Puppy training books - any recommendations?

[EsmetheWitch]

I am picking up an 8 week old cocker spaniel in two weeks and I'm trying to be as prepared as possible.

I've had dogs before but took a more relaxed approach to training. This time I have two children (I know it's going to be very hard work!) and I want a clear guide for basic training that I can follow along with DH.

I've done nothing but research for the last few months so I don't want anything too basic.

Also, while I'm here, does anyone have any toy recommendations? Something your puppy really loved?

Crates and little water bowl to hook on side, little nylabones, little kong squeeker balls, little kongs, vet mats. antler chews, awful smelly dirty fluffy bone plush toys from wilkos and also rope pull thingies from wilkos. Little kongs, vet mats. Also have big Kong frisbee which one pup wears around his neck quite a lot and attacks, like a nutter. And I LOVE the puppy pen that arrived today, a week after the pups. Bitter apple spray is still to arrive and I think I shall LOVE that too. Chuckit balls are also good for chewing and chasing but too small to go in mouths yet. Prepare to be very very tired - I am one week in and absolutely knackered and it's me and the two teenagers doing this.

I've not bought a book but am looking all sorts up on the net.

The Happy Puppy Handbook is brilliant. Pippa Mattinson is really good and really knows her stuff. We are also bringing a puppy home in a couple of weeks. It's been a few years since our old dog was a puppy and I need a bit of a refresher. It's a well written comprehensive book and very easy to follow. Her advice is pretty up to date.

Any names yet? Possibly on a Discworld theme?

Possibly

We are all arguing about it at the moment. It's harder than picking the DC's names!

Thanks for the book recommendation MsAdorabelle. Have just ordered a copy as we're picking our puppy up on 4 weeks. Haven't had a puppy for 8 years so a refresher definitely needed!

I've ordered it too, so thank you.

I'm so excited but also really nervous.

Me too! I think I know this time round how important it is to get the early weeks right and also how hard work it will be. With our previous dog, I was so excited and really quite naive. She died last year and I still miss her lots. New pup will have a lot to live up to. They're completely different breeds though, which is exciting and nerve wracking.

Cesar Millan is the best. Love him

Nooooo not Cesar Milan - Pets at Home have stopped selling his books as they're full of outdated rubbish about dominance and pretty much every veterinary and animal welfare association in the world has denounced his methods

Pippa Mattinson is good as is Life Skills for Puppies by Helen Zulch and Daniel Mills

I like Pippa Mattinson too. Also if your dc are aged 7-8 + I recommend puppy training for kids book (don;t have exact title but it's obvious which one if you look on amazon). Ds1(9) read it from cover to cover and has given him a really good basic idea of what he should and shouldn't do with the puppy and he sometimes has good ideas which I hadn't though of.

Um, I assume that was a joke about CM. Am a bit raw after reading the thread about the poor working cocker.

I think I was quite naive last time. Knowing what I know now, I'm a bit nervous!

Glad you all ordered the book though. Hope you like it.

About loving him I mean. Obviously he's rubbish.

My children are both young and I'm spending the next few weeks training them first. Also having a big toy clear out and rearranging our living areas to make it safe and welcoming for the puppy. I think DD1 is realising this puppy isn't going to be all games and cuddles

For those who use crates, would you put it in the main living area so the dog is still part of the action or put it in the utility room where she would be alone?

I will be putting up a playpen for when both children and puppy need a time out in the sitting room and an extra bed in the kitchen. I plan on sleeping downstairs with the puppy for the first week at least and so the crate will be in the sitting room at night.

Our vizsla pup is 12 weeks and doing so well. I've been using a bit of Gwen Bailey's "Perfect Puppy" - she's good on the basics and it's incredibly easy to follow, though some of it is a little outdated in my opinion. I'm also reading Raising Puppies and Kids Together: A Guide for Parents by Pia Silvani. Again, it's not the newest book but it's great on being prepared and what to expect. And it's written by two mothers who have been through it many times over.

Toywise, our pup likes his big soft pheasant best of all. I can't believe how well it has stood up to all the chewing and tugging when all other soft toys have been destroyed in a day or so. Would also recommend stag bar antler chews - it's saving my chair legs and shoes (sort of a bit).

We started using a playpen but it didn't suit us, he only liked being in there if i was in there with him too. And then he climbed out after 5 days. We have his crate in the living area. Separation was the biggest issue we had but it only lasted a couple of weeks. It really depends on your pup I think, you'll just have to get to know him/her to decide what is best. Good luck!

I'm wondering about where best to put the crate. I really want to leave him in the kitchen until he's toilet trained but the only space for the puppy pen or crate is behind the breakfast bar at the end of the kitchen. It's very hidden away and I'm worried puppy will be isolated. I don't want him in the rest of the house until he's toilet trained as we have that godawful sisal carpeting throughout our ground floor and it's an absolute sod to get stains off. There's still a pee stain from our old dog from three years ago.