Dog training books are a great way to learn the best techniques you should use to train your new puppy. Just like with our kids, we need to train our dogs how to behave and create systems for them.
It is important that they have a routine and structure to follow. This allows them to know what is expected of them. There are many different ways to train and teach your dog.
This is why there are so many different dog training books on the market. Each has a different way of teaching and techniques that they recommend. You need to find a book that will guide you in the way you want to train your dog.
Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog that needs to be training and taught, there is a book out there for you. We researched many of the dog training books on the market to create our review guide for you.
On this page, we discuss the key factors you need to consider before choosing which book to buy. We then review our top 10 best dog training books that are available online right now. Our hope is that we help you choose the right one for you and your dog.
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Top 10 Best Dog Training Books to Buy:
1. How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond
How to Raise the Perfect Dog is written by Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. He is a bestselling author and highly respected in this field. He has written many books about dog training, several of which have made it onto our top 10 list.
In this book discusses how using positive reinforcements help you to bond with your dog. You want to create a healthy, trusting relationship so that your dog will follow your commands.
He discusses why it is important to start training your dog while they are still a puppy. The early years of your dog’s life are important ones. It is important that you focus on behavior and routines with your puppy.
The commands will come later on when the dog is older. He gives you many tips and techniques that you can use to train your dog. This is a great book to begin with if you are a new owner to a young puppy. Learn more at Amazon now…
2. Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love
Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution offers you a different perspective regarding dog training. He teaches a fresh, new way that doesn’t believe there is just one best way to do it.
He believes that you should tailor your training and techniques to your dog. This is a great guide for beginner’s and new dog owners. The author even talks about how you can choose the best type of dog for your home.
He then gives you plenty of tips and methods for training your new puppy. Then, he talks about how to go about house training your dog. In the book, he discusses how you can deal with common behaviors such as biting, jumping up, and barking.
This book will teach you how to make the training process simple and fun so you can bond with your dog while teaching them how to behave properly. Learn more at Amazon here…
3. 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog
101 Dog Tricks is a great book for beginners to use. It gives a collection of solutions to help deal with the most common behaviors that your puppy or dog will do.
It teaches what your role is as the trainer and how to interact and teach your dog each method. The book focuses on positive reinforcement techniques. This is also a great book to use with your kids because it gives clear, step-by-step instructions with color photos.
This allows you to easily understand what you are meant to do. You should have no problem correcting the behaviors and training your dog using this book.
This is a great book to start with and as you gain more experience and your dog gets older you can move on to a different book that is more advanced. Learn more at Amazon here…
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4. The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition)
The Art of Raising a Puppy discusses how to get inside your dog’s head. This book features pictures for emphasis. You will everything you need to know about how a dog thinks and reacts so that you can create the bond your want with them.
It is important that you bond and create a loving, trusting relationship with your dog. This will allow you to successfully train them to behave the way you want. It discusses all of the most prevalent topics that you need to know when you get a new dog.
The authors are very well versed in this area and gives you plenty of tips and techniques that you can use. This is a great, in depth book for you to check out. Learn more at Amazon here…
5. Training the Best Dog Ever: A 5-Week Program Using the Power of Positive Reinforcement
Training the Best Dog Ever gives you a step-by-step training manual to help your dog behave properly. This book focuses on using positive reinforcement to train your dog.
It covers all of the common behavior and gives you the exact steps and techniques you need to use to correct them. This book expects you to spend 10-20 each day practicing and working with your dog on the specific behavior you are focusing on at the time.
You need to do the training for at least five weeks in order to see improvement and have the new routine stick. The book not only tells you how to train your dog, but how to do it while bonding and creating a loving relationship with them.
You want to create a happy, healthy dog not just one that will obey your commands. This book gives you everything you need to accomplish all of these things in just a few, short weeks from now. Learn more at Amazon here…
6. How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners (Revised & Updated Edition)
How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend is a top rated book that has been used for many, many years. This book covers every topic you could need, from how to select the right dog to recognizing and correcting your dog’s behavioral problems.
It will teach you the proper techniques you need to use in order to care for and train your dog at every stage of their life. This book focuses on using praise and positive reinforcement to get your dog to behave the way you want in a fun and helpful way.
You will not only be able to train your dog in a stress-free way, but also bond with them at the same time. This is a good beginner book that teaches you the basic training you need in order to train your dog properly.
