Jay's Books
Links to all of my books can be found on this page, mainly focusing on
dogs, but with a small sidestep into imposter syndrome for dog people.
Building the Bond: Living in Harmony with Your Dog
Man’s best friend. This is a title that has been bestowed on dogs for a long time. What does it actually mean for our dogs today?
There are many factors involved in our relationships with the dogs in our homes, and all of these things can influence that relationship for either good or bad. In this book explore the different areas of life with dogs and how we can make sure that we and our dogs are living together in the best way possible. Learn about the different elements of canine life that can affect the bond between human and dog, and what we can do to help our dogs be happy and have our best lives together.
Join me to take a journey towards being the best dog people we can possibly be as we build the bond and discover how to live in harmony with our dogs.
Understanding Reactive Dogs: Why Dogs React and How to Help
Dogs are one of the most popular companion animals, and many of them go through life confident and happy with the world around them. A significant number do not - the scared dogs, the anxious dogs, the ones that are terrified when approached by another dog, person, or a whole range of possible things. These dogs react to the causes of their fear in a range of ways, all of which combine to make what are called "reactive dogs", the ones that cannot cope and have to find a way to tell us. They may be labelled "bad", "aggressive", or "vicious" when they are none of those things. They are scared, and it is up to us to learn and to help.
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Learn how fear, anxiety and stress affect the dog. Follow the chemical and physiological changes that happen in the fear response. Find out the potential causes of reactive behaviors and how to help a puppy have the best chance of avoiding reactivity as they grow and mature into an adult. Discover how to help the reactive dog develop a better relationship with the world. Finish listening to this book to better understand reactive dogs.
Fight or Fright: A Reactive Dog Guardian's Handbook
Written by the guardian of a reactive dog and student of canine behaviour, this book sets out to make sure that nobody in that situation has to feel alone. Packed with empathy and understanding, inside is a guide to recognising that your dog is fearful and advice to aid you in finding the help and support that you need to improve life for both you and your reactive dog. From describing how reactivity impacts on both dog and guardian physically and mentally, to guidance on finding the right kind of professional help, this book will support you on every step of the journey.
Conversations with Collies
Have you ever looked at the dog at your feet and wondered what life would be like if they could talk?
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In the case of my dogs, there would be a lot more sarcasm.
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Remembrances from a lifetime of dogs, both of working sheepdog and pet varieties, reconstructed with the input of the dogs themselves. Often amusing, rarely particularly flattering to the people involved.
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Maybe it's best to not let them tell us what they're thinking!
Conquering Confidence
Impostor syndrome is a draining, damaging psychological pattern that can be massively disruptive to our mental well-being and professional progression. Despite being a common experience, impostor syndrome is not widely understood, leaving many sufferers to struggle along, feeling as if they are all alone in the thoughts and feelings they have to contend with. This book sets out to explain what impostor syndrome is currently recognised to be, how to tell if you are suffering from imposter syndrome, and tools to help counter the negative effects, increasing the confidence and self-esteem of canine professionals to allow them to concentrate on the important things - their human and canine clients.
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Written from the perspective of the canine professional world, but the contents are just as pertinent to any other profession. This book will aid anyone struggling with impostor syndrome, not restricted to those in the dog world.