Customer Reviews

I Just Got a Puppy, What Do I Do?: How to Buy, Train, Understand, and Enjoy Your Puppy

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've read at least ten dog/puppy books, and this is the best one ever. I don't know why anyone would paper train a puppy. Why train an animal twice? This book is extremely valuable. I took my dog to training school, and everything in this book was taught in class. The corrections and suggestions are something you can't get anywhere else. I trained my dog while she was a pup according to this book, and she is the sweetest, most well behaved dog I've ever known. It won't disappoint.

We read this book before bringing home our seven-week-old black lab puppy. So far, so good. The authors' recommendations about gearing corrections to personality styles is very helpful. A few of their instructions are somewhat contradictory and/or vague. Overall, I like this book and think it's great for a new puppy owner.

This book should be included free with each new puppy. Both experienced dog owners and those picking out their first puppy will benefit. "Uncle Matty" talks about the pup's personality and how to relate to your new dog--a chapter I found fascinating. He also goes over the how-tos of housebreaking. I wish he would go into more depth about puppy problems. Our new pup had a terrible problem with biting (people, not chewing which is quite natural for pups!.) The book gave some insights but I wish it had more examples of what to do to change the behavior. We ultimately decided the pup was not for us and found a better home. "Uncle Matty" talks in depth about finding the right personality match and I highly recommend this book to everyone!

About a hundred years ago, before Margolis was "trainer to the stars" out in CA, I saw him on the Phil Donahue show on tv, as I raced around my NYC apartment hopelessly attempting to keep up with my destructive, hyperactive, insane puppy that we had adopted from the A.S.P.C.A.

In desperation, I called him and he came over and did the exact evaluation that he uses in this book to decide which personality type of dog I had. ( arrrghhhhh! ...I had grown up with wonderful, sweet tempered, placid dogs but this puppy was an "experience" I hope I never repeat--she was the most neurotic creature since Woody Allen! ).

For a small (ha, ha, ha) fee, a trainer was sent over to teach me to control my dog. Thank heavens. Obedience training is a must for any dog, as is stressed in this book. The family/puppy bond does come first, however, as is also stressed in this book.

I am about to get a new dog for the first time in years...for my family to love and enjoy. I was happy to be able to purchase this book and know that I will be able to understand the philosophy behind having a puppy join the family, and how to properly train our new member. --Because, even though it's been years, when Margolis trains you to properly train your dog, you don't forget.

woof,

Jean

This book might be under the level of someone who has spent a lot of time around dogs, but for the first time owner, it is great.

The author covers a lot of topics needed for a new puppy mom or dad. I especially recommend the sections on housebreaking vs. paper training. It also works because it doesn't make assumptions about your puppy. Some dogs are dominant and some dogs are meek, and the book is stronger because not only does it take this into account, it has a guide on determining what type of personality your puppy has.

I grew up around dogs, but never trained a new puppy myself, so this was my bible for the first few months with my shih-tzu. In fact, it was out so much that it has chew marks in the corner. So, while helpful as a guide, be prepared to work with your new family member as well.

I tried the paper training taught by this book for my puppy which didn't work as well. The book didn't provide enough solutions for many circumstances. But the personality and FAQ sections are good! I believe you will need another sources for complete puppy guide. You may want to check out "The perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey. It seems like a good book. I just ordered one from Amazon.

Everyone wants a puppy....not everyone wants the work to turn them into sweet, well-behaved pets.

This book makes puppy training incredibly easy. Everything from crate training to establishing dominance to understanding puppy personalities is explained.

I've trained and housebroken three puppies now using the methods outlined in this book and I wouldn't do it any other way! All were fully housebroken in under 3 weeks and are the best pets!

Excellent tool. I recommend this book to all my clients and friends that get new puppies - this book & Clarice Rutherford's "How to Raise a Dog You Can Live With" are a must have for new puppy parents.How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With

This is a great book.........I suggest this to anyone who I know gets a new puppy. "Uncle Matty's" approach to training your puppy is simple, loving, and easy to learn quickly.

I have to say, not all the advice in this book is very good. For example, the author gives tests on how to test your dogs personality. One of the tests is to see if your dog is "hand shy." To do this, he says that you should take a rolled-up newspaper, or your hand and pretend to hit your dog!! Why would you do this? I think that's an excellent way to get bit.

Also, a lot of the advice is obvious, even if you have never owned a dog before. Save your money and get a book that's better written. Victoria Stillwell's book may be a good place to look...