My Smart Puppy (TM) - Fun & Easy Puppy Training Kit for Effective Obedience | Perfect for New Dog Owners & Puppy Training at Home

I have read many dog training books in order to get some of my puppies thru basic obedience and then Canine Good Citizen class.From the Monks of New Skete's books ( which I think are wonderful) to Ceasar Milan and Victoria Stillwell's books as well as watching them on their shows ( now a waste of time to me)This book blows them all away and I will tell you WHY.....The book is clear , consise and TELLS you how to begin to train puppy and ( most importantly!)the very REASON you are training a specific command so that puppy understands your command,,,,and the consequences of how a dog will take it if you dont do something a certain way. I don't speak dog,,,,but this pairs understands the language of the canine better than any trainer or " show person" I ever saw!I just want to help my dog understand what is expected of him/her and train!Today you hear a lot about being the " pack leader" first,, or your puppy will assume that position should you give up that position to ignorance on all the shows.And that is truly how it is,,,,,,not purposefully, but people do not understand the language of the canine world and how to effectively communicate with a dog in order to allow the puppy to grow to be the dog that you want your pup to be.While most of the other books deal with problems that already exist , this one clearly teaches you that you will not have to deal with problems long term if you take the window of opportunity at the very beginning ,and seize the moment in a fun way , not a sour and overly determined stressful way for you or your puppy. Training is a game that puppy ( and you!) should enjoy and have fun with!Its a time to bond, hang out,,, and plain old have a great time together.Training is looked at like a game , and this is the HUGE difference that this book offers vs other books.I cannot speak highly enough about this book , I am reading this prior to picking up my lona awaited Cavalier puppy from the breeder in 5 short weeks from now.I will be able to work thru stage I immediately,, while understanding at the same time my puppy's need for sleep and also how to handle issues common to puppyhood ( chewing , housetraining etc)( as the saying goes,,,,,,this too shall pass,,)The DVD that accompanies this book is outstanding, in fact I wish this team would put out MORE training DVD's as many of us cannot get to their seminars ,,,,and would appreciate even more information as our dog grows.I read the reviews about a dog food companies endorsement,,,oh well,,,,fast forward,( you DO have a clicker in your hand dont you?) Move on and get over it. ( I did!)I do not feed kibble at all, I feed raw food and have been successful at that for a few years so I skipped over that part rather quickly, somebody has to back somebody, and this food company did that.Economics 101 is all it is. Get past that.It did not take away from the very valuable advise and training exercizes on the DVD!I want to be SHOWN how to do this also! The DVD delivers.This book is THE best book I have EVER read on training puppies!I would give it 10 stars if I could but amazon only allows 5. If anyone should have a TV show on animal planet it should be this couple but alas, the others are there for the shock value , because people have allowed their pets to rule the roost and have accepted ( and dare I say encouraged!) such horrid behavior in their dogs, so it makes for good viewing for many.( sad isnt it?)Sort of like the show Bridezilla ,(which I wouldn't put up with either in my family by the way)I pay for wedding=we collaborate,,,, and you act like the grownup you are,,, IMHO.But once again,its done for shock value just like many of the dogs shows that are only retraining people shows essentially.You can still bet that when I make that long long drive to the breeders,,,, I * will* do a few puppy tests on my chosen puppy ( info is out there in many other books too,) to see the personality of the puppy before I hand over hard earned money.Its just wisdom to do so.I am looking forward to training in this most positive and fun way ( I threw out the clicker too!)A clicker cant be heard as puppy heads towards a busy road with cars should you be foolish enough to have your pup off leash not trained well on re call yet.Great book,,,,and fun to read!Added note Feb 2011~ Everything the book says to do was correct, while we allow our little one up on the couch, she always must " earn" it,,,,she has to do a sit, roll over, or something so she knows SHE is not in charge, we areMY son got a yorki at the same time we bought our puppy and oftentimes bring his dog over when he stays overnight,, that dog litterally will FLY thru the air up on any piece of furniture, and take over any toy even the small childrens toys if it wants it.It seems to be ok with them but I asked him ,,,,would you put up with the same behavior in an 80 lb dog that you put up with your 8 lb yorki?? The answer clearly was no wayI dont care what size your pooch is, do train the dog for your sake , your families sake and for the safety of your pet,,,I have * never* had my dog not come back on a re call after taking time( yes lots of it) to get her back, We live on a country road and I dont want her hit b/c she does not know her bounderiesShe is now ready to take her Therapy dog test and I can thank the authors of this book for steering me in the right direction in the first place~ we have a great time with our dog and we are happy b/c she is trained and NOT a problem to us or anyone elseBelieve me those cute puppy days go by fast and ya better learn early on who is in charge or your dog will make that decision for youthank you for the great book!regards~One very grateful owner of a nicely trained and well loved dog.ETA ( 12/15/12)DH has purchased me a puppy for Christmas,,,,actually we will pick him up AFTER Christmas b/c it can be very confusing for a pup to come to new home that is filled to the brim w/family and friendsI am re reading this book b/c it has worked So well for my training,, and I have purchased copies for friends that had new dogs come into their lives this past year,, one a basset, one a doxie) Am going to order yet another book for my son and family as we are both getting new pups from the same litter,,,,,English doxies, I do have a cavalier now ,she actually loves to be not only w/other dogs but our nearest neighbors kittens,so I know she will be fine.Time for me to read the book again and while I do not relish training in winter in Wisconsin, I will be getting a lot more walking outside for the next few months to border train alsoMerry Christmas to one and all,,,,,,