Does anyone know of some good books or websites I can check out to start training my 5 month old puppy... just want to save some money of classes thanks

Alty Shaz and Unk should have some good sites for you to go too. I am new at this so haven't been surfing the net for long. Stumbled across this site myself. I do know that the first thing you need to do is the house traing or potty training. DO NOT rub the puppies face in his/hers pee or poop very bad for the dog. Show them the spot and scoop the puppie up and take it outside. Also if your able to take the puppy out about every 2 hours. Every time the puppie does his/her business out side major praise act like they just did the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world. You may feel a little foolish but it works. With training praise and lots of hugs kisses etc... then praise some more. Hope this helps some. Alty will be by soon I am sure as will Shaz. Good luck and congrats on your new member of the family!

Dogs are great and stubborn. Got to love them.

Personally I love Cesar Millans method of training. He has a few books out and also some video's that you can Google.

The important thing to remember is that he's a dog, not a human. He learns differently and must learn to fit into our lifestyle.

Just want to add, we love pictures. Hint, hint. :)

Here are a few sites I thought you might find useful.

Puppy House Training (http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1548&aid=157)
House Training Your Puppy by Perfect Paws Dog and Puppy Training (http://www.perfectpaws.com/htrp.html)
Puppy Training Tips (http://www.puppytrainingtips.org/)
Fast Pup Dog Training (http://www.fastpupdogtraining.com/)
Puppy Training - Puppy Training Tips (http://dogtrainingways.com/puppy-training/)
Effective Dog Training & Puppy Training Methods, Approaches & Tips (http://www.dogtrainingclassroom.com/)
Dog Training Tips and Tricks To Stop Your Dogs Bad Behaviors From TheDogTrainingSecret.com (http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/)

I know I kind of went overboard with the sites, but then there's more help for you!

Good Luck!:)

Joy

Sorry fr the following long post...

I have been making a website but it isn't published on the web yet.

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Toilet training.



When toilet training a puppy you have two options.
Start training the pup to go do their business outside from the start, or get them to use puppy training pads.

Puppy training pads are cloth pads with a plastic backing, they encourage your dog to relieve themselves in one area only without damaging your carpet.

Puppies are most likely to urinate straight after eating and when they wake up after a nap. They are most likely to defacate 10-20 minutes after they have eaten a meal. (This is a guide only, it may be different with each dog)

After the puppy has woken up or eaten take it straight over to the puppy pad and place it on there, if the puppy relieves itself give it lots of praise and make sure that it knows it has been good and done the right thing.
If you are training your dog to go outside from the start then the same rule applies, but instead of taking your dog to a pad, you take it outside on the grass.
You will learn the warning signs of when your dog is going to potty in your house (sniffing the ground, doing circles etc) and you will know that it is looking for the 'best spot' to potty, this is the time to rush your pup outside.
If your dog has an accident on your floor do not rub it's nose in it or hit it, just simply say "no" in a growly voice and move it to where it is supposed to go.


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Separation anxiety.



Does your dog cry when you leave the room? Urinate only when you leave the house?
These are a few signs that your dog may be suffering from Separation Anxiety.

Some dogs do not like being left alone and some will think you are leaving them permanently and not coming back. Here are a few tips to help fix this problem.

When you leave, no matter how long for always have fresh water available. Toys are also a wonderful training tool as it will keep the dog distracted, I use kong toys stuffed with yummy food as a cure for boredom, having special toys or treats that the dog gets only when you go out are also a wonderful idea.

When training my own dogs for separation anxiety I first distract my dogs with their favourite toy and then exit my house through the front door.
I only leave for a minute or two, just long enough so that the dog does not bark or cry.
I then re-enter the house and give them praise for not crying.

Next time I go out I leave for a few more minutes, again only entering the house if the dog is not crying and giving praise.

Increase the amount of time you leave for and always come back before the dog starts crying (you will learn how long that threshold is pretty quickly)

This teaches the dog that you are going to come back and they are not being left alone forever.


Another technique is to not "baby" the dog.
Some dogs become overly attached to their owner and don't even like their owner being out of their line of sight, in this case the training needs to begin before you start going out

Start paying less attention to the dog, when he pushes for attention, don't give it to him
If he wants to be petted, make him wait.
As harsh as it sounds it is the only way to get the dog to start becoming less dependent on you.

