The Art of Raising a Puppy

This is a terrific book for anyone who has a puppy or plans to get one, though it works best in tandem with the monks' earlier work, "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend". That's because "The Art" really is more about the art of puppy raising than about specific techniques, while "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" is particularly strong on training specific commands. I find it very helpful to use the books together.
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This book begins with a section on the development of the puppy - physically, emotionally, and socially. This is based on behavioral and genetic research over the past twenty years, and helped me understand what my puppy needed at various points in his (still brief) career. Then, the monks proceed to a thoroughgoing discussion of choosing to adopt a dog (first question: should you?) and how to go about doing so. The next section covers the earliest period of puppy training, which is essentially settling your puppy into the routines of your home, and developing an approach to training. The monks then discuss basic puppy training, playing with your puppy, puppy problems, and caring for the pup.

The book focuses most on general principals of training - establish leadership, respecting your dog, building your relationship - but also has some very useful specifics. .One is the restraint hold -- works like a charm when my puppy gets nutsy, leading to rapid relaxation. Overall, however, look to "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" for training specifics, and to this book for the Zen of Puppy Raising. ( )

What I did enjoy about this book, is that I agree with way the Monks view puppies. I agree with the attitude that the first year of their life, the first 3 months, the second 3 months, etc, are crucial in their adjustment to humans and the life they will lead away from their mother. What they experience in the pack is of utmost importance in their relationship to the family that ends up bringing the puppy into their human pack.
While every method of training can have its questionable merits, I think what is important is that owners find a breeder or owner with puppies for sale, that agree with the importance of their early life being spent with their mother.
Often puppies are given up much too soon (before they are 8 weeks old, I think they should stay until they are 12 weeks old) and do not gain the valuable behavior "pointers" that only the canine pack can supply. From their siblings and parents, (not always the father) they learn the way to play, how to submit, not to be threatened by another dog sharing toys, family members(human) and even food.
The mother teaches her pups to respect the alpha dog and how to play as opposed to fight. She also teaches them how to fight without hurting them. She teaches them their "manners" basically. She allows them to grow up without fear, and to venture bravely into new experiences knowing she is there, nearby. They grow up close to her warm, fragrant love. The same love that we humans feel from our beloved pets is felt by puppies as they snuggle with the pack at night, keeping each other warm.
I have witnessed this, on a daily basis, as I watched my litter of 9 American Bulldogs grow and play, under the watchful eye of Lyla, their mom. We were lucky to have their father, Remy, with them too, as he proved to be very gentle, allowing them to crawl over him, tugging at his lips and ears, jumping on his tail, sleeping cuddled under his chest and in the curve of his belly for a nap. I have watched these big dogs 102 lbs-male and 85 lb. female share their food, bones and toys with puppy after puppy, never losing patience. If they did reprimand , it was gently, considering what they were capable of doing. Now that the puppies are older, they wrestle around much more with their parents, but no matter what, when they nap, they all cuddle together squished into one crate, even with the option of two others to choose from.
So, while I am not in agreement with every aspect of the Monks teachings when it comes to training puppies, I agree with the most important aspect, which is that it is crucial to understand the early lives of puppies and their interaction with their mother and the rest of the pack. It won't hurt to read this book as the more information about raising your dog the better. The better informed pet owners are the safer both humans and animals are in our world. We owe it to our pets to be incredibly well-informed. ( )

Not super useful. Their digs seem to have been born into a culture where the adult dogs set the tone for the puppies. My puppy was much more mischievious and I think was beyond the scope of the monks. ( )

Assume the position of "pack leader." Thie monks accentuate the essential human-canine bond, whereby owners must learn to understand a dog's instincts, needs, and behavior. We used this book with Diego (until he ate it!).

Years ago the Monks of New Skete advocated a technique called the alpha rollover, which is now widely-regarded as an ineffective and nasty thing to do to a dog. I understand that the monks no longer use or recommend the alpha rollover, so that's good. I give them credit for moving on to better approaches.

This book does contain helpful information on a number of topics, like crating and a puppy schedule. Still, this is not the book I recommend to dog owners. Better information exists elsewhere, like in Pat Miller's book, Positive Perspectives: Love Your Dog, Train Your Dog. ( )