- General
- Ethics for Behavior Analysts by Jon S. Bailey and Mary R. Burch
- Learning and Behavior by Paul Chance
- Physiology of Behavior (11th Edition) by Neil Carlson
- Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor
- Clinical Behavioral Medicine For Small Animals by Karen Overall
- Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach, Tenth Edition by John Alcock
- Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide by Paul Martin and Patrick Bateson
- The Science of Consequences: How They Affect Genes, Change the Brain, and Impact Our World by Susan M. Schneider
- Biology and Human Behavior: The Neurological Origins of Individuality (DVD, 2nd Ed.) by Robert Sapolsky
- Dog
- Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol. 1: Adaptation and Learning by Steven R. Lindsay
- Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol. 2: Etiology and Assessment of Behavior Problems by Steven R. Lindsay
- Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol. 3: Procedures and Protocols by Steven R. Lindsay
- Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, 3e by Gary Landsberg and Wayne Hunthausen
- How Dogs Learn (Howell reference books) by Mary Burch, PhD and Jon S. Bailey, PhD
- Excel-Erated Learning: Explaining in Plain English How Dogs Learn and How Best to Teach Them by Pamela Reid
- Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution by Raymond Coppinger and Lorna Coppinger
- Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition (Oxford Biology) by Adam Miklosi
- Cat
- AAFP Feline Behavior Guidelines
- Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, 3e by Gary Landsberg and Wayne Hunthausen
- The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behaviour by Dennis C. Turner & Patrick Bateson, Eds.
- The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat by John W.S. Bradshaw 2nd edition
- Feline Behavior, 2e by Bonnie Beaver
- BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine (BSAVA British Small Animal Veterinary Association) by Debra Horwitz and Daniel Mills
- Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists (Houpt, Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists) by Katherine Houpt
General Behavior
Dog Behavior
Cat Behavior
Recommended Reading
This list features books we recommend for those exploring IAABC credentialing. These titles are not required, but they offer helpful information and perspectives that align with the skills and knowledge used in animal behavior consulting and training.
If you're thinking about applying, these resources can help you build a stronger foundation as you prepare. Click here to learn more about IAABC credentials.
- Behavior Science
- Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach by John Alcock
- Animal Cognition: The Mental Lives of Animals by Clive D. L. Wynne
- Animal Training 101 by Jennifer Zeligs
- Animal Training: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement by Ken Ramirez
- Applied Behavior Analysis, 3rd edition by John Cooper, Timothy Heron, William Heward
- Behavior Modification: Principles & Procedures by Raymond G. Miltenberger
- Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists by Katherine Houpt
- Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare by D Broom and A Fraser
- Don't Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor
- First Course in Applied Behavior Analysis by Paul Chance
- Functional Behavior Assessment: Case Studies and Practice by Kylan Turner
- Learning and Behavior by Paul Chance
- Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide by Paul Martin and Patrick Bateson
- Nonlinear Contingency Analysis by T. V. Joe Layng
- Reaching The Animal Mind by Karen Pryor
- The Science and Technology of Animal Training by James O'Heare
- The Science of Consequences by Susan M. Schneider
- The Eye Of The Trainer by Ken Ramirez
- Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin
- Client Care
- Coaching People To Train Their Dogs by Terry Ryan
- Critical Teaching Behaviors: Defining, Documenting, and Discussing Good Teaching by Lauren Barbeau, Claudia Cornejo Happel
- Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Emily Gregory
- The Human Half of Dog Training by Risë Vanfleet
- Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to Write Effective Learning Objectives by Dr. Edmund Bilon
- Ethics
- Back to Basics: Ethics for Behavior Analysts by Amanda N. Kelly, Emily Shraga, Lara Bollinger
- Changing Human Behaviour to Enhance Animal Welfare by Sommerville
- Coercion and It’s Fall Out by Murray Sidman
- Ethics for Behavior Analysts by Jon S. Bailey and Mary R. Burch
- Ethics for Behavior Analysts, 4th Edition by Jon S. Bailey, Mary R. Burch
- The Ethical Dog Trainer by Jim Barry
- Medical
- Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach by John Alcock
- Clinical Behavioral Medicine For Small Animals by Karen Overall
- Cooperative Veterinary Care by Howell, Alicea, and Monique Feyreilde
- Mental Health and Wellbeing in Animals by McMillan
- Physiology of Behavior by Neil Carlson
- Dog
- B.A.T. 2.0 by Grisha Stewart
- Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat by Gary Landsberg and Wayne Hunthausen
- Canine Behavior, A Photo Illustrated Handbook by Barbara Handelman
- Canine Body Language, A Photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff
- Canine Enrichment for the Real World by Allie Bender and Emily Strong
- Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt
- Decoding Your Dog by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
- Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition by Adam Miklosi
- Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution by Raymond and Lorna Coppinger
- Domestic Dog by James Serpell
- Excel-Erated Learning by Pamela Reid
- Feisty Fido by Patricia McConnell and Karen London
- From Fearful to Fear Free by Marty Becker DVM et al.
