Beyond Behaviour
The Ethics of Dog-centred Training
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Publishing:16th Nov '26
£83.99
This title is due to be published on 16th November, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£29.99(9781032965833)
Every chapter in this book begins from the same place: the dog in front of you, their body, their signals, their experience of the world. Not the method. Not the tool. Not the tradition you were trained in or the certification on your wall. The dog first, always.
As society evolves in its understanding of animal welfare and the responsibilities inherent in caring for dogs, the need for ethical frameworks in dog training becomes crucial. Beyond Behaviour critically examines various training methodologies through the lens of moral philosophy, exploring questions of autonomy, consent, and the psychological wellbeing of dogs in their role as our “pet.”
Delving into the complex interplay between ethical principles, moral questions of control and power, and the practicalities of training our canine companions, behaviour consultant Erin Jones draws on interdisciplinary perspectives from philosophy, psychology, and animal behaviour science.
Whether you are a trainer, behaviour consultant, veterinarian, canine caregiver, or curious dog guardian, Beyond Behaviour will help you navigate ethical challenges to create a just relationship where dogs can thrive. This isn’t just another book on dog training. It is a gateway to more compassionate, effective, and ethically sound approaches to dog training in contemporary practice.
“This book is captivating in an intellectual and emotional way. Right from the preface I was caught by the vivid descriptions and call to activism; to the importance of teaching another being by listening to their needs and meeting them where they are. This is not a boring, dry ethics dissertation but a text that makes you reevaluate learning theory, what you have done, and what you want to do for the animals you teach. Something very special.”
Amy Learn VMD, DACVB, CABC, Animal Behavior Wellness Center, USA
“This book challenges the dog training profession to grow up ethically. Jones moves beyond technique to ask what our methods demand of dogs, whose comfort they prioritize, and what kind of relationships they normalize. Essential reading for anyone who works with dogs.”
Jessica Pierce, PhD, bioethicist and author of Who’s a Good Dog? and How to Be a Better Human
“Erin Jones asks what is best for the dog in this examination of the moral choices we make in dog training. Thoughtful, fascinating, and grounded in real-life examples, Beyond Behaviour illuminates the ethical dimensions of the decisions we make every day about dogs.”
Zazie Todd, PhD, author of Bark!, Wag, and Purr
“The dog behaviour field has long needed a book willing to ask the questions it mostly avoids - Beyond Behaviour is that book. Rigorous, compassionate, and unflinching, it examines what we genuinely owe the dogs we share our lives with.”
Mia Cobb, PhD, Canine Welfare Scientist, The University of Melbourne, Australia
ISBN: 9781032965963
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 910g
380 pages