affectionate, fun-loving family dog is touching and heart-warming, and clearly demonstrates the transformative power of love and kindness.

Caring for a dog who lunges, barks at and even bites other dogs is incredibly difficult. This book follows the inspiring story of a Bull Mastiff called Calgacus, and his carer, first-time dog owner Tracey McLennan. For Tracey, the arrival of Calgacus in her life was a lifelong dream come true ... but a dream that became a nightmare when Calgacus attacked and badly injured another dog, and showed every sign of doing the same to any other dog he came into contact with. Help came from many amazing people, and enabled Tracey to understand Calgacus, and how to encourage him to direct the pace and direction of his rehabilitation. TTouch, clicker training, walks with other dogs, and trick training, all played their part in allowing Calgacus to discover joy in knowing his own kind, until he became a dog who loved to be with other dogs. He would play with those who liked to play; be gentle with nervous dogs, and would calm tense situations, encouraging other dogs to be kind to each other.

The dog is undeniably the most successful domestic animal of all time. He shares his life with ours, has integrated into our society, and won the hearts and minds of millions of us.
We call ourselves dog lovers because we do sincerely love them: they are fully-fledged members of our family, and we have elevated them to positions of authority in the human world. Assistance dogs, protection dogs, detection dogs, companion dogs ... they all enhance our lives immeasurably.
In this book we will examine a whole raft of canine skills and talents, and try to piece together how and why the dog has enjoyed such immense success as a domesticated animal.
We will look at the dog as a problem solver, conflict resolver, and health asset. As a decision maker and hero. And as a loyal and trusted friend.
Clever Dog! is a compendium of life lessons we can learn from our dogs, based on a combination of what we know about them and – indeed – what we think we might know about them.
He's earned his epithet ‘Man's best friend:' in this book, our aim is to examine how he did it and how we might emulate his talents in order to enjoy the same fortune and fulfilment in our lives.
Be happy and successful: learn from the best!

Life sometimes offers very special opportunities and experiences – some too magical not to share. That’s what this book is: a wealth of stories about an incredible decade in Toni Shelbourne’s life. Worldwide, only a handful of people get to spend time with socialised wolves; not the wolves seen in zoos, nervously pacing or hiding in their enclosures, but wolves raised by humans. These wolves trust people, allow us to interact with them, and accept us into their world.

This book tells the story of Toni’s life with eleven charismatic wolves at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust, Berkshire, England. Over ten years, she handled, raised, cared for and nursed these amazing creatures, and within these pages you will come to know the characters; laugh at their sense of fun, mourn at their passing – and learn to love them as she does.

Describing some of the best and worst of times, discover what happened behind closed doors when the public went home, leaving just Toni and the wolves ...

Why do owners wait until their dog becomes anxious when alone at home, before investing time in teaching him how to become comfortable alone? Owners often assume that their dog will sleep, yet many dogs suffer from anxiety and stress when left alone – and some owners only discover this when their dog becomes destructive, or a neighbour complains about his barking.
Home alone and happy! was born out of the need to educate pet owners before the problems of separation anxiety arise. Written for those who wish to maintain their dog’s emotional wellbeing, and those who want to take action before a very mild issue grows into something more serious.
Kate Mallatratt shows you the problem through your dog’s eyes when he is alone at home, and offers you valuable insight and advice to help make his time alone pleasant and stress-free. Beautifully illustrated, with worksheets to evaluate your dog’s level of contentment and chart his progress, you’ll learn how you can both spend quality time alone, despite being apart.

Clouds have been the object of fascination throughout history, their fleeting magnificence and endless variability providing food for thought for scientists and daydreamers alike. 

If you enjoy watching clouds and want to know more about cloud types and what they mean then this practical reference guide is for you. Beautifully illustrated with lovely images from the Met Office, this handy pocket-sized book provides you with all the information you need to identify different kinds of clouds and the kind of weather that may be on its way. Full of useful information, this book provides: quick reference pages for rapid identification; a cloud classification chart and a guide to the unique cloud identification system; clear informative explanations from weather experts; a simple, easy-to-understand progression from low clouds to high stratus clouds, as well as covering unusual cloud phenomena; a detailed introduction on the history of cloud classification and an introduction to the three principle cloud forms, with clear explanations of the atmospheric processes that create them. This is an invaluable companion for the casual cloud-spotter and for all those fascinated by the variety and beauty of clouds and cloud names. Take it with you on walks and have it handy in the garden so that you can enjoy sky-gazing every day. This book is the ideal daytime partner for our book on the night sky – The Star Book by Peter Grego.