It can be hard to get started communicating effectively with your new puppy, and understanding his or her behavior.  The important thing to remember is that under ALL normal circumstances, your puppy is trying to learn what you would like him or her to do.  A good place to start is learning a little bit about how your dog communicates his or her feelings.  The Zoom Room Guide to Dog Body Language is a good starting place.

Other good resources include the following.

• Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
• The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
• Family Friendly Dog Training by Patricia McConnell and Aimee Moore
• Puppy Start Right by Kenneth Martin, DVM and Debbie Martin, RVT, VTS, CPDT-KA, and KPA-CTP

Resources for current students.