RemsMom Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 We will be bringing home our puppy late May and I am looking for book, DVD, and website suggestions. I looked online to see what my library has available but resources for Border Collies are slim and resources for dog training are overwhelming! I would like to add some books and DVDs to our home library and would like to get a chance to read/watch before we bring our pup home. I would like suggestions for obedience, aglilty, puppy training, and all things pertaining to Border Collies. This puppy is for my daughter (age 11) so resources that would appeal to her would also be appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aermid Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 I really found some good (and free) info from Zak George. He works with (relatively) new owners and their pets covering a plethora of basic obedience topics and common issues. He's a huge supporter of positive reinforcement, uses clicker training, and genuinely seems to want to help teach great communication between dog and owner. All his videos on YouTube: He can be pretty active in responding to Facebook also about what kind of videos people might want to see from him next: https://www.facebook.com/TheZakGeorge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d112358 Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 I've heard good things about Control Unleashed: the puppy program (I have the regular version, which can be a little hard to follow). It's geared towards agility dogs - not agility foundation behaviors but complementary exercises for building a strong off-leash connection with your dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufftie Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 it might be a good thing to join www.bowwowflix.com. it is a video rental club for dog info. basic obedience, agility, even herding. some videos are duds and some, like control unleashed are great. it is a inexpensive and convenient way to have a vast library at your disposal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald McCaig Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 Dear Ms. Rem, Carol Benjamin has had Border Collies for many years. Her "Mother Knows Best" is - deservedly - the best selling dog training book ever published. http://clbenjamin.wordpress.com/ Donald McCaig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 You have found an excellent resource right here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEC Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 I have always thought of myself as coach/mentor to my border collie, rather than as surrogate/figurative mother or father, and that approach will likely continue for us. Nevertheless, having read the Forward and Table of Contents of Carol Lea Benjamin's "Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train your Dog" (see Mr. McCaig's post #5 above), it appears to have a balanced approach to dog training. The introduction takes a somewhat unexplained leap from strained human-dog communication, which she says owes to a gap widened through the ages as we became civilized, directly to the bitch-puppy relationship. Benjamin's book suggests that owners simulate as nearly as possible the way puppies are educated by their mothers. Somehow my dog and I have, largely through guided trial and error, gotten beyond basic house manners and fundamental obedience skills, but wish I had known of her book when in the midst of teaching them. Looks like a fine one. Additionally, for broad background of Border Collie history/culture I suggest beginning with books, such as Donald McCaig's: "Nop's Trials", "Nop's Hope" and "Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men". I believe they are age-appropriate for your daughter. As you are already demonstrating, after puppy arrives be sure to remain heavily involved in its life/training. Any puppy is a huge undertaking for an eleven year old. Obviously, pups become adults pretty quickly. You are on the right track.-- TEC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camden's Mom Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 You've been given really wonderful advice above, I just want to add one thing. Look for "positive reinforcement" based puppy training classes in your area. Since you have a bit of time before your puppy arrives call around and ask if you and your daughter can sit in on a class. This would give you a chance observe a few trainers and pick your favorite! When I had my puppy in his first class there was another puppy owner who brought her two daughters (around 8 and 10) with her to the class. It was great having the two girls in the class to interact with the puppies. The trainer even put the kids to work and showed them the appropriate way to approach a strange dog (after asking permission to pet it, of course). This in turn gave all of the puppies in the class opportunities to appropriately greet children. It was a total win - win! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess's Girl Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 I would recommend anything by Patricia Mcconnell. For the Love of a Dog is one of my favorite books ever, and she has The Puppy Primer for getting you started on the right foot with your puppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemsMom Posted April 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 Thank you to all who posted. I have put a few books on hold at my library and have ordered the books my library does not carry. And thank you for the links, I really appreciate all the suggestions. You've been given really wonderful advice above, I just want to add one thing. Look for "positive reinforcement" based puppy training classes in your area. Since you have a bit of time before your puppy arrives call around and ask if you and your daughter can sit in on a class. This would give you a chance observe a few trainers and pick your favorite! When I had my puppy in his first class there was another puppy owner who brought her two daughters (around 8 and 10) with her to the class. It was great having the two girls in the class to interact with the puppies. The trainer even put the kids to work and showed them the appropriate way to approach a strange dog (after asking permission to pet it, of course). This in turn gave all of the puppies in the class opportunities to appropriately greet children. It was a total win - win! Thank you, Camden's Mom, for your post. Last week I started an obedience class with my GSD, Rem. Rem knows most of the basics but I thought it was time for a "tune-up" especially since he does not always obey my 11 year old. My oldest daughter, 23, also tagged along and the instructor said she really liked that we had all come to work with our dog. The training center has a couple of puppy classes that we are looking forward to starting when our pup is old enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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