Reddit Reddit reviews The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition)

We found 30 Reddit comments about The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

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The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition)
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30 Reddit comments about The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition):

u/hapaxx_legomenon · 20 pointsr/Pomeranians

It really doesn't sound like this is going to be a good environment to raise a healthy, well behaved dog. I think you guys need to put the hard brakes on this decision and reevaluate your choice here...but I somehow doubt your family is going to say no to a puppy so...

Leaving it alone all day will almost certainly create behavioral issues (chewing, self harm, destruction, barking, anxiety, aggression, etc). That's not a nice life for a dog, especially a puppy by itself. I leave my dog 6-8 hours, but he's grown and I know he can handle it thanks to the looong walks we take before and after work, and all the other work I've put into training him and steps I take to prevent separation anxiety. People have to go to work, but look into daycare or at the very least crate training to help. Try to get the family to re-prioritize getting home sooner to let the dog out.

>they're kinda crazy and very yappy / bark a lot.

A dog's behavior is 80% a direct reflection of the owner. Although this can be complicated when the dog has been adopted by various people. Sometimes the current owner is dealing with someone else's mistakes.

If dogs could be BRED to BEHAVE then there would be a lot more "naturally well-behaved" dogs. Breed and other genetic factors can play a part in your dog's personality, but early exposure and training will always be the PRIMARY determining factors of how your dog behaves.

Small dogs and big dogs have the same brains. People try to act like they're almost separate species in order to excuse their bad training. You will see more yappy little dogs because people let them get away with it. A german shepard that angrily barks and lunges at anyone passing by is not going to be around for long.

Dogs are a lot of work, especially the first year of training. You will get what you give with a dog. The dog's energy level matters, this is the 20% inherent personality that you have to shape and influence with your 80% training. Regardless of breed, you can find a low-energy, high-tolerance puppy in most litters...but it sounds like you picked a random pup, so it's luck of the draw for you. Might be the high-energy, reactive pup of the litter, or something in between.

Training a pom can be hard because they are cute and tiny and it's easy to let them get away with very bad behaviors that you would never tolerate from a big dog. I found it helped to always imagine that my tiny fuzz ball would one day be growing up to be a Samoyed. Would I let a Samoyed puppy jump and bark and bite, knowing that behavior would soon becoming from a 100lb dog? No way! So same for a tiny pom.

I read all of Cesar Milan's books, and also Monks of New Skete. There are also some good youtube channels to check out. At the very least watch the "what to do before/the day you bring home a puppy" vids, so you get the crucial first step right! Zach George channel and perhaps most helpful; "are you ready for a dog?"

Cesar is pretty strict with dogs, more about obedience/dominance
The Monks are middle ground
Zach is very positive reinforcement/treats
So check them all out a bit and see what style will realistically work for you and your family (could even do various approaches from different people).

Honestly it seems to me like it's almost the norm for people to impulse buy/adopt dogs, be very lazy about training, and leave them home 8-12 hours a day. You're not doing anything outlandish. However the consequences of these decisions remain. The fact that you clearly care about what happens with this dog should go a long way. All it takes is someone stopping for a minute to consider the dog's needs, rather than only the humans' needs, and you'll be on your way. Feel free to ask questions or PM me.

edit: other random pom-specific advice!
http://www.petpom.com/ -- this website has a lot of info you need! Buying their PDF is worthwhile.

Don't cut or shave the fur, esp in the first year, or the coat will be ruined.

Little dogs need lots of exercise too, multiple daily walks for their mental health. They are tiny so the walks can be sort.

Poms can be quite fragile so be careful. #1 cause of death in poms is being dropped. Be wary of letting strangers hold your dog.

Poms are subject to low blood sugar and seizures, so make sure as a baby it eats often.
Dogs are never too young to be trained. Start from day 1. The first few months are mainly about establishing a relationship and communication though.

