Recommended reading before getting a dog?

[ProseccoSupernova]

I have never had a dog but we are considering getting one due to what will be a permanent change to working from home.

We have no kids and a good size house and Secure garden with access to lots of nice local walks.

I am confident we can give a dog a lovely home but want to read up first so I know how to prepare the house, things to consider and also help us decide on a breed. Does anyone have any books they can recommend for this?

[sleepismysuperpower1]

this is helpful, not to help decide on a breed as such but it has factors to consider about rehoming a dog, rather than buying from a breeder
www.thevet.co.uk/pet-advice/consider-rehoming-dog/

[Juiceey]

Easy Peasy Puppy Squezy is a fantastic book.

[ProseccoSupernova]

Thanks! I have ordered that one, only £4 on amazon!

[lorisparkle]

We joined the Facebook group 'dog training advice and support' after we got our dog and I really wish we had joined it before! It has loads of 'units' to read - not just on problems but on how to settle a dog/puppy when you first get them, how to teach basic skills, toilet training, loose lead walking etc etc.

[minsmum]

I second Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

It depends a bit what breed you're thinking of getting. If you're thinking of a gundog - labrador, cocker/springer spaniel or similar, setter, pointer, Vizsla etc - The Pet Gundog books by Lez Graham get a lot of recommendations.

Different breeds have different drives, and IME a dog is happiest when at least some of its basic drives are fulfilled.

[Pelleas]

Not everyone agrees with her ideas but I found The Dog Listener by Jan Fennel very good - very readable too.

[PurpleBirch]

Pippa Mattinson
The Happy Puppy Handbook: Your Definitive Guide to Puppy Care and Early Training

This is fab!

[StillMedusa]

Easy Peasy as others have said, and the FB Dog training ,advice and support group.

Oh and for breeds... go to the next Discover Dogs day (usually at Crufts and in London).. there are so many more than you could imagine, and you can talk to the owners and breeders to find what would suit you. I went with a few breeds in mind..met an entirely different one and she's now snoring at my feet

[Hormonecrazyhell]

An insurance policy & some vet bills, if you still want one after that you’re set

[CandidaAlbicans2]

go to the next Discover Dogs day (usually at Crufts and in London).. there are so many more than you could imagine, and you can talk to the owners and breeders to find what would suit you

I second what StillMedusa says about visit Discover Dogs as it's a great way to see lots of breeds and chat with owners. I had a shortlist of breeds but removed a couple after going there and finding out more.

I'd also recommend learning about dog behaviour and training before getting a dog (you could do worse than checking out Victoria Stilwell's channel), and deciding which traits suit you, eg size, amount of exercise you're willing to give, how much grooming is required, how easy to train they are, etc. Also consider what illnesses they're prone to, how much they cost to feed and insure. Research, research, research.