Recommendations of puppy/positive training books please!

[WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt]

An elderly (72) friend of the family has just purchased a Cockerpoo puppy, he's due to be collected on 28th, just after christmas he'll actually be ready for just before christmas but the friend is going away for christmas. She had her elderly Boxer pts a few weeks ago as his heart was failing and it just wasn't fair to keep him alive anymore.

Anyway, I know she is used to dogs, is perfectly happy to spend hours outside walking but I know she watches Cesar Milan on TV and thinks he's good so I'd like to get her a couple of books for christmas on puppies and positive training, also a Kong and a few chewy toys.

So, hit me with your best recommendations please!

Aw, a cockapoo puppy!

Life Skills for Puppies

The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey. And some Fish4Dogs tiddlers!

Oh TBG that book looks perfect. But the Boxer on the front is the spitting image of her recently deceased boy, I think she's still heartbroken about him and that might reduce her to tears.

I would second Life Skills for Puppies - I reckon it should be required reading for all new puppy owners. I see your point about the Boxer puppy though.

Gwen Bailey books are ok and do use positive methods, although some people find them a bit prescriptive.

Not a puppy book, but I highly recommend On Talking Terms with Dogs, by Turid Rugaas to every single dog owner I meet. It's very quick to read and fantastic for helping people get to grips with how our dogs communicate with us. It would help her learn to understand her new pup's body language.

In terms of finding a book that will debunk CM in simple straightforward language, rather using than a lot of behavioural theory and language etc - have a look at the 'look inside' feature on this Victoria Stillwell book. She challenges dominance theory and explains why it came about as well as why/how it's now been debunked, but does so in a very readable, easy to take-on-board way.

Another easy read which really helps you start to understand how amazingly clever and communicative our dogs are is The Genius of Dogs. It discusses a lot of modern research about dog behaviour and intelligence in an enjoyable, easy to read style and after reading it, it would be very hard for someone to then continue to use punitive and dominance training methods on their dog.