Dog health insurance is a good idea, there's a comparison website online for plans in your area

Good dog food is a long term investment for the health of your dog. Cheap food = expensive health problems. You can also google the best brands of foods. I usually go for Acana or Wellness. Human food can also give them the same health problems so avoid it as much as possible!

u/pencilears · 9 pointsr/NoStupidQuestions

say you're an idiot and you want a dog.

you want a dog that proves you are a tough cool guy and you're poor from spending all your money on BMX bikes, so you accept a gift puppy from your idiot neighbor who won't spay his bitch. (problem one: too many pitbull-mix puppies are produced by idiots who won't spay their dogs)

you are happy with your dig because the dog is a pit-bull, this confirms your self image as a tough guy with a tough dog. luckily for you the dog is a male, but you won't get him neutered because having an intact and therefore manly dog chained up in your yard makes you feel like your house is better protected. (problem two: idiots also don't neuter their male dogs)

so you chain or lock your dog up in the front yard and provide minimal care after he stops being cute, you give the dog an idiot name like "Cujo" to further reinforce that you only own this dog because it reinforces your own self image as a tough guy who totally does not have a micro-penis. (this is also why this sort of moron drives a giant truck)

so the dog is untrained, malnourished, and living in filth. because you are an idiot it is also in the front yard. before your dog can bite somebody, due to your idiot negligence, somebody scoops in and takes the dog to the pound.

now we have an unadoptable pit-bull mix. and because this situation is fairly common, we now have a lot of similar looking unadoptable dogs all together in the same pound. whenever a dog that doesn't fit this bill comes in, it is adopted faster than one of the hoard of pit-mixes just for looking more adoptable, meaning that they continue to be a bigger percentage of the total in-custody dog population.

TLDR: because idiots want a dog that will make them look tough, and idiots are terrible dog owners.

a rescued pit mix can be a perfectly nice dog, a purebred golden retriever bought from a reputable breeder and raised from a puppy can be a total crazy-pants.

it all depends on the owner.

u/binkocd · 6 pointsr/aww

Apologies if I repeat things mentioned elsewhere. I'm looking at a sleeping, year old lab/border collie mix, so I still have a lot of this info fresh.

  • I can't recommend The Art of Raising a Puppy (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/0316083275/) enough. Lots of good information in there and a ton of things you don't think about.

  • Socialize the crap out of your puppy! People, dogs, puppies, kids, etc. Look for free and/or cheap puppy play times and go to them. Your pup needs to meet something like 50 to 200 other dogs in the first 16 weeks, might be way more.

  • Not specifically called out in socializing, but exposure to all kinds of things. As mentioned, kids, other dogs, walk near play grounds, loud traffic, crowds, airports, etc. Yes, you will have to deal with "Oh my god! Can I please let your puppy?" And you are within your right to say "I'm sorry, but no." Be polite, but stern. Make sure your puppy sees people in all sorts of outfits. Coats, hats, etc. You don't want your dog to be afraid of things that are normal* things.

  • Work on a meal/potty schedule! This will make sure accidents, which will happen, are less frequent. This is highly dependent on your schedule. Make sure you allow enough time for elimination after feeding.

  • Crate training is amazing. You can verify that your pup won't get into things when you can't watch them. It also gives your dog a place that they can go when they just want to chill out. My dog is in his teenager phase and goes to his to listen to loud music and play guitar... ;)

  • Finding a good trainer/class and sticking with it! We learned a lot from the 2x 6 week classes we took, and are actually looking to take some others. Click training is also nice.

  • Patience. Puppies are going to pup. Let them learn. You don't need to be a helicopter parent, which you likely will be the first couple off-leash park trips. Just walk away, take a deep breath, remember you're training your future best friend and companion.

    Love the crap out of your dog! You are looking at a year and change that will not only define your dog for the rest of their life, but will be the hardest part of raising a dog. I've wanted to ring his little neck more times than I care to mention, but goddamn I love this dog and I'm pretty sure he likes me.

    Sorry for the wall of text. I typically lurk, but having gone (still going) through this, it's good to take a second and think about what worked, and what didn't.

