Puppies For Dummies

by Sarah Hodgson

Bringing home a puppy? This fun, friendly guide to puppyhood prepares you for this tough but terrific time. From the basics—housebreaking, feeding, training—to the latest on doggie day care, traveling with a puppy, and the new designer breeds, you get everything you need to help your puppy grow up to be a healthy, playful, well-mannered dog.





Discover how to:





Choose the perfect puppy for you





Socialize your puppy





Use the latest training tools





Keep peace between kids and puppies

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Animals, Reference, Self Help, Education, Audiobook

364 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2000

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sure I'll re-read this one several times..before and after our fur baby arrives!!

[Emily Gazagnaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good pointers but man am I overwhelmed

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

We bought this book because my wife Jane and I had just gotten our first puppy in 30 years (a Cair Terrier) and thought we could use a refresher course. I can't count the number of times I almost quit reading it. I kept at it because I try to always finish books and because for the first half about every 20 pages or so I'd find something helpful. The second half of the book offers a lot more useful information about having a new puppy, but the first half was marred for me by her approach to dog behavior. She believes dogs should be trained to never do anything that you don't want them to do and always be absolutely under your control. She doesn't even think they should relieve themselves on walks. Her vision of dogs as problems to be solved is so strong that only once in 343 pages dos she ever say she enjoys dogs, and that is when she admits that she sometimes likes to have them snuggle with her on the couch, but only if they have permission. I am not sure she actually likes dogs, and I am certain she wouldn't like terriers, who have minds of their own. (In fact, the pictures in the middle showing various dogs behaving themselves include no terriers. I especially cringed at the multiple times she spoke of how, if y0u followed her path and had your dog under absolute control, everyone who saw you would envy you. I like to think I never do anything so that people around me will envy me but I certainly didn't get a dog for this reason. If you look at a dog as a fashion accessory or an object designed to give you the most reward with the least trouble, this is the book for you. But maybe that isn't a good thing.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may have had an old version of this book from the library, maybe (hopefully) it’s been updated in the meantime but the version I read is not how I want to raise a pup. It’s a mix of positive enforcement and strict conservative training with equipment that can hurt a dog so I’m not a fan tbh.

[Kristin R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, covers all things puppy. Easy to read and understand. Hopefully in a few months it will prove to be successful!

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just had an old library copy with black and white writing . The book covers everything about your puppy. I got the book to get the puppy housebroken. But Golden Retrievers have a mind set of their own . With luck I will get the task done before the puppy is 16 weeks.

[Kristin Loving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My puppy dreams did not come true (yet?) but I do think this is a good, comprehensive reference for those thinking of getting/training a dog.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as a contrast to The Art of Raising a Puppy. I read bits and pieces and then the puppy arrived and we did our best.

[Rebecca Hanrahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great FIRST resource to listen to when considering bringing a puppy into your life. I definitely missed out on some of the leash-training/specific collar guides because I think there were diagrams/illustrations in the print version, but nonetheless it was still helpful for me when welcoming our new family member! Definitely would recommend other resources in addition to this one, but it’s a great start.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an invaluable resource/lifeline when my husband and I suddenly adopted our first puppy this summer at the age of 38. The little 12-week-old lab was taking over and we had no idea where to start! I really like that Hodgson focuses on positive reinforcement instead of negative training. There are lots of terrific pointers for newbies - housetraining alone was worth the price! (Look at the dog when it goes - they crave eye contact - and repeat the bathroom word you use.) Coupled with obedience classes, Rio has become a great dog!

[Kiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quality work of reference! Covers tons of stuff, organized in a useful way. It has been a godsend over the last three weeks of puppy-care! Sometimes it helps to just know that other people have dealt with things like chewing and biting, and that there are techniques to deal. Good stuff.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is timely as we just got a puppy! Sarah is a good friend of mine and the best dog trainer ever!

[Lara (Atlas Of Stories) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5

I picked this book for the reasons that are also the title and concept of the book. We are thinking about adopting a dog and therefore doing some research.

Puppies For Dummies describes in the first part of the book the different breeds, characteristics, and personality types a dog may have. Very informative and interesting.

In the second part of the book, the author describes many different training courses you can try with your puppy. Some tips are useful and could be practical when training a puppy. But not all training guidelines and tips are for everyone or everyone's dogs. I don't think there is one way to teach your dog something. But this book could be a step into research and learning about dogs, and how to be a good dog parent from the start.

