For more than thirty years the Monks of New Skete have been involved in every facet of dog care: breeding and raising German Shepherds, training dogs of all breeds, and counseling dog owners on the many aspects of life with their dogs. What sets their program apart is the monks' compassion, respect, affection, and understanding of canine behavior and how they incorporate that into their training. In The Art of Raising a Puppy-over 250,000 books sold since 1991-the brothers tell you everything you need to know about the crucial first months with your new best friend. From the decision to adopt a pup through the process of finding a dog breeder, preparing for your pup's arrival, succeeding at house-training and preliminary obedience exercises, and building the foundations of training, they offer clear guidelines for raising a puppy and establishing a lasting, loving relationship. This is an essential source of wisdom, information, and inspiration for anyone who has a puppy or is considering bringing one home.