Has anyone read this and used it as a guide for their puppy? It's by the Monks of Skete. Our (hopeful) breeder recommended it. So far I love it! Just wondering if anyone has had experiences with this book and its theories.
IMO it's kind of old school, I read it, I took some theories, just like I do with all authors, trainers, behaviorists, etc. I, myself, don't go by just one school of thought.
I think one of the original members of the monks, kind of broke off some of the theory behind them (someone may know more about that).
IMO, this is the best behaviorist, author that I have read, and used in my training of my Jasper.
Just FYI, he is very different then Cesar Millan (some people don't like him), however I take some from him as well, I use what is best for my dog, abit of everything.
IMO I don't think there is one single text you could ever go by.
Art of Raising a Puppy was my very first dog book...and the reason I have a GSD. So it's a sentimental favorite of mine.
But there's a wide, wide world of other dog books too...read them all! And then take what works for you and your dog, and ignore the parts of any of them that don't work for you, for whatever reason.
Originally Posted By: Luca_stlArt of Raising a Puppy was my very first dog book...and the reason I have a GSD. So it's a sentimental favorite of mine.
But there's a wide, wide world of other dog books too...read them all! And then take what works for you and your dog, and ignore the parts of any of them that don't work for you, for whatever reason.
I think the Monks have some good thoughts to share, esp on puppy development. And there are many other fine books out there as well. Read everything (Patricia McConnell, Jean Donaldson, Ian Dunbar are good people to get started with), and mix and match what works best for you and your dog.
The thing I've come to realize about book recommends is no one book has all the answers.
The Art of Raising a Puppy is old school true, but they do have some nice info on picking a pup for yourself and how to keep pup occupied.
I will also recommend from my own collection
The Other End of the Leash-Patricia B. McConnell
The Dog Listener-Jan Fennell
Good Owners, Great Dogs-Brian Kilcommons w/ Sarah Wilson
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend (revised edition)-Monks of New Skete
Take these, and others, read them and work out a training program that works for both your dog and you.
As for old school books, I actually found and bought a copy of "The Koehler Method of Open Obedience for Ring, Home and Field." Now that is old school.
Yeah, this was my first one too. I loved it, but I was going into it as a prospective breeder, so I loved all the early stages of puppy development stuff. This stuff does not really help a new puppy buyer much as these stages have come and gone.
I also continually refer to The German Shepherd Today by Winifred Strickland, and I like the books by John Cree.
I almost want to suggest the Marley book to every prospective puppy buyer, just because as silly and stupid the owners of Marley may have been, they stuck with the dog through thick and thin and it did chronicle many of the things new owners go through with a dog.
On training and living with dogs, I read whatever I can, try to be open minded, decide what may or may not work with mine, experiment, throw out a lot, and keep some. So far I have been moderately successful.
I read both, How to be your dogs best friend, and The Art of raising a puppy, and I used alot of their techniques as I raised and trained Maxie. True, it is old school, but I would use it again were I to get another puppy, and it is the only one I would use. I have read many books, but theirs is the only one that really matches my desires of characteristics of a puppy to dog.
I have read so many books it gets confusing, and sometimes contradictory. The Monks was one of the first I read, and also ordered a few of their videos.
However, my favorite is "If a Dog's Prayers were answered, Bones Would Rain from the sky."
Originally Posted By: Timber1I have read so many books it gets confusing, and sometimes contradictory. The Monks was one of the first I read, and also ordered a few of their videos.
However, my favorite is "If a Dog's Prayers were answered, Bones Would Rain from the sky."
The Monks were a big step forward back in the 1970s - 1980s. It's 20 + years later & the thoughts have moved further along the continum toward more positive. (The Monks took steps this direction and worked more with trying to understand the dog than many of their predecessors (sp).) I always liked but never fully implemented their idea for a puppy play yard. Scuff shakes are now, fortunately, out of favor.
I love "Bones would Rain from the Sky" - For training, my favorite is Sheila Booth's "Purely Positive Training."
For a source - I'd go with Dogwise over Amazon -- because I want Dogwise to survive and Amazon doesn't need my business. That rainy dog show in Canby, Oregon 7 years ago had as a bonus to Barker the Elder's second novice leg a DogWise booth! How absolutely great to have everything you ever heard about right there!
So for the Monks - I'd look it over & x or rip out anything on compulsion training & then think the book was OK. (I have first eds on these. I am old. So are the books.)
I trained Massie with the Monks first book. I still have it: a hardback edition with chew marks in it from a friend's puppy.
I knew nothing about training when I adopted her at 10 weeks old and I used that book as my training bible. I bought the second one too right when it came out. I haven't recommended it in years though. I prefer:
Pat Miller
Patricia McConnell
Suzanne Clothier
I especially recommend Pat Miller's, "The Power of Positive Training" book for a new puppy/dog. She's got a great training program in there and it's easy to follow.
I like McConnell's, "The Other End of the Leash" for better understanding the way a dog's mind works.
And Suzanne Clothier is a good introductory read for new dog owners.
Just finished reading the book and I must say very informative! Alot of people don't like the physical discipline used however, I agree with the monks that this is what is used out in the wild with wolves and any animal for that matter. I am not saying beat the poor thing but giving the pup a 'shake' (term used) is not abuse. Anyhow, very good techniques provided and simple at that. Also lots of knowledge and information of the growing stages of a pup, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I am going to incorporate this book with another book arriving in the mail any day now... clicker training!
Originally Posted By: RobocopJust finished reading the book and I must say very informative! Alot of people don't like the physical discipline used however, I agree with the monks that this is what is used out in the wild with wolves and any animal for that matter. ...
Uhhh, it IS NOT what is used in the wild with wolves and any animal for that matter. The is badly misinterpreted and Bill campbell, Pat MIller and others have been working hard to correct this impression.
This is a great list of recommended reading. I am hitting up my library to see what I can order or check out. I checked out two old basic books the other day and wasn't too impressed.
Quote:Uhhh, it IS NOT what is used in the wild with wolves and any animal for that matter. The is badly misinterpreted and Bill campbell, Pat MIller and others have been working hard to correct this impression.
To each their own. I have countless and I mean countless documentaries by you name it, national geographic, pbs, discovery channel that can prove yours/bills/pats theory wrong. Again, everyone has their own opinions but filmed docs don't lie.
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