    Good luck and I wish you both the best!
u/magespooks · 5 pointsr/germanshepherds

Wow, your first dog is going to be a German Shepherd..... Do your research, he will be great with the kids as long as your willing to put the time in to do this right.

GSD pups are notorious for being "mouthy". Redirect him, when he bites, let out an "OUCH", draw back, play stops, give him a bone immediately. (or suitable chew toy) Remember, you are not rewarding him, you are redirecting. He is a baby, he is teething and hasn't learned bite inhibition yet. You have to teach him.

I have also used the technique that when he bites, "OUCH" and turn your back on him. That is what worked for my current boy. You would have thought he lost his best friend. It was traumatic, he did not like it at all. It worked.

Potty training. If you don't catch him in the act, don't scold him, he has no idea he did anything wrong. If you catch him, "NO" and immediately take him outside. When outside in the appropriate place and he starts to go, use a key word like "going potty", "go poop" whatever you want to use. You will feel like an idiot saying it over and over while the dog defecates but you will thank me later.

Consistency and routine are your friend. He IS smarter than you are.

I would highly recommend a professional trainer for YOU. At least basic puppy classes. Crate train, it is the best thing on the planet. You can also use it to help build his bladder.

He appears to be about 12 weeks, can't really tell for sure. You have so much research to do....

The Monks of New Skete "The art of raising a Puppy" is a good resource book on raising GSDs. They have a good mix of positive training with discipline. GSDs need both. He has to view you as the pack leader or he is going to walk all over you. Especially since he is a male.

These are my opinions. I have had Shepherds since I was a kid and the past 25 years as an adult. I took a basic puppy class last year with our newest Dog. It was for me as a refresher more than for him but he got some socialization out of it as well. They need that, take him places, new sounds, people, pets. Do not let it be traumatic for him. He will go through "fear periods" every so often, he will be afraid of things that he wasn't before but it will pass.

These things are a Godsend

u/[deleted] · 5 pointsr/germanshepherds

Highly recommend a puppy class (not petsmart if it can be helped). They will give you structure and provide you with positive tools to help you and your new fur-kid.
Some school specialize in whole family training and I would recommend you attend class with them so that your toddler and hubby can learn how to be consistent with the pup. Everyone on board and everyone consistent will help.
What area/state are you in?

edit: Don't worry about being "ALPHA". consistency is more important. Go to a good puppy class in your area really. Or read/listen to The Art of Raising a Puppy. Also Schutzhund: Theory and Training methods is a good book for understanding where your GSD comes from and it's potential.

u/stephm22 · 5 pointsr/germanshepherds

Monks of new skete "Art of Raising a Puppy". The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0316083275/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_GPfOBb4SH8CCF

u/gravity_low · 4 pointsr/germanshepherds

Seconded for "The art of raising a puppy" by the Monks of New Skete as a fantastic start to fundamentals of dog training, with a couple of personal amendments:

  • Tug of war is a fantastic tool to be used to teach how to have a soft mouth when asked. Make sure they know how to drop it when you ask and you won't have a problem

  • The tip about grabbing a dog's paws when he jumps up and holding on to make him uncomfortable I have found to not work, since the dog just finds it to be a fun game. Better to put your hand directly in front of his face as he is about to jump up to stop it completely

  • treats are an essential tool to training and can be phased out over time. They suggest to just use praise which is great especially for mouth-based tasks but not in all circumstances

  • one thing I don't think they mentioned: a toy by itself isn't interesting to a dog (unless it squeaks, in which case it probably is interesting to him but annoys the hell out of you..) so don't think that because your dog sniffed a new toy and lost interest he doesn't like it. You have to make it fun and interesting and he'll be hooked. You'll definitely find preferences, but don't be bringing home new toys every night just to "keep him interested." You make the toys he has already fun and engaging by playing with them WITH him

    Hardcopy

    Audiobook
u/shaylenn · 3 pointsr/aussies

Rescues test to see if their dogs get along with cats. Don't rule out a not-puppy just for that. Also, getting a dog just a year or so, you get to skip the crazy-chew-everything phase.

