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Description
A humane, effective and concise approach to puppy rearing that gets your pup off to a great start. Covers socializing, crate training, house training and how to use positive reinforcement to get good behavior. Dr. McConnell is a leading animal behaviorist. Read more
Publisher : McConnell Publishing Limited
Publication date : March 16, 2010
Edition : 2nd ed.
Language : English
Print length : 117 pages
ISBN-10 : 1891767135
ISBN-13 : 35
Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
Dimensions : 6.9 x 0.31 x 10.6 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #19,128 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #13 in Dog Training (Books)
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Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Paperback
This book changed my life-with-pup immediately and my understanding of dog training forever. It is the best-written concise manual to basic training I've ever encountered. I recommend it to anyone, even an experienced owner, who has a dog and wants to understand him better. It is divided into a set of progressive exercises and reviews, one major lesson per week. The authors briefly explain in the simplest, clearest manner possible both how to bring about a behavior---e.g., the sit or down or get-away-from-that-bottle-of-pills-that-just-spilled-onto-the-floor-and-will-kill-you-if-you-ingest-them---and why that particular method works. They explain precisely---step-by-step-- how to conduct the little exercise that will create the new behavior. The week is spent in short, repeated drills and practice of former lessons. I felt confident, once again at ease with myself and pup, by the end of page one. The basic message of the book? IT'S NOT MAGIC: dogs act from genetic, canine-specific behavioral patterns, just as human beings act from human-specific patterns. Learn those behavioral canine patterns and adapt your training to them. Then training will be easy, even fun for both owner and pup. It will be simple. I was ready for simple. I've owned rat terriers all my life. I like their zip and feistiness and sharp features. I love their spirit and admire their sharp minds. I have taken all my dogs through their basic training without instruction or classes, and I've had few problems, none that did not resolve themselves pretty quickly. And I'd just had fourteen wonderful years with the gentlest ratty I've ever known. So when The New Guy arrived, he was a mild surprise. I'd forgotten the all-teeth, all-chewing, all-running stage. The bounce. Nor was the New Guy was not the gentlest rat terrier I'd known. But we got along. He house trained quickly, learned the sit and the come and followed through on both about half the time. Not bad for a three-month-old. But soon, he began the "jump-on-her-and-lick-her-face" and the "mouth and snap at her hands and legs." One look at those little bared teeth and I called around for help, while I awaited an obedience class. Every trainer spoke of Alpha Animals and the occasional need kick or slap in order not "spoil" the dog. I'm a lifetime teacher and I'd never seen the equivalents of those recommendations work in my classrooms, but I was willing to try anything because daily The New Guy grew more defiant. I ordered recommended books and read them, marking key passages. I did things that ran against my instincts and tried some I simply could not pull off (the heel, for instance). Then finally, late on a day filled with frustration and punctuated by tiny canine teeth marks on my arm, I went to Amazon, seeking something simpler, maybe a set of progressive lessons. Something practical and simple. I wanted easy solutions, for I knew from past experience, they existed. That's how I discovered "The Puppy Primer." It is exactly what it says----a primer, a set of basic training exercises that will take a dog through his first year and teach him to become a good companion and family member, while retaining his individuality. The author is an animal behaviorist who is an active researcher, and she is also an experienced hand-on trainer, and that combination separates her approach from a lot of well-known advice givers. She understands the mind of the creature at the end of the leash and her training techniques are designed to meet the needs of the canine mind. The training exercises work exactly the way she says they will work. Exactly. They are so simple, I marvel still. They use small treats as rewards because eating is the greatest pleasure pups know and hence best reward. Couple it with lavish praise, and the pup will gradually transfer the pleasure of the treat to the praise and chest and belly rubs and link all with the behavior being taught---sit, stay, come, or other. In time, the pup comes to see the behavior