Weeks before our pup came home I had been looking for a 'list' of things that needed done. What should I do the first day? What milestones need to be reached by when? Things like that. I only found one website with any list what so ever, and this is the only book so far that I've found with any 'list'. It's not exactly what I've been looking for, but.....best I've found as yet. In the back of the book there are check off lists of things the author, Dr. Ian Dunbar recommends. I wish it were far more extensive but...again best I've found so far.



The book repeats it's self several times. His main premise is 'all shelter dogs were once just precious puppies that someone didn't train' There are developmental deadlines for certain traits like bite inhibition, socialization, and others. If training in the specific areas are not done by the age of specific learning times by the pup, ..... It's to late. Like for humans, we can easily learn a second, or third language before 8 years of age, due to that's the part of the brain that is developing. If we attempt a second language at the age of 40, well, it can be done, but, nothing like when we were young. It's like that.



He has a book 'before you get your puppy', I think it would be good to read this book also. The two books overlap. The second book would be easier if the first one has already been read. I found this book when my pup was three months old. I am already behind, I so wish I could have found his material before bringing the pup home. If you are getting a pup or know someone who is, please, look into this. Truly, I have found this data no where else. I have 20 books and have been searching web sites for months.



The author has a web site. It has quite a bit of useful data. I feel this author is all about educating people and saving animals from misery more than he cares about money. This is refreshing. As a human, I give him 5 paws. I see he has a book that contains both, before you get the puppy and after. That may be a better bargain and easier to read. Do look at the web site. Invaluable data is there. Dog Star Daily or just goggle the authors name.