All dogs are good dogs but the right dog training book can help make your dog great.
While in-person sessions with dog trainers might get the surest results, there are also books that capture the consolidated expertise of trainers, veterinarians, and other experts. We looked for well-respected, recommended-by-experts books that only use positive reinforcement methods. That primarily means lots of praise and treats.
“I would rather have cookies in my jacket pockets than a chain around my dog's neck,” writes Pat Miller, author of The Power of Positive Dog Training, our overall favorite dog training book. It includes a six-week step-by-step training course, as well as extras like a day planner, treat resources, and a glossary of training terms.
Here are some great training resources to help with everything from potty training and jumping to tricks and behavioral issues.
Best Overall
The Power of Positive Dog Training
Author is well-respected, long-time positive-reinforcement dog trainer
Include six-week step-by-step dog training course
Has a day planner, treat resources, and glossary of training terms
Available in many formats
About 15 years old
A long-time favorite of many trainers, rescuers, and pet owners, The Power of Positive Dog Training is a popular guide for positive-reinforcement training methods. Author Pat Miller has been a dog trainer for more than 40 years. She started her career using negative methods like harsh words and choke chains, but quickly moved to force-free training focused on praise and treats.
The book follows Miller’s six-week basic training program with everything laid out in an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide. There’s also an introduction to clicker training, where you acknowledge the exact moment your dog does what you want with a click, and then reward them for doing it. She discusses how to slowly phase out the clicker and treats and explores the principles behind positive dog training.
The book has 24 chapters ranging from body language and learning to walk on a leash to house-training and nipping. There’s a doggy day planner, a section on good treats and rewards, and a glossary of dog-training terms.
Pages: 288 | Publication Date: 2008 | Format: paperback, hardcover, e-book, audio book
Best Overall, Runner-up
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Highly recommended by trainers
Explains positive reinforcement and why it works
Easy read and witty
Hard to find
Almost 40 years old
Ask many dog trainers and behaviorists for a reading recommendation, and Karen Pryor’s book is often at the top of the list. Pryor is a long-time animal trainer and is considered one of the pioneers of positive reinforcement training. Published nearly 40 years ago, this popular book explains how to use positive reinforcement and why it works.
But there are much broader applications for the techniques. Pryor shows how you can use these methods to teach and reinforce behaviors not only in your pets, but in kids, group settings, and even yourself. The book is an easy read and witty. For example, “Nobody should be allowed to have a baby until they have first been required to train a chicken.”
Pages: 202 | Publication Date: 1984 | Format: paperback
Best for New Dog Owners
Zak George's Dog Training Revolution
Lots of practical tips
Easy to understand
Focus on positive reinforcement
YouTube videos demonstrate training
Includes tricks and tips
Mostly for new dog owners
Celebrity trainer Zak George’s very popular YouTube channel is filled with upbeat, fun videos of everything from puppy training to dealing with leash reactivity. His first book is a comprehensive look at puppy and dog training, presented in the same friendly style of his videos. The book covers topics from choosing the right pup for your family, through basic training, leash walking, and housetraining. It covers some behavioral issues including chewing, barking, and jumping.
Once you’ve mastered all the basic training, George offers lots of tricks and fun activities you can do with your pup. If anything is unclear, you can find the video online for an easy demonstration. The focus is always on positive reinforcement and a loving relationship with your dog.
Pages: 240 | Publication Date: 2016 | Format: paperback, e-book, audio book, spiral bound
Best for Puppies
Perfect Puppy in 7 Days
Filled with practical, helpful tips
Easy-to-follow advice on everything from house-training to sitting
Lots of photos
Some tips may not be practical for everyone
Anyone who’s had a puppy knows that it’s hard to really ever describe them as “perfect,” what with the chewing and accidents and all. But this book offers so much practical and helpful advice, that you can see it might be a near-possibility. Written by Dr. Sophia Yin, who was a veterinarian, lecturer, and animal behaviorist, the book doesn’t really promise a trained puppy in a week. Instead, she got a puppy for her father and spent a week with training first in order to give the pup some basic skills.
The content is engaging and spells everything out simply with text and photos so it’s easy to follow. For example, for house training, she writes, “If after five minutes she doesn’t potty, put her in her crate for 15 minutes and then try again. Repeat this 20-minute procedure until she potties outside. After she has pottied, you can play with her.”
Some of Yin’s suggestions include keeping your puppy tethered to you early on and never feeding meals from a bowl (instead, use kibble for training throughout the day). Although many trainers follow these tips, they aren’t always practical for everyone.
