The Art of Raising a Puppy

by Monks of New Skete

For more than thirty years the Monks of New Skete have been among America's most trusted authorities on dog training, canine behavior, and the animal/human bond.

In their two now-classic bestsellers, How to be Your Dog's Best Friend and The Art of Raising a Puppy, the Monks draw on their experience as long-time breeders of German shepherds and as trainers of dogs of all breeds to provide--brilliantly distilled--the indispensable information and advice that every dog owner needs.

This new edition of The Art of Raising a Puppy features new photographs throughout, along with updated chapters on play, crating, adopting dogs from shelters and rescue organizations, raising dogs in an urban environment, and the latest developments in canine health and canine behavioral theory.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Animals, Reference, How To, Audiobook, Unfinished

335 pages, ebook

First published March 20, 1990

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A dog is better than I am, for he has love and he does not judge.”
— Abbot Xanthios, ancient Christian mystic

It’s been a while since I’ve had a “new” puppy in the house, and when I got Halle, she wasn’t exactly pre-trained by a person, but she was already trained in all the important ways of life. To me, anyway. Having lost two dogs almost back to back (one the end of May and one about a month later – six plus years ago) when I brought her home, she was as mellow as my Golden Retriever had (eventually) become, sweet, smart and loving.

After losing Roxy, who had lived with us off and on for most of Halle’s life, it was obvious how much her absence impacted Halle. And so we now have a “new” (for us) puppy that has come to live with us. She’s full of herself and had no idea of any basic commands (or, clearly, interest in learning them!), and has endless energy – until she suddenly stops and falls deeply asleep instantly – because she’s a puppy.

On Day One, Halle wasn’t sure what to think about her, Day Two she was too tired to think about much except being glad that we were home, Day Three, she kept giving me that “What Have You Done?” look, but now a bond has begun forming, and Halle has someone she can run around in the yard with, she’s happy, and back to her playful self.

”Perhaps the most enchanting quality of a puppy is possibility. Puppies fill us with hope, giving us a chance to start over again, to shape them and ourselves into long-term companions who will share an intimate part of each other’s lives for the next ten to twenty years.” --Dogs & Devotion

This book is, at its heart, about raising a puppy, but it isn’t a book that sets things down as Step 1, Step 2, etc. It’s more of a philosophical, religious approach (without being ‘preachy’) with a view to this “dominion” man has over animals being viewed as a sacred obligation to treat them with love and respect, as well. There is a lot more to this book that addresses a potential dog owner needing to qualify what they can give to a dog, and having realistic expectations of what to expect from a dog, especially as a young puppy. The second half is more dedicated to actual training examples and processes, but if you’re looking for a book that shows you how to teach your dog to sit, this does address individual topics, but it isn’t one of those “teach your dog to sit in ten minutes” types of books.

”First, by virtue of their very otherness, dogs have the capacity to put us in touch with the natural, nonhuman world around us. They are guileless, responding to life spontaneously and without calculation. Because of this, become windows to the soul, prodding us to pay careful attention to them in a manner that also awakens us to the divine mystery all around us. Something so simple as walking the dog takes us out of ourselves and reminds us that life’s beauty beckons to be acknowledged Or think of a dog greeting her owner after several hours’ separation, her body showing effusive yet controlled signals of joy. It is as if she’s saying, ‘This is the high point of my day! You’re home.’ Could we ever merit such affection? It is pure grace, yet its sincerity draws the best out of us, encouraging us to respond by trying to live up to such love.”

Written by the Monks of New Skete in Cambridge, New York, whose breeding and training program is rather renowned, this was a worthwhile read for me. There are probably newer, and more succinct books to read on this topic out there, and some of their training techniques that applies to larger dogs (like their German Shepherds) but not to smaller breeds, still I found many things I could use, and I enjoyed learning more about their beliefs and their program.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first reading of the updated version of this book.

I was first introduced to the Monks of New Skete 20 or so years ago. I had a dog at the time, but not a puppy, so I'm not sure why I read this book then (other than the fact I devoured any and all dog books as a child). And now I remember why they had such a profound impact on my relationships with dogs.

