Thinking about getting 1st dog. Book reccomendations.

[Anyonebut]

Hello,

We are thinking about getting a dog for our family (2 adults, 2 kids 9yo and 6yo) in the next few months. We have never owned a dog before, so before starting the journey, I would like to get as much information as possible.
I plan on taking the dog to a dog trainer, but I would like to know the basics of dog care and training before committing to this.

Are there any specific books/resources you would recommend?

My vet recommended 'Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy'. It seems to be quite an 'in demand' book, as I had to wait quite a while for Amazon to be restocked (I couldn't see it anywhere else).

My DP had a read of it and found it interesting. He took so long that I still haven't read it! But we have managed okay with our puppy xx

easy peasy doggy squeasy

puppy squeasy £4.00 at the works

Both books are fab I would recommend them both.

Have you thought about what size/ coat/ activity level you want or can cope with? Different breeds (and lines within breeds - working vs show cocker spaniels, for example) have different traits. Some need much more exercise or training or mental stimulation than others. Others need regular grooming. Some are notoriously hard to housetrain.

In other words, if you want a small, cute dog who will play with the DC in the garden and be happy with two half-hour walks a day, don't get a husky!

The Other End of the Leash...Patricia McConnell

Another vote for Easy Peasy Puppy Squeazy. It focuses on positive reinforcement rather than punishment. I lived by it during the first month with our puppy last year and she's the most rounded, settled and easy going dog now.

Thanks everyone for the reccomendations, I will have a look at all the books reccomended.
@GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman, we are thinking probably waterdog, but not 100% decided yet.

Waterdogs are hard work - very hard work. A trainer describe them as a malinois in a fluffy coat and I agree!

Do not be taken in by the curls!
Not the easiest choice for a first dog.

@RiaRoth, really? Everywhere I look they're described as great family pets and easy to train! 😱😱

Anyone I don't know about water dogs but IME dogs that are easy to train can also be bloody hard work. I have working-line gundogs and if you put the time in you can have a wonderful, well-trained dog by the time it turns about 3 - but you will have spent hours working on obedience, and keeping that active mind occupied so it doesn't trash your house.

It might be a good idea to join FB pages for breeds you are interested in and ask pertinent questions. Between all the 'they are the best and I'd never have anything else' comments, you'll get info on exercise needs, temperament, trainability and so on. You might also see breeders and owners of stud dogs on those pages, which can give you an idea of who you would trust to breed and rear the puppy you might one day own.

The Spainish water dogs are inexhaustible dogs . They are herders and retriever so think of a border collie that also retrieves. They need quite a lot of brain work.

Portugese water dogs are mainly retrievers but still high energy.

If you like the appearance consider a doodle (runs for cover as Mn hate doodles) they may have a curyly appearance and be less high energy

My book recommendation: 101 Dog tricks by Kira Sundance... she has also a kids version.
If you like the look of a Spanish Waterdog, maybe you will like a Tibetan Terrier?
They are not the easiest puppies, but once they reach 18- 24 months they calm down and are lovely loyal family pets.

Thank you everyone for the reccomendations, I will look into all the books and keep researching breeds.