Parenting Your New Puppy

In this practical, readable and entertaining book, Caroline Spencer and Lesley Harris bring a new slant to a well-explored subject and propose significant shifts in an owner's understanding of why their puppy behaves as he does and what makes him tick.

Like children, dogs are born without behavioural issues; it is what happens in the early weeks of life, and the way in which his new owner nurtures, guides and educates him that will enable him to become a well-balanced adult - or not.

Drawing on a combined 40 years of experience, the authors will help you in your initial choice of a puppy. When you take him into your home, it will show you how to interpret natural canine communication and play, and how to use these signals to educate and guide your puppy in a positive way. The confidence he gains in you, the parent, will help him through sometimes difficult and confusing situations, to become a happy, trustworthy, and trusting friend for life.

Both Lesley Harris and Caroline Spencer have worked with and owned dogs for over 40 years. Caroline's early career was in nursing, and she believes the empathy necessary when caring for people is equally important when working with dogs. She is author of Why Does my Dog Do That? and designer of the 'Ultimate Happy At Heel Harness'. Caroline has 2 children and five dogs. For the last 20 years Caroline has worked with owners on an individual basis, and also gives talks on communicating effectively with puppies and problem dogs. For many years Lesley worked with preschool children, and found this experience to be an invaluable aid when working with puppies, as the methods for education and guidance proved to be surprisingly similar. Working to help dog owners overcome their issues, together with the advent of grandchildren, has served to reinforce this viewpoint.