25/01/2026
Before you buy a car you do your homework (we hope) 🤞 A Ferrari parked on the drive may look good but would it fit your lifestyle and daily needs?
Dogs are the same. Just because it looks cute or you've always wanted one, does not mean it is the right breed of dog for you.
Can you imagine Guide Dogs for the Blind, recruiting Dachshunds or Chihuahuas? 🤔
We very often hear 'I read all about the breed and joined lots of forums' so I know what I'm getting. It is rare that we hear 'I viewed so many breeders and spent days at a time with them and their dogs to see if the breed was right for me'.
Another question we get asked is do we know any good training classes? Surely before you got your puppy, you checked out your local training classes? Maybe watched a few classes before puppy arrived to see if you like the trainers methods? No point in turning up with your pup only to find that you do not like the trainer. This is the same for vets. Decent trainers and vets do not mind if you want to watch a class, or take a look around.
So if you know anyone who is thinking of getting a dog or a pup, get them a copy of Educating Alice by J.J. Fitzpatrick long before they make the purchase of a dog.
If you do your homework properly, you won't have to ask us what you need, you'll ask us if we stock it and you and your furry companion will have the best times together.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1529029411410568&set=pb.100029105726893.-2207520000&type=3
We now hold stocks of Educating Alice for sale at the training school, and they are a quid cheaper than on Amazon. You can, of course, still purchase from Amazon just about anywhere in the world by following the link below.
Educating Alice is, or was, the only puppy book on the market that dealt with the training of a real dog, namely Alice. The book is divided into 4 logical sections.
Part 1 covers Planning and Preparation and is the most critical part. If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail. In Section One, I discuss the benefits and drawbacks of dog ownership. Yes, there are drawbacks.
You are asked to consider what type of dog suits your family's circumstances, the current circumstances, because trust me, you aren't going to stop eating pies and take up fell running! And what is your backup plan should these circumstances change?
What breed of dog suits your family lifestyle? What do you think about, who to consult and how to select a breeder? And having chosen a breeder, what questions should you ask them, and what questions should you expect to be asked? All breeders are NOT the same. It contains advice on selecting your puppy from and with the help of your chosen breeder. It discusses the importance of maintaining contact before collecting your puppy and preparing your home before the big day arrives.
How should you choose and engage with your chosen veterinary practice? They're not all the same, and fees and services vary greatly.
How to select your puppy trainer and training school. This should be done long before your puppy comes home. Educating Alice gives you lots of essential information, much of which you will not receive in any puppy training class, simply because of the volume of information involved. But the book doesn't replace the need for a high-quality puppy training school and the benefits and opportunities it provides.
Finally, Part One discusses your legal responsibility to your puppy and to your community.
In short, Part One provides 38 pages of detailed and essential information. At least 20 pages which you won't find in any other puppy training book.
I'll tell you about Part two soon.
https://www.amazon.com/Educating-Alice-Essential-Training-Perfect/dp/B0F1TLS7WH
