A must-read for all new puppy owners! In just 50 pages SuperPuppy will give you clear, concise suggestions covering: choosing a puppy, discipline, chewing, digging, jumping up, housetraining, barking, and nipping. You'll learn how to communicate better with your dog and how to get the most out of your relationship with one of the most remarkable creatures on earth.
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About the Author
Peter Vollmer has worked with the Wisconsin Humane Society, Milwaukee Veterinary Medical Association, Hills Pet Products and dog training groups throughout the country to develop pet owner education programs that emphasize the need to begin training early. He received the Dog Writers' Association of America writing award for a series of articles on raising dogs that appeared in Veterinary Medicine/Small Animal Clinician. The book, SuperPuppy: How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have! developed from that series of articles.
Peter currently lives in the San Diego area with his wife, Nancy and their dogs, Blackfoot, Sage and Pinto. They compete in agility and herding trials.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
One of the first considerations in raising a super puppy is careful selection. Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, coat lengths, colors and dispositions. One area people often overlook when choosing a puppy is a thorough investigation of the particular characteristics that their pup will come to develop. Getting a dog on impulse, based primarily on puppy appearance, is not the best approach. Most pups are cute and cuddly, but puppy "cuteness" is quickly outgrown.
If you haven't already acquired a pup, consider whether you have the time necessary to raise him properly - or do you have more pressing considerations? Other responsibilities such as raising small children, school work, or full-time employment, may divert too much of your attention from the pup. Puppies, like small children, need a tremendous amount of social contact and direction in order to develop to their full potential - this means time on your part. Also, think about how its adult size will fit into your home and life-style. Can you provide adequate room for him, and will you be able to fulfill his exercise and grooming requirements.
Another consideration is temperament - an important aspect that is all too often overlooked. Temperament involves general behavioral tendencies that certain breeds of dogs share or have in common. For example, herding and coursing breeds may be more inclined to chase moving objects than other breeds. Another aspect of temperament is the individual puppy's way of interacting with its world, regardless of its breed or past experiences.
If you're thinking about a particular breed, take time to identify temperamental characteristics by locating breeders, trainers or pet shops with good reputations as knowledgeable professionals. Perhaps you know someone with a dog you like. Find out from them about the breeder, or ask local veterinarians or members of you local dog club. Honest, reliable breeders will be more than happy to inform you of their breed's qualities, both pro and con, and help you match a breed or individual with your life-style.
If you have your mind set on adopting a puppy from the local animal shelter, terrific! Just take time to handle more than one prospect, and try to keep an open mind so you can find that special one. The last thing you'll want to do is return the dog because it was the wrong pet for you and the family.
One more thing. As soon as your veterinarian feels your dog is old enough, have him or her neutered or spayed. This won't alter your dog's personality, but it will make it much, much easier for your pet to live with its human family and for you to live with a four-legged animal. If the dog were living in the wild, it would certainly need those hormones that spay/neuter removes, but the family dog need not, and should not, be under these primitive, hormonal influences.
Another benefit of early spay/neuter is better health. Animal medical research show that older pet dogs, who were neutered while youngsters had fewer tumors and other related health problems.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
If you haven't already chosen a pup, remember that a great amount of variability exists among individuals, even those of the same breed. So take time to study each prospect.
Puppies require regular, non-traumatic human contact between the third and sixteenth weeks of life in order to prevent a subsequent fear of people. Researchers have discovered that this process, referred to a primary socialization, can still be accomplished beginning at around the seventh week, even if the dog has had little or no contact with people prior to that time. If you're not sure how the puppy was handled by the breeder or others, select a pup within the seven-week age group.
When studying a prospect, be aware of any signs of withdrawal from or disinterest in people, as well as signs of being overly pushy. Balance is the key, so look for the well-rounded individual. Stay away from the extremes represented by the fearful litter runt or the bully.
Finally, handle each prospect individually by performing the subordination exercises beginning on page 6. Remember, you'll have to live with the pup, so select the one that likes to be around you and your family and also the one that you and other family members will be able to manage.
FINAL PREPARATION
Once you've decided upon a pup, prepare yourself before you bring him home by carefully reading over the following chapters. Plan his arrival so that you'll have ample time available (such as a weekend or vacation) to begin his life with you properly. Bear in mind that going to a new home will be an abrupt change, so don't pack his first several days with new experiences. Take time to ease the pup into the new routine. Hold off having many visitors or taking him visiting. He first has to adjust to you, your family, and his new surroundings before he's ready for the rest of the world.
Abrupt changes can produce stress in dogs, and one symptom of stress is loss of appetite - it isn't unusual for a new puppy not to eat for the first 24 hours. A good indication that he's adjusting to his new surroundings is eating. If, however, he continues to refuse all food after 24 hours, a call to your breeder or veterinarian may be in order.
During the first several days, concentrate on housetraining, introducing the den, and the subordination exercises. And remember always to know where the puppy is and what he's doing. The first 48 hours are important because the puppy's initial impressions can be long remembered, and it's much easier to teach good habits than to change undesirable ones.
Whether you are about to purchase a pup or have already acquired your puppy, you'll want the read the following recommendations carefully. Raising a puppy to his full potential as a close companion takes insight, patience, compassion, and just plain hard work. But your efforts will pay many, many dividends as your super puppy will grow into a valued family member who'll give you priceless hours of enjoyment and companionship over the years to come.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Looks can be deceiving.....,
By A Customer
This review is from: SuperPuppy:How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have! (Paperback)
I have recently purchased several puppy training books and have been somewhat disappointed with them. While still searching for answers this book was recommended to me by my puppies breeder so I decided to give it a try. You should however order this with the knowledge that it is more of a pamphlet rather then a book and there are no photos. There are some illistrations but nothing that my child couldn't do. It has a yellow cardstock cover and 39 pages of information stapled to the cardstock to bind it. If you are looking for a flashy book this is not it. This book however had the best information I have found and cost far less then the other books I have purchased. It is not specific to breed but with the exercises he offers it does not need to be. I have been "testing" this book on my four month old puppy and have already noticed a big change even though I've only been using the ideas for three days. I personally believe the information is well worth the cover price even if the initial appearance of the book is not.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best puppy raising guide out there.,
By A Customer
This review is from: SuperPuppy:How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have! (Paperback)
This book deals with the basic information every new puppy owner should have. It explains clearly what you need to do, why you need to do it, and how to do it. It's easy to read and it's easy to look up individual sections. It should go home with every new puppy! I speak from some experience, having used this book to raise several puppies over the years. I have also been a long time puppy instructor with our local dog club and have recommended it. Several of our local veterinarians also enthusiastically provide the book to new puppy owners.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a Super book for new pup owners and breeders too!,
By A Customer
This review is from: SuperPuppy:How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have! (Paperback)
I was going to write my own puppy raising manual until a friend sent me this book. It covered all the information I want a new puppy owner or adopter of a rescue dog to know about dealing with all the basics of fitting a new dog into their home. It includes preventing and solving problems in an easy to read and follow manner using humane training techniques. No need to spend hours reading to get the information you need to help with your pup.Even a ten year old can, with a little help, learn how to turn a pup into a great best friend! Simply the best book I have found on the subject! And breeders it makes a FABULOUS addition to your puppy pack!
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