Pages: 176 | Publication Date: 2011 | Format: paperback, e-book
Best for Understanding Canine Behavior
Inside of a Dog
Entertaining, insightful, and informative
Includes lots of research and science
Friendly, approachable tone
Not a training guide
Dog cognition expert Alexandra Horowitz is a professor, writer, and researcher focused on how dogs think. Inside of a Dog discusses what dogs know and how their minds work. She has written several books about what it’s like to experience the world from a dog’s perspective. The book offers insights of what it must be like to take a walk from a pup’s vantage point, to sniff all the attractions of the great outdoors, to hear even the buzz of tiny insects.
“If we want to understand the life of any animal, we need to know what things are meaningful to it,” she writes. “The first way to discover this is to determine what the animal can perceive: what it can see, hear, smell, or otherwise sense. Only objects that are perceived can have meaning to the animal; the rest are not even noticed, or all look the same.”
The book really dives into the canine perception, but doesn’t focus much on training tips. It will, however, make you reconsider everything around you from your dog’s frame of mind.
Pages: 384 | Publication Date: 2010 | Format: paperback, hardcover, e-book, audio book
Best for Understanding Canine Behavior, Runner-up
Meet Your Dog
Science-backed with practical info
Lots of stories and examples
Sense of humor
Not available in paperback
Sometimes understanding your dog is like figuring out a puzzle, but if you don’t have all the pieces you’ll never see the complete picture. In “Meet Your Dog: The Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior,” canine behavior consultant Kim Brophey explains the model she uses to help understand and manage dog behavior. She calls it L.E.G.S. for learning, environment, genetics, and self. Understanding those elements help you understand why your dog is the way they are.
The model is based on science and research, but the book makes the information very accessible with lots of stories and tips on using a dog’s natural tendencies to have a good relationship and well-adjusted life. It’s written with a sense of humor and is a good read.
Pages: 256 | Publication Date: 2018 | Format: hardcover, e-book, audio book
Best for Understanding Humans
The Other End Of The Leash
Insightful
Lots of funny stories
Translates to practical advice and some training tips
Not a reference or training manual
“The more you love your dog, the more you need to understand human behavior,” writes Patricia McConnell in The Other End Of The Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs. The animal behaviorist and lecturer has worked with pet parents for more than two decades and written nearly a dozen books on training, behavioral issues, and the human relationship with animals.
Here, McConnell takes a look at how humans communicate with dogs and how that affects understanding, as well as training. She translates this into insightful advice like how to get your dog to come (by acting like a dog) and why really rowdy play can lead to behavior problems. Plus, the whole book is entertaining, not filled with jargon, and packed with lots of funny stories.
Pages: 272 | Publication Date: 2003 | Format: paperback, hardcover, e-book, audio book, spiral-bound
Best for Behavioral Problems
Decoding Your Dog
Written by board-certified behavior experts
Lots of practical advice and training tips
Recurring theme of positive reinforcement
Some repetition because there are so many authors.
Barking, jumping, digging, and biting. Behavior problems like these are one of the main reasons dogs are brought to shelters and rescues. This book offers a collection of advice from board-certified experts who are part of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. They suggest all positive-reinforcement training advice, for example discourage jumping by ignoring the behavior or close 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. Treats are incredibly important. The authors write: “The morals of this story are that if the reward is good enough, the dog will work to earn that reward, and, second, what is one dog’s most valued reward may not be another’s.”
Pages: 384 | Publication Date: 2015 | Format: paperback, hardcover, e-book, audio book
Best for Kids
Dog Training for Kids
Easy-to-follow instructions
Cute illustrations
Basic training commands, plus lots of tricks and games
Not for very young or older kids
Welcoming a new four-legged family member should be fun for everybody. Dog Training for Kids by Vanessa Estrada Marin is geared toward children with lots of easy-to-follow instructions and cute illustrations. The book covers lots of key basic commands like “stay,” “off,” and “leave it,” but also has plenty of fun tricks and games like “high five,” “wave,” and “hide and seek.”
There are step-by-step tips for basic training and tricks, but also explanations as to why it works. Training “down,” for example, the author writes, “When a dog’s body is in a resting position, it’s easier for them to calm their mind as well. Think about it—don’t you feel more relaxed when you are lying down? Your dog does too!” The book is recommended for kids ages 5 to 10 years old.