And take up running if you can. Aussies like an hour or more of real exercise each day, so a half an hour run, then serious fetch for another half hour. Start thinking of your schedule with an hour less a day. That time will be joyful and fun and happy and have you laughing, but it is an adjustment.

And I highly recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-Revised/dp/0316083275/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409761176&sr=1-1

u/super_cheeky · 2 pointsr/nocontextpics

This is probably the same group of monks who wrote this book which I read when I got my first dog. She is four now and it was a great help!

u/AmericanAssKicker · 2 pointsr/SALEM

Not speaking for OP here but I agree with u/Beccachew 100%, at least with smart dogs. Smarter dogs eventually learn to be shits if they are not being handed a treat all the time. Not all of them but certainly the majority of them. Every shitty smart dog I have ever known has one or two things: shitty owners or good owners who still use treats for everything.

We started both of our dogs (Aussie and Aussie-doodle) on treats as pups but quickly replaced treats for praise. It took, on average, just 10-15 minutes to teach our dogs a new trick - all without treats, just praise. We never had to have them on leashes, ever. They never ran off no matter where we were. They never chewed anything. When it came time for us to eat, they automatically moved themselves to the kitchen. They never begged, not even with strangers. They stayed by our sides with us when we went hiking. When at a new place, we'd walk them around and tell them 'limit' and they never crossed the line. They only ever barked if someone new was at the door or on the property - or the occasional cow and deer at our current place. Best dogs ever... Fuck I miss them.

There is a fantastic book out there that I would consider a must for all dog owners, (u/Beccachew), it's called The Art of Raising a Puppy written by The Monks of New Skete. If you've ever watched Cesar, you'll come to realize that all he is doing is putting to practice what the Monks of New Skete taught him... (EDIT: They also elaborate more on why treats and training are a step, not a lifetime thing.)

u/h-ck · 2 pointsr/Dogtraining

Virtually any dog in the universe can fit the criteria of what you described, but all breeds have their little variations.

For example, my favorite breed is the German Shepherd. And there are German Shepherds that do really well in apartment life, and others that don't. If you go to a breeder for your dog, you're going to want to find a breeder that emphasizes pet quality, safe, sane dogs. The difference between a Labrador from hunting lines and lines bred for therapy and service dog work is night and day. If you go to a shelter to adopt a dog, I would recommend taking a qualified trainer with you that's well-read on selection testing dogs, and most of all, use the resources at your disposal. Talk to the people who run the shelter and/or the rescue. They have the most experience with the dog. They will be able to help you the best.

With the two breeds you mentioned (Golden Retrievers, specifically) keep in mind the shedding issue. Labs shed too, but Golden's are just about as bad as Shepherd's (which are both, very bad.) If you have carpet, be prepared to vacuum everyday. If you intend to let your dog sleep with you on the bed, or chill on the sofa, be ready to clean your furniture daily. Your clothes will be covered in hair if you do not. Your boss will not like you showing up to work wearing your dog.

Also, please, if you haven't already, look into your apartments restrictions for pets and dog breeds, and keep in mind that if you intend on moving, you will be taking your dog with you. I love all breeds of dogs, but apartments do not. Rottweilers, German Shepherd's, Doberman's, Pitbulls (and mixes) come under notorious scrutiny when moving. For your future dogs sake, pick a breed or mixed breed that your landlords are cool with.


Some of my favorite books include:
Dog Training for Dummies which is a very basic introduction to how dogs learn, and explains the different methods available to you in an unbiased manner.

Some of my personal favorite books include:
How To Be Your Dogs Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete.
The Art of Raising A Puppy by the Monks of New Skete
The Divine Canine by the Monks of New Skete

If you haven't already guessed, I'm a huge fan of the Monks of New Skete. The put huge emphasis on calm, structured leadership and positive method obedience that works in real life situations. Plus, they're German Shepherd people. Double points.

Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin.

