When bringing home a new best friend, you always want to think about training.
Whether it's a brand-new puppy or an older dog, finding the best dog training books will be the first steps into welcoming home your new addition.
Take a look at this guide and see if you can find the right one for you.
How to Choose the Best Dog Training Book
Dog training books will be as individual as the dog itself. Depending on how you read or learn you will want to think about the different styles in which books are presented.
Some books may be a little text-heavy for some, but for other readers, long lines of text will be the right way to learn.
Some books will have more step-by-step instructions, possibly with diagrams and pictures, which will suit readers who like to see pictures or, have basic instructions when learning new things.
Some books will have a specific style of training involved, and this is the most important factor to think about when deciding on which training book you will want to buy.
There are so many books on the market, and experts have written them on specific styles and training methods. When deciding on which book to buy it is fundamental that you have made a decision on the method you would like to follow when training your dog.
There are dog training books that are breed specific as well. For example, Labradors often have different learning needs when compared to dogs like Akita’s or Shiba Inu’s.
Sometimes, purchasing something that is more attuned to your specific breed of dog can be much more beneficial, and will help you to achieve more successful training.
It's also really important to think about what type of dog behaviour would suit your family.
Some types of training may not suit certain households, and that is key is to find something that can benefit not only your dog, but also your family, and particularly if you have children and want them to be involved in the training of your dog.
Things to Look for
When looking for the perfect dog-training book, listening to what others have to say is always the best way to find out whether it is right for you.
Online reviews can be a fantastic way to see people’s honest opinions of the book and its content. Also, talking to people who have read the book in person can be just as helpful.
However, the most important thing to look for is the certification of any animal welfare organisation.
Whilst many books will have been written by experts in the field of dog training and behaviour, some methods may be seen as harsh or unfair on the animal.
It is important to think about how your dog may react to some training methods, as well as what it might do to the animal if the method is too much for the dog. Therefore, it is essential that any training method you use is safe, humane and most importantly, fun.
The final ‘must have' in a dog-training advice book is finding a book that you want to read. Some books will be more like manuals, whereas others will be written with a more compassionate and personal touch.
Books that give you tips, as well as making you feel and understand, will be more enjoyable and interesting to read, as well as making you understand dog training in a different light.
Now all that’s left is for you to choose the perfect dog training book for you. Take a look at our dog training book reviews below.
Best Dog Training Books - Comparison Table
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Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems
Cesar Milan is a well-known dog trainer and behaviourist.
His training methods not only focus on obedience and training but on a dog’s natural instinct, and can also help to eliminate any problems that your dog could have.
This book is written from the heart, and it encourages you to not only train but also to understand your dog even your dogs body language.
The Good
This book is written from a personal angle, allowing you to feel the experiences that the author has had with thier own training techniques.
The great thing is that it covers many different breeds of dog, making it open to any dog owner.
There is a glossary at the back of the book, allowing you to understand the terms that are used within the book which makes it easy to read.
You can purchase the book on kindle and as a hard copy, perfect for those who would like something a little more portable.
The Not So Good
The book is very text heavy, meaning that it may not be suitable for all readers. There are also many stories within the book, whilst entertaining, it is difficult to sometimes whittle out the training tips within the pages. He teaches only one method, which may not work with every dog.
Our View
This book seems to have a massive following and focuses on more behavioural problems and training.
However, this book is incredibly text heavy, and whilst it focuses on ways to help fix a dog with behavioural problems, there is a very small insight into basic training, which is what you may expect when looking for a training book.
This book would be perfect for someone with an interest in animal behaviour, but maybe not so perfect for those who want to start at the very beginning.
Best Puppy Training Book - Dog Training: The Modern Step-by-Step Training Guide for Your Dog or Puppy
This book is a basic dog-training book; it provides any level of reader with an insight into training methods for any age dog.
This book is simple to follow and provides the reader with an easy way to train their four-legged friend.
It is a brilliant handbook for any dog breed and will help you with the first step you need to train your dog.
The Good
This book sets up a good foundation for training, letting you build the first blocks that you will need, particularly with a puppy.
In addition to this, this book helps you understand how dogs learn, giving you a basic insight into their behaviour and helping you understand the training methods as well as why you follow the steps.
The Step-by-Step instructions are easy to follow and allow you to fully understand what you are asking of your animal and what your dogs body language is trying to tell you. It’s a great option for simple yet effective training.
The Not So Good
The book doesn’t give a very deep insight into animal behaviour and training, it is incredibly simplistic. The simple principles that it follows may not be suitable for more difficult dogs or aid in later training.