Unlike the conditioning training so popular today (positive methods rely on positive and negative conditioning) the Monks of New Skete emphasize the importance of a deeper relationship with your dog. We aren't training laboratory rats, they seem to say. Treat your dog as your friend: guide him to obedience and appreciate the wonderful individual he is. Practical understanding of dogs, but with an incredible amount of love, are on every single page. This book honors dogs as DOGS: intelligent, loving, loyal creatures who decidedly are not human.

The funny part about this is that I'm sure the Monks do not fit into the 'positive' camp. They will use scruffing techniques to correct misbehavior, do suggest a tug on the leash, and are starting to see (although I don't believe they use them) the value in e-collars. Yet the love they have for their dogs, and that they want us to feel for our own dogs, is incredibly deep. Far, far deeper than tricks-for-treats or redirection with treats methods that appeal to our sense of 'positive'.

This book is practical, easy to understand, and well written. It isn't a cold manual for bringing up puppy, yet it explains how to raise a solid companion. It explains the importance of choosing the correct puppy and tests to determine if a puppy you are considering will fit into your lifestyle. There are interesting observations about early puppy development, and correlations drawn between dog pack and wolf pack behaviors (with an understanding that dogs and wolves are not identical animals). Special emphasis is placed on socializing your puppy young and doing early (puppy based and light) obedience work to prepare your pup for more intense training later. I especially appreciated the explanation of why my pup constantly jumps to lick company- I frankly hadn't realized how important our faces are to our dogs.

This is, in my opinion, one of the best books on the market about puppies. I'm a bit sorry I waited until my own was 10mos old to read it (the sections on biting would have been valuable!), but well worth the read.

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful book for talking about puppy behavior in the neonatal stages before owners generally get their pups and talking about the importance of an early upbringing. Excellent book also for some basic training information.

I am wary of some of their dominance-based suggestions for training however. Some of the specific suggestions they recommend including giving breeds such as German Shepherds or Dobermans a "cuff" to the chin if they growl at guests could be dangerous. As a veterinarian we know that this kind of punishment and violent behavior can sometimes just teach dogs to hide early signs of aggression without actually decreasing their propensity to bite. It can turn off important early warning signs for people. Additionally it is difficult for owners to learn from the book how heavy handed to be when using some of these dominance techniques. Having seen owner's interpretations of these suggestions first hand I see that it often results in owners channeling their frustration into training that is harmful to their dog and hurts the human-dog bond.

Valuable insights but not a training book I will be recommending to my clients.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A week ago Saturday, my partner and I brought home a 9-week-old Lab-Rottweiler. On Thursday, a work colleague recommended this book. We picked up a copy the next day and devoured it over the weekend. It could not have come at a better time (although, had we read it before adopting this little kid, we may have reconsidered. We've both adopted older puppies in our lives- 6 months or so- but never one so young. SO MUCH WORK). There is a lot that we didn't know or were already doing wrong, and this book answered all of our questions, reinforced our best guesses, and made us realize that we have it in us to guide Daisy to becoming a wonderful, trust, smart and engaging companion.

The good news: we introduced her to a crate the very first day and she spends her nap times, her time-out times and all night hours in there, giving us and our 3 cats needed breaks. She's great on a leash after just two days, rarely has accidents, is smart, sweet, makes excellent eye contact, and the bonding is already strong. There's not really any bad news, just work to do to stop the jumping, mouthing, and the work we need to do to be solid disciplinarians, alpha leads, and to grow with her.

It's a massive commitment of time, money, physical and emotional energy to bring a dog into your home. Read this first, or get it at your earliest possible moment-don't raise baby without it!

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my best reference for raising my dogs. The monks have aptly and appropriately emphasized the importance of both reading canine behavior and using praise and corrections that 'speak their language.'

For example, dog mothers do not correct their puppies by saying, "Now Spot, that was not a nice thing to do. I don't like it when you do that so you'll have to stop that, you hear?" This is something I've seen done way too often between human owners and their dogs.

Usually the offending pup (if after several warnings hasn't stopped the offending behavior) will get a snarl, grabbed by the scruff of the neck, and shaken rather firmly. Or it'll get pinned to the ground so that it understands where it stands in rank.

