New book review out: Preventing puppy problems

Book review: Dee Woodcock’s Preventing puppy problems
By Laure-Anne Visele, written Dec 2012.

This article is part of my collection of book reviews.

AUTHOR: Dee Woodcock

PUBLISHING YEAR: 2002

SUMMARY: Pocket-sized booklet teaching puppy owners how to avoid and deal with common puppy problems using modern methods.

REVIEW

This book is insanely useful and… insanely small. Whatever her secret is to compact so much good stuff in so little space, I want in. She covers all the crucial areas in a breezy, uncomplicated style that hits the spot again and again.

Given the date of edition (2002), many authors were still obsessed by punishment-based methods and the pack theory, but… Not so Dee Woodcock.

She divides the booklet in handy little sections:

Management: Crate training, house training, setting boundaries, etc.

Training: Methods to teach the crucial cues (sit, come back, etc.) with AND without clicker.

Body language: Dee Woodcock also shares dog trainers’ secrets on the subtle body language signs that will have you read your dog like no one else in no time. Mastering body language is an invaluable tool for reading budding signs long before they develop into full-blown problems, and the author does a great job at covering the subject in just a few lines.

Addressing typical puppy problems:  Humane and effective tips on dealing with typical complaints like jumping up, play biting, begging, separation intolerance, stealing, chewing, etc.

My one gripe: I wish the pictures were illustrating the local text, rather than all condensed in the central section.

With its spotless contents and affordable price, it should be a standard handout for every puppy class client. Mind you, I shouldn’t blow its trumpet too much because, frankly, if the word spread, specialist trainers and behaviourists may soon be out of work…

Your comments

Did you read this book? What did you think? Would you recommend it? Have you read a similar one that you’d recommend to Canis bonus readers?

Further reading

Dogs and society

• Hot dogs – Quick poll about hotly debated dog issues (e.g. leash/no leash, treat/no treat, etc.)
• Dogs, my philosophical position – My position on debated dog issues
• Does your large dog scare people? – Article about more intimidating dog breeds

Dog training and behaviour

• Separation anxiety – a treatment protocol
• Treating dog-dog aggression – some advice
• The perfect recall – fool-proof guide to getting your dog to come back when called