Dr. Temple Grandin is a high-functioning autistic that teaches at Colorado State University's veterinary science department. I've taken several classes with her, and her understanding of animals is absolutely impossible to challenge. This book is more about genetic theory and science-backed training methods. It's good reading material if you want to know more about animals (she discusses dogs and livestock in detail) but is not a training guide. She also has a lot of technical articles available on her website here.

Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Harowitz. This is a cursory introduction to canine ethology. It is not a guide, but if you want to know about how dogs think (how dogs can "smell time" for example) this is where you start.

How to Speak Dog by Stanley Coren emphasizes communication with dogs, backed in animal biology and evolution.

Canine Body Language: A photographic guide by Brenda Aloff describes in vivid detail what dogs are "saying." It's not a training guide, but will help you understand your dog much better.

Katz on Dogs by Jon Katz, a great common sense training guide to working with dogs in the home, and outdoors.
Soul of a Dog also by Jon Katz, which goes into greater detail on the personal side of working with dogs, with very helpful examples.

Imagine Life With a Well Behaved Dog by Julie Bjelland. Great book on structure and positive method dog training.

Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Dr. Pitcairn was one of my college textbooks and it's a great start for dog nutrition and chemical-free health care for dogs. This is not a training guide, but nutrition and health are just as important (if not more) than training, so I figured I'd share.


With the exception of the first book on the list, all of these books are fairly detailed. I would highly recommend the Monks of New Skete books before any of the others. But they're all very good.

Additionally, you can read many of the articles on the AKC.org website regarding dog training, and Leerburg has some great comprehensive advice on training the working dog, which can also be applied to training family pets. He also sells a variety of videos and ebooks on the same subject matter.

TL;DR How To Be Your Dogs Best Friend & The Art of Raising A Puppy explain everything you ever need to know about training a dog, ever.

u/Bulwer · 2 pointsr/aww

Everyone who is getting a puppy should buy their book, The Art of Raising a Puppy.

Seriously, everyone. It's a recipe for friendly, obedient dogs.

u/Asgard_Thunder · 2 pointsr/confession
u/thereisonlyoneme · 2 pointsr/dogs

Check out The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete. I know it sounds weird. They are monks in upstate New York that dedicate themselves to raising German Shepherds the same way other monks brew beer or make wine. The book gives you great insight into the dog's mind and practical advice.


Also besides Dr. Sophia Yin's book, she provides a socialization checklist of things to expose your puppy to. Definitely do as many of those as you can.

u/Braxhunter · 2 pointsr/GermanShepherd

Read the book, monks of new skete https://www.amazon.ca/Art-Raising-Puppy-Revised/dp/0316083275. A very good read and will provide you with a companion loyal and friendly for their life.

u/TheMechanicalguy · 2 pointsr/aww

Congrats! You brought me back 16 years ago when I brought a GS puppy for my 4 year old son. I read quite a few dog training books. None off them worked well. I then got a copy of this book from my local library.https://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-Revised/dp/0316083275 It's called the "The art of raising a puppy" by the monks of New Skete. It allowed me to get into the mind of my puppy. To make this short, I had a fantastically trained puppy who got even better as he got older. It took me about 15 to 20 minutes a day to train my dog. Find a copy of this book you will not be sorry. As for hair, brush every other day or so collect it and put it in a shoe box outside. Birds will come by and take it all for nests.

u/davesflyingagain · 2 pointsr/bostonterriers

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-Revised/dp/0316083275/ref=nodl_
This book of all the ones we’ve read was the best for us. Understanding that dogs are pack animals and look for their place in the hierarchy

u/consigliere58 · 2 pointsr/orlando

I would recommend that you read The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete before you adopt a puppy. Good luck.

u/lechat89 · 2 pointsr/Dogtraining

It's only his first day so you really have to drop all expectations! This is just part of raising a puppy - since you mention you are a first time owner I recommend doing some reading, perhaps [The Art of Raising a Puppy!] (https://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-Revised/dp/0316083275)

This week I would focus on teaching your new pup his name, brushing him to get him used to it from an early age and also to relax him, and slowly get him used to the crate by giving him treats near the door, giving him treats to walk in (no closing the door), then eventually working up to closing him in. Then work up to being able to leave him in the crate without you in the room. It will definitely take a lot of time and patience, but you can do it! Good luck.

u/dietfig · 1 pointr/AlaskanMalamute

Give her a week to adjust, remember you've literally just taken her away from everything she's ever known into an entirely new environment. I wouldn't worry too much about the leash walking, I bet it will improve if you're patient and give her time. I'm not sure I'd start a dog that young on leash training anyways.

Don't take things too fast and let her settle down. Read a few books on training, I'd recommend the Monks of New Skete's The Art of Raising a Puppy; you should be able to find it at your library.

u/2sliderz · 1 pointr/corgi

while I dont agree with everything this book is a good start.

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-Revised/dp/0316083275

Tons of great blogs by lots of positive reinforcement trainers.

u/approachingX · 1 pointr/rarepuppers

Somewhere neither dog has been before. Check out the Monks of New Skete. They’re gosh darn dog wizards.

u/The-Riskiest-Biscuit · 1 pointr/shiba

Find “The Art of Raising a Puppy” by the monks of New Skete. They train German Shepherds for the most part, I believe, but their advice and knowledge is applicable to most breeds.

u/earnerd00 · 1 pointr/nashville

Do you have any friends will well behaved dogs you could introduce it to? I would highly caution you against taking your dog to the dog park to socialize them. I think people think that you have to allow your dog to get out and engage and interact with everyone and everything during the fear stages, but the quality (not quantity) of these interactions are going to have a life long impact on your pup so it would be worthwhile for you to check out this book: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-Revised/dp/0316083275/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540173332&sr=8-1&keywords=the+art+of+raising+a+puppy+by+monks+of+new+skete

​

Have fun!!

u/gabarnier · 1 pointr/dogs

Some great books on raising a pup using one of the right ways. This: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-Revised/dp/0316083275/ref=pd_sim_b_39 book keeps showing up. There is also a series of books from about 10 - 15 years ago by a matronly woman that were the 'go-to' book back then but, sorry, I can't remember her name. I used her methods twice. Crating is a key.

u/EasilyAmusedEE · 1 pointr/aww

Ooo, getting a bit upset now are we?

I bet you've never picked up a dog training book in your life, what, because it's too hard? Don't have the time to learn the science of dogs? Bet you got one and just winged it cause, hey, how hard to could it be to raise a dog?

Here's one that I recommend to all of my friend's with dogs and after our talk, I feel like we've become close friends. The Art of Raising A Puppy

Dog training isn't some evil action that I feel you think it is. If you think about it, ever since dogs were domesticated, they've had to be trained in order to co-exist with humans. You do this a certain way for me, I give you food and love. It's a mutually beneficial relationship.

Sure you can just have one and let it live with you, no rules, all free willy. But eventually, your dog is going to do something you don't like. Now you can pass it off as dogs will be dogs but one of these day's your dog might do something that someone else doesn't like, and once you anger enough people or if the act is bad enough, it's going to affect you and you will be personally responsible. Remember, a dog without conflict, is a happy dog. What that means is if he behaves, people can only love him and there will never be a reason for anyone to be upset at him.

I really hope you learn how to raise a good dog, and if it ever comes to it, learn how to raise a good child. Don't go into it thinking you know everything. Do a little research, and read some books. You'll soon learn that there is a lot about dogs that you really don't know, and that's ok, it's a learning experience for both of you.

u/tdrusk · 0 pointsr/Dogtraining

http://www.amazon.com/The-Raising-Puppy-Revised-Edition/dp/0316083275 this is a good one too.

Potty training should be more about consistency on the handlers end. Take the dog out every hour/1.5 hours and carry treats. When the dog goes potty say "go potty" during the pee or poop and then say "good!" And give a treat. After about 10 repetitions of this say go potty before the dog goes and then reward.

I laughed at the part about the puppy "respecting" you. It is a puppy. Do you expect an infant to instant-respect you and know what you expect of it without teaching it anything?

u/drkodos · 0 pointsr/Chattanooga