Which book for a beginner? Or DVD? Suggestions please.

[Joy]

A relative of mine has just been given a Labradoodle puppy (much wanted) but he’s never owned a dog before,and I’d like to send either a book or dvd. I like Total Recall very much, so thought about that, or would The Happy Puppy Handbook be better? (I haven’t read that.) Or a different title / author altogether? I can’t afford to send more than one.
He’s not a keen reader so perhaps a dvd would be better, but I don’t know what.

What do you think would be most helpful?

 

[Pepper]

As new puppy owners we found The Happy Puppy Handbook really useful prior to Pepper’s arrival, and now that he’s here it’s Total Recall that we are finding most valuable.

 

[snowbunny]

If you're only getting the one book, I think a new owner would get more benefit from the puppy book than from the recall book. That said, he'll get even more benefit from joining us here

 

[snowbunny]

Also, @Boogie, now you're retired, don't you think it's about time you wrote a book about puppies? You have all the experience, after all!

 

[Boogie]

Also, @Boogie, now you're retired, don't you think it's about time you wrote a book about puppies? You have all the experience, after all!

Haha - mine is just a muddle through style of experience. Plus, any kind of writing brings me out in a cold sweat!



I’m planning a video blog of Spencer ‘tho.

 

[Joy]

As new puppy owners we found The Happy Puppy Handbook really useful prior to Pepper’s arrival, and now that he’s here it’s Total Recall that we are finding most valuable.

Thanks for the reply. Is the handbook more about preparation? The pup in question is 11 or 12 weeks old and I think advice on dealing with common puppy issues might be needed, but no point now in advice about health tests etc.

 

[Pepper]

There’s still a lot of useful information in The Happy Puppy Handbook for knowing what to expect with an 11/12 week old puppy, so suggest you go with that one.

 

[Joy]

There’s still a lot of useful information in The Happy Puppy Handbook for knowing what to expect with an 11/12 week old puppy, so suggest you go with that one.

Thank you ! Better get on and order it!

 

[HAH]

Here’s the contents page if it helps - pts 2&3 were particularly useful to us as newbies, especially for getting across that message that there’s a way to handle everything using positive methods x

 

[Joy]

@HAH That's really helpful, thank you.

 

[MaccieD]

My favourite 'puppy' books nowadays are Patricia McConnell's Puppy Primer and Daniel Mills and Helen Zulch's Life Skills for Puppies. For basic training I think it is hard to beat Jean Donaldson's Train your dog like A Pro with excellent step by step guides for training and rewarding pup, and owner.

 

[Joy]

Thanks -I'll have a look at them, I haven't read any of them myself.

 

[MaccieD]

Thanks -I'll have a look at them, I haven't read any of them myself.

I think I've read just about every puppy book this year and there is always something I don't like although some are worse than others.

 

[Charlie]

The best book I have read to date is 'From Birdbrained to Brilliant' Training the Sporting Dog to be a Great Companion by Dawn Antoniak-Mitchell

I know Labradoodles aren't "sporting dogs" but the training methods are so good in this book, set out well, simple training advice plus lots of really useful tips. I highly recommend this book. I got it on EBay for around £8.

xxx

 

[Jacqui-S]

We must get some of these books in the book section

 

[Jacqui-S]

We must get some of these books in the book section

As in reviews of them, or grouped together under headings. I know this IS the book section LOL.

 

[Selina27]

From Birdbrained to Brilliant' Training the Sporting Dog to be a Great Companion by Dawn Antoniak-Mitchell

That looks good Charlie, I'l look out for that.

 

[edzbird]

The best book I have read to date is 'From Birdbrained to Brilliant' Training the Sporting Dog to be a Great Companion by Dawn Antoniak-Mitchell

I know Labradoodles aren't "sporting dogs" but the training methods are so good in this book, set out well, simple training advice plus lots of really useful tips. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks Helen - just ordered it.

 

[Charlie]

You're welcome ladies! x

 

[Joy]

I've ordered Life Skills for Puppies, as recommended by @MaccieD , mainly because it looked simple to read and not daunting. Because of postage costs I've arranged to have it sent straight to my great-nephew, so I won't get to see it. I'll see what feedback I get.