The Puppy Primer (second edition), by Patricia McConnell and Brenda Scidmore (McConnell Publishing, 2010, 117 pages, $16.95PB)
At first reading, a simple book, but don’t let that fool you. The Puppy Primer is a new classic and one that should be in your training toolbox if it isn’t already!
With six chapters, the authors have provided both puppy people and puppy trainers with a week-by-week bible of training and behavior, a recipe for turning a puppy into a wonderful best friend for life. Perfect for those experienced trainers who may not have taught puppies for a while (or ever), The Puppy Primer provides a 6-week curriculum with enough explanation for the students to read before class (if they wish) and to review during the following week to solidify the exercises (games), explanations, and words of wisdom provided.
Each chapter begins with a sort-of lecture topic starting with the all-important socialization, positive reinforcement and housetraining. After that, we get down to the basics of training but nearly every skill taught is covered bit by bit over more than one week, so both dog and person can practice and succeed in small increments.
Each week covers new exercises plus sections titled Practice Makes Perfect which build on previous exercises and make them just a wee bit harder, yet still do-able for both human and canine.
Oh, and the chapters end with a bulleted summary that is oh, so helpful. Sort of like ‘the least you need to remember.’
Writing Style
McConnell and Scidmore have an unusually lovely and human writing style for a how-to book: essentially more story-style than dry academic recipes and with a sense of humor that is priceless! You will keep reading just to find more conversational gems. Plus the Recommended Reading List at the back is the most complete list I have seen in two pages – and I agree with the authors’ recommendations!
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Caveat: This book was purchased by DogEvals for training and to review.
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