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The Dog Trainer's Complete Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Pet: Learn the Seven Skills Every Dog Should Have
If you want to raise a happy dog who loves to play and cuddle--but still comes when called and doesn't chew up your favorite shoes--you need Jolanta Benal's The Dog Trainer's Complete Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Pet.
Jolanta's dog-training philosophy is playful, rewards-based training fosters sociable, polite behavior that is the hallmark of a likeable dog. Harsh, outdated prong collars and choke chains do not.
Whether you've just welcomed a new puppy into your life, or are facing some struggles with an already beloved family member, Jolanta has sound advice on everything you want to know,
• How to housetrain your dog for good
• How to read your dog's body language
• How to avoid common training mistakes and fix the ones you've already made
Jolanta's warm, funny tone and encouraging conversational style will teach you to raise the most loving and best-behaved pooch on the block.
Jolanta's dog-training philosophy is playful, rewards-based training fosters sociable, polite behavior that is the hallmark of a likeable dog. Harsh, outdated prong collars and choke chains do not.
Whether you've just welcomed a new puppy into your life, or are facing some struggles with an already beloved family member, Jolanta has sound advice on everything you want to know,
• How to housetrain your dog for good
• How to read your dog's body language
• How to avoid common training mistakes and fix the ones you've already made
Jolanta's warm, funny tone and encouraging conversational style will teach you to raise the most loving and best-behaved pooch on the block.
- GenresNonfictionDogsAnimals
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2011
18 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 20, 2020
I read this book as part of the curriculum for a dog training apprenticeship program.
*4.5 stars rounded up to 5 due to no half-star ratings*
This is an essential book for anyone looking to get a dog. I would recommend anyone who is even thinking about bringing a canine friend home to read this cover to cover before doing anything else. The author of this book breaks down so many important elements about owning a dog to an easily understandable level. Her conversational tone throughout the book made it an easy read and her straightforward attitude made everything she wrote about appear as clear as can be. I repeat, if you're looking to get a dog READ THIS BOOK.
Each chapter breaks down all sorts of situations you may come across in owning a dog and solutions spelled out to the point where they seem so simple (mind you, dogs are hard work and everything described in this book requires patience but if you want a happy dog, it's worth it). She also gives plenty of different games you can play with your dog to help keep them mentally stimulated.
There are a couple things I wish she delved a little deeper into (which is why I gave this 4.5 stars personally), especially if this is a person's first or only book for dog training, but she supplied a great list of additional readings as well as a long works cited for all the articles and resources mentioned throughout the book.
*4.5 stars rounded up to 5 due to no half-star ratings*
This is an essential book for anyone looking to get a dog. I would recommend anyone who is even thinking about bringing a canine friend home to read this cover to cover before doing anything else. The author of this book breaks down so many important elements about owning a dog to an easily understandable level. Her conversational tone throughout the book made it an easy read and her straightforward attitude made everything she wrote about appear as clear as can be. I repeat, if you're looking to get a dog READ THIS BOOK.
Each chapter breaks down all sorts of situations you may come across in owning a dog and solutions spelled out to the point where they seem so simple (mind you, dogs are hard work and everything described in this book requires patience but if you want a happy dog, it's worth it). She also gives plenty of different games you can play with your dog to help keep them mentally stimulated.
There are a couple things I wish she delved a little deeper into (which is why I gave this 4.5 stars personally), especially if this is a person's first or only book for dog training, but she supplied a great list of additional readings as well as a long works cited for all the articles and resources mentioned throughout the book.
February 3, 2012
I have read many dog training manuals, and admit to falling for Cesar Millan and other "dominance" theorists. After read Jolanta Benal, I am now a believer of positive training, and I'm willing to give clicker training a shot. She is funny and even snarky at times, and makes reading about dog training enjoyable.
One of my favorite sections (especially the last sentence):
Teach Your Dog to Stop Pulling on the Leash
To begin with, you’ll notice I say “loose-leash walking,” or “polite leash walking,” not “heeling.” Heeling is a formal competitive exercise, with the dog close to the handler’s left leg and attentively turned toward her. It’s not appropriate for an hour’s afternoon stroll: for starters, if you’re the dog, never being allowed to sniff pretty much defeats the purpose of the walk. For a pleasant walk from your end, all you really need is for the leash to remain slack and for your dog to attend to you enough to turn with you and stop when you do. To me, a walk with my dog feels like holding hands.
One of my favorite sections (especially the last sentence):
Teach Your Dog to Stop Pulling on the Leash
To begin with, you’ll notice I say “loose-leash walking,” or “polite leash walking,” not “heeling.” Heeling is a formal competitive exercise, with the dog close to the handler’s left leg and attentively turned toward her. It’s not appropriate for an hour’s afternoon stroll: for starters, if you’re the dog, never being allowed to sniff pretty much defeats the purpose of the walk. For a pleasant walk from your end, all you really need is for the leash to remain slack and for your dog to attend to you enough to turn with you and stop when you do. To me, a walk with my dog feels like holding hands.
November 29, 2021
the cover is ugly but the insides are quite good
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February 6, 2017As far as guide books go, this one is pretty fun. I like how voicey and personal it is. I can't really say anything about the effectiveness of the tips because I've barely started implementing them, but I'm hoping this book helps me belatedly train my 4 year old yorkie ( and properly train the new dog coming soon).
March 2, 2013
Love the attitude of this trainer. She doesn't assume that everyone has to have a dog that walks calmly by their left side every time they leave the house, but if that's what you want, here's how you achieve it. Her methods are reward-based throughout. This book is helpful as well as a pleasure to read.
November 1, 2021
Very easy to read and helps you not feel so bad about mistakes in the past and to just look to the future of your relationship with your dog. Perfect for first time dog owners or anyone looking to understanding dogs a bit better. Definitely recommend having this in your bookshelf.
January 17, 2012
I won this and am so glad I have this to keep around the house. I think this book has hints and advice on every category. This is a perfect read to help teach me how to train my pup :)
March 31, 2014
Good advice on positive, rewards-based training methods for dogs.
January 21, 2012
a great book for dog lovers! I have a dog, its got some great info <3
June 15, 2016
Highly recommend her book and more so her podcasts. She's no-nonsense and kind.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews