[plumseverywhere]

Hello

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a good book for basic puppy training please? I have the Barbara Sykes book about collies but as Murphy is not a collie and not going to be working with the sheep it is perhaps not as relevant.
Thanks in advance

[Mammyshaz]

'the perfect puppy' by Gwen Bailey. A great book by a  recognised behaviourist in the training world, who knows her stuff! ( not like ones who should stick to being TV presenters     ) She explains how to do things, and why. I like to flick through just to restore my puppy rearing memory when I'm working with a new pup.
The book is to guide for a pet dog owner, not working dog, but many methods can still be used to establish a confident, social puppy no mattervwhat it's final occupation 

[doganjo]

Best thing is to go to classes for Good Citizen scheme - socialises pup as well as helping with training. Far better than any book.  Other than that google any questions and you'll get answers.

[Alistair]

Second good citizen scheme, 2 of mine have gold, George has failed silver twice but has his bronze, Julie will be doing hers

[Mammyshaz]

A training class is always a good idea but choose the class wisely. There are good and bad trainers out there.  Having a book on hand to give fingertip advice is very handy . Gwen is a great behaviourist and trainer, giving everyday tips and advice and a good list of things to socialise your puppy. Training classes are good but very limiting as the dog is in a false environment where it does not act the same as on a street or in the house. The pup 'learns' how to act in the hall situation.
I go to a couple myself as I enjoy the social life ( my Friday night out  ) but a good book is invaluable at times.

[SallyintNorth]

Puppy socialisation classes are a good plan if you can find a good one.  Our vets run one, using an ex-police dog trainer, and they're absolutely fantastic.  Really helps pups know how to behave around other dogs and in non-home indoor places.  And gets the owners started on a few good behaviours too 

Ask the vet if they can recommend one; ask people you see out and about with really happy, well-behaved dogs if they can recommend one! 

[plumseverywhere]

Thank you everyone. I've found a Good citizen scheme but will ask the vet first for recommendations.
I'll buy that book too - mainly to leave lying about for hubby and kids to flick through as the training classes will fall to myself (and probably the older 2 girls)

[happygolucky]

As for training, google or you tube is great, no need to buy books, although we have tons of them, but a tip is know your dog, do not make it bored as like children, they loose interest, another good idea is to give commands in different places as the pup, dog, can associate the place with the command......always praise rather than tell off a dog when it comes back........and if it looks like its not comming back, try to shout or call and run the other way when you see it look at you...you always have to keep one step ahead of a dog or pup, otherwise its harder to rectify any problems, fingers crossed that works and keep away...a long way away from roads when the pup is loose...for some strange reason they seem attracted to roads!!
I suppose a Vet cannot favor any training establishment or back it, when I worked in Social Work, I was not allowed to suggest any other services than those Social Services commisioned for fear of stuff going wrong and the blame bit SS in the bum!!!
Dogs have thier differernt natural traits, thats why people breed pedigree dogs......its easy to utilise existing traites, my dogs naturaly bring things back to me, and also have soft mouths!!!!!
 
You will be great!!! look forward to seeing how he grows..big fluff ball!!!!!

[WaltDisneyWorld]

Congratulations on your puppy, he looks absolutely gorgeous. Can I recommend Ian Dunbars site, www.dogstardaily.com, I think its absolutely fantastic, so much information and clips, in fact my internet time is spent between this site and that one.

[SallyintNorth]

I would say take YouTube very very carefully.  You can ruin a dog much much more quickly than you can train it right, and there are some very strange ideas around...  So as an inexperienced dog owner, I would recommend getting someone you trust to recommend / endorse any materials or trainer / system you are going to use.  Once you've got into the way of working with your dog(s) that suits you, you'll be able to judge the YouTube ideas as to whether they suit you and your dog, or not.

[jaykay]

I'd second MammyShaz's advice about both book and training classes 

[happygolucky]

Yes, some You tube/internet stuff is totaly wrong but then I find some very handy stuff on the net too, its about comparison with what you read, remember that before You tube you had books anyway, soo not all correct, also there are loads of wrong trainers out there, so I can see why you asked for recomendations and I must add, never use any form of cruelty, some people train by fear and that's no way to train a dog, all you get then is a scared dog that may well turn on someone!!! Our Labs detest being told off, fortunately I never have to, when I am walking all I need say is "no" and they do not do what they were going to do, eg, eat poo or jump into some ditch!!!!  Training a dog is much much easier than training a child!!!!  I am lucky that I have a well known gun dog trainer at hand, they give me all the information I need, mind you, my dogs are very good and food led anyway...a bit like me...I will do anything for some sweets!!

[funkyfish]

The focused puppy by Deborah Jones is fab.


Also check out Susan Garretts website- sign up for her news letters she has great training tips and games to teach focus and self control. Her Book Ruff Love is a good guide for any new dog, young or old (some stuff is hardcore like hand feeding for the first few weeks and must wear a Halti when out of their crate) I modified it a bit and did a lot of the focus exercised with my Jack russel x pup- he has amazing focus/manors and recall.


Remember that positive reward training is not only a better way to bond with your dog- its scientifically proven that learning is 20% faster and stored in a different part of the long term memory. Ignore the behaviours not wanted and reward the ones wanted- but positive is not permissive- time outs etc can be given!

[happygolucky]

I have said this before but I worked with a psychologist in a disabled children's home and with one very very difficult boy the staff were told to try, for a short while, treating him like a puppy, not fetching but saying "well done" "good boy" etc etc in the same tone you would do with a pup and that day he was a little angle...I still have a damaged foot from a day he was no angel!! Be enthusiastic and get down on their level..........that's hard!!

[sabrina]

The best book I ever read was Think Dog .