If you want an easy to read and follow book to start you and your dog off on the right foot, then this is one you should consider getting. Learn more at Amazon now…
7. Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems
Cesar’s Way is an excellent book written by renowned dog trainer Cesar Millan. This is the second of his books in our review guide. He is an excellent dog trainer that knows how to condense his knowledge down into easy to understand techniques for his readers.
This book dives deep into the psyche of dogs to help you understand how they think and why they do the things they do. He then teaches you how to properly work with your dog to adjust their behavior.
His approach is proven to work if you follow it correctly. This is another great book for new dog owners to use. You should focus on simple instructions with your dog in order to quickly see progress and success.
There is no need to make your training sessions complicated. Focus on simple instructions and behaviors and then progress from there. Learn more at Amazon here…
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8. Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar’s Way to Transform Your Dog…and Your Life
Be the Pack Leader is another excellent book by Cesar Millan. There is a reason why his books are so popular, because they work. The author is well versed in canine behavior so his training techniques work to correct any problems.
This book is great if you have just gotten a new dog and need to house train them. If you want to learn how you can calmly and successfully teach your dog how to behave properly, this is a great book to use.
It teaches you how to be the pack leader so that your dog will be obedient and follow your commands without any problem. You can be firm and loving at the same time so that you can control and bond with your dog.
This will make everyone’s lives less stressful and more balanced. If you are looking for a book that you can quickly reference when you need to correct your dog’s behavior then this is the book for you. Learn more at Amazon here…
9. Puppies For Dummies
Puppies For Dummies is an easy to read and follow guide. It will walk you through everything you need to know about caring for your new best friend. This book covers all of the basics such as housebreaking, feeding, training, and traveling with your dog.
If you haven’t gotten your dog yet this book can help you decide which breed of dog you should get. It focuses on using positive reinforcement when you are doing behavior training with them.
You will look how to put together a routine and stick with it. Consistency is very important if you want to be successful and see results. You will also learn how to create a bond and close relationship with your dog.
Everything you need to know is in this book. It is a great option for beginners to use. Learn more at Amazon here…
10. Cesar Millan’s Short Guide to a Happy Dog
Cesar Millan’s Short Guide to a Happy Dog is another great option for you to consider. This author is highly respected and popular. There is a reason several of his books are on our list.
This book teaches you dog psychology and gives you tips for choosing the right dog for your family. It then explains what real training is and how to implement it. You will the hand motions and commands that you need to use during your training sessions.
It is important to know the why behind each one so you are not just robotically going through the process. You want to forge a bond with your dog and create a positive experience for them.
This will allow you to have a happy, healthy and well-behaved dog. You will get tons of tips and techniques that you can use. Learn more at Amazon now…
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Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Dog Training Book:
Your Dog’s Age:
Training a puppy is different than training an older dog. It is important that you buy a book that is focused on the right age and type of dog you have.
If you don’t yet have a dog, you may want to buy a book that also teaches you how to select a dog and what things to consider before you do. There are books that cover everything you need to know in order to choose the right dog and train them properly.
Age of the Reader:
If you are considering having your children help you train the dog, then you may want to buy a book that has illustrations and easy to understand writing. This way you can read it together and discuss what you want to do.
If you are training the dog yourself, you may want a more advanced book that dives deeper into each topic for you. Also, if you are a beginner or first-time dog owner you will want a different kind of book then an advanced dog owner and trainer.
Training Techniques:
Different authors focus on different types of training techniques. You want to decide what kind of methods and techniques you are interested in trying with your dog. This way you can buy a book that focuses on the ones you agree with and want to use.
Best Dog Training Books Conclusion:
Training your dog is a long process. It will not be accomplished overnight so you will definitely need patience in order to do it. The process can be stressful and overwhelming.
Dog training books make the process much simpler for you. A good book offers you detailed and step-by-step instructions to follow. Whether you are getting your dog potty trained or teaching them defensive skills to protect your family a good book can help you get started.
There may be times that you want to take a class with your dog. However, for the more common routines you should be able to accomplish a lot with one of these dog training books.
We included only the best ones in our buyer’s guide. All you need to do is decide which factors you want to focus on so you can choose the book that will work best for you. Hopefully, our review guide has helped you to make the decision quickly and easily.