Though some of the methods may seem harsh by human standards, one must remember that these are DOGS and should not be placed at the communication or language level of HUMANS.

Great read overall and very conversational style. Well done.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought a dog! And everyone says this is THE book! And I bought a dog! And it's true this book is really great! And I bought a dog!

I'm a little excited.

The monks of New Skete are, like, dog GODS, and they raise German Shepherd puppies at their monastery. My dog is a toy poodle, which is very much like a German Sheperd but more wolf-like. (Never thought I'd be a purse dog person. But I live in 700 square feet! What am I gonna get, a malamute?)

So when I bring little Archy home from the breeder at the beginning of June, I'll be all ready with the dog whispering. It's gonna be awesome.

[Nadav Halali · Rating 1 out of 5]

First time raising a pupp? cheers! THIS IS NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU. it does provide good information about the development stages of dogs, but all things here about actually raising a puppy are just old-fashioned, there are a lot of great books (listed below) that teach POSITIVE TRAINING, a method that has proved to be much more succesful, fun, and effective.

In the begging of my procces with training my precious little Zoe, this seemed like the go-to-book, better then any article online.
HOWEVER, as much as the first chapters are fascinating, a lot of stuff here is just plain stupid and often misleading for new dog owners.
For example, the chapter on crate training tells you to keep the dog in there for about 15 minutes, even if it cries.
For me, this has ruined crate training as my Zoe just wouldnt stay there no matter how many treats I gave her later on.
Another one is the chapter where they suggest you should firmly grip the dog's muzzle to show you're the boss. not to mention the Alpha roll exercise that was ommited from newer version but just goes to show how inaffective and old-fashioned their methods are.

I implore any new dog owner (german shepard or not-they're all dogs!) out there to look at these following books, I would also suggest clicker training from an early age (2 months is actually OK), this is how I managed to train and raise my dog succesfully despite the awfull tips I read from this book:

1. The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs - McConnell, Patricia B.
2. Plenty in Life is Free - Sdao, Kathy
3. Training for Both Ends of the Leash - Kate Perry
4. When pigs fly - Jane Killion

Have fun raising a puppy - it could be an amazing experience!

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Even if you're not super into the Monks' training methods, there is SO much good information to glean from this about the stages of puppy development, the importance of starting out with a good foundational relationship with your pup to head off behavioral problems down the line, etc. I really like the emphasis on the fact that even when you're not actively training your dog, you're teaching him/her all the time, so you had better make sure you're teaching and encouraging the behaviors you want to see bloom rather than the ones that will make things much, much harder down the road.
The last section of the book, which features an interview with Maurice Sendak about his dog Runche, is something of a joy. I wish I had the book in front of me, but Sendak talks at length about how working with dogs and learning to treat them with dignity and consistency and treat them as partners and as DOGS (rather than as people who can carry his baggage) has made him a better human being. I think that section alone is worth getting the book from your local library or borrowing it from a friend.

I've picked up some manuals from trainers who use different methods than the Monks, and I'm looking forward to reading those next.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read as I first read it almost 30 years ago. Getting a new puppy soon and wanted to refresh my memory. My last "puppy" was in the '70s; I've had rescue dogs since then with the last one passing 26 years ago. So it has been a long time since I've had this responsibility.

The Monks base their training on the natural instincts of the wolf. Interesting information and worth remembering while raising a dog. I prefer a more exuberant style of training with measured out treats, while the Monks don't treat at all. And, being Monks I can see why they aren't exuberant or silly. This was a helpful book when it first came out and is still helpful today.

[Angela Cheney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have very mixed feelings about this book. After being initially enthralled with the Monks approach, I started to think they were not as sweet-natured, Zen-like in their approach as I had hoped. They are more heavy-handed in their approach, with emphasis on choke collars, and Alpha dominance.

However, I did find some of their advice quite helpful, including the idea of using confinement and crate training for puppies, and their house-training schedule using the crate, being taken out, eating and play. It was a helpful, initial, starting point, but I soon decided that I preferred to modify much of their approach with more of the "positive-reinforcement" training methods.

