Puppy Zen: Eight Weeks To Train Your Pup and Create a Lifelong Bond

by Mark Vette

A comprehensive guide to puppy training by Mark Vette, of Pound Pups to Dog Stars fame. Following a quick look at the role of pups within the wolf pack, and how dogs evolved from wolves, this book gives a day-by-day, week-by-week guide to the fundamentals of training your puppy and building a happy lifelong bond between the two of you. Mark stresses the importance of the formative period (1-4 months) to instill good habits in your puppy, then shows you exactly how to do so and when to teach each skill. Includes chapters on choosing a puppy, forming a bond with your pup, training foundations (equipment and techniques), basic commands (like sit, heel and stay), what to train in which weeks of age, house training, socialisation, teaching them not to bite or indulge in continual barking, jumping up or other anti-social behaviours, plus a section on trouble-shooting if annoying behaviours start to creep in.It is a detailed and practical guide combining the latest cognitive science with modern, loving, training techniques.Illustrated with irresistible puppy photos, plus down-to-earth how-to shots of the training methods.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs

513 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2019

Reviews

[Stephani · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH my god. I wish I had this book before I even got my puppy. I didn't get it until my pup was 9 months old, but it was still IMMENSLY helpful to know how to train him, what stage of life he's going through, what's important to focus on right now.

We have a beautifully trained dog who is confident, calm, and friendly. I also bought the whole range (Dog Zen, Heart Zen) for myself and my family. They loved the books as well. Thanks so much Mark & team!

[Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mr. Vette's recommendations to use choke collars and forceful painful techniques on young puppies outweigh any good advice contained in this book. Such out-dated and aversive methods do not form part of a modern evidence-based dog training ethos. Owners following Mr. Vette's advice may inadvertently injure their puppies or find that their loved pets become fearful or develop more challenging behaviours.

[Qwerty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very saddened to find that this book despite it's "Zen" title advocates aversive techniques such as the friendly sounding "snappy collar". For someone that claims to be a Buddhist, it is rather hypocritical considering all the data that now shows how much physical damage can be done to a dog's neck by using these outdated techniques.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

My dog was too old at 5 months for this book. There’s a little section at the back. There are too many words also.

[Laura Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Lots of guidance and easy to read.