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seeking book recommendations for a new dog owner



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 24th 03, 11:06 PM
Adam
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Default seeking book recommendations for a new dog owner

So I am looking to venture into the world of dogs after living my life
thus far with only ever having cats. I've spent the last month just
serching the internet and doing some reading as I know it's a big
commitment and I want to be as prepared as possible.

I have been searching around for some good straightforward suggestions
for some books to get me aquainted with what to expect. Just a few
titles and short descriptions would be highly appreciated. I still
haven't decided to go breeder or shelter or even narrowed down exaclty
which breed, but I'm looking for something relatively small in the
20-30ish pound range. I'm gonna spend at least another month
familiarizing myself with information and would appreciate any
suggestions from people on a few good books to look at. Thanks in
advance
  #2  
Old July 25th 03, 01:27 PM
Leah
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Default

(Adam) wrote:
I have been searching around for some good straightforward suggestions
for some books to get me aquainted with what to expect.


At least one of the 3 listed below is a must:

"The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell

"Bones Would Rain From the Sky" by Suzanne Clothier

"Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson

All 3 books are easy, enjoyable reads with fascinating insight into what makes
dogs tick and how to communicate with them.

Another good book is "Calming Signals" by Turid Rugaas. It's a comprehensive
description of dog body language.

I would also highly recommend a puppy class. There are too many mistakes a new
owner can make that a good class can help you avoid.

Let us know who ends up stealing your heart. :}

PetsMart Pet Trainer
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html
Last updated June 27 at 10:00 a.m.


  #4  
Old July 25th 03, 02:23 PM
Krishur
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Default

There are several books out there that will help you choose the right breed
for your lifestyle. I like "Your Purebred Puppy--a buyer's guide" by Michele
Lowell. Even if you decide to go to the shelter this book will give you an
idea of what mix of breeds that would suit you.

The best place to find dog books:
http://www.dogwise.com/
I can't recommend a specific book but authors to look for a
Ian Dunbar
Patricia McConnell

Authors to steer clear of:
The monks of new skete and/or Job Michael Evans--extremely hard on dogs
Paul Loeb--says "all your dog may need is one good smack"
Sarah Hodgson--I attended a class of hers where she abused a dog


One quick note regarding picking your pup. If you have to leave the dog
alone for more than 4 hours you should consider an older dog. To properly
and quickly housebreak a puppy they need to go out almost every other hour.
An 8 week old pup should be taken out every 2-3 hours, a 12 week (three
months) old pup every 3-4 hours, a 16 week (4 months) should be able to hold
it for 4 hours. An older dog will have the physical maturity to be able to
"hold it" longer but when settling into your house will need several walks
to reinforce the housebreaking. The number one rule of
housebreaking--prevent accidents from happening.

Best of luck!


--
Kristen &
Kali CD, CGC, TDI, TT
http://www.kristenandkali.com



"Adam" wrote in message
m...
So I am looking to venture into the world of dogs after living my life
thus far with only ever having cats. I've spent the last month just
serching the internet and doing some reading as I know it's a big
commitment and I want to be as prepared as possible.

I have been searching around for some good straightforward suggestions
for some books to get me aquainted with what to expect. Just a few
titles and short descriptions would be highly appreciated. I still
haven't decided to go breeder or shelter or even narrowed down exaclty
which breed, but I'm looking for something relatively small in the
20-30ish pound range. I'm gonna spend at least another month
familiarizing myself with information and would appreciate any
suggestions from people on a few good books to look at. Thanks in
advance



  #5  
Old July 25th 03, 02:39 PM
Melinda Shore
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Default

In article ,
Krishur wrote:
The monks of new skete and/or Job Michael Evans--extremely hard on dogs


Have you seen the revision of "How To Be Your Dog's Best
Friend?" I've browsed it in the bookstore but haven't read
the whole thing. They've recanted on the whole physical
dominance thing, but to be honest I didn't check to see what
they're recommending instead.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

If you don't understand how things are connected, the cause of
problems is solutions -- Amory Lovins
  #6  
Old July 25th 03, 03:23 PM
Alison Smiley Perera
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Default

On 25 Jul 2003, Melinda Shore wrote:

In article ,
Krishur wrote:
The monks of new skete and/or Job Michael Evans--extremely hard on dogs


Have you seen the revision of "How To Be Your Dog's Best
Friend?" I've browsed it in the bookstore but haven't read
the whole thing. They've recanted on the whole physical
dominance thing, but to be honest I didn't check to see what
they're recommending instead.


