7 of the best dog training books to ace your pup's education

Updated 11/09/2024

Teaching your pup the dos and don’ts of the doggy world is key to being a great dog owner, and learning things by the book is a great place to start. The best dog training books cover everything from basic commands to advanced tricks and training advice, plus common mistakes to avoid when teaching your canine companion “how to dog”.

As well as hitting the dog training books, be ready for plenty of practice, patience, and positive reinforcement (aka treats) as you learn how to train your dog both in theory and in practice. Now, whether you’re a pet parent or a new dog sitter, put on your thinking caps and get stuck into our list of the best dog training books of all time.

Best dog training book overall

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

Famous for his Youtube videos and TV appearances, Zak George’s unique training method is tailored towards individual pups, making this one of the best-rated dog training books. When paired with his videos, it guides new pet parents through the art of raising a puppy - from choosing the right dog for your family to training techniques and basic health care advice. The final chapter covers fun tricks and activities to do with your pooch as well as tips on traveling with a four-legged friend. 

Best basic dog training book

Puppy Training for Kids: Teaching Children the Responsibilities and Joys of Puppy Care, Training, and Companionship

The best books on training dogs should be easy to digest (not literally), and that’s why this one's filled with illustrations and photos to make learning fun and easy to understand. Aimed at children 7-10, this book is perfect for teaching kids (and adults) how to care for a new puppy with a focus on housetraining, socialization, and puppy care.

It’s not only the pooch pal’s behavior that is under the microscope in this training guide, as it also teaches children how to treat their new furry friends, who won’t be as comfortable being hugged, kissed, and squeezed as their human counterparts might be. Find out more about puppy training for beginners here, or read on to discover more of the best books on dog training.

Best advanced dog training book

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

No matter your pup’s IQ, Kyra Sundance’s bestselling guide makes mastering advanced tricks a breeze. Follow the step-by-step instructions to nail basics like “sit” and “shake hands,” then work your way up to show-stoppers like fetching a soda or cleaning up toys.

With photos and themed activities (like dancing or chores), teaching your dog tricks from this book is fun and easy for you, and mentally stimulating for your pooch. It's also a great way to bond while keeping them active. Just note that some of the tricks in advanced dog training books like this one require props, and beginners and puppies might want to start with an easier guide.

Best balanced dog training book

How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond

Cesar Millan, known as the Dog Whisperer and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous training books for dogs, walks you through raising the perfect pooch from their first wobbly steps right through to adulthood.

The Cesar Millan dog training book focuses on various topics including the key stages of your pup’s development, housebreaking tips and tricks, advice on nutrition and vaccinations, and how to teach your pup to play by the rules. It also highlights common mistakes to avoid and how to correct undesirable behavior using positive reinforcement alongside discipline, a common technique seen in balanced dog training books. It's as much about training humans to respond correctly to their furry friends’ signals as it is about training the dog itself, so be prepared to put in the work!

Best dog training book for difficult doggies

Fired Up, Frantic, and Freaked Out: Training the Crazy Dog from Over the Top to Under Control

If your Fido is a bit on the wild side, award-winning trainer Laura VanArendonk Baugh brings you one of the best aggressive dog training books, with a method that takes the stress out of training four-legged friends that are nervous, fearful, or just don’t listen.

Getting to the bottom of your unruly pup’s behavior may seem daunting, but illustrated training sessions lasting a minute or less guide pet parents through simple training techniques including mat work and clicker training, and offer advice on when it's time to look for professional training help.

Best positive reinforcement training book

Training the Best Dog Ever: A 5-Week Program Using the Power of Positive Reinforcement

If anyone’s got a doggy claim to fame, it’s author Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz, who was dog trainer to the White House dog, Bo Obama, as well as each of Senator Edward Kennedy’s dogs.

Her book Training the Best Dog Ever teaches pet parents how to use trust and treats to their full potential to teach puppies good habits and break bad ones in older four-pawed pals. The five-week crash course is made up of short 10-20 minute training sessions, which cover everything from feeding and potty training to water safety and behavior problems. Your teacher's pet will be taught to be the best buddy they were born to be in no time!

Best quick method dog training book

Lucky Dog Lessons: Train Your Dog in 7 Days

Whether your pup is a rescue or purebred, Brandon McMillan can help you transform your four-legged friend in just seven days. After building trust, focus, and control, you'll teach your pup the seven key commands: sit, stay, down, come, off, heel, and no.

McMillan also tackles common issues like housebreaking, chewing, and excessive barking alongside stories of his beloved furry students and a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what goes down on his award-winning show Lucky Dog. With multiple training techniques to choose from, this book helps you form a better understanding of what kind of doggy you’re dealing with.

Although these top dog training books can be an invaluable resource for many pet parents, they don't work for everyone, and there are times when you may need to look for additional help. Animal behaviorists and professional dog trainers can help you get to the bottom of particularly problematic behavior, especially if you don’t feel you’re making any progress with your own training routine. 

In a perfect world, we’d be beside our furry BFFs 24/7. In reality, we know there are times in life when you can’t be there - and that’s where TrustedHousesitters comes in. Connect with our community of animal-loving pet sitters so that you can jet off with peace of mind knowing that your best bud is living his best life from the comfort of his own home.