Well, what do you know, today is National Puppy Day!  Perhaps we are biased, but we sort of think every day should be National Puppy Day.  Puppies are adorable.  They are like little sponges, so ready to soak up the world around them.  They represent such promise and such innocence, and they are just so darned cute.  Socialization, positive behavioral training, follow through, consistency, appreciation of a puppy's fear periods, loads of love and loads of patience are all key elements of puppy parenting.  At some point in bringing up a puppy, it is really helpful to have some support for providing all of the above.  With that in mind, we thought we'd share a list put together by a locally based company that specializes in dog literature and more:  Dogwise.  In addition to reading and watching DVDs, we always recommend hooking up with a trainer and joining a puppy class.  We are happy to give you recommendations for training possibilities both here in the Methow Valley and in Wenatchee.  Meanwhile, here's the link to Dogwise - http://www.dogwise.com/SearchResults.cfm?Search=puppies&SubSearch=Books

Some of our favorite books (or books by some of our favorite trainer/authors) are listed below.  

First, though, you'll note that this post has no photos.  Instead, we have a request for each of you - we would love to see your puppy photos!  Could you please share a few with us?

PUPPY CULTURE: THE POWERFUL FIRST 12 WEEKS THAT CAN SHAPE YOUR PUPPY'S FUTURE DVD
Jane Killion 

ATTENTION IS THE MOTHER OF ALL BEHAVIORS EPISODES ONE AND TWO DVD
Jane Killion

PUPPY PRIMER, 2ND EDITION
by Brenda Scidmore & Patricia McConnell

WAY TO GO! - HOW TO HOUSETRAIN A DOG OF ANY AGE
Patricia McConnell and Karen London

CRATE GAMES - FOR SELF CONTROL AND MOTIVATION DVD
Susan Garrett

 

On occasion, we'll get a dog or two who doesn't like snow, but that is rare!  Really rare!  Today,  all of the dogs are part of the Methow Valley chorus of happy voices crying with delight:  "Yay!  It's snowing!!!!"  This means many more days of romping in the white stuff.  Take a look at some of our happy campers doing just that.  It's hard to say which of the photos best depicts fun - whether its two happy sheep guard dogs from the same household, a great play-couple utilizing their mastiff and shepherd play styles to great advantage, or a corgi mix and a Jack Russell terrier playing tug!  What a great day for play!