Pages: 176 | Publication Date: 2019 | Format: paperback, e-book
Best for Clicker Training
Clicker Training for Dogs
Author is leader in clicker training and positive reinforcement
Offers how-tos, as well as reasoning behind what you’re doing
Revised e-book has step-by-step photos
Can be hard to find
Animal trainer and author Karen Pryor is one of the creators of clicker training. This method catches your dog at the exact moment they are doing what you’ve asked by marking that second with a noise from a small clicker and then giving them a treat. The book explains the basics of using a clicker to catch positive behaviors. It discusses why you should ignore mistakes and only acknowledge positive responses.
The book is relatively short and has been around for almost two decades, but it still holds up well and is one of the most-respected guides on clicker training. The updated e-book version has photos and step-by-step guides showing how the training works in many situations.
Pages: 100 | Publication Date: 2002 | Format: paperback, hardcover, e-book
Best for Tricks
The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever
112 tricks and stunts
Photos for each trick and step-by-step instructions
Beginner, intermediate, and pro tricks
Not for unmotivated dogs!
You think your dog is smart? This is the book to see how brilliant. The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever features a step-by-step guide—with photos—to 112 tricks and stunts. The book is written by author Larry Kay and stunt-dog trainer Chris Perondi, who performs more than 1,000 shows each year with his canine stars.
The book divides tricks into beginner (sit pretty, roll over, speak), intermediate (open the door, hoop jump, toy cleanup), and pro (step slowly, hug an item, wipe your paws). Each trick has photos and a step-by-step guide to teaching it. There’s troubleshooting, pro tips, and info on visual cues. The book also has how-tos on more fun experiences like dancing with your dog, jumping rope, dock diving, and dog parkour.
Pages: 320 | Publication Date: 2019 | Format: paperback, e-book
Best for Separation Anxiety
Be Right Back!
Comprehensive training plan
Success stories
Training myths
Can be a very long process
Some dogs really hate to be alone. They can become distressed and even destructive when their people leave—a condition known as separation anxiety. When a dog is this stressed, you can become reluctant to ever leave your house, which can make the condition even worse for your pet when you do have to leave. Be Right Back!, by specialist separation anxiety trainer and behavior consultant Julie Naismith shares a comprehensive training plan for gradually getting your pup over their stress.
The book has training plans, but also includes lots of success stories, as well as training myths that might make things worse. Naismith suggests a slow, patient process that includes first leaving your pup alone for just seconds at a time and gradually increasing the time you are away. The goal is a calm, confident pup.
Pages: 270 | Publication Date: 2019 | Format: paperback, e-book, audio book
Best for Service Dogs
Selecting and Training Your Service Dog
Uses only positive-reinforcement methods
Discusses challenges of training
Informative and approachable language
Primary focus on choosing a dog
There are many different types of service and support dogs that can help you with physical and emotional support. Author Jennifer Cattet, a certified dog trainer and founder of the Center for the Study of Medical Assistance Canines, explains how a dog can assist with tasks. She discusses how much time and effort goes into training a service dog and how to determine if a dog has the best disposition to take on that role.
The book is informative and approachable, but it doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of training a dog to go with you everywhere, or training a dog in general. She writes, “Each dog I’ve owned has forced me to make changes to my house, to my schedule and to my habits. With a creature that has so many needs, sensitivities and abilities, we often underestimate what it will require of us.”
Pages: 202 | Publication Date: 2021 | Format: paperback, e-book
Best Agility
Having Fun With Agility
About having fun, not serious competition
Lots of tips
Suggests how to create makeshift equipment
Only for beginners
If your dog bounds over the ottoman or does parkour off the walls, agility training could be a great idea. Having Fun with Agility is by Margaret Bonham, a trainer and professional sled dog racer. She uses positive reinforcement, like clicker training, to show how you can teach your dog to become an athlete.
The book is geared toward pet parents who want to have fun with agility—not necessarily those who want to train for serious competitions. The guide goes through the basics and is targeted toward beginners with willing, active pups, but also has tips for people who are already dabbling in agility. You don’t have to buy a bunch of gear; the book has tips on how to create some easy, basic equipment.
Pages: 192 | Publication Date: 2004 | Format: paperback, e-book
Our favorite overall pick is The Power of Positive Dog Training. It includes a six-week step-by-step training course, plus a day planner, treat ideas, and a glossary of training terms. Another great option is Don’t Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training. It’s highly recommended by trainers and explains positive reinforcement and why it works.
What to Look for in a Dog Training Book
Types of Training
Dog training relies on a related psychological method called operant conditioning, which uses different types of motivation to get a dog to voluntarily perform a certain behavior. Operant conditioning falls into four categories.