I browsed it in the bookstore too. They still use collar corrections for
training. And for discipline they suggest first the scruff shake, then for
really bad infractions the chin swat. I'm pretty sure they're still big on
Alpha, they just don't think that the average Joe should be rolling dogs.
-Alison in OH

  #7  
Old July 25th 03, 03:27 PM
Krishur
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Default

No I haven't seen it, will definitely look into it.

Thanks,
Kristen


"Melinda Shore" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Krishur wrote:
The monks of new skete and/or Job Michael Evans--extremely hard on dogs


Have you seen the revision of "How To Be Your Dog's Best
Friend?" I've browsed it in the bookstore but haven't read
the whole thing. They've recanted on the whole physical
dominance thing, but to be honest I didn't check to see what
they're recommending instead.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

If you don't understand how things are connected, the cause of
problems is solutions -- Amory Lovins



  #8  
Old July 25th 03, 08:00 PM
Lynn K.
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Default

"Krishur" wrote in message ...
There are several books out there that will help you choose the right breed
for your lifestyle. I like "Your Purebred Puppy--a buyer's guide" by Michele
Lowell. Even if you decide to go to the shelter this book will give you an
idea of what mix of breeds that would suit you.


I recommend Tortora's "The Right Dog for You" as a starting point to
get people to think objectively about what their criteria really are.
With a Huge Caveat about his comments on some breeds being just plain
wrong.

Authors to steer clear of:
The monks of new skete and/or Job Michael Evans--extremely hard on dogs
Paul Loeb--says "all your dog may need is one good smack"
Sarah Hodgson--


Others to avoid: Kevin Behan, C.W. Meisterfeld, Jan F??? "The Dog
Whisperer", anything published by TPH.

Lynn K.
  #9  
Old July 25th 03, 08:39 PM
Holier Than Thou
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Default

Handsome Jack Morrison
wrote in :

On 25 Jul 2003 12:00:31 -0700, (Lynn K.) wrote:

Others to avoid: Kevin Behan, C.W. Meisterfeld, Jan F??? "The Dog
Whisperer", anything published by TPH.


Telling people not to read certain dog-training books is:

1. Extremely misguided
2. Dumb
3. Counter productive

It's like telling someone not to read Mein Kampf, the Bible, the
Communist Manifesto, The Koran, The Blue Book of the John Birch
Society, etc., just because, personally, you don't agree with certain
philosophies, theories, methods, etc.

This extremely annoying practice helps only to perpetuate mankind's
greatest menace -- IGNORANCE.

*Something* can be learned by reading just about *any* book, even if
it's what not to do. Even Jerry Howe's "manual" has worth.

Yup, that's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.



I agree with you on principal, but I also understand the danger of
telling a new dog owner to read a book that has outdated training
techniques in it. But suggesting another book isnt' the same thing as
saying "dont' read this one".

I read tons of books that I dont' agree with the author on, and I learn
a great deal from it. If I wanted to read books that just told me what
I already know, that would be really boring wouldn't it?

The monks of new skete, despite the rather physical corrections, had
some great information about tethering puppies that was extremely
helpful to me.




--
BethF, Anchorage, AK
  #10  
Old July 25th 03, 10:52 PM
Krishur
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Default

Good books huh?

Which idea was your favorite, the one where they tell you to alpha roll a
"dominant" dog, or where they tell you that you didn't hit him hard enough
if he doesn't yelp or approaches you within 5 minutes of his punishment?
Maybe you liked when they recommend these beatings for housebreaking
accidents, chewing/destructive behavior, stealing, trying to get on your bed
at night and dog on dog aggression.
--
Kristen &
Kali CD, CGC, TDI, TT
http://www.kristenandkali.com



"Handsome Jack Morrison" wrote
in message ...
On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:23:33 -0400, "Krishur"
wrote:

Authors to steer clear of:
The monks of new skete and/or Job Michael Evans--extremely hard on dogs


This would be an extremely dumb decision.

Good books, all.
--
Handsome Jack Morrison
*gently remove the detonator to reply via e-mail



 




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