At least the Monks approach was a far cry from the crazy trainer we encountered at Petco, who advocated we stick matchsticks up our puppies butt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (We got a refund, not for the puppy or matchsticks, but for the "training".)

[Natali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful introduction to the way a puppy matures and the ways in which you can relate to them. If you are trying to raise a dog, read this book!

I was referred to this book after we adopted a puppy on a whim and was feeling like it was going to ruin me. This book gave me a lot of wonderful understanding of how dogs mature but also a lot of practical tips on how to establish great routines with them. I now have the confidence to raise this animal in an educated way as I previously did not. The old ways of choke collars and rubbing the dogs' noses in their stool are gone and thank goodness! I am thrilled to learn this humane and holistic way of relating to a house pet and I will apply these lessons for years to come!

[Abby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Outdated and unnecessarily harsh methods of training. Time to move onto gentler and more effective practices, monks! My full review here: http://thedoggerel.wordpress.com/2011...

[Xavier Coburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between moving and trainings, this book ended up getting put on the back burner after about halfway. After picking it back up and refreshing up on some of it, I found myself enjoying it and learning how to look at things from a dog’s perspective, rather than ours. It’s seems that dog’s teach us more about ourselves than we could ever imagine and that’s something I really look forward to and strive to do! This also lets me focus on my other book I’ve been trying to start, so standby for a quick turnaround!!

[Amy | Foxy Blogs]

While browsing Hoopla I saw The Art of Raising a Puppy and I decided to reread it as a refresher. The first go-around was in 2007. Interesting how some techniques are still prevalent today.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Monks of New Skete breed, train, and raise German Shepherds. This book gives insights on raising a puppy from their perspective, which is interesting but their advice is incomplete and unrealistic for most of us living in the real world, and not in a monastery full of adults who know how to interact with dogs. If you live alone or do not have children, then this book might be helpful to you. The respect and reverance they show for the dog-human relationship is an important focus of the book. I also appreciated the emphasis on how serious a commitment it is to decide to raise a puppy. However, I do not recommend this book on it's own as a guide for raising a puppy unless you also happen to live in a monastery full of adults with experience training a dog. Much of the advice is simply not practical for most of us, especially if you have a family.

[Victoria Murata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for the new dog/puppy owner. I was intrigued about the authors, the monks of New Skete in New York. They have another book, How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend. They're longtime breeders of German Shepherds, and they train dogs of all breeds. The book is written in an easy style, and it outlines everything the new puppy owner needs to know including the stages of development, training techniques, problem solving and the importance of play. The version I read was updated and revised, but it still seemed a little dated.

[Stef · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I am okay with anecdotal evidence when training dogs, i found this book difficult to apply to what i need to do with my pup. My biggest pet peeve is doing an alpha roll on a puppy. Sure the dog may respect you, but it will be out of fear and resentment.

[Davenport Public Library Iowa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Raising a Puppy is a purposeful instructional book on selecting, raising, and developing your relationship with a puppy. The monks of New Skete are breeders in upstate New York. They provide meaningful stories and examples of training a puppy. This book is 20 years old so some techniques are viewed as outdated and are not recommended for training your puppy, but the emphasis on building a deep heartfelt relationship with another living being is the major take-away from this book. A good book to add to your list when thinking about adopting a puppy.

To read to this book, check it out here through the Rivershare Library Catalog: https://rivershare.polarislibrary.com...

[Hannah Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gulp

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My new baby Harriet will be coming home from the breeder in two weeks. As a result, I’m reading five books on positive reinforcement-based puppy training and comparing them for anyone trying to decide which of the most popular puppy books to read. Links are below.

Before and After Getting Your Pupppy by Ian Dunbar

The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller

How to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days by Shirlee Kalstone

Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution by Zak George

***

The most wordy of the five puppy books. There’s a lot of waxing poetic about the relationship between man and animal, and at times it downright channels Aristotelian philosophy (“We can never understand fully why a dog is the way it is. In fact, ‘the dog’ does not exist, only individual dogs and the unique way each develops”).

