AKC Star Puppy - A Positive Behavioral Approach To Puppy Training

As a dog trainer with over two decades of experience, I highly recommend this book. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy provides a great overview of what owners should consider before and after they bring home a puppy. S.T.A.R. is AKC’s acronym for Socialization, Training, Activity and Responsibility, which are 4 critical elements of properly raising a puppy so that he or she will become a wonderful adult dog that is a pleasure to be around. Reading this book is a great first step for all puppy owners, but especially those who are going through this experience for the first time. Unlike other training books, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is produced by an organization (the American Kennel Club) that celebrates the differences in individual dogs and breeds, acknowledges the important role played by responsible breeders, and motivates owners to be responsible and play an active role in creating the “perfect” lifetime canine companion. The author, Dr. Mary Burch, encourages first-time puppy buyers to do their research and make sure that the dog they pick will fit their lifestyle, especially as it relates to energy level and activity requirements. One thing that separates this book from other training manuals is that the author emphasizes owner responsibility to ensure that the puppy is properly socialized, well-trained, sufficiently exercised, and does not have opportunities to become a nuisance or danger to other people. The goals of AKC’s S.T.A.R. Puppy Program provide a good framework for this training manual. To understand why socialization is important, readers will learn about a dog’s stages of development, starting immediately after birth. The author provides a list of 50 ideas for puppy exposure, which readers can use as a checklist for their puppy’s socialization goals. To prepare for puppy training, Dr. Burch teaches readers about the general principals of behavior theory and uses examples of applying these principals to influence their puppy’s behavior. Regarding activity, Burch explains how important daily exercise and play are for the mental and physical health of every growing puppy. Owner responsibility is emphasized throughout in order for the puppy and owner to reach the ultimate perfect dog-human relationship. Among other things, Burch reminds us that “responsibility means providing an education for a puppy” that includes “being reliable around other dogs, children and people of all ages.” In chapters 4 through 6, the 20 requirements or skills of the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Test are used as a guide to teach readers all the basics of good puppy ownership, including owner behaviors, puppy behaviors and good citizen behaviors. These chapters include descriptions of housetraining, crate-training, leash-training, recall and other obedience skills; recommendations for puppy supplies and training equipment; preparations for future vet exams and grooming sessions; lists of puppy games; and guidelines for achieving the behaviors that will help your puppy become a S.T.A.R. Puppy and eventually a Canine Good Citizen. In summary, all of the AKC S.T.A.R Puppy goals can be achieved with or without going to a S.T.A.R. Puppy class, depending on the owner’s time and skills. Likewise, it isn’t necessary to get an AKC certificate of completion for you and your puppy to master the skills. The primary goal of this book is to get you and your puppy off on the right foot/paw to achieve a lifelong bond based on training, fun and time spent together.

I use this book to get good results on training our new puppy and find it to be easy and positive for both of us

Arrived in new condition and a day earlier than projected. Content helpful.

It seems like a very helpful book