Our View
This book is a fantastic starting point for anyone training their dog, particularly young dogs or puppies. The instructions are simple, allowing any trainer of any age to follow them as well as keeping consistency within the dogs training.
However, the book does not delve into deeper issues that may arise when you are training your dog, nor does it look into animal behaviour.
Whilst this is not important for basic and first steps training, it may not be suitable for training difficult or problem animals.
Best Puppy Training Book - The Happy Puppy Handbook: Your Definitive Guide to Puppy Care and Early Training
This handbook is specifically designed for dog owners bringing home puppies.
This puppy training guide will take you through the basics of caring for your puppy as well as helping you understand how to start basic training with your new puppy.
It takes you through everything you need to know and is the perfect guide for anyone new to puppies and the highs and lows they can bring.
The Good
This dog training book is not all about training, it takes you through any problems you could encounter when getting your puppy, which is great for those who are owning a puppy for the first time and need a little extra support.
It also teaches you how to deal with negative behaviours effectively. It takes you through everything you need to know, from new-born to reaching sexual maturity.
It gives advice that you can follow easily and teaches you how to start basic training with your puppy. This is what makes it ideal for first-time owners, as well as those with more experience.
The Not So Good
Whilst the book has some step-by-step instructions, it is text heavy. The book has some troubleshooting tips for disobedient behaviour but doesn't fully cover every behavioural problem that you could encounter.
Our View
This puppy training guide is full of practical advice for the new puppy owner. It covers absolutely everything that you would need to know, even before you have bought the puppy home. It covers behavioural problems as well as teaching you how to start basic training with your new friend.
FAQ's
Q: Would you reccomend this book for labradors?
A: An absolute must for all labrador puppy owners. Started using this from when he was 8 weeks old and had success. It seems daunting collecting and taking home a new puppy but this book was so very helpful from the moment we collected him. Highly recommend this.
Dog Training for Dummies
The ‘For Dummies' books are a popular series of books, claiming to turn someone who knows nothing about the given subject into an expert.
This book tackles what it is really like to train a dog, whilst giving the reader the foundations to train their animal to a good standard.
This book also gives advice on behaviour, as well as basic training methods.
The Good
This book uses easy step-by-step instructions making it easy to read, allowing you to learn quickly and simply a way to teach your dog simple commands.
One of the great features of this book is that it has practical advice on issues such as aggression and anxiety, which are common problems when bringing a new dog home, or leaving them for the first time.
There is advice for dogs of every age, from Puppy to Senior, making it a guide that is perfect for any dog at any stage of its life.
It also covers simple behaviours and good psychology, helping you understand how your dog learns. It’s perfect for understanding how their minds work.
The Not So Good
The book covers several different training methods at once, which may become confusing and doesn’t give the reader a simple guide to follow.
It doesn’t cater for dogs with difficult pasts, particularly rescue dogs. The book does give advice on how to use equipment that is banned in some countries.
Our View
Whilst there are elements of the book that are disagreeable, on the whole, this book provides you with a simple and fun way to train your dog.
It has many different methods so you can pick the one that is right for you, as well as talking you through how to cope with minor aggressive and anxiety-driven behaviours.
However, this book is not brilliant for people bringing home rescue dogs with complex problems, but it does provide information for owners of older dogs.
More Books on Dog Training
Here are some other Dog Training Books, in case the ones listed above did not suit your needs.
The Secret Language of Dogs: Unlocking the Canine Mind for a Happier Pet
This book will help you understand how your dog communicates, and in turn, help you communicate with your dog.
It is easy to follow and allows you to get to grips with your dog's behaviour and understand what your dog is trying to say to you by learning from the best dog trainer.
Think Dog: The Bestselling Guide to Canine Psychology
This book allows you to delve into the psychology of your dog.
The aim of the book is to help you deal with problem behaviours as well as bonding with your pet. This book is an in-depth guide to aid in the training of your dog.
RSPCA New Complete Dog Training Manual
This book, written by the RSPCA, is an in-depth guide to training any dog. This book provides practical advice on training your dog and is suitable for a dog of any age.
It also provides the reader with more information on further training and tips for a healthy and happy dog.
To Conclude
Finding the right training book may seem like a difficult task, and there will be a minefield of different techniques and methods that may baffle and confuse you. Hopefully, you were able to find the best dog training books for you.
However, If our opinion on the best guide for training a dog at any age, then you can’t go wrong The Modern Step-by-Step Training Guide for Your Dog or Puppy, which will give you the foundation you need to train your dog.
What did you think of our Dog Training Books selection? Are there any that you would have added?
We love hearing from you, so feel free to leave us a message in the comments below.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.