If there's a season for puppies or renewed interest in training all dogs, this is it. Here's a roundup of new books on training dogs, and one on training parrots.

"The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson; James & Kenneth Publishers, Berkeley, CA, 2005, $17.95

There aren't many dog trainers who haven't read this book, and for good reason. This is the second edition of an all-time classic canine behavior book.

Even if you don't agree with all of Donaldson's theories, she's guaranteed to make those neurons in your brain fire. You'll like have an "ah-ha" moment or two, thinking, "Oh, that's why Fido does that."

Donaldson, director of training at the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, refutes the notion that people must be the dominant pack member. She maintains that dogs branded "training lemons" just aren't being communicated with and appropriately motivated. This isn't meant to be a standard guide for house-training dogs or teaching them to heel, but instead offers a basic understanding which can serve as a foundation for training. It sure helps to train your dog if you understand the pet.

"Puppy Perfect: The User-Friendly Guide to Puppy Parenting" by Sarah Hodgson; Howell Book House, New York, NY, 2006, $16.99 Hodgson proves training can be fun. And, after all, puppies should be fun. Hodgson concedes that while people (including kids) need to be in charge, the idea of people being 'alpha' may not be appropriate.

This easy-to-read book is filled with practical advice. One idea is to expose young puppies to novel objects and sounds, from umbrellas to wailing babies. Hodgson also writes about age-appropriate discipline (as important for puppies as for toddlers).

Hodgson offers a guide to fun games the entire family can enjoy with a puppy, like follow the leader. Of course, aside from being fun and involving the kids, all the games have a purpose.

"Happy Kids, Happy Dogs: Building A Friendship Right from the Start" by Barbara Schumannfang; Top Notch Dog Books, Durham, NC, 2006, $16.95

This is a desperately needed book, and the title says it all. Lassies and Timmys just don't typically happen without a little help. This book covers more than preventing dog bites (important, since most bites are inflicting upon children by the family dog), delving into creating those special child/canine bonds. A good kid-dog relationship begins with fun and mutual respect.

Two important parts of this book: What parents need to know about violence to companion animals, and how to say goodbye to a pet (coping with loss and grief).

"Pup Parenting" by Lynn Lott and Jane Nelsen with Therry Jay; Rodale, Emmaus, PA, 2006, $14.95

Parenting experts Lott and Nelsen team with Jay, a canine expert. According to the book, Lott and Nelsen are internationally renowned with more than 2 million copies of their "Positive Discipline" books in print. I suppose that's true, but the cover also indicates Jay is an acclaimed animal behaviorist. Well, he's not a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, or a Ph.D.-certified applied animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist, so how is he certified?

The advice offered, overall, is quite good. For starters, the authors say to avoid buying pups in pet stores (they're likely from puppy mills) and encourage shelter adoptions.

Instead of taking a stand about one training approach, the authors offer various alternatives. Unfortunately, the book lacks a consistent approach; advice is often too broad to be helpful. The book promises a contemporary approach, rejecting both harsh discipline and overindulgent cookie pushers.

"Click & Easy: Clicker Training for Dogs" by Miriam Fields-Babineau; Howell Book House, New York, NY, 2006, $19.99

Clicker training is an absolutely valid and humane method to train. However, I wonder why the author doesn't discourage the use of training collars (choke collars), particularly for toy dog puppies (these collars are downright dangerous, and downright unnecessary if you have a clicker).

The basic premises in this book are adequate, but the author sometimes misses the mark. For example, if you're using clicker training, why is a shake can (a soda can filled with pennies) required to prevent problem jumping? You click the clicker so you don't need aversive training. The author's anecdotes, based on real-life clients, are interesting. Still, there are better and easier-to-follow clicker books. One is called "Quick Clicks," by Cheryl Smith, and several books on the topic are available through clicker guru Karen Pryor's Web site: www.clickertraining.com.

"Right on Target: Taking Dog Training to a New Level" by Mandy Book and Cheryl Smith; Dogwise Publishing, Wenatchee, WA, 2006, $19.95

Ramp up your dog training, or training of any kind ... learn to teach an elephant to high-five or a boxer to skate board. "Targeting" is an alternative to lures (like cookies). Although you can still use treats, this is another way and clearly a humane training method.

Targeting might sound complicated. It takes a while, but they do break down the concept. For example, if your dog rings a bell to say, "I have to go out," you've already taught the pet to target. No approach is perfect, and this one does require some mechanical skill. In any case, targeting doesn't call for yanking or pulling on your dog, and that's good.

This book should have particular appeal for those interested in a canine sport (like agility) or auditioning their pooch for TV commercials (since targeting is an effective way to teach a complex series of tasks).

"Parrot Tricks: Teaching Parrots with Positive Reinforcement" by Tani Robar and Diane Grindol; Howell Book House, New York, NY, 2006, $19.99

A bird's brain is a terrible thing to waste. We train dogs because they require manners when they go out in the world. While birds don't need training for the same purpose, it's inhumane not to assuming your methods are as positive and fun as those in the book.

Training enhances the bond between you and your feathered friend and engages the parrot's mind. The authors also point out how training can enhance a bird's physical health; they explain how to teach birds to allow a veterinarian to handle them, and to spread their wings and lift their legs so they can be examined.