Somebody who wants a puppy off me next year enquired whether there's anywhere that she can go to be trained to be a good mum, bless, isn't that cute :d

Are there any training courses for dog owners to be?  The couple live in the Birmingham area and fell in love with my Anton a couple of years ago when he was a young whipper snapper and took a photo of him.  They then came quite a way to a SWD event this year and were over the moon to meet him again and took another photo!

They live inthe Birmingham area.

If there's nothing like this can someone advise me of books that they think would be of value?

Can't help you with the classes, but The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey is excellent for a first time owner.  Great book to read while they are awaiting their puppy.  You can get it from Amazon, have a look, they usually give reader views on their books.

Actually there are such things, at least I found that out last year, one of my puppy buyers who had been on my waiting list for a good few months, who finally came for their first meeting with me, knew all the right questions to ask and were very wised up, I complemented them on it, and they told me that their local vet actually ran classess for new to be puppy owners to let them know anything and everything.

I said at the time what a brilliant idea, sorry, but no-where near Birmingham, but perhaps they could also ask their vet if he does pre-classes, I'm sure my peoples vet can not be the only one to do it.

I think it is a wonderful idea, and a shame everyone does not go, it also builds up a relationship with the practise too. :-)

I've not read it, but many say The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training by Pam Dennison is excellent :)

Also anything by Gwen Bailey, Ian Dunbar.

Lindsay
x

The dog trainer I use does volantary classes like that at a local animal hospital and all the proceeds go to GOSH - but that's in London I'm afraid.

How delightful that you have found such a concientious couple for one of your puppies.

I took one on how to train. I decided that I'd like to change careers and really want to follow the dream I had at university - to work with animals. I took a practical class on dog training from a behavourist/trainer that was conducted at a local shelter so we could use their dogs. The idea being you trained a new dog and not your own. Perfect for someone who didn't have a dog yet. It wasn't cheap but I picked up some good tips that helped me when I got my puppy.

I also read a lot of books and I think that helped. The one's mentioned by Bailey and Dunbar, and a new fave, The Culture Clash. The Other End of the Leash was good too.

Another idea might be to go watch a training club. We always ask people to come along to ours before they sign up to classes to ensure they are happy with our methods. Watching a puppy and beginning class is a good way to pick up some tips. This has the added advantage of having a puppy class picked out ahead of time.