Essential reading for new puppy owners, 28 Sep 2004

This book is essential reading for anyone about to buy or having just bought a new puppy.

There is nothing worse than being confronted by a book full of jargon but this book is a joy to read. It is easy to pick up and put down when you have a spare five minutes and the information is written is very clear and easy to understand steps.

Every issue of rearing a puppy is covered, including socialization, house training, playing games, dealing with anti-social behaviour etc. Its common sense approach fills you with confidence and helps you to understand the priorities in puppy training.

4.0 out of 5 stars Puppy Power, 4 Nov 2002

Everyone has a theory about how to train your dog, and everyone who has a dog will be keen to offer you advice on your new puppy. However in this book, it shows you the way to live with the ups and downs of your puppy growing up and how to cope with the sometimes-frustrating parts of living with a puppy, as well as how to help your pup develop into a well mannered and happy dog. There aren’t any wonderful or ‘wise’ cures in here, it helps us realise the best way to understand our puppy, is to use our common sense.

The author is obviously a person with vast experience and know how. The book is written very well and succeeds in showing us two things: One, how as a puppy owner to deal with behaviour that is not acceptable and how to train and encourage growth in out pet, and two, That the world from the eyes of a puppy is very different to ours, and there are reasons why they do things, and that our pets behaviour is a way of it expressing its needs and wants, and to help them grow, we have to understand this as best we can.

This is the ONLY book I would suggest a puppy owner, or someone thinking about getting a puppy to buy, read and use as a reference over the first few, and sometimes stressful months that your puppy will be in his or her new home.

Good luck..:)

The Bible for New Puppy Owners, 13 Nov 2009

This book is indispensible for those aquiring a puppy for the first time. It prepares you for the stages you will face in your puppy’s development from getting him home to adolescence and beyond.

The chapter on the correct use of a crate was life changing for us as it led to our latest puppy becoming housetrained within a week, this was unheard of with my previous dogs.

Gwen Bailey places emphasis on the importance of socialization, leadership, controlling games, preventing biting as well as practical examples of basic training and discipline. Her techniques are humane and demonstrate her insight into a dog’s real needs. In short, she shows how instilling the correct training at the start of your puppy’s development will lead to a happier life for your dog as an adult.

It is clearly written and with lots of full colour pictures. If you only buy one puppy training book I would suggest you make it this one.

All first time puppy owners should read this, 9 Sep 2009

If there is any book out there that you should read before getting your puppy this is it! Based on positive reward this book covers everything from choosing the right breeder and puppy, first night with puppy and a guideline to help you with a routine for the day. It also covers socialising, play-biting, handling and grooming, housetraining, chewing, good manners, learning to be alone and many other helpful chapters giving good advice.

It is nicely presented in paperback with colour photos. I can’t recommend this book highly enough and think every first time puppy owner should read this.