The 5 Best Dog Training Books in 2021

If you’ve just got a new furry member in your family, you’ll have to make sure that you train him properly so he’ll become a mindful member of your family. There are multiple ways in which families choose to train their dog.

If you don’t want to take the time yourself and would rather have professional help, you can always opt for a trainer who’ll teach your dog everything he needs to be obedient. However, this method can be quite expensive, and you’ll still have to learn the commands that the trainer has taught your dog in order to get the best responses out of him. 

If you want to spend more time with your dog and develop a personal bond while training him, your best option is to read some dog training books and do it yourself. Dog training isn’t difficult, and with the right tools, you can do it at home while getting to know your dog better. 

There are a lot of books that will give you comprehensive guides on how to approach all aspects of the training process. In this article, we’ve outlined the 5 best dog training books available on the market today.

In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks…

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The Best Books for Training Your Dog

We’ve compiled a small list of the absolute best dog training books on the market. Many dog trainers today use and recommend these books for learning.

Here are some of our personal recommendations!

1. The Power of Positive Dog Training

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Pat Miller unveils the secret to a fulfilling relationship with your furry companion in a mind-blowing training tool that addresses the importance of body language. The potency of this guide lies in its illustration of how close observation of your dog’s body can help you to understand their needs better, all while relying on modern techniques rather than archaic disciplinary measures.

The potency of this guide lies in its illustration of how close observation of your dog’s body can help you to understand their needs better, all while relying on modern techniques rather than archaic disciplinary measures. The author emphasizes the benefits of positive conditioning over punishment, making it a unique and effective way to train your dog.

Pat Miller shares over thirty years of knowledge as a dog trainer, and is the founder of the Peaceable Paws Dog & Puppy Training Center. She also takes a leading role in the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, along with many other accomplishments in the field of positive dog training.

You can’t go wrong with this positive training guide!

Specifications

• Author – Pat Miller
• Weight – 1.06 lbs
• Paperback – 288 pages
• ISBN-10 – 9780470241844
• Publisher – Howell Book House; Second edition (April 4, 2008)

2. 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog

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If you’re looking for an international best-seller that has revolutionized pet training, then this is the book for you.

What’s so special about it? The numbers speak for themselves.

The book has sold over half a million copies worldwide and is translated into 18 different languages. The book design is unique, catchy, and certainly the one that you’d pick first if you saw it in a bookstand.

Why do we love this particular book?

It goes in-depth on working through behaviors, motivating, and rewarding your pet, including consistency in vocal tone and injecting enthusiasm to speed up your dog’s learning. There’s a comprehensive lineup of training schedules and specific activities to practice with your dog, as well as step-by-step support on what to do when you get positive or negative feedback.

The book also teaches verbal cues, hand signals, and when and how to reward your pet with the right kind of positive reinforcement so that they can mimic their correct behaviors more effectively. All these programs are taught within a specific period of time, so your dog will be trained in no time.

The author, Kyra Sundance, is a world-class stunt dog show performer and a renowned best-selling author with a number of published books on dog training under her belt. Kyra is highly-rated worldwide for her methods and contributions to the world of competitive dog sports.

She and her team have organized dog shows in Hollywood and in many TV series that have entertained and educated audiences worldwide. Her years of experience are a great asset for dog trainers everywhere, and her knowledge is infused in this fantastic book.

Specifications 

• Author – Kyra Sundance
• Weight – 1.29 pounds
• Paperback – 208 pages
• ISBN-10 – 1592533256
• Publisher – Quarry Books; Illustrated edition (April 1, 2007)

3. Dog Training 101: Step-by-Step Instructions for Raising a Happy, Well-Behaved Dog

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Welcoming a new dog into the family is always a rush! The fun and the games never end, but without proper training, your furry friend could quickly become mischievous. Dog Training 101 is a sure guide to house training your dog with proven techniques that have worked for thousands of dog owners worldwide.

Kyra Sundance authors this book with step-by-step instructions and directions on how to improve communication with your dog. There’s a common fear that different dog breeds have different learning capabilities, and that some dogs may be easier to train than others. While this can be true, there’s a wide variety of techniques that work for all dog breeds, and will certainly work for yours.

Lessons are not limited to communication alone – they also include overcoming common fears. Things that are normal for humans might seem foreign to dogs, and the presence of such factors around them might affect their training process in a negative way.

There are sounds and spaces in the house that may be a bit disconcerting for your dog, including loudspeakers, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, the bathtub, dark rooms, etc. This book will help your dog overcome these fears using positive redirection techniques.

Some other fun, real-life lessons that you can teach your dog include toilet training, reducing leash pulling, catching the frisbee, eliminating jumping on visitors, and much more. While having fun is important, this book allows you to define boundaries, ensuring that your dog understands right from wrong.

