Dog training books can be a great resource for pet owners looking to improve their furry friend’s behavior. While in-person training sessions with a professional can yield effective results, books can offer consolidated expertise from trainers, veterinarians, and other experts. The best books use positive reinforcement methods, such as praise and treats, to encourage good behavior.
One highly recommended book is “The Power of Positive Dog Training” by Pat Miller. This book includes a six-week step-by-step training course, as well as a day planner, treat resources, and a glossary of training terms. Miller, a well-respected positive-reinforcement dog trainer with over 40 years of experience, discusses everything from body language and leash training to house-training and nipping.
The Other End Of The Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs – Best for Understanding Humans
Patricia McConnell’s book, The Other End Of The Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, is an insightful and entertaining read for anyone looking to better understand human behavior towards dogs. McConnell, an animal behaviorist and lecturer with over two decades of experience, provides practical advice and some training tips for pet parents.
The book focuses on how humans communicate with dogs and how that affects their understanding and training. McConnell uses funny stories and translates complex concepts into easy-to-understand advice. For instance, she explains how to get a dog to come by acting like a dog and why overly rowdy play can lead to behavior problems.
While not a reference or training manual, The Other End Of The Leash is an excellent resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of their furry companions. The book is available in paperback, hardcover, e-book, audio book, and spiral-bound formats, with a total of 272 pages.
Best for Puppies
For those who are looking for a comprehensive guide to train their puppies, Dr. Sophia Yin’s book is an excellent resource. The book is filled with practical and helpful tips, making it easy for puppy owners to follow and implement. The author, who was a veterinarian, lecturer, and animal behaviorist, offers easy-to-follow advice on everything from house-training to sitting, making it a perfect guide for new puppy owners.
The book is also filled with lots of photos, making it easier for readers to understand the concepts and techniques. For house training, Dr. Yin suggests a 20-minute procedure that involves putting the puppy in a crate for 15 minutes after every five minutes of not pottying outside. After the puppy has pottied, the owner can play with the puppy.
Dr. Yin suggests keeping the puppy tethered to the owner early on and using kibble for training throughout the day instead of feeding meals from a bowl. While some of these suggestions may not be practical for everyone, they are effective and have been proven to work.
With 176 pages and published in 2011, this book is available in both paperback and e-book formats. Overall, Dr. Yin’s book is an excellent resource for puppy owners who want to train their puppies effectively and efficiently.
Best for Kids
Dog Training for Kids by Vanessa Estrada Marin is an excellent resource for children who want to learn how to train their new canine companions. The book is filled with easy-to-follow instructions and cute illustrations, making it an enjoyable read for kids. It covers basic training commands such as “stay,” “off,” and “leave it,” as well as fun tricks and games like “high five,” “wave,” and “hide and seek.”
One of the book’s strengths is that it provides step-by-step tips for basic training and tricks, along with explanations of why they work. For example, the author explains that teaching a dog to “down” can help them calm their mind and relax, just like how humans feel more relaxed when lying down.
While the book is recommended for kids aged 5 to 10 years old, it may not be suitable for very young or older children. Overall, Dog Training for Kids is a great resource for families who want to make the process of welcoming a new furry friend into their home more enjoyable for everyone.
Best Overall, Runner-up
Karen Pryor’s book on positive reinforcement training is highly recommended by trainers and considered one of the best books on the subject. Published almost 40 years ago, this book explains how positive reinforcement works and how it can be used to teach and reinforce behaviors not only in pets but also in children and group settings.
The book is well-written and easy to understand, with a touch of humor that makes it an enjoyable read. However, it may be difficult to find a copy of the book due to its age.
While Karen Pryor’s book is the best overall recommendation for positive reinforcement training, for those who cannot find a copy, there are other excellent resources available. It is important to choose a book that explains the principles of positive reinforcement clearly and provides practical advice for implementing them.
Some other runner-up books on positive reinforcement training include “Don’t Shoot the Dog” by Karen Pryor and “Culture Clash” by Jean Donaldson. Both books are highly recommended by trainers and provide valuable insights into positive reinforcement training.
Be Right Back! – Best for Separation Anxiety
For dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, the book Be Right Back! by specialist separation anxiety trainer and behavior consultant Julie Naismith is a great resource. The book includes a comprehensive training plan that helps gradually ease a dog’s stress when their owner leaves. Naismith’s approach includes leaving the dog alone for just a few seconds at a time and gradually increasing the time away. This slow, patient process helps the dog become calm and confident when left alone.
One of the benefits of Be Right Back! is that it includes success stories from dog owners who have used Naismith’s training plan. The book also debunks common training myths that can make separation anxiety worse. However, it is important to note that the training process can be lengthy, so owners must be patient and committed to helping their dog overcome their anxiety.
The book is available in multiple formats, including paperback, e-book, and audio book, and has a total of 270 pages.
Best for Service Dogs
Jennifer Cattet’s book, which is available in both paperback and e-book formats, offers valuable insights into the world of service and support dogs. Cattet is a certified dog trainer and the founder of the Center for the Study of Medical Assistance Canines. One of the most significant advantages of this book is that it uses only positive-reinforcement methods, which is essential for the well-being of service dogs.
Cattet’s book is informative and approachable, making it easy for readers to understand how a dog can assist with tasks related to physical and emotional support. She also discusses the challenges of training a service dog and how to determine if a dog has the best disposition to take on that role.
Although the primary focus of the book is on choosing a dog, it doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of training a dog to go with you everywhere, or training a dog in general. Cattet emphasizes that owning a service dog requires significant changes to one’s house, schedule, and habits.
Best for Understanding Canine Behavior
For those who want to delve deeper into the mind of their furry friends, Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz is a must-read. This book is an entertaining and informative guide to understanding the cognitive abilities of dogs. Horowitz, a dog cognition expert, provides insights into how dogs perceive the world around them and what things are meaningful to them.
The book is written in a friendly and approachable tone, making it easy for readers to follow along. It includes a lot of research and science, but it is presented in a way that is both entertaining and insightful.
One of the main takeaways from the book is the importance of understanding what dogs can perceive. Horowitz writes, “Only objects that are perceived can have meaning to the animal; the rest are not even noticed, or all look the same.” This statement highlights the importance of understanding a dog’s perspective in order to fully comprehend their behavior.
It is worth noting that Inside of a Dog is not a training guide. While it does not provide specific tips on how to train your dog, it will make you reconsider everything around you from your dog’s frame of mind.
The book is available in multiple formats, including paperback, hardcover, e-book, and audio book, and has 384 pages. Its publication date is 2010.
The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever – Best for Tricks
For dog owners who want to teach their furry friends some new tricks, The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever is an excellent resource. Written by Larry Kay and Chris Perondi, a professional dog trainer who performs over 1,000 shows each year, this book features 112 tricks and stunts for dogs of all skill levels.
Tricks are divided into beginner, intermediate, and pro categories, and each trick comes with step-by-step instructions and photos to guide dog owners through the training process. Additionally, the book includes troubleshooting tips, pro tips, and information on visual cues to help dog owners teach their dogs each trick successfully.
Beyond teaching tricks, the book also includes how-tos for more fun experiences like dancing with your dog, jumping rope, dock diving, and dog parkour. With 320 pages and a publication date of 2019, this book is available in both paperback and e-book formats.
It’s important to note that this book is not suitable for unmotivated dogs, as it requires dedication and effort from both the dog and the owner. However, for those willing to put in the time and effort, The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever is an excellent resource for teaching dogs new skills and strengthening the bond between dog and owner.
Having Fun with Agility – Best Agility
For pet owners who want to have fun with agility training, Margaret Bonham’s Having Fun with Agility is a great resource. Bonham, a professional sled dog racer and trainer, uses positive reinforcement techniques to teach dogs how to become athletes. The guide is geared toward beginners with active and willing pups, but also includes tips for those already dabbling in agility.
One of the best things about Having Fun with Agility is that it focuses on having fun rather than serious competition. The book includes lots of tips on how to create makeshift equipment, so you don’t have to buy a bunch of gear. The book is available in both paperback and e-book formats, and it has 192 pages.
While The Power of Positive Dog Training is our favorite overall pick, Having Fun with Agility is a great option for pet owners who want to focus on fun and bonding with their dogs. The guide is easy to follow and includes everything you need to get started with agility training. However, it’s important to note that this book is only for beginners.
Best for Behavioral Problems
This book, written by board-certified behavior experts, offers practical advice and training tips for dogs with behavioral problems such as barking, jumping, digging, and biting. The experts suggest all positive-reinforcement training advice, for example, discouraging jumping by ignoring the behavior or closing the curtains for dogs that are easily triggered to bark.
Each chapter is written by a different expert, but the recurring themes of praise and positivity run through them all. The authors emphasize the importance of treats, stating that if the reward is good enough, the dog will work to earn that reward, and what is one dog’s most valued reward may not be another’s.
While the book has many authors, some repetition may be present due to the number of contributors. The book is available in paperback, hardcover, e-book, and audio book formats, and has 384 pages. Its publication date is 2015.
Summary
The best dog training books offer comprehensive and effective techniques for training dogs of all ages and breeds. These books cover a range of topics, from basic obedience training to more advanced skills like agility and scent work. They also provide valuable information on dog behavior, communication, and psychology.
Some of the top-rated dog training books include “The Art of Raising a Puppy” by the Monks of New Skete, “Don’t Shoot the Dog” by Karen Pryor, and “How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves” by Dr. Sophia Yin.