Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy

[Joy]

I've just read this book by Steve Mann (IMDT) and thought it was very good. It's aimed at first-time puppy owners so I don't think there was anything in it that was really new to me, but useful revision for me in my trainer role. I would definitely recommend it to new puppy owners as the information is clearly laid-out and all the basic puppy issues are covered - toilet training, recall, loose-lead walking etc - in a straightforward and easy-to-follow way. It also goes into building your relationship with your puppy and enjoying each other. And it is also witty, in fact very funny in places.

 

[NicW]

I just downloaded/read this, it's great! Although we have had Buddy 3 months and have done some of the stuff already, there is some very useful stuff in there. Like you say, it's witty as well, easy to read and understand.

 

[HAH]

Boosting this as I've just read Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann cover to cover and it is great. For us, there's a lot of familiar advice which I found reassuring rather than repetitive. But there are definitely some new things, such as the Rucksack Walk, and a lot of background material e.g. around street dogs in Peru which really resonates and has given us a lot of material and inspiration for our imminent puppy arrival.

Alongside this, I've also been revisiting Pippa Mattinson's The Happy Puppy Handbook as we used this a lot 5 years ago when Kipper first joined us and we knew very little about dog behaviour and psychology. Frankly, it is very dated in places. Hard line advice such as 'always wait for silence before letting them out of their crate. Never let them out whilst they're whining, as it'll teach them bad habits' made me very, very sad as this was the sort of thing that - in our naivety - we clung to with Kipper and it was really unhelpful. The judgmental tone and lack of flexibility really struck me. I'm very glad we have better resources out there now, and our puppies will have a kinder, more gentle guide for their humans in the form of Steve Mann and others.

 

[kateincornwall]

I`m so glad you have a really good, kind and positive book to follow now, Harriet . I do find it sad that many have taken advice from what I often thought were harsh unkind instructions but please dont worry about it now , Kipper is well loved and happy xxx

 

[Candy]

Boosting this as I've just read Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann cover to cover and it is great. For us, there's a lot of familiar advice which I found reassuring rather than repetitive. But there are definitely some new things, such as the Rucksack Walk, and a lot of background material e.g. around street dogs in Peru which really resonates and has given us a lot of material and inspiration for our imminent puppy arrival.

Alongside this, I've also been revisiting Pippa Mattinson's The Happy Puppy Handbook as we used this a lot 5 years ago when Kipper first joined us and we knew very little about dog behaviour and psychology. Frankly, it is very dated in places. Hard line advice such as 'always wait for silence before letting them out of their crate. Never let them out whilst they're whining, as it'll teach them bad habits' made me very, very sad as this was the sort of thing that - in our naivety - we clung to with Kipper and it was really unhelpful. The judgmental tone and lack of flexibility really struck me. I'm very glad we have better resources out there now, and our puppies will have a kinder, more gentle guide for their humans in the form of Steve Mann and others.

I couldn't agree more with you, Harriet! I bought The Happy Puppy Handbook just before Joy came into my life and sacked it pretty quickly as it didn't suit Joy (a sensitive and cautious puppy who needed encouragement more than anything) or me ( a person who is rubbish at being firm and strict and thinks that the most important thing is to have fun with your pup and build a bond)
Steve Mann is far more to my way of thinking and ....well, I have my GGJ, bestest dog in the World, so there you go! Enjoy your gorgeous Stilton pup, have loads of fun, grow to love and trust each other and you'll be fine!

 

[Candy]

Also, just to add, I gave 'Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy ' to my neighbours when young Loki came to join them and he has grown up to be a delightful dog, one of Joy's best friends.

 

[Beanwood]

I love Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy!