I was given a 8 month old Golden Retriver and looking for a good book to help train her if its not too late ??

Question

I've only had this dog only 5 days and she has settleded in ,i've groomed her with a shedding tool given her 2 baths and my neighbor's dog is jealous as the dickens,but i like her too.will this dog make a good alert dog to warn when strangers are around?

Answer 1

you can start training it up to 2 years from when it was born.

Answer 2

First of all, congratulations on getting a dog. With a little work you'll have a best friend you can be proud of. As for the age, I actually prefer an older dog, above 6 months or so. They are easier to housetrain and you know what personality you're getting up front. With puppies it's such a gamble...The person who said give up if the dog is over 2 is believing the "old dog, new tricks" myth.

Be awfully careful about following all the advice from people in forums. You get all kinds of incorrect information. This question has been posted for just a few minutes and you already got one incorrect and one questionable answer. Not to mention one joker that thinks he's funny.

That said, let me throw my opinions into the ring.

1. Dogs, just like people, can learn throughout their whole lives. And like people they respond best to positive reinforcement. (Do you go to work every day because they pay you or because they beat you it you don't?) You should use negatives (punishment or coercion) only very rarely and NEVER because you are angry. You really need to know how and when to use negatives before you try it.

2. Someone recommended PETsMART for training classes. Training classes are great IF you get a great trainer. Check references, watch a few classes, and ask other dog professionals before you put your dog in any class. Don't assume because they work for a national chain that they are necessarily the best choice for you.

3. Remember that the purpose of a training class is to train YOU not your dog.

4. Yes, go to your public library, but be cautious there too. The books by the Monks of New Skete and the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan, advocate using dominance rituals that can get your face bit off by a pushy dog you don't know. In inexperienced hands they can be VERY DANGEROUS. I see two people have recommended Milan already. Please be careful...

Finally, to answer your question: The book I like best was recommended to me by the director of the most successful no-kill shelter in North Carolina. It is called The Toolbox for Remodeling Your Problem Dog, by Terry Ryan. It is simple and clear and eye-opening. Unfortunately it is out of print. You can interlibrary loan it from the library or better yet buy one on ebay. I set up an ebay alert to notify me when copies go on sale and have picked up three copies cheaply that way.

My second choice, if you want a more scholarly book is How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Sophia Yin. I'm actually still reading that one, but it is very good as well.

Answer 3

It's never too late. If you put in the training effort, she can be trained for sure. If you're inexperienced with training a dog, the best way to start is in a class with an experienced dog trainer. That way the trainer can show you exactly what you need to do with your dog's specific behavior and training needs. If you do want to read books on the subject of dog training, try this website to see some titles: http://www.dogwise.com/

Answer 4

I've been impressed by a trainer named Cesar Millan. He has two books. (see if your library has them) And a show on National Geographic. I haven't read the books yet, but his shows are excellent. I like his technique.

My best luck in training dogs has always been after 2 years of age, 8 months seems a little young to me. You have time, it's not too late at all.

PS
if your library doesn't have them, they can get them from another library or if they have a budget sometimes
they will even buy them for your library. Ask!

Answer 5

there is so much info on the web now on how to train your dog. Look up golden labs and it will give you alot of info. it is never too late to train your dog. Dogs are natural barkers. They will bark when someone comes around. the library is a good source for books but with the web you don't have to leave your house.
good luck

Answer 6

its never too late to train a dog. A few good books are:
1 - Ceaser's Way by Ceaser Millan(I think it is Millan but I'm not too sure) and
2 - Jan Fennell's books are great. One of the best is her first. It's called "The Dog Listener"
If you have any major behavioural problems then you can hire a "Dog Listener" they give you a home visit and normally don't cost very much. Just their basic price plus petrol.
Hope that I helped!

Answer 7

Yes she will once she has been there for awhile, and it is never to late to train a dog, Go to your local library and ask them for the section on pets, There are tons out there.

Answer 8

With your comments earlier, you`re the one that needs training. How about banning Golden Retrievers ?

Answer 9

no it's not to late
go to perfectpaws.com they tell everything about training. try that it's free. it's better than all the books i've read.

go to booksAmillion buy the training puppies for dummies. or puppy training for dummies

the dummy books are pretty good. it is the actual name i'm not calling you a dummy. i have lots of dummy books

good luck

Answer 10

its never to late! i think u should try going to pets mart its $100 and really does wonders i adopted my dog when he was 7 mo and he did great!!!