Rating: 
Summary: Old and outdated, let's move onto new and improved
Review: I remember reading this book years ago and thinking it was an awesome book. The section on the different growth periods of puppies is very good, however, much of the other information is outdated and incorrect. Many aspects such as the alpha roll and their concept of dominance theory has been proven not to work and there are better ways to get your point across to the puppy or dog. Many excellent dog behaviorists such as Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Patricia McConnel have more recent methods you can use with raising your dog and are highly respected among dog trainers across the country and internationally.
Rating: 
Summary: Still too harsh on punishment/correction
Review: As another reviewer noted, there's a lot of good information here -- but the correction-based methods are out of date. Puppy raising these days, except in a few die-hard trainer circles, is postive, reward-based and uses punishment only in extreme circumstances. The emphasis is on catching the dog doing something right, not catching it doing something wrong. Both methods may work, but one is a lot more pleasant for both dog and owner. Don't make training your dog any harder than it needs to be! Relax and enjoy your puppy.If you can read this book and take away the useful information without buying into the old "scruff shake" and "alpha roll" theories, go for it. If you'd rather stick to truly positive training (or find out why it works better than punishment), check out Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson or any publication by Karen Pryor or Ian Dunbar. Keep in mind one of the principal authors behind the original New Skete books changed his views, years after the books were published, and until he died he told dog owners where he went wrong with the punishment-based training. The rest of the Monks still stand by the old harsh methods. Enjoy your puppy, and remember: Catch them doing something RIGHT!
Rating: 
Summary: Not just a training manual...
Review: I bought this book because I thought it would be a good training manual for my new puppy.
It turned out to be a lot more, which is a mixed blessing. It's great in that it gives a lot of information about how dogs act when they are pregnant, the bond that mother dogs make with their babies, how dogs relate to one another (alpha males, dominance, etc) but as I was reading it, I kept wondering where the training exercises were. I finally found them on page 111.
The first cover things like finding a dog breeder, deciding if a puppy is right for you, preparing for a puppy, supplies you'll need, etc. was really impressed at the breadth of information, along with all of the insight and explanations for why dogs do certain things.
My only complaint, is that the book covers a lot more information than I was looking for. However, this is more my fault for not examining the book thoroughly, rather than anything I can pin on the structure and writing.
Bottom line: If you have plenty of time to read through the book and don't have to train one right away, this book is fantastic. However, if you're looking for a "meat and potatoes" book on dog training, you may want to look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: An indispensible tool for every puppy owner
Review: I have quite a lot of experience with animals having worked around horses my whole life, as well as having a "collection" of household pets, and I considered myself to be competent in the field of dog ownership. One thing lacking in my background, however, was puppy ownership. I have a beautifully behaved adult dog I adopted from a pound, but decided a puppy was in order to carry on with my adult dog who is now quite advanced in age. Without this book, I really doubt that I would have known how to progress in training a puppy. The Monks of New Skete have a prose style that is a pleasure to read (I couldn't put it down), and their insights into dog behavior make so much sense once they are read, but never are "obvious." I plan on giving a copy of this book to each and every friend and family member who acquires a new puppy regardless of their experience. If you have a new puppy or especially if you are even considering getting a puppy, I urge you strongly to get this book and read it cover to cover -- you will not regret it!
Rating:
Summary: "Fixing" behavior at the root: Relationship
Review: I have read this book a few times and unfortunately, unlike some of the books in my collection, it doesn't get any better the more I read it! The entire book is actually quite good, aside from some outdated advice and training techniques. But the Monks do not address perhaps the most important issue: a trust-built, communication-forged relationship with your dog! They also advocate what I call "doggy breakdowns" with some of their techniques such as the alpha-roll, the head shake, and other very physical methods. As one reviewer mentioned, these may work on the kind of dogs they have, but as an owner of terriers for more than 10 years I will tell you that terriers can get very spiteful. This is completely understandable when you realize you must earn your dog's trust and respect in order to have it! Also, these methods can literally break (emotionally and mentally) a soft, immature, formerly abused, or mentally "slow" dog. I have seen it happen. It is not pretty. Benevolent leadership. Communication. Rewards. I don't feel any of those things are covered in this book, or at least not to the extent they should be. Do not rely too heavily on this book. There are WAY too many better guides to "being your dog's best friend" to just read this one. I highly recommend that anyone interested in raising a puppy the right way first learn the art of thinking like and communicating with dogs. The basis of any "training," formal or otherwise, is this: A relationship based on MUTUAL understanding, trust, and respect, between a benevolent leader and his/her companion.
Rating:
Summary: the one dog training book to own
Review: I've read over a dozen dog-training books and if you are going to own one dog-training book this is the one to get. The Art of Raising a Puppy is an incredibly comprehensive book that has everything you need to know about getting a puppy, raising it properly, and turning it into a well trained dog. If there's one negative to the book, it's that there's more information than the average dog owner can use. However, you can take as much or as little as you want from this book. The important thing is to read it. If you're going to purchase two dog-training books, I also recommend the Canine Good Citizen.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Aproach
Review: If you are looking for a wonderful aproach to raising that cute little puppy, this book is for you. It is 10x more informative and useful than 99% of the puppy-raising books out there. The monks' philosophy of kindness, compassion, and lots of love will result in a new best friend is a wonderful way to train your new dog. Buy it today for the best way to raise a dog!
Rating:
Summary: So gentle and effective
Review: My dog Sparkler and I have benefitted greatly from this wonderful book. No other training method has worked as well for both of us. If I were a dog, this is the book I'd want my owner to get. I think that says it all.
Rating:
Summary: know your beast
Review: Thank heavens there are dog books that do away with the "feed 'em a cookie" school of dog training- it does not work and our shelters have enough untamed, wild dogs in them! This book shows you how to love your pet and create a pet that can love you back. Cudoes to them!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Own: Clearly written and comprehensive
Review: The Monks compile a great deal of knowledge into one very informative, very well-written, hard-to-put-down book. This book focuses on the development, both physiological and psychological, of puppies: from the dams pregnancy and whelping on. They address what to do, what to avoid, nutrition, etc., for each phase. I strongly suggest that you also read "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend". In the latter book (their first) they make it very clear that you should read not only their book, but many others on the training and evolution of dogs and a variety of other related subjects and provide a recommended reading list. Having read both books (and many others), I felt that they had no pretensions (as some do) to be the utmost authority on the subject. Nonetheless, as for puppy books, this is my number one pick, my guidebook.
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