I have adopted the puppy, now I need the book!

[Susan Nagy]

Hi Everyone! I have done the deed, and purchased my puppy! I have gone from Doodle "Curious" to Doodle "Parent in Waiting".

Olive is actually a Standard Schnoodle. She is expected to weigh 45 lbs or so. She is roughly 6 weeks old, today. She joins our family on the 18th of June.

While we wait, I would like to read recommended books on puppy rearing. I am want to make sure that I have a very well socialized companion, whom I can bring in to work with me every day (I own/operate a Bead Store). Can you recommend any fabulous training books? I am a total novice.

Your feedback is extremely appreciated,

Susan

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

Congratulations! Sheis adorable.

I think that "The Loved Dog" was a wonderful bok for understading how to relate to your new puppy.

[Susan Nagy]

Thanks, Gail. I will look into it!

[Adina P]

Welcome Olive! She's adorable, congratulations!

I like Ian Dunbar's Before and After Getting Your Puppy...it was a great book on housetraining and basic problem prevention. It didn't get too deep into training but if you want a training manual you can use ASAP when pup comes home I recommend joining our Spring Training Group. It's not spring anymore and everyone is at a different spot in the program...but I think you'll like it. It is an ebook that you can buy, but it teaches you the ins and outs of clicker training which, in my opinion, works BEST for a new pup just starting out as they catch on VERY fast! And in the group we go over one chapter at a time giving everyone a chance to share their thoughts on the info and training.

[Susan Nagy]

Adina,
Thanks for your reply. I have poked into the discussions on Clicker Training, but can;t get a clear picture of the concept. Can you please provide a short description of the technique / how it works? Do you have a link to this information?

And, any chance you might be starting the "Group" training again, in the next few weeks. I am completely in-experienced, so would prefer not to be playing "catch-up". Thoughts?

S.

[Adina P]

Just click on the Groups tab at the top of any page and then the bright yellow spring training group is one of the first at the top that is shown. Scroll down to look at the discussion topics and below them click "View All" and that will allow you to see them ALL and check out the discussions and what others have learned.

Also Sign up for the free 7-day mini course (info is in the discussions) and it will give you a lesson per day (some you can't do because you don't have the dog yet, but you'll get an overview).
They also occasionally send you neat updates and helpful info after the 7 days is over. But be sure when you sign up you check your email for the subscription info so you can confirm you subscribed or else you won't have it.
Clicker training is probably the purest form of positive training (if you prefer to stick with positive training and prefer to avoid corrections). The clicker is a small hand held tool that makes a click sound. It is used to mark the second your pup does the correct thing in training. Clicker training teaches the dog to think creatively and try out behaviors and figure out what you want on his own. Rather than you positioning your dog into a sit position OR bribing him with a treat to do it... you get the dog to try things and when she does the precise thing...or approximates it...you click and then give a treat. So you're not waving a treat in front of its nose (which usually makes the dog expect a treat first)...but getting the dog to think of ways to win a treat. You have to try it to fully get it. But the 7-day free course is worth subscribing to so you get a good overview of how it works in theory. You can also google "clicker training" and see all there is on the web about it.

[Susan Nagy]

Hi Adina,

Thanks so much for the details. I will definitely consider this avenue. I will sign also sign up for the 7 day training - as a start.

Susan

[Stella]

New Dog by Bruce Fogle. It was our 'bible' through the first few months with our labradoodle, he was the first dog that either of us owned and that book was a lifesaver!!

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

Susan~ Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer has some wonderful books, including one about bringing a new pup into your home. I used his techniques training Jersey and she is my best dog yet. I have had many in my 62 years. We are getting a new mini GD in 8 weeks and I will be using Cesar's techniques again to have another wonderful dog. Obedience training is a must too for a wonderful addition to your family. Enjoy your new baby, she's adorable!

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Congratulations and welcome, Olive! Can't wait to see more pics. She's a cutie

[Janie]

Can't recommend a book...but congrarulations on your new puppy.

[Jenni321]

Hi Susan,

Congratulations on your puppy! We are getting our goldendoodle puppy next Thursday! The book I've been reading over the last couple of weeks is The Puppy Whisperer by Paul Owens. I've enjoyed reading it, it has some puppy basics and also goes into training. While I can't attest to its success yet, I'm certainly hoping it works! :)

Good luck!
Jenni

[Susan Nagy]

Thanks Jenni,

Good luck to you too!!!

I have to tell you that I am running throught the 7 day Clicker mini-training and finding it to be pretty amazing. Now, I do not have the puppy yet, either...but so far, I think I am completely sold on the concept.

I will look into Owen's book too,

Susan