After you have trained the dog to be less clingy you can move onto things like leaving the dog in the living room while you have a shower, or leaving him inside while you are out hanging up washing on the clothesline.


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Crate Training.



This is very similar to separation anxiety training.
There are a few things to consider before actually starting the training:

Selecting a crate.
A dogs crate should be large enough for the dog to stand up in, turn around easily and be able to lay down comfortably.
Crates come in all shapes and sizes so shop around for one that best suits your dogs size.

I personally prefer to use all wire crates as to the plastic pet pack varieties as even though the plastic crates have ventilation they can become very hot.
When you leave, no matter how long for always have fresh water available, D-shaped water bowls are great for crates, they are shaped like a D and the flat part has clips to secure to the wire and prevent spills.

Toys are also a wonderful training tool as it will keep the dog distracted, I use kong toys stuffed with yummy food as a cure for boredom, having special toys or treats that the dog gets only when you go out are also a wonderful idea, it shows them that the crate is a good thing, not a punishment.

Another good idea for crates is to cover it with a blanket or sheet. You can leave the front open so the dog can see but having a blanket over the sides and back makes the dog feel more secure than a wire crate out in the open.
Another reason I prefer wire crates, you can adjust the covering to suit the weather.

When crate training my dogs I first coax them into the crate with a yummy treat, I let them eat the treat in the crate and play with a toy in there. Once they are comfortable with being in the crate I give them another treat then lock the crate and then go sit away from the crate and ignore the puppy.
I only sit down for a minute or two, just long enough so that the dog does not bark or cry.
I then walk over and let them out of the crate and give them praise for not crying.

Letting them out only if they are not crying is very important. If you let the dog out of the crate while it is crying it will only teach them that crying makes you come back and let them out.

Next time I sit down for a few more minutes, again only letting them out if the dog is not crying.

Increase the amount of time you sit for and always let them out before the dog starts crying (you will learn how long that threshold is pretty quickly)

This teaches the dog that they are not being left in the crate forever.

A lot of people prefer to leave the house while they are crating their dog to start with, this is purely personal preference, I have tried both and had more success with staying near the dog.

The only attention the dog shoulg get should be an angry "no" from you when it cries to show it that crying is naughty.
Just remember, however loud and hard your puppy is screaming do not let it out of the crate. It will calm down and then it can come out.


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Sit.



Some dogs will learn ot sit almost immediately, others take a little more encouragement.
Take a small piece of your dogs favourite treat or use a toy.
Hold the treat above the dogs head and move it over them while saying the command "sit"
This will make the dog look up and backwards at the treat and many will naturally sit down.
As soon as they sit down give them the treat and lots of praise.

For dogs that will not sit just by doing this you can place your hand on their back just in front of their tail and gently push down while holding the food over their head.


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Drop.
First teach your dog the 'sit' command.
Once they are in the sitting position, slowly lower the treat down to the ground just in front of the dog while saying the command "drop".
Most dogs will lower their head and the front legs will follow.

For dogs that do not drop straight away try moving the food away from their nose on the floor so they have to stretch after it.


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Stay.
First teach your dog the 'sit' command.
Tell your dog to sit while standing right in front of them.
Hold out your hand in a 'stop motion' and take one step backward while saying the command "stay"
Hold this for 5 seconds and then give the dog a treat and praise.

Next repeat the first step but then take 2 steps backwards.
Hold for 5 seconds and then praise.

Eventually you should be able to work up to moving far away from the dog before giving them their treat and praise.

If your dog breaks the "stay" then go back and start again.

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Come.
First teach your dog the 'stay' command.
Attach a long leash to your dogs collar (or a lightweight rope if you do not have a long enough leash) then tell them to stay and walk backwards away from them while letting the leash out.

Once you are a good few steps away from them say the commad "come" and gently tug on the lead, telling them that you want them to come towards you.
Once your dog reaches you give a treat and praise.

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Shake hands.
First teach your dog the 'sit' command.
Once they are sitting gently take your dogs paw in your hand and lift it up while saying the command "shake"
Let the dogs paw go and praise them, withhold treats until they do it on their own.

With a bit (a lot in my case) of practice some dogs will learn to lift their paw on their own into your hand.