Puppies (Quamut) Book

We bought this book because my wife Jane and I had just gotten our first puppy in 30 years (a Cair Terrier) and thought we could use a refresher course. I can't count the number of times I almost quit reading it. I kept at it because I try to always finish books and because for the first half about every 20 pages or so I'd find something helpful. The second half of the book offers a lot more useful information about having a new puppy, but the first half was marred for me by her approach to dog behavior. She believes dogs should be trained to never do anything that you don't want them to do and always be absolutely under your control. She doesn't even think they should relieve themselves on walks. Her vision of dogs as problems to be solved is so strong that only once in 343 pages dos she ever say she enjoys dogs, and that is when she admits that she sometimes likes to have them snuggle with her on the couch, but only if they have permission. I am not sure she actually likes dogs, and I am certain she wouldn't like terriers, who have minds of their own. (In fact, the pictures in the middle showing various dogs behaving themselves include no terriers. I especially cringed at the multiple times she spoke of how, if y0u followed her path and had your dog under absolute control, everyone who saw you would envy you. I like to think I never do anything so that people around me will envy me but I certainly didn't get a dog for this reason. If you look at a dog as a fashion accessory or an object designed to give you the most reward with the least trouble, this is the book for you. But maybe that isn't a good thing.