- How Dogs Learn by Mary Burch and Jon S. Bailey
- One on One by Nicole Wilde
- Plenty in Life Is Free by Kathy Sdao
- So You Want To Be A Dog Trainer by Nicole Wilde
- Teaching People Teaching Dogs by Dani Weinberg
- The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
- The New Click to Calm by Emma Parsons
- The Other End of the Leash by Patricia B. McConnell
- When Pigs Fly by Jane Killion
- Your Puppy and You by Irith Bloom
- Cat
- Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat by Gary Landsberg and Wayne Hunthausen
- BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine by Debra Horwitz and Daniel Mills
- Decoding Your Cat by American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
- Feline Behavioral Health & Welfare by Ilona Rodan and Sarah Heath
- Feline Behavior by Bonnie Beaver
- The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat by John W.S. Bradshaw
- The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behaviour by Dennis C. Turner & Patrick Bateson
- Play with Your Cat! by Mikel Delgado
- Equine
- Clinical Companion of the Donkey by The Donkey Sanctuary
- Equine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists by Paul McGreevy
- Equine Empowerment: A Guide To Positive Reinforcement Training by Jessica Gonzalez
- Equine Welfare by Marthe Kiley-Worthington
- Equitation Science, 2nd Edition by Paul McGreevy
- The Behaviour and Welfare of the Horse by A.F. Fraser
- The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat by John W.S. Bradshaw
- Horses in Company by Lucy Rees
- Introduction to Donkey Behaviour - Part One by The Donkey Sanctuary
- Introducción al comportamiento del burro – Parte uno by The Donkey Sanctuary
- Knowing Your Horse by Emma Lethbridge
- Language Signs and Calming Signals of Horses by Rachaël Draaisma
- The Mind of the Horse by Michel-Antoine Leblanc
- Horse Behaviour: Interpreting Body Language and Communication by Barbara Schoning
- Horse Behavior, 2nd Edition by George Waring
- The Equid Ethogram by Sue McDonnell
- The Domestic Horse by Daniel Mills et al.
- Parrot
- Project Parrot: A Behavior Guidebook for You and Your Bird by Jenny Drummey
- Cockatiels for Dummies by Diane Grindol
- The Parrot Problem Solver by Barbara Heidenreich
- Play with Your Cat! The Essential Guide to Interactive Play…. by Mikel Delgado
- Parrots of the World by Joseph Michael Forshaw
- Parrot For Dummies by Nikki Moustaki
- Parrots of the Wild by Catherine Toft and Timothy Wright
- The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat by John W.S. Bradshaw
- The Perfectly Trained Parrot by Rebecca L. O'Connor
- The Alex Studies: Cognitive and Communicative Abilities of Grey Parrots by Dr. Irene Pepperberg
- Manual of Parrot Behavior by Andrew Luescher
- Getting Started: Clicker Training for Birds by Melinda Johnson
- Click With Your Chick: A Complete Chicken Training Course Using the Clicker by Geine Keyes
- Your Puppy and You: A Step‑by‑Step Guide to Raising a Freak’n Awesome Dog by Irith Bloom