Puppy Primer [Paperback]

Brenda K Scidmore (Author), Patricia McConnell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1996

Help your new bundle of joy get off on the right paw with a puppy training book that you can afford and have time to read. With all the basics from potty training to socialization, this little book can prevent many serious dog problems and make your first year together more fun than you ever imagined. Whenever any of our trainers or behaviorists gets a new puppy, this puppy training book comes right back off the shelf for use as a daily reference. It's that full of essential information. This book is used in many puppy socialization classes, and it is a very popular part of veterinarian puppy packets.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB is an Ethologist and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist who has consulted with cat and dog lovers for over twenty years. She combines a thorough understanding of the science of behavior with years of practical, applied experience. Her nationally syndicated radio show, Calling All Pets, played in over 110 cities for fourteen years. She is the behavior columnist for The Bark magazine ( the New Yorker of Dog Magazines ) and a Consulting Editor for the Journal of Comparative Psychology. She is Adjunct Associate Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships. Dr. McConnell is a much sought after speaker and seminar presenter, speaking to training organizations, veterinary conferences, academic meetings and animal shelters around the world about dog and cat behavior, and on science-based and humane solutions to serious behavioral problems. She is the author of ten books on training and behavioral problems, as well as the critically acclaimed books The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend and Tales of Two Species. Brenda Scidmore is a professional dog trainer who began her career working with Dr. McConnell at Dog's Best Friend, Ltd. as a class instructor, private behavior consultant, and writer. Although Brenda has always had a lifelong passion for dogs, her professional interest in dog training began shortly after receiving help from Dr. McConnell for her own shy Great Dane puppy named Kato. Thanks to that early intervention Kato was able to overcome his fear of people, becoming a great family pet, with a wide circle of friends and admirers, and living to the ripe old age of 11 years. Brenda currently owns a training and consulting business that offers in-home counseling for a wide variety of dog behavioral problems, as well as general dog training, group lectures and workshops, instructional materials, class development and instructor training. With her focus on family pet dogs Brenda is proud to be a charter member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (the APDT), a professional organization dedicated to trainer education and public promotion of dog-friendly training techniques. Brenda lives in Verona, Wisconsin with her husband David, their two rescued terriers, Wally and Belle, and Great Dane Sophie.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: McConnell Publishing Limited; 2nd (2010) edition (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891767011
• ISBN-13: 978-1891767012
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #915,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise and Helpful, December 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Puppy Primer (Paperback)

Patricia's matter of fact radio advice (PRI's Calling All Pets Radio Program) transfers well to the printed page. The training tips and advice for crate training, house training, and socialization are spelled out in concise bulleted lists.

The authors goals seems to be building the puppy oweners confidence in order to build the pups confidence.

We just brought home a yellow lab pup, Sousa. He is off to a great start.

Give lots of praise, treats, play, and safe space to your puppy.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Start for Puppies or Adopted Dogs, February 27, 2006

By 

citywulf (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Puppy Primer (Paperback)

This booklet provides a good start for a new puppy or adopted young dog. It covers the essentials of socialization, mouthing/play biting, housetraining, and appropriate play, along with basic training behaviors (sit/down/come/loose leash/etc.). If you just need a "quick start" for your newcomer before delving into something more involved ("Outwitting Dogs" and "How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves" are my top picks), get this affordable option.

However, it gets 4 stars rather than 5 because it does recommend "setups" and "remote corrections," which can backfire. Dogs are associative learners, and may associate that scary noise that came from nowhere with any number of things other than the behavior you want her to stop. In fact, in another booklet the author mentions a sound-sensitive Sheltie who became afraid of the training center due to a remote correction. Interruption and redirect, without the correction, usually is quite enough, especially for a young new learner, and has no fallout.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT book - 5 Paws Way Up - If you only buy one puppy book this is the one!, January 24, 2006

By 

Michelle Kelsey "CCI Volunteer Puppy Raiser" (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Puppy Primer (Paperback)

This short 64 page book is a TERRIFIC starter for new puppy owners and has great tips for the experienced dog handler as well. "Puppy Primer" is well written and co-authored by Patricia McConnell who is a well respected dog trainer and author.

I highly recommend this book. As a 6 year volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence www.cci.org I have quite a bit of experience with puppies and have read numerous books. This book has it ALL in one place! Enjoy - Woof, woof!