Puppy Perfect: The User-Friendly Guide to Puppy Parenting

by Sarah Hodgson

The book is user-friendly; the training approach is puppy-friendly

Dogs are beloved family members in more than 40 million U.S. homes, but raising a puppy can be a challenge, even for the most patient and loving human "parents." Now, the author of the classic DogPerfect applies her successful training approach to puppies-and gives frazzled puppy owners the answers they need. PuppyPerfect explains how to develop a nurturing and mutually respectful relationship with a puppy, which is the key to getting him to behave properly. After an introduction to puppy psychology, personality, breed differences, and training tools, the book focuses on step-by-step lessons and problem-solving. It's a must-read for new "parents" who want that adorable, but far from perfect, puppy to become a lovable friend for life.

Sarah Hodgson (Katonah, NY) has taught dog training for 20 years. She has appeared on national TV and radio programs to explain her unique training methods and has been a columnist for the New York Times.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Reference

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2005

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hodgson's style of puppy parenting seems to suit my style. I like her charts and plan to copy them to post as reminders for myself and husband. This really is a "user-friendly" puppy parenting guide.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

Good book.. very informative. 4 stars.

[Paula Mc Cune · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good play activities and some useful information to engage but don’t agree with some of the ‘corrections’. Perhaps a little outdated as most trainers now seem to use positive reinforcement instead.

[Brandyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems like very useful information, but I won't rate until I actually get a puppy and apply it. When I got Gizmo (first dog) he was 6 months and I skipped the super young puppy phase. I really miss Giz, but I hate not having a dog. Unfortunately, my job situation means I cannot get a new one until August. Since Gizmo passed away so young and abruptly I'm not mentally in a "train a new puppy" frame of mind. I decided to read this a few months ahead to try to mentally prepare and on that front I think the book was excellent. It gives good tips at selecting the right dog as a puppy that will fit your situation. It also made me feel less mystified about what to expect the first couple months.

More information to come when I can put it in practice.

[Krista Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book after reading and comparing reviews of other puppy-training books. It was an easy, clear training guide with positive language and reasoning I understood. I feel much better prepared to welcome our new 9-week old puppy into our home next week. Sarah Hodgson's style seems to fit my own personality, so we will see how it goes. I will follow this review with an update as I apply her technique in conjunction with the Leerburg 8 Week to 8 Month Training Video.
I especially like the daily schedule chart and break down of fun, easy games reinforcing training.

[Lorin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic practical guide for raising a puppy. It's got everything from what to expect each week, to games that can help to teach and train, to a shopping list of what to buy when you bring the puppy home. I'm certainly going to refer to this book over and over as my puppy grows!