No - we don't have one yet!

In fact, it's been a long time since we had a pet at all. Anyway, we did all the things we were supposed to (I think) - researched the breeds, decided on one, visited a vet (had a nice chat), got in touch with a breeder (had another nice chat and a website), filled out a questionnaire (what?? ), got put on a waiting list (double what?? ).

Anyway, it seems we have some time so we can read up on puppy training. Most of the books that were recommended to us are on the reading list, so we'll be getting those. Another book that was recommended was:

How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With by Clarice Rutherford

I didn't see it on the reading list so I was wondering if it was worth getting.

Thanks for the help.

Ah, what a refreshing change, somebody planning ahead. I'm not familiar with that book, but I am sure not all the good ones are on the list. The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete isn't any more. Maybe it was dropped as being too old. Read several books. They will disagree. Try to compare what you read to what you see to know what to trust.

Even the cat shelter I volunteer at requires a questionnaire to be filled out, all members of the family have to meet the shelter managers and be seen interacting with the cat to be adopted, and then the family is put on a waiting list for a couple of weeks at least as their references are checked and the adoption is finalized. Some shelters even make a home visit to inspect the cat's new living quarters!

There are so many abandoned and abused animals these days. All the more power to breeders and shelters who insist on questionnaires to be filled out and waiting periods to go by, so that animals will end up with quality and caring owners.

Hi Wondergirl:

You can tell it's been a long time since we had a pet!!

So the questionnaires and waiting lists were a bit of a surprise to us.

Don't take that to mean that we're against them - they seem like good things to do.

Poly, wondergirl is right. It is the standard for shelters & rescues to require people to fill out a form. I don't know any breeders in my area that require the purchaser to fill out a questionnaire. Kudos to the one you interacted with! That is a very responsible breeder and in all likelihood, you will receive a quality puppy. Of course, my personal preference is for people to check all their local shelters or rescues for the breed they are looking for. There are so many dogs that have been thrown away that need good homes. Of course, I am biased in that respect. But, it sounds like your home will be a good one just by the fact that you are doing the responsible thing in researching and learning as much as you can prior to bringing a dog into your home. Thank you. I wish more people were like you.

Regarding the book, I am not familiar with it but did a search on Amazon for it. Usually people who purchase will do a review of the book. The book received 36 reviews and the majority of the people gave it high marks. I usually rely on reviews prior to deciding to purchase anything and then I go to Barnes & Noble or Bordersbook to take a look at the book myself. Here is the link with the reviews if you are interested in reading them. Scroll down all the way to the bottom of the page for the reviews:
Amazon.com: How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With: Books: Clarice Rutherford,David H. Neil

I found the reviews interesting, but found myself wondering how much those writing them knew about dogs. I am especially curious about that Lee Kelly that panned it and much more of the conventional wisdom.

The positive reviews did remind me of my old friend's assertion that a book, any book is better than none.

True enough labman. When it comes to reviews, I do look at the sources and then I always look at the product and see if it has what I am looking for. I guess with this book, the most important aspect is if the writer is an advocate of the current positive reinforcement training and doesn't use any of the old negative techniques. I might just take a look at my local Bordersbooks within the next week and see if I can find a copy of it.

Often Amazon reviews are done by high school and community college students as assignments in a writing class. Beware reviews and know the credentials of the writer!