Logan Voss
You’ve kept your succulents alive, so now it’s time for the next step, right? Not so fast—no doubt, a cute, cuddly puppy can be a fantastic family member. However, when compared to houseplants, dogs are of a totally different breed—pun intended. After all, it doesn’t hurt to polish up on your puppy training skills before you bring them home. We recommend checking out these books for first-time dog owners. With the help of a good teacher, your puppy will behave how they should in no time!
How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond
Cesar Milan
https://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Perfect-Dog-Puppyhood/dp/0307461300
You’ve probably heard of Cesar Milan—and for good reason. Also known as the Dog Whisperer, this celebrity dog trainer walks you through how to create the best possible environment for your dog in order to prevent behavior issues. From feeding to housetraining, he coaches you through every concern you could have as a new pet owner. Through these training experiences, you’re certain to foster a loving relationship with your puppy. His friendly writing style and incomparable amount of knowledge make this book a delight for anyone who’s new to training dogs.
The Art of Raising a Puppy
Monks of New Skete
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-Revised/dp/0316083275
For over 30 years, The Monks of New Skete in Cambridge, New York, bred and raised German shepherds while also training all breeds of dogs. In this book, they provide helpful tips and tricks as well as a wealth of information about your puppy’s development. After reading, you’ll know the training methods you should use as they grow up. It dives deep into why puppies behave the way they do, so you can encourage a healthy, lasting relationship with your new family member. This best seller makes the perfect addition to your bookshelf.
The Genius of Dogs
Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods
https://www.amazon.com/Genius-Dogs-Smarter-Than-Think/dp/0142180467
It’s important to understand a dog’s mind, especially before you plan on owning one. The Genius of Dogs author Brian Hare explains the research behind the evolution of dogs’ intelligence, referencing a variety of tests performed by various researchers and giving his own insight into what your puppy might be thinking. His writing is very personable, so it’s no wonder that his book is a New York Times bestseller. It’s very possible that you won’t think of your dog in the same way after you read this book!
The Puppy Primer
Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D. and Brenda Scidmore
https://www.amazon.com/Puppy-Primer-Patricia-B-McConnell/dp/1891767135
Whether you plan to bring your four-legged friend to puppy obedience classes, or you hope to train them on your own, this book is the perfect accompaniment. It’s an easy-to-follow read, as this manual is essentially broken down into one lesson per week. That way, you can scan the book once, teach the behavior, and revisit that behavior’s chapter at any time. The Puppy Primer takes you through teaching basic exercises, including “sit”, “down”, “drop it”, and more. It also addresses how you can avoid unwanted behaviors, such as running off with your belongings or getting into spilled food. If you’d like to own a concise and comprehensive puppy training manual, this is the one you absolutely need.
