Careful! Outdated version, not like book

Our family is bringing home a puppy, and some of us have enjoyed reading The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete. Our daughter is listening to the audiobook at the same time, and she shared some strangely different advice that she heard on the audiobook. She noticed that the audiobook mentioned to slap the puppy's crate when it's whining, to pick up the puppy by it's scruff and shake it, and other strange advice. We then realized that the audiobook corresponds to the version of the book that was published in 1991. The current version of the book has been completely revised and no longer employs intimidation as a training method. I'm incredulous that the audiobook hasn't been updated and is sold to unsuspecting listeners who don't realize it doesn't correspond to the book!

22 people found this helpful

Hummm... Nothing wrong with this picture!!

As a dog trainer I see the benifit for any future dog owner in this audio book. Most of the question I get from my hanlders (owners) is after the fact... Why is my dog so active, why is my dog still urinating in the house... Bla bla bla...
This is the most useful book I've read on puppys! I think I will introduce a pre-puppy course for my classes. I really do not beleive to have owners put their dog down because their dog are to active or destroy the house. Future dog handlers (owners) should look at their needs before getting into trouble, and this book covers it all. I really do not any monks but these guys are great... Excellent and very good reading (listening). I can not say enough!!!

56 people found this helpful

Wonderful Ideas

The Monks breed German Shepherds preparing them for a variety of roles. The audio is abridged and doesn't have the darling shepherd puppy pictures. However, it is a great listen with many practical ideas and practices the New Skete Monks use with their dogs. I was a little over-excited about my new puppy coming. Purchased four books and three audio books. Glad to have this in my library and will listen again.

12 people found this helpful

Dog Person

I have had dogs my whole life. My family bred, raised, and showed dogs for competition and I thought I knew just about everything about raising a dog. Having read this book I realized how much I still needed to learn. My wife and I rescued an emotional troubled dog, but I read this book (twice) and use the techniques to train our dog. She is now universally loved by everyone who meets her and will sit, lie down, bark, and high-five on command. She is great with children and we couldn't imagine life without her. If you are getting a dog, READ THIS BOOK, before you buy your dog, and then again when you train your dog, and you will develop a happy and healthy relationship with your dog too.

21 people found this helpful

Solid advice from a trusted source.

Would you listen to The Art of Raising a Puppy again? Why?

This is a good reference work, which is probably better in hard copy. I picked up the audio version for convenience, but would advise getting a printed copy.

What other book might you compare The Art of Raising a Puppy to and why?

How to be your dogs best friend.

7 people found this helpful

I disagree with the Monks methods

For me, the overall approach was too rigid and too domineering for the
breed of dogs I have. If I were training 'working dogs' such as guard dogs
or farm/herding dogs these methods would have been understandable.
But inapropriate for lap & companion dogs who need a more gentle and loving touch rather than restrictive crating, strict discipline (tough love) and encouraging pack behavior & rank.

Consider the relationship you want with your pup and proceed with a training method that's right for the both of you.

14 people found this helpful

Great info for beginners!

Easy to listen to and very informative. Would highly recommend to new dog owners. We are now ready to bring our new puppy home.

3 people found this helpful

Good Overview of Puppy Training

I read the Monks other book about dog training. It was pretty much duplicate information except this one focuses on getting a puppy but is very general. I think this book is good for people who are considering getting a dog. It would be very good reading for them because there are way too many people who are either to cheap or too lazy to properly train their dogs, even in the basic ways. If you are one of those people who things your pup or dog doesn't need training you should read this book. And if you are one of those people who pull your dog around and have no control over him....you are the one who has the problem and need to read this book.

11 people found this helpful

A lot of good advice with some really bad

The Monks and Cesar Millan believe in the "alpha wolf" theory and apply it to their methods of training. While this, in itself, is controversial. They give some truly terrible advice when they advocate in hitting your dog with enough force to cause it to yelp. While I'm no expert on the subject (and they apparently are), I don't see how that can be anything by harmful to the relationship with your dog.

The book is actually pretty good up to about that point and they do say those more questionable practices are for more extreme cases. I'm not sure if that really justifies what some may consider abusive.

If you get this book, count on reading about 3/4 of the book. Once the Monks go into how to deal with difficult dogs, I recommend stopping at that point. It's really sad that this otherwise wonderful book with lots of actually good, humane advice is tarnished by some of the more extreme practices advocated.

You have been warned.

10 people found this helpful

Outdated method

There's good info in this book, but the suggested method of training is not only outdated but lends it self to teach owners to hurt their pets and to not create a good bond between them.

8 people found this helpful