Overall, an interesting Dummies book for training puppies. You can learn from it while still being critical about the information that is said.

I recommend this book to people who would want to adopt a dog, or have a puppy already and are looking for some information on puppies, their behavior, and how to teach them things.

[Jina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Puppies are like babies - there’s SO much advice out there on the best way to raise your dog and there’s really no scientific evidence for any of it. Anyways, this book was rather repetitive, but I could see why as many people probably use it as quick reference guide. Also, Sarah walks a thin line between “positive training” and “wolf pack” training. While she advertises her book as being “positive reinforcement” she mentions tugging/yanking your dog's leash as well as forcing your dog to do things (such as sit) using their pressure points. It does have really interesting insight, but I don’t completely agree with some of her training advice. The best part of the book was probably the last section, “Creating a Wellness Plan” which goes over things from picking a dog food to common alignments to fun games to play.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been eons since I've had a puppy, so I needed a refresher on all the stuff involved in dealing with a puppy in this day and age.

This is a great guide. It covers pretty much every aspect of new pet ownership, from how to pick a puppy, to the stuff you'll need before you bring him home, to training methods and games. There's a section on food and veterinary care as well.

The author is in the positive reinforcement (as opposed to pack leader/domination) which is the teaching method I'm most in favor of myself. The only drawback is some of the information is a little repetitive.

I'm sure I'll be coming back to and reading this book often in the next few weeks and months!

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful information:

- [ ] Never leave puppy alone for more than 6 hours
- [ ] For the first few days or week try to keep the puppy in just one room mainly
- [ ] First weeks are all about teaching their name and where to go potty
- [ ] 3-4 meals for the first 4-6 months then drop to 2-3 meals
- [ ] No water after 730 pm
- [ ] 3 tones to use: delighted - directive - discipline
- [ ] Practice getting excited to get into dry tub a few times
- [ ] Baths once a month
- [ ] Clip nails once a month
- [ ] SPF 75 on nose
- [ ] Normal Temperature runs from 100.5-102.5
- [ ] Get a heavier metal bowl
- [ ] Get a wire crate that is collapsible

[Julie Kwiat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great guide. It covers pretty much every aspect of new pet ownership, from how to pick a puppy, to the stuff you'll need before you bring him home, to training methods and games. There's a section on food and veterinary care as well.I really like that Hodgson focuses on positive reinforcement instead of negative training. There are lots of terrific pointers for newbies.I will try some of these strategies with Bella my puppy.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skipped around a lot to sections I needed, since we have a new puppy (now 11 weeks old). Didn’t care for the jokey style of some parts as it seemed to gloss over actual advice in favour of making a cute remark. Nonetheless a lot of it was quite helpful, especially as there are so many conflicting schools of thought on puppy training.

Am keeping it handy, with another guide, as my go-to references.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were quite a few spelling and grammatical errors in this book, which causes the author to lose credibility with me. I do think a lot of what she explained in this book will be very helpful. However, it's the first book I've read on puppy care, and I'm interested to see if her method is the general consensus out there. Her methods seem a bit rigid. Still, I gained a lot of knowledge reading this.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had some helpful information, but she had a tendency to repeat the some of the same information over and over again.

However, puppy socialization, which she stressed is critical to puppy development and has to occur by 4 months of age…yet there is very little information or suggestions on how to best navigate accomplishing that given a puppy isn’t fully vaccinated until 4 months of age.

[Criquét Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its kinda repetitive. For a person like me which likes to read a book from page 1 until the very last end, the repetitions were pretty annoying. Otherwise it's a good book so you understand better your puppy.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just got my first dog, and this book is so helpful. I am still reading this book as my puppy is still in training and we have a lot of work ahead of us.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent source of information for anyone who is even thinking bringing a puppy into their home. And the center photos, while not necessary, are completely adorable.

[chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful guide if you're new to having a puppy. This book helped us through teaching our puppy various things like walks, how to stop her from biting, and overall obedience.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book for dog training and what to expect I've ever read

[Tatiana Maria Corbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best all-encompassing book that teaches those of us without dog training experience how to appropriately raise a healthy, happy, and well-trained dog that coexists seamlessly in our society.

[Lori Bayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic but lots of good tips. Especially if you are a new dog owner. Most important, training your dog from his world, not yours.

[Yannick · Rating 5 out of 5]

learned lots!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has alot of wonderful information for new puppy owners.