itself as pleasurable and seek out that pleasure. My pup and I are not to the heel command yet, but I think that lesson illustrates the superiority of this book's method of training. The other books I've read start this exercise with the dog on leash. The authors do not start with leash. They begin with a set of preliminary exercises that reward the dog for following closely the feet of trainer. Ingenious and simple. Then they move to the leash, recommend chest "halter" at first because it is less likely to harm the head or neck. Then they build on the already-present skills taught in the preliminary exercises to teach the dog to heel. Such an approach just makes sense. As a teacher and student I learned two important things: one will never (possibly can never) learn from someone who he believes does not like him and a teacher cannot teach a student whose motivations and being she does not understand. We cannot beat or frighten or harry any student into learning. This understanding lies at the heart of "The Puppy Primer and accounts for its successful teaching. In fact, were I teaching pedagogy in an education school, I would assign this book as required reading. It would teach the importance of addressing human needs, the value of exercises that prepare students for mastering a skill, the value of rewards besides grades, and the great pleasure of teaching and learning that can bind student and teacher. This little book is witty, clear, engaging, and right. I will give it to the dog owners I know. And I shall always be grateful to it for helping me reach my pup before bad behaviors had become confirmed. Usually the best of anything is simple. This book is no exception. Thanks!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2012 by gi
Format: Paperback
This is by far the best training book I've read about dogs. Not that I've read hundreds of dog books. Despite everyone trying to employ Ceaser Milan's training techniques, I was searching for a book from a legitimate expert in animal behavior. I found her name on Google. I noticed that her PhD in Zoology was from UW Madison, which has an excellent reputation. All too often you see someone with Phd in their name and they just paid for the degree from a correspondence school. This is obviously someone that is well researched in science and animal behavior. She knows how to write well and makes it easy for anyone to understand. I applied the techniques she discussed and our puppy has grown into a very happy mature 1 year old. I'm very appreciative about the recommendation for an Easy Walk harness too. The last couple of dogs I had always tugged on the leash (strangling themselves with their collars). Just by using the right type of harness I was able to avoid my puppy from ever even being harmed by a small collar. I learned especially with my dog that positive reinforcement was the absolute only way to go. I have never had to and never would employ a violent or abusive technique when training a dog. And I like how this book tended to validate positive reinforcement. I use the conditioning techniques that Dr. McConnell explains... for example, using the "come" command. This is extrodinarily helpful because I take my puppy to the dog park a lot and their are not fences. Since we train a lot and conditioned the "come" command, he comes right away from a long distance. Also, in terms of barking, I'm really glad I read this book because her techniques totally worked. It seems like many people yell at their dog when they bark and don't realize that it tends to make the dog think you are joining in. Then I see dog owners lose it and start getting very angry and sometimes abusive towards their pets. A lot of people tried to convince me that I should use Caesar Milan's techniques. Someone user their hand and an angry voice to pin my puppy down at the neck when he was barking! I was in shock. I cannot imagine someone would use those techniques on a puppy or think that it is alright. I'm not trying to knock Caesar Milan.... but I'm pretty sure the techniques he was using are even disclaimed on the TV show as "don't use this at home" and that these are very extreme situations. I still don't feel that those techniques were right... I used and trusted the techniques in this book... and people thought I was funny at first... but when my puppy lets out a bark at a stranger outside, I say, "thank you" and he stops right away... then he comes to me for positive reinforcement. It's amazing how this book really opened my eyes up about why other techniques don't work. I think my puppy is especially grateful to you that I don't pet him on the head! :-) Anyway, just writing this because I am truly appreciative... it's already created a lot of happiness to have a good dog... and especially for the next 20 years of his life! :) Thanks again...
