There is a wide variety of dog training books on the market, and this wide variety can become very confusing when you are shopping for the perfect book for you and your dog. Luckily, there are some tips that can help you choose the right book for training your particular dog. Here are some suggestions to aid you in selecting the best program for you.
When analyzing all of your dog training book options, you must first think about what you and your pet are trying to accomplish. What you many not realize is that the true goal of dog training is forming a stronger bond between you and your dog, and a great dog training book will focus towards achieving that goal, not simply on training your pet.
It's really important that you be aware of what "method" that each of the various dog training books use before you decide to purchase it. Obviously, some dog training techniques are simply ineffective. When you are choosing a method for yourself and your dog there are a variety of factors to look at. There are some basic questions to ask yourself as you figure out the type of method you want to use:
1.Has this method been successful for anyone?
2.How difficult is this method to understand and, therefore, implement?
3.Do you believe you will be able to use these techniques yourself?
4.Does your dog acknowledge this method in a positive manner?
5.What incentives do they require you to offer to your pet?
6.Do they continually use treats and praise incentives, or do they include affirmative reinforcement techniques?
7.Are there other devices, like a clicker, that you will be required to buy to accompany the written material?
Not all dog training books are written for novices, and so you should also take into account your dog's experience level. You will want to buy a dog training book that is aimed toward younger pets if you are trying to train a puppy. If your pet is an expert on the fundamental commands, you might think about a book that offers a higher level of training. Be sure to think about the level of training you have as well as that of your pet. There are more complicated methods and trick techniques that may be confusing for owners that are new to dog training themselves.
It's also important to take your dog's breed into account as that will be a key factor in which dog training book you should choose. Purebred dogs will sometimes have certain quirks that are specific to each of the breeds. Fortunately, you can find specialized books that will help you to address any quirks your dog has as a result of breeding. However, you'll notice that purebreds are not the only dogs that have specialized books about them. There are also dog training books that are geared specifically toward some mixed breeds. It's important to know that mixed breeds, or those with questionable parentage, are not shut out of the loop.
It is also helpful to look at the customer reviews of dog training books when making your decision. Customers who have already purchased and tried the methods offered in the book are a good source of information. They can give you invaluable information on what works or not, and how worthwhile the advice on dog training really was. These comments are completely based upon the user's personal experience, so you can figure out which techniques are better than others simply by reading quite a few reviews.
The last suggestion is to talk to people you know. Locate some dog owners and find out which dog training books they suggest. If nothing else, this information may give you either a starting point for choosing your dog training book, or may help you narrow down a list that is too extensive. It's also a good idea to ask what methods they used and found successful, as this can help you to decide which methods to try or avoid. Finally, keep in mind that the training should be appropriate for both of you to be successful.
