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4 dog-training books under $20 every new owner needs

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Whether or not this is your first time bringing home a new pup, a course in Dog Training 101 never hurts. Many dog owners like to take obedience and training into their own hands, making resources like a book especially helpful. These four books are all highly recommended online, by pet parents and canine professionals alike, so you know you’ll be learning from a trustworthy source. From basic training to advanced tricks for show, these publications cover everything. It’s all about whatever resonates with you! Read on, pet parents:                                                    

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

As Amazon’s No. 1 Best Seller in dog-training books, this guide has a lot to offer. It’s written by dog trainer and television star Zak George, who also owns the most popular YouTube channel for dog training.

Recommended Videos

In this book, he uses his own journey with his border collie, Venus, to highlight the importance of creating a healthy and loving relationship with your dog. By prioritizing this relationship, he notes, training becomes easy. As listed in the description: “I’ll walk you through everything you need to know — from picking out your dog and house training to feeding, basic training, socialization, grooming, and health issues. This book includes a shopping list, a guide to dog-proofing your home, what to do in case of an emergency, and other checklists.” Consider this a must-have for new pup owners.

51 Puppy Tricks: Step-by-Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Puppy

This book is the ideal starting place for families with new canine additions, as it’s meant for dogs under the age of one year. Not only will you learn how a puppy’s brain works, but you’ll also be taught how to apply this knowledge in incremental training — starting with the basics, of course!

As one of the best puppy-training books, this publication is also the most reviewed on Chewy.com. One review by user Pompup praises the book’s diversity in content, with both beginner obedience and more advanced tricks, as well as the helpful troubleshooting tips and photographic examples.

Dog Training for Kids: Fun and Easy Ways to Care for Your Furry Friend

For homes with children ready to help care for a dog, this book will teach them everything they need to know, including potty training, obedience, and games. This book goes above and beyond training, too — your child will learn how to understand their dog, respect their pet’s boundaries, and maintain a long-lasting friendship.

Author Vanessa Estrada Marin has experience working with children and dogs, so you know your child is learning from the best. “This book is written in a way that my child could follow along with the tutorials easily, especially when paired with the detailed illustrations,” writes Celeste A. Ramirez in the Editorial Reviews. “As a parent, I appreciate the positive language the author used to encourage children to be kind and patient with dogs as well as themselves.”

How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond

There’s a reason you’ve quite likely seen and heard of National Geographic’s The Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan: His methods are effective, and his teaching style is friendly and approachable. In his puppy-focused book How to Raise the Perfect Dog, he explains what makes a home a supportive place for a pup, how to help your puppy learn basic obedience, and the best methods for correcting unwanted behaviors.

According to the book’s description, some of the topics covered include:

• What to expect from each stage of your puppy’s development

• Quick and easy housebreaking

• How to correct any issue before it becomes a problem

• Unique exercises and play to bring out the best in every breed

Whether this is your first time training a dog or you just need a refresher, these top-rated, knowledge-filled books are your one-stop shops for all you need to know. With some patience, time, and one of these books, you and your dog will be bonding and showing off all your new tricks in no time.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
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