- Positive reinforcement: You reward your dog with something they enjoy like treats or praise when they do something you want them to do. Most of your dog training should be in this area.
- Negative punishment: This isn’t a physical punishment. It involves taking away something the dog likes when they do something undesirable. That might mean turning around when your dog jumps on you or leaving the area when your puppy bites you.
- Positive punishment: This is when you do something the dog dislikes in order to make a dog less likely to repeat a behavior. This can include making loud noises when your dog counter surfs or jerking on a collar when they pull on a leash.
- Negative reinforcement: This involves taking away something that’s unpleasant when a desired action is performed. These can be painful and scary experiences like shocking a dog until he comes to you.
Positive reinforcement trainers focus only on positive reinforcement and negative punishment. Some trainers suggest using aversive tools like choke, prong, or electric collars. The Spruce Pets does not recommend products or techniques that are aversive.
“Look for a book written by a trainer that uses positive reinforcement training and follows LIMA (least intrusive minimally aversive) as that is the most humane and scientifically supported method of training right now,” says Erica Marshall, CPDT-KA, CDBC, a certified professional dog trainer and certified behavior consultant and board member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Marshall is also the author of the book New Puppy, Now What?.
“Methods using force or compulsion have been proven to harm the human/animal bond and cause more problems for the dog and owner. The use of aversive training methods is fraught with potential behavioral fallout.”
Training Organizations & Certifications
Whether you’re choosing an in-person trainer or checking out the author of a dog-training book, look to see if the person is a dog trainer, canine behaviorist, or both. A dog trainer teaches training cues, manners, and often addresses some behavioral issues. A trained behaviorist is kind of a pet psychologist, understanding why dogs do what they do and how to change problem behaviors.
Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer or behaviorist, but there are certifications that demonstrate that they have experience and education in the area.
“It's important to find authors that have extensive knowledge and experience in the area of training you are looking for,” says Marshall. “Continuing education is key for a trainer to stay up to date on techniques and new developments in dog training and animal care. Certifications are certainly a great thing to look for but not all highly qualified trainers are certified.”
Some certifying agencies include:
- Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or
- Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB)
Training Tools
Some training methods might require certain tools like clickers for clicker training or a harness versus a leash to teach walking manners. All training methods in these books require that you arm yourself with loads of tasty treats to reward behaviors.
Do you want a quick book with how-tos or a lengthy read that goes in-depth? The length of a book may mean the difference between whether you will read it or just flip through the pages. You'll want to make sure the book has what you're looking for—many broad details or one specific training topic—before you make a purchase.
There are ways to teach dogs tricks, but there are also basic ways to teach a dog to live in your home. Both require training but not all books will cover all types of training goals. If your dog is housebroken and has basic manners but you want to expand the number of tricks it knows, make sure you don't choose a general dog training book. Conversely, if you have a new dog, you'll want to focus on basic behaviors that allow it to live well in your home—such as housebreaking and not jumping on guests—before you teach it other skills.
-
Can you learn to train a dog from books?
Pet owners can learn a lot from well-researched books written by experienced trainers. “They are often a great jumping off point for people to understand concepts like positive reinforcement training, enrichment, learning theory, marker training, and behavior modification,” says Marshall. “The best books will inspire people to learn more and dig deeper into training and learning theory.”
Working with a trainer can help put what you’re learning into a larger context and can confirm that you’re doing the best for your dog.
-
How do I know when I need a dog trainer?
It’s a great idea to enroll in a training class as soon as you bring home your puppy or new dog. That helps learn cues, but also provides very important socialization opportunities. “Get the trainer in right away to help the transition be as smooth and problem free as possible,” Marshall suggests.
If your dog has behavior issues, you may want to reach out to a trainer or behavior specialist. They can help you understand why your dog is doing what they’re doing and how to have more positive behaviors. Marshall says, “The earlier the intervention by a qualified trainer the less damage can be done to the owner/dog relationship as well as help keep any potentially dangerous behavior from escalating.”
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
To find the best dog training books, we consulted with trainers, behaviorists, rescue volunteers, and pet owners. We read dozens of reviews and comments and considered recommendations from training and animal welfare groups. We examined trainer credentials and experience and only considered books that focused on positive training methods.
This article was researched and written by Mary Jo DiLonardo who has covered animals and pets for several decades. Mary Jo has fostered more than 60 dogs and puppies. She has consulted with trainers for her own rescue dog and her foster puppies and has read training books to help with learning and behavior issues. She is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products to use with them such as best dog toys and best dog treats.