Dog Health Questions: Training books/time outside?

I was wondering what some good dog training books are. We are taking the puppy to dog training classes, but I like to read about the stuff that I'm doing to get an idea of different approaches and perspectives.

Also, we have a fenced in backyard, but I'm not sure how long it is ok to let the dogs play outside. One is a Tibetan Spanial (very small, 10lbs) and our puppy is a newf/saint mix, but a puppy none the less! I know the spanial won't stay out long when it's cold, but the puppy loves it but I don't want him to get too cold or any thing like that. Also, is it ok to have them unsupervised provided that they are contained?

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Recommended Answer:
Actually, you should be somewhere that you can 'see' the dog when it's out, and you should be outside with the puppy while it's playing. You may just 'sit and read' (I know it's cold, but you can figure out how to do that, I'm sure) and let the puppy play by itself ... but while it's a puppy it NEEDS to have a human companion outside with it ... you need to keep an eye on the temperature, and on the puppy ... some dogs can get 'overheated' in the cold weather, and if you aren't out there with the puppy it could get very 'ill' while it was playing and that would be heartbreaking when you went out, and found your beloved puppy dying on the ground. Newfoundland's and Saint Bernards are both rather 'brainless' when they are puppies, so go outside, read and or play with the puppy, and be SURE rather than 'regretful' ...

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• Read The Dog Whisperers books. And no dog is happy when it is extremely cold outside even his paw pads can get frost bite.


• As for keeping them outside, try getting and electric fence or a chain for extra protection. You never know if your dog is going to turn out to be a digger! Don't leave your dog out if it is under 45 degrees, it is just not nice. Also be careful taking your dog out in the snow.
  
  Also, to help you understand dogs and their feelings, you HAVE to read The Other End of the Leash.


• There's an excellent book, giving detailed training instructions, by Sheila Booth called "Purely Positive Training". I think just about anyone's dogs will benefit if their owners read this book.
  
  As for letting your dogs play outside, I think they'll let you know when they get cold by running to the door and wanting in. If the puppy's playing and running around, he should be fine. His feet will get cold first - you'll see him lifting his paws - time to bring him in!


• I like puppies for dummies. It has a good amount of great information that is helpful for dogs at all ages.


• Skip the Dog Whisperer books and look for books by
  
  Jean Donaldson
  Patricia McConnell
  Ian Dunbar
  Pat Miller
  Trish King