Jessica ~ he looks absolutely adorable ~ I'm really quite jealous as I've always wanted a Border Terrier.

We used to have a young female BT in training classes ~ a lovely little dog whose owner was fantastic with her & took her up to the GC Gold award. Her owner drove a dark blue Mercedes Sports convertible with cream leather interior. Litle Dolly looked such a picture sitting on the front seat in her matching cream leather custom-made harness ~ a real little princess.

I would recommend you reading the work of Turid Rugass. Her work on 'calming signal' is referred to by many highly regarded trainers. Her books are available from amazon. She talks about being a good parent rather than a leader to your dog. I think they generally amount to the same thing (although her work is about looking at things from the dogs point of view).
I would also think carefully before joining a puppy class as these can be noisy and scary to a young dog and full of other puppies who haven't a clue what they should be doing! (I have been to clients who have had bad experiences with their puppy at such classes - although obviously there are so good ones!)
I would suggest seeking out some calm adult dogs who your dog can learn from.

Yes I agree Claire - also all dogs are diffeerent (Just like humans)

If the OP is lucky she'll get a puppy that will fit in with the familly quickly.

We have two dogs and one (Baruska) is definately an Alpha female type and has to be the dominant dog, at least she certainly did when we first got her at about 4 moths old - nearly five years on things have changed but I always say it's in the genes and that's why breeders should take more care over who they breed from.

Quote "I would recommend you reading the work of Turid Rugass. Her work on 'calming signal' is referred to by many highly regarded trainers. Her books are available from amazon"

I got that book from a second-hand bookshop when we were on holiday last year. I thought it was really well written. She came over to the U.K last year too I think to do some seminars. Would love to have met her.

I believe Turid visits the UK most years. I was fortunate enough to attend one of her weekend courses a couple of years ago. Really inspiring and thought provoking.
If you 'google' her name you will find a question and answer site, where dog owners has put forward questions regarding the behaviour of their dog and Turid gives her answer. Certainly worth a look.

What a lovely puppy!

Regarding books, I tend to recommend "100 ways to train the perfect dog" by Sarah Fisher and Marie Miller. It' svery good - modern, common sense, full of fun and wisdom, great piccies and stories about the author's own dogs/client dogs, which illustrate exactly what they are talking about. Also very good at seeing things from the dog's view, too

Here are some links you may find useful:

http://www.apdt.co.uk/about_APDT.asp
http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/puppysocialisation2
http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/why-wont-dominance-die
http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/why-not-dominance.php
http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/if-not-dominance.php
http://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Ways-Tra.../dp/0715329413
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Pos.../dp/1592574831

The last book is also really good

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