Specifications

• Author – Kyra Sundance
• Weight – 1.05 pounds
• Paperback – 172 pages
• ISBN-10 – 1631593102
• Publisher – Quarry Books; Illustrated edition (September 5, 2017)

4. Dog Training for Kids: Fun & Easy Ways to Take Care of Your Furry Friend

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What could be better than having your kids take the lead when it comes to training the newest member of the family? This book makes it fun and easy for the kids to get involved and feel even more connected to their new furry sibling.

Dog Training for Kids is an engaging step-by-step program made easy for kids between the ages of 8 and 12. The techniques are easy to understand and the pages are packed with illustrations to help portray the instructions better.

While the book doesn’t imply that your kid should be doing all the dog training, it’s important to make your child feel involved and gain some much necessary bonding with your dog.

The lessons are simplified for the easy grasping of ideas and include basic training techniques, such as:

• How to control unnecessary barking
• Home and toilet training
• Obedience training
• Crate training
• Leash training
• Essential commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “drop it”
• Tricks such as leaps, rolling over, high fives, etc.

Every minute that your kid spends with the dog practicing these commands and tricks strengthens the bond of their friendship and makes them inseparable.

Vanessa Estrada Marin is the author of this highly informative book and is the director of Frolic, a renowned dog-centric facility dedicated to various forms of dog programs for kids.

Specifications

• Author – Vanessa Estrada Marin
• Weight – 0.035 pounds
• Paperback – 176 pages
• ISBN-10 – 0593196570
• Publisher – Z Kids (November 26, 2019)

5. Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love

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Training your dog doesn’t have to be all work. The best way is always an easy and fun way. The authors, Zak George and Dina Roth Port, deliver revolutionary dog training techniques in this practical guide.

Companionship with your dog is always most enjoyable when you understand each other, and the techniques for improving these dynamics are well explained in this book, with multiple scenarios and practice tools.

What makes this book unique?

It takes into consideration the differences in dog traits, breeds, energy levels, and other characteristics when it comes to training. The book teaches everything you need to know, from buying the best dog that is suited to your personality and lifestyle, to training and handling difficult situations.

Some of the techniques include: handling aggression, leash pulling, jumping up, biting, and other behavioral problems. The book also contains tips on healthcare and finding a good vet.

Enjoy teaching your puppy some new tricks, and engage in fun activities that will help improve your bond.

Specifications

• Author – Zak George and Dina Roth Port
• Weight – 12 ounces
• Paperback – 240 pages
• ISBN-10 – 1607748916
• Publisher – Ten Speed Press; 1st Edition (June 7, 2016)

Buyer’s Guide for Dog Training Books

Paying for a dog trainer can be quite expensive, so the next best thing is to find a simple, economical way to teach your dog new tricks. Once you’ve acquainted yourself with the basics of dog handling, you’ll certainly be able to communicate much more easily with your furry friend!

Isn’t that awesome?

Why should you get a training book before getting a dog?

There are literally a million reasons why you should learn to speak dog before getting a pup. Being able to pick up on your dog’s different signs is very important, and learning the difference between “potty” and “food” can’t happen soon enough.

Getting a training book can teach you all you need to know about handling these situations before they progress to hard-to-break habits, and is a much cheaper alternative to hiring a professional trainer.

How much would you have to spend if you wanted to skip the work and get a professional dog trainer?

A professional trainer may charge $30 to $50 for every group training class, while private training may cost you $45 to $120 per hour. An obedience class may cost you $200 to $600 for a 6-class package, while payment on a per-week basis may cost $500 to $1,250.

What should you read before getting a dog?

Pet training guides differ according to the experiences of the authors. Many books will provide step-by-step guides on how to pick the best dog for you, background and health checks, and other information that you should know before investing in your new furry best friend.

Another essential aspect to read about before getting a dog is the training basics, such as body language, before going into complex commands and tricks.

How do you choose the right dog training book?

No dog comes with its own training manual, and since pet owners need to teach their dogs the proper behaviors, the best way to get this knowledge is from an author who has been through a similar situation that you’re passing through, i.e., experience with the same dog breed.

In general, top-rated dog trainers usually have the best advice on how to train your dog.

Once you find a book that you think you can relate to, go through the description, the proposed techniques, and information about the author. Once you’re convinced that the author is experienced, has relevant accomplishments in the field of dog training, and that the content appeals to your needs, then it’s certainly the right book to work with.

Conclusion

The five books above are our top picks for the best dog training books. We made these choices based on value, popular reviews, the experience and expertise of the authors, and the effectiveness of their content. All these books will provide you with step-by-step guides, tips, and tricks on making both yours and your dog’s journey simpler. 

Do we have a single favorite?

Not particularly, because each book has its own unique depth and unveils a whole new experience in training your dog. We hope that whichever book you pick gives you an excellent experience and helps you train your dog well.