A good dog is a well-trained dog. Besides, training and socializing your dog properly are among the animal's basic needs. If you just adopt a dog, it's vital to begin training it as soon as possible to come, stay, sit, go to its crate, and fetch items for you. Fortunately, it's something you can do yourself as a new dog owner. However, there are tons of dog training articles on the internet, which makes it virtually impossible to know whether the information you've found is shared by a certified professional dog trainer or a self-taught dog whisperer. For this reason, many dog owners are turning to dog training books for information about dog behavior.
Nowadays, there are plenty of dog training books on the market, and these seven are the most recommended by professional dog trainers in the United States.
1. The Dog Training Bible
- Author: Sarah Richey
- Publication Year: 2022
This dog training book is written by Sarah Richey, an expert dog behaviorist and trainer from Charlotte North Carolina, United States. The Dog Training Bible contains everything you need to know to raise the best dog ever from puppy to adult using the power of positive reinforcement. Specifically, the book will guide you through six stages of your new best friend's life: The Neonatal period, transitional period, socialization period, test period, teenage years, and adult years.
Furthermore, the Dog Training Bible is also about knowing the correct behaviors to exhibit toward dogs, how to support them in the right way when they are scared, and how to correctly and consistently act when dealing with their problematic behaviors.
2. Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog
- Author: Zak George
- Publication Year: 2019
In this book, Zak George, a celebrity dog trainer from Atlanta, Georgia, United States, proves that it's never too late to correct dog behavioral issues. The book offers a science-based approach to help you and your four-legged friend with common training problems. Furthermore, this book contains step-by-step instructions for dealing with chewing, jumping up, barking, play biting, begging, not listening, thunderstorm phobia, separation anxiety, and aggression.
3. The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever
- Author: Larry Kay
- Publication Year: 2019
In addition to revealing more of your dog’s real personality and hidden talents, teaching your canine tricks will also improve its behavior and prevent boredom as well as restlessness. Consequently, the bond between you and your dog will dramatically be enriched.
Larry Kay, a Los Angeles-based award-winning writer, used the secrets of professional dog trainers to compile hundreds of step-by-step images of how to teach your dog 118 tricks and stunts. The book, which is organized from beginner level to pro, contains amazing tricks and delightful stunts any well-behaved dog should know. In addition, you’ll learn the tricks behind filmmaking with dogs, which can turn your canine into a YouTube or Instagram star!
4. Lucky Dog Lessons: Train Your Dog in 7 Days
- Author: Brandon McMillan
- Publication Year: 2018
"Lucky Dog Lessons" has helped many dog owners create the happy family pet they desired. In this book, author Brandon McMillan, a world-renowned animal trainer, offers loving, positive, successful methods that will work wonders with even the most challenging dog. The book starts with the basics, which include mastering training techniques, building trust, and establishing focus and control. From there, McMillan, who believes that no dog is beyond saving, explains his playful, careful, and kind approach to the seven common commands he teaches every dog and provides solutions to common canine behavior issues, including chewing and barking. Furthermore, the book contains illustrative examples, easy-to-follow steps, and images to demonstrate each technique.
5. Mental Exercise for Dogs
- Author: Charlotte Nelson
- Publication Year: 2023
This amazing book contains mental exercises that are specifically designed to keep your dog active, engaged, and stimulated. Consequently, you will prevent dog behavioral issues, including boredom and aggression, that can arise when a canine doesn't get enough activity. "Mental Exercise for Dogs" offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and enhancing your dog's physical and mental well-being. By reading this book, you’ll:
- Understand your dog's body language and behavior
- Discover the importance of both physical and mental exercise for dogs
- Know the types of toys that are best for stimulating your dog
- Be able to teach children how to safely interact with dogs
- Discover a wide range of indoor and outdoor games and exercises that you can do with your dog
6. Leash Training Your Puppy
- Author: Dale Buchanan
- Publication Year: 2023
Written by Dale Buchanan, a professional dog trainer based in Huntsville, Alabama, "Leash Training Your Puppy" offers a simple and effective method for loose-leash walking your puppy. By reading this book, you will discover how to develop good leash manners, the importance of the puppy walk, the proper mindset for leash training, how to manage leash reactivity, leash training drills, the 3 types of puppy walks, and the best leash training equipment. In addition, "Leash Training Your Puppy" includes 33 photographs of actual leash training, handling, equipment, and practice drills.
7. Complete and Magical Guide to Dog Training and Parenting
- Author: J. J. Wallace
- Publication Year: 2023
This book is perfect for new dog owners. No pet owner wants an unruly dog. However, if not properly trained, a puppy can turn into an unruly dog who gives its owner as much grief as it does joy. By reading this book, you will discover how to pick the best dog for you and your family, the top 10 supplies you will need before bringing your puppy home, the Do’s and Don’ts of potty training your puppy, how to create a long-lasting bond with your puppy, common mistakes made during training and how to avoid them, and essential things to keep in mind when caring for your puppy.
