Reading materials

In an earlier post I referenced the books I am reading to prepare myself for owning, raising and caring for a puppy and eventually a dog.
The book I'm finding the most helpful are:

1-Brad Pattison's UNLEASHED
It is a wonderful book, written by an inspiring dog trainer and trainer of dog owners. He illustrates for the reader WHY dogs do the things that they do, so that you can understand them better and fulfil their needs. It's a fantastic read, and it's funny too. Brad Pattison also has a show At the end of my leash. It's full of tips and tricks for owners who cannot stop a dog behaviour, or who are getting a new dog. 

Next on my list I have,
2-A Breed specific book: Golden Doodles
This book outlines general qualities of the breed. Average size, weight, exercise level, coat, grooming needs, health problems, and anything else an owner might ever want to know about the Golden Doodle, including its' origins.

3-The Last Dog Training Book You'll Ever Need
This book is all about training. How to house break your dog. How to crate train. How to train the dog not to jump on furniture, and anything else you would ever want to learn about training. Pretty obvious by the title.

The last book on my list, and probably the one I re-read most often is:
4- The Everything New Puppy Book
This book title is also fairly self explanatory. It covers everything you could ever encounter with a new dog. It's been my life preserver over the past 2 months; it keeps me afloat when I panic over some minor detail I hadn't considered.

At the end of the day, my best advice to any future dog owners is to do your research. Go to the library and take out a few books. Don't trust just one book, and if there's something a book suggests you do, but you don't agree, then either don't do it, or ask others (another dog owner, a trainer or a Vet) for their opinion. These books are guides, not rules.

Happy research!

-Brandolyn

Next on my research list is: Finding the right Dog Training School
And Agility Competitions vs Flyball