Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Calm Down!: Step-by-Step to a Calm, Relaxed, and Brilliant Family Dog

Rate this book
Is your dog driving you mad? Learn how to • find your dog’s off-switch • enjoy a calm visit to a cafe or pub • reach your dog’s mind without losing yours • enjoy your dog again! Instead of saying “This is what you do,” then leaving you to it, Beverley Courtney takes you by the hand and troubleshoots all the games so that you can get them absolutely right for you and your individual dog. And the joy is that this is all achieved without shouting, force, or intimidation. Just pure undiluted fun! There’s no strange jargon, no “Thou shalt not’s”, and every time you get stuck, another solution pops up. Beverley’s years of experience as a professional positive dog trainer - in face-to-face classes as well as her online programs - shine through. Having taught thousands of new owners how to work with their puppies and dogs - entirely without force - Beverley knows just what you’re up against! Buy Book 1 in the series of Essential Skills for a Brilliant Family Dog and learn how to get what you want from your dog, as it sends him off to sleep for you - zzzzzz!

74 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2017

543 people are currently reading
244 people want to read

About the author

Beverley Courtney

29 books4 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
116 (39%)
4 stars
88 (29%)
3 stars
63 (21%)
2 stars
17 (5%)
1 star
10 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
5 reviews
January 25, 2018
Brilliant advice on training even the most difficult dog




Beverley Courtney is the real deal: a dog trainer who knows how dogs think and uses her years of experience to teach us incredibly effective yet simple to master training tricks and techniques. I recommend her books and her methods if you desire a well behaved dog with impeccable manners.





6 reviews
May 9, 2020
Good reinforcement of good behaviours

My dogs are rescues and have usually been through a couple homes before they come to me. Patience, kindness and understanding is the key. Sometimes a refresher for the trainer is what is needed. Berkeley's lessons are straight forward and easy to execute.
72 reviews
November 5, 2021
Some good points

I think this book has some really good points in training a dog to be calm and relaxed. It's a matter of sticking to it and results will come. I myself have a 9 month old border collie and he can be a real handful, as any border collie owner will tell you. The info on this book is really helpful in his training.
21 reviews27 followers
September 28, 2017
Short and complete. Recommend to any dog owner

This book is short but complete. It covered training, pitfalls and applications all tied to improved behavior in your dog. Who knew it could all happen with a mat!
1 review
December 10, 2018
Clear and succinct

The author clearly understands dogs and their motivations, the training routine is well described and broken into small bite-sized chunks(!) with troubleshooting hints and tips for problems along the way.
60 reviews
February 23, 2021
A training tecnique

This is an interesting way to teach your dog to relax. I think it is useful as a first learning aide. Or a way to help an older rehomed dog to build confidence in a new environment.
Profile Image for Suzan.
1,649 reviews17 followers
March 5, 2021
This is a great book. I love the way Beverley Courtney teaches. She gives you so many descriptions of if this is happening then do this or if that is what your dog is doing do that it is great! Will be reading more of her books.
76 reviews
July 15, 2021
Easy simple

I started this method and she learned fast. It helped when we had to ago out of town and stay in a hotel. I used it on a the bed ago keep her from pestering anyone. I look forward to keep workings on it!
Profile Image for Kent Dingman.
6 reviews
September 15, 2018
Great tips

The book offers really good ideas for training a well behaved and happy dog. Of course you have to diligently follow her techniques.
129 reviews
February 21, 2019
Full of useful information and just concentrating on one subject makes it easy for owners to follow
Profile Image for Paul Huber.
44 reviews16 followers
March 19, 2020
.

there's a very interesting method used here, I've never heard of it before. I hope it works with my new puppy
Profile Image for Sandy.
181 reviews
February 19, 2021
Enlightening

I enjoyed reading this delightful book and had never heard of the mat training before. I look forward to utilizing this technique.
Profile Image for Eleri Jenkins.
65 reviews
April 23, 2016
A very good step by step book to allow a dog owner to work towards having a calm/relaxed dog.
The book is well structured/organised however can be slightly repetitive in some parts which is why I have given three stars and not five. I will be encouraging friends/family who have dogs to read this book.
Profile Image for Johanna.
470 reviews51 followers
May 12, 2016
Positive-based training for hyperactive dogs. A great resource for Go-To-Mat training, with real world examples and extensive troubleshooting. I've been using mat training with my dog for a few years now and definitely recommend it for anyone with an anxious or hyper dog. I had been hoping for a few more techniques from this book as well, but overall its a good read & recommended.
Profile Image for Glitter.
1,034 reviews5 followers
May 15, 2025
This book has some useful tips and a friendly tone, especially for new dog owners. The positive approach is clear and encouraging, but the content feels a bit repetitive at times. It offers solid basics, though more experienced trainers or readers may find it too simple. A decent guide, but not especially memorable.
Profile Image for Bethany McGregor.
4 reviews
February 27, 2017
Loved

It was a very informational book. Loved it. Would recommend to a new dog owner .would be much help.thumbs up
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.