Very thoughtful, very appealing philosophy to dog-raising. Really values each puppy’s uniqueness. There is a short chapter on “dominance” which I don’t believe it, but it’s brief, gentle, and a minor part of the monks’ overall philosophy on dog training.

One of my favourites of the five books, but probably only best for active readers. The other books are tailored more for the casual reader of self-help books who doesn’t otherwise spend a lot of time reading (especially the Zak George and the Shirlee Kalstone book). This one is a little more dense and explanation-heavy (“‘Obedience’ comes from the Latin word ‘oboedire,’ which in turn is cognate to ‘ob-audire,’ meaning ‘to listen, to hear’” is a quote from this book; compare that to Zak George’s “Your puppy is like a curious toddler—she’s going to want to explore everything in her new home”). Both this book and Zak George’s are great, the best of the five I read, but totally different audiences.

The first third focuses on puppy develop prior to 8 weeks (the usual time a puppy goes off to their new home) by following the litter of a female German Shepherd dog, Anka, owned by the monks of New Skete. There are five puppies, Sunny, Kairos, Oka, Yola, and Kipper, each with different temperaments. I really liked the way this was done; I’ve done a lot of reading on puppy development, both in the other books and online, but haven’t seen it done like this. Very helpful and interesting.

[Teo Ekstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is going to be a long review, both because it's an interesting book, and also because it's the last book in a series of dog training books I've been reading, so this will kind of be a compendium of what I think I know or don't know.

As I read this book, I kept thinking to myself "Is this backed up by evidence?" and "This seems overly sentimental or superstitious". Well, I selected a book written by a group of devout Catholic monks--it probably makes sense that they aren't exclusively interested in evidence or the scientific consensus.

There is a lot of beauty and wisdom in these pages. The Monks are deeply interested in forming a relationship with your dog, and stress this throughout. Some passages are beautifully written meditations on the spiritual benefits of including these wild and foreign souls in your life, or testimonials from dog owners whose lives have been shaped by their interactions with their dog. The Monks take care to describe each dog as an individual, paying close attention to its needs and wants. They don't recommend any one-size-fits-all approach. Their wholistic description of a dog's needs, including play and exercise, could solve many a frustrated owner's problems. I truly enjoyed reading this book--out of all of the dog books I've read so far, this one felt to me by far the most beautifully written and clearly laid out.

However, if you are interested in evidence-based best practices, I would recommend that you look elsewhere. Perhaps as a result of their focus on relationships, the Monks are intensely interested in dominance theory, moreso than any other book I read. Their other major divergence from most current theory is in the embrace of P+ or 'balanced' training--in other words, aversive punishment.

To my understanding, dominance theory has its roots in a few poorly designed studies of wolves. In the wild, wolves live in family groups, with immense amounts of territory. Just like in a human family, the mother and father would usually have a somewhat dominant role in the pack--not maintained through violence or fear, but primarily through seniority. The studies on this involved packing a large number of wolves into a fairly small area and just...seeing what happened. As a thought experiment, what if we did a similar experiment on humans? Does putting 30 women into one house for The Bachelor lead to a deep understanding of humans in their natural state? Or does it simply lead to a distorted view of human behavior?

Dominance is probably mentioned every ten pages in this book. In an older book, the Monks actually popularized the wildly unhelpful "alpha roll", where an owner would take a dog and pin it on its back to 'assert dominance'. To be clear, dogs roll over on their OWN as a sign of submission--it's not something that dogs or wolves really do to each other. When a much bigger being rolls it over on its back and growls in its face, what is the dog supposed to think, other than "This guy is a threat, and I need to be ready to defend myself from him." After countless studies and testimonials indicated that "alpha rolls" actually increase aggression, the Monks partially retracted this practice.

However, you can still see traces of the same thought process here--they recommend restraining your dog until it stops struggling, so it learns to 'accept your authority'. They also suggest that you take your dog's food away every 5 minutes, so they get used to having people near their food. If every time a waiter approached me, they took my food away, I would like that person much less. Maybe I would eventually try to stop them. A better idea is to take your dog's bowl away, put in some tasty chicken, and then return it quickly. This minor modification means that instead of your dog learning that you're dominant, or something, it will learn that you are amazing, and that your approach is something to be celebrated. Then, you can be like the waiter who is bringing a refill of fries, instead of one who takes away your food prematurely.

