Raising a puppy is quite an experience, especially if it’s something that you haven’t done before. That’s why finding the right puppy training advice can be a helpful first step.
Thankfully, there are experts that have studied dog behaviour and understand how to transform unruly puppies into well-trained companions.
They’ve even written books about it. And for newbie puppy owners, these books can be a useful source of education.
So, to help you on your way to becoming a competent puppy parent, we’ve put together a collection of the 5 best books for new puppy owners. A collection from some of the top experts in the field of dog ownership and their best books on the topic.
1. Puppy Training for Kids by Sarah Whitehead
Sarah Whitehead is a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist from the UK and has spent her life working with animals. Puppy development is one of her specialisms and she has even been described as the “Derren Brown of the dog world”.
Sarah has written several books on the topic of dog training, but Puppy Training for Kids makes the list because of its niche focus.
The book is aimed at families and is written in a way that is easy to understand. This makes it a good option for kids to learn about forming a bond with a puppy while training and caring for him or her.
Sarah also makes the connection between puppies and children by explaining that puppies need lots of care to become happy full-grown dogs. Just like kids need to be raised well to grow into happy adults.
2. Cesar’s Way by Cesar Millan
Cesar Millan is possibly one of the most famous dog trainers in the world.
He starred in the Emmy-nominated National Geographic show, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, that was broadcast in 80 countries from 2004 to 2012. He is a New York Times bestselling author of Cesar’s Way. And he founded the Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles.
Needless to say, he is a bit of an authority when it comes to dog training, and no list about puppy dog books would be complete without Cesar.
Cesar’s Way was first published back in 2006 and it’s been receiving rave reviews ever since.
It’s popularity stems from Cesar’s approach to working with both dogs and their owners. In fact, Cesar even says, “I rehabilitate dogs. I train people.”
Through Cesar’s Way, you will learn how dogs see the world and understand why they act the way they do. This will help you with training and the everyday care of your puppy. Especially as it grows into an adult dog.
3. Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann
Steve Mann is a British celebrity dog trainer and founder of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers.
He has trained puppies owned by TV presenter Graham Norton and Premiership footballer Theo Walcott, to name just two high profile clients. And he has appeared on BBC and Sky TV shows, as well as other channels in the UK and worldwide.
Steve even put his knowledge down on paper and wrote his own guide to puppy training, titled Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy, which was released in 2019. It has been an Amazon Number One Best Seller ever since.
Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy is a blend of the latest dog behavioural science and personal anecdotes from Steve. It’s especially useful for new puppy owners that are learning everything for the first time. But it’s also handy for veteran dog owners looking for the latest advice.
4. Dog Training Revolution by Zak George
Zak George is an American dog trainer that found fame through his dog training videos on YouTube.
Zak’s online popularity then led to him starring in several Animal Planet shows, appearing on BBC’s Who Let the Dogs Out, and on the Late Show with David Letterman.
Today, his YouTube videos have more than 10 million views each year.
As to be expected from a YouTube star, Zak has a modern approach to life. Even when it comes to dog training.
Zak doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all style of instruction. Instead, he likes to tailor training to suit the dog’s personality and energy levels.
This methodology is described in further detail in the book, which covers house training, dog healthcare, behavioural issues and travel tips, amongst other topics.
Dog Training Revolution has been described as a “must-read for dog lovers everywhere”. It’s no surprise then that it’s been selling out around the world since 2016.
5. Lucky Dog Lessons by Brandon McMillan
Brandon McMillan is an LA-based former wild animal trainer turned dog expert.
After being born into a family of animal entertainers, he grew up around all types of creatures. Then he worked in showbusiness and trained animals for films, including The Hangover and We Bought a Zoo.
So, it was only natural that he would become an expert on the topic himself.
Lucky Dog Lessons is a spin-off from the CBS show Lucky Dog, of which Brandon is the Emmy-winning star. His speciality is transforming “unadoptable” rescue dogs into well-trained pooches by helping them to overcome behavioural problems.
The book helps readers to master his training techniques, with a focus on the 7 Common Commands. This is delivered through easy-to-follow steps, examples and images to demonstrate the techniques.
The 5 best books for new puppy owners
Selecting the best book for new puppy owners is no easy task. There are just so many to choose from – all with great reviews and promises of puppy transformations.
But hopefully this list of 5 narrows it down for you.
The five book titles in this article are by dog experts at the top of their game and with a global following. That means they must be doing something right.
So, whether you’re searching for a kid-friendly technique, a celebrity trainer or a YouTube star, one of the books above should provide what you’re looking for.
Good luck with training your new puppy!
Looking For A Name For Your New Puppy?
Got a new puppy and having trouble deciding on a name? Check out our Ultimate Guide for Puppy Names for some inspiration.