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Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2015 by Amazon Customer
Format: Paperback
We got our new puppy a month ago and have been using the guidance in this book everyday. Excellent program for training. It could be improved a little with more realistic training times included. Some instructions seem to indicate that a few reps is all that needs, however, a few reps a few times a day and everyday for a couple of weeks is more like it. Really like the summary pages that a good reminder for the instructions.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2019 by Keith
Format: Paperback
This book is excellent--super easy read, broken down very easily, very easy to go back and revisit topics--using both the table of contents and also the layout of the chapters is very easy for browsing to find topic. McConnell breaks down training into week by week (or stage by stage), which is very helpful for novice trainers. She breaks it down for me and my pup so we don't skip steps and get ahead of ourselves and ultimately fail. So, for instance, sitting, coming when called, heeling, etc. are broken down and revisited several times throughout the book. By doing this, she paces out the obedience training. Master stage one (or week one), and then move to the next stage. I highlighted as I read. I use it like notes/outlines--reread before doing the next stage for obedience training. Our pup 14 week old Australian Shepherd/ Border Collie mix is coming along nicely--and so am I for that matter. It's very easy to skip around as well. Love info on house training, jumping up, play biting, as well as sitting, down, heeling, etc--love everything--very comprehensive. She also explains about the optimal windows for socializing and obedience training--it keeps me on task, focused, and optimistic about training my pup. Training my pup make me love my put that much more!! This is one of three books of McConnell's that I have. I LOVE: The Other End of the Leash and have her Family Friendly Dog Training: A Six Week Program for You and Your Dog which we are using for our 3 yr old rescue.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2015 by bluehenks
Format: Paperback
Great book for anyone getting a new puppy. I have had several puppies, but I always forget how much work they are and how time consuming training a puppy can be! This book is great for new pet parents and seasoned ones who it might have been a while since they raised a puppy.
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2026 by Charmed
Format: Kindle
Great short, to the point, positive training program aimed at teaching a puppy the important basics. I also enjoy books on dog training with a larger page count, stories and in depth theory, but this is perfect for putting together a program for a new puppy with out having to do a ton of reading. All the training methods are positive, not corrective. There are troubleshooting tips if you have a problem with a particular exercise. We are experienced dog owners expecting a new pup in the near future. Training methods have evolved over the years and I'm glad to have a primer like this that teaches the latest, all positive techniques. This might also be useful for an older pup or adult shelter dog that is lacking on training. The book recommends clicker training and offers some tips on it, but before deciding to use a clicker, I think I would prefer a book that covers the technique as a focus. One interesting thing I learned is that most dogs actually learn visual cues easier and more quickly than verbal ones. The book teaches you how to combine them, while also working on getting the dog to respond to either a verbal or a visual cue equally. The book stresses short, frequent training sessions and setting the dog up to succeed, rather than fail. Positive only methods may, in some cases, for some dogs, take longer, but they build more love, respect and trust between the dog and the owner, while also rewarding the hard work with consistent responsiveness once a skill is properly trained.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2016 by Fiontar McEoghan
Format: Paperback
Love this book! Should be required reading for all new puppy parents. I am a retired dog trainer. Used to provide a copy of this book to everyone in my puppy classes so they could have the resource available to refer to between classes. It is brimming with valuable information beyond teaching basic commands. It teaches the pet parent about development, common mistakes in teaching commands and how to see the world through the dog’s eyes (and nose). Dr. McConnell writes with humor in an easy to understand manner. It is divided into weekly segments for ease of use. Also includes information about what to expect in behavior changes as the puppy becomes an adolescent. It exclusively uses positive reinforcement techniques and is an invaluable resource the owner will refer to throughout their dog’s life.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023 by Mac
Format: Paperback
This is a good tutorial on the basic steps to take in adapting your new puppy to your home. This book will be especially helpful to a first time puppy parent. But, as with all dog training books, you will find out that there is no magic bullet for getting your cute and energetic puppy to behave with grace and manners. Because each puppy is unique and is influenced by the home environment, most of the lessons will need to be adapted or modified to fit your circumstances. Above all else, you will need patience. The best advise repeated in this book is to remain calm and in control of your own emotions. Showing anger or frustration will undermine any training or conditioning exercise. So read this book and try each step as presented. But do not lose hope if some of them do not seem to work. With love, caring and patience, your new puppy will eventually adapt and become the loving companion you were expecting when you decided to share your life with another being. Good luck!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2014 by Richard Carle