The fastest way to start a fight among dog people seems to be to talk about 'balanced training'. One group of trainers (the flavor of the month right now) is convinced that punishing your dog through spraying, hitting, or restraint doesn't deliver better results and can in some cases lead to aggression. Another group advocates a 'balanced approach'--in other words, it is OK to do bad things to your dog so that s/he learns not to do them. Benign examples might include spraying your dog for barking or putting lemon juice on your hands, so biting becomes less attractive. The Monks favor a balanced approach, even including a little jab at 'political correctness' in dog training culture. I'm not totally convinced by the evidence on either side, but some of the suggestions here do seem to cross a line.

In one example, they mention that if your dog growls at you or a guest, you should hit it on its muzzle hard enough that it yelps. Will this really convince a dog that you're not a threat? Or will it just suggest to the dog that in this world, might makes right? The Monks aren't callous or cruel--they simply love their dogs, and want to find a way to communicate with them that they feel is 'natural'. However, they are unique in recommending this approach. Most other experts suggest that hitting your dog, especially in cases of aggression, is more likely to worsen the problem than it is to solve it.

The Monks of New Skete can be compared to a group of artists who have spent their entire life painting using their feet, and are now writing a book about how painting with your feet is the best, most efficient way of painting. Their evidence? Well, it's worked for them, so it can work for you. What this fails to account for is their level of expertise. They have spent their entire lives working with dogs, so they can afford to use less efficient or less successful methods, and make up the difference by relying on their decades of experience to solve any problems that arise.

I would not recommend this book to a new dog owner. If a person only read this book, they might be overly concerned with dominance theory, which truly seems like it only applies in very limited cases. They would also be more likely to apply harsh correctives, which are at best unnecessary and at worst contributing to the problem. A person could raise a perfectly happy, healthy, and balanced dog using this book--but why paint with your feet, and make things harder for yourself? Just look around, and see that everyone else is doing just fine painting with their hands. Better books would be The Puppy Primer (McConnell), The Culture Clash (Donaldson), or Don't Shoot the Dog (Pryor again).

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, if you're going to get a puppy---get this book first. Don't bother to read it from cover to cover but jump around. Of course, it does help to actually have read the whole book, but the order isn't important. Whether you begin with the case studies or open the book at the page where they give a house-training schedule (p. 117)---it doesn't matter. It's all good stuff.
The Monks breed and raise German Shepherds (for companion dogs) and have spent a lot of time observing dogs and raising puppies. They also re-train problem dogs. Their suggestions about raising puppies are based upon the way dogs interact with each other, how puppies are taught by their mothers and older dogs, and how you can use this knowledge to your advantage. They are also exceptionally kind in their approach, so if they say it's okay to keep your puppy in a crate, I, for one, believe them. In fact, we are now raising a miniature poodle using their method and frankly, this book is keeping me sane. Gus (whom we acquired at 8 weeks and who is now 13 weeks old) is turning into a fine little dog though he has the potential to dominate this house, to keep both cats in a permanently freaked out state, and to cause Jackson, our Golden Retriever, to have a nervous breakdown. None of these horrors is happening, thanks to the Monks.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed understanding how The Monks of New Skete raise puppies. The respect they have for nature and setting the best foundation for puppies is just remarkable. They take raising/breeding a puppy very serious and make the reader stop and think about, why they want a puppy/dog? Do you want companionship? Do you want only protection? Please just get an alarm system. Because a dog is so much more than that.The key is trust through play, discipline and time. There really is nothing as fulfilling as a loyal addition to your family and understanding how your puppy develops(muck like a baby). When you understand stages in puppy development you understand that the first discipline for a dog is love and understanding building trust in order to train properly. I happen do be in love with Shepherds and I currently own a rescued Shepherd that has been the most loyal companion and protector of my family. The philosophy in this book can be applied to any breed. If you are interested in getting a dog or own dogs this would be a great book for you to read. I love Dogs and want to raise them correctly and always learn new ways of connecting to my dogs because I love them. I am adding another dog to my family and I know now even more the reasons I want this new addition so much and that I am ready.

[margotreynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the philosophy of this book. Other reviewers have noted the alpha dominance and the discipline methods in this book. I appreciate both. Dogs aren't human. With our first Weim, now 11, we toed the line between dominance and gentleness. The result is a dog more socialized to humans than dogs, and whose intelligence makes her question dominance and commands. She is a wonderful dog. Over the years I've made it a point to be the pack leader, to borrow from Cesar Milan. I do think the scruff shake down is effective. We also use many of the other discipline methods. I've also read almost all of the Milan books; I find them interesting but lacking in effective leadership. We want our pup to be more effectively trained, earlier, and with more clear leadership from us. This book has reinforced our intuition.

[Lkelly6 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I have read many books on dog care and training over the years, I feel qualified to say that this is the best book ever on this topic. The monks of New Skete write really well, giving step-by-step instructions on the how to. Then what sets this book apart from all others is the inspiring focus and expression of the spiritual bonding that occurs between a dog and a loving owner. This companionship is what I seek and enjoy with my dogs. This book can show anyone how to develop this deep connection with a member of another species.

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I either want a German Shepherd pup or a Monk of New Skete. These guys know their dogs! This book is a great review for those who know dogs and a thorough start for newbies. Although some techniques seem a little outdated, I was really impressed by the endearing approach the Monks take with dog training. This book helped me a lot with Mingus. (More than my uptight Doggie Kindergarten!)

[Andrea Thogmartin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful first book to read in learning about understanding and training a puppy! Very practical advice without being dry. I plan to read again and take notes to separate out training stages and techniques for quick reference. I’m really glad I read this book!

[haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information

[Aldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Dogs are amazing.
2. Dogs, especially puppies, are bloody hard work.

There are people for whom the early weeks/months of having a new puppy in their lives is a time of joy, excitement, mutual learning and bonding. I am not one of those people – to be perfectly honest, I just want to hide under the bed with my cats until the damn puppy is a nice calm well-trained adult, lol. When we got our first dog, although we’d done all the research and were well set-up for all the practical matters, a massive, months-long bout of depression took me completely unawares, and until I found out that I was not alone and the Puppy Blues is a legit thing, I thought I was the most horrible garbage person on Earth. Learning that a lot of people – both experienced with dogs and not – struggle with the puppy blues was a huge comfort, and now that there’s currently a new nonsense creature in the house, I’m falling back on that knowledge a lot.

This book isn’t about the puppy blues, it’s a lovely puppy-training book written by monks who train German shepherd pups; the reason I mentioned puppy-related depression is that actually constantly getting more and more information on puppy-training can be as overwhelming when you have the puppy blues as not having enough info. For me, it definitely contributed – turns out when you get a dog, everyone’s suddenly an expert, everyone has a recommended resource or a new canine science thing you NEED to know about, or a horrible behavioural problem you NEED to avoid at all costs, or a specific training method you NEED to use or your dog will be ruined forever. It’s all well-intentioned, a lot of the resources are useful, but it’s a lot, honestly, especially when you get introduced to opposing schools of thought on training methods etc. So although this book came highly recommended when we got our first dog, I ended up not reading it at the time because I was so over all the dog books/sites/tools.

This time, knowing a bit better what to expect in terms of potential mental health impact, I read the book a little before/simultaneously with the arrival of the new pup, and despite being written 30 years ago, it’s still apt and super-useful, as well as a weirdly soothing, reassuring read. There is some beautiful philosophical stuff in here about the canine perspective and the process of bonding, it’s non-judgemental and non-religious (something I’d been a bit wary of because, you know, monks), and the teaching methods it introduces are practical and useful. I particularly appreciate their input about working with the actual personality of your actual dog and how there’s no such thing as a One True Method. I’ll definitely be coming back to various sections in the coming weeks.

[Noel (noelreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t have much experience with dogs (none with puppies before 2 weeks ago) so this book has been very helpful. Lots of useful information, and easy to read, not overly technical. If you are getting, or already have a puppy, I would recommend this.