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Family Friendly Dog Training
Train your dog yourself with this humane and scientifically-based training program. Covers basic skills including: Sit, Down, Heel, Come, etc. and troubleshoots common training and behavior challenges.
108 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2006
141 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Patricia B. McConnell
33 books451 followersPatricia McConnell, Ph.D., a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, (CAAB) has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals. She is known worldwide as an expert on canine and feline behavior and dog training, and for her engaging and knowledgeable dog training books, DVDs and seminars. Patricia has seen clients for serious behavioral problems since 1988, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching "The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships." For fourteen years she dispensed advice about behavior problems, and information about animal behavior research, on Wisconsin Public Radio's Calling All Pets, which was heard in over 90 cities around the country.
Patricia received her Ph.D. in Zoology in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison researching dog behavior and communication between professional trainers and working domestic animals.
Patricia received her Ph.D. in Zoology in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison researching dog behavior and communication between professional trainers and working domestic animals.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 2, 2009
This is not meant to be all inclusive dog training book of all the behaviors you might have trouble with. For instance it doesn't cover crate training or housebreaking in detail. But for its length it's a really good starting place.
I love how user friendly it is. The summaries of each week at the back is really good. As well as the acknowledgement at different places that you are being trained as much as your dog and you should congratulate yourself. I quite like Patricia McConnell's style of humor. Little amusing quips, not too many that you're expecting them, but a pleasant surprise. I am also really glad for a few tiny anecdotes like how she once used sheep poop as a treat when she had nothing else. Giggles. It's a nice reminder that even dog trainer's dogs make mistakes and it doesn't mean you failed.
All the trouble shooting is great. For most exercises there is a detailed description of what you should do if things don't go as planned.
I really like her perspective on dominance.
She (or rather they, if you include Aimee) combine theory with training methods very elegantly.
Top things to learn from this book:
When you tell your dog to stay, come back and treat them so they can stay in position and stay calm in your praise. Reward during the stay not after. The staying should be the fun part not breaking the stay.
Run away from your dog to get them to come to you.
Don't use a command unless you'd bet five dollars your dog will obey it. I've found myself stopping several times since reading it and thinking "what is the likelihood I'll get a response."
Build a sturdy foundation then work out. Don't jump from sitting every time in the living room to expecting a sit when you are on a walk and a cat dashes by.
Fade out treats. I find this one really hard to do.
Have good timing. Treat immediately after a dog does a command, don't stare at them for a second or two first.
Keep an aspect of fun in your training. Treat commands like tricks and it will be easier to keep your expectations in proportion to your dogs skills.
I love how user friendly it is. The summaries of each week at the back is really good. As well as the acknowledgement at different places that you are being trained as much as your dog and you should congratulate yourself. I quite like Patricia McConnell's style of humor. Little amusing quips, not too many that you're expecting them, but a pleasant surprise. I am also really glad for a few tiny anecdotes like how she once used sheep poop as a treat when she had nothing else. Giggles. It's a nice reminder that even dog trainer's dogs make mistakes and it doesn't mean you failed.
All the trouble shooting is great. For most exercises there is a detailed description of what you should do if things don't go as planned.
I really like her perspective on dominance.
She (or rather they, if you include Aimee) combine theory with training methods very elegantly.
Top things to learn from this book:
When you tell your dog to stay, come back and treat them so they can stay in position and stay calm in your praise. Reward during the stay not after. The staying should be the fun part not breaking the stay.
Run away from your dog to get them to come to you.
Don't use a command unless you'd bet five dollars your dog will obey it. I've found myself stopping several times since reading it and thinking "what is the likelihood I'll get a response."
Build a sturdy foundation then work out. Don't jump from sitting every time in the living room to expecting a sit when you are on a walk and a cat dashes by.
Fade out treats. I find this one really hard to do.
Have good timing. Treat immediately after a dog does a command, don't stare at them for a second or two first.
Keep an aspect of fun in your training. Treat commands like tricks and it will be easier to keep your expectations in proportion to your dogs skills.
June 7, 2016
Lots of repetition between this and the Puppy Primer. I'd get one or the other, not both.
October 16, 2014
Best book on humanely training a dog I've ever read. Applied it to a rescued, breed-typically headstrong Alaskan malamute that'd been on the streets and in shelters for up to 2 years. Book got us both on the same page, and we've taken it very good places from there.
June 26, 2018
While this book covers way too much over 6 weeks, it provides an incredibly solid foundation for raising a young to old dog to be a family dog. This book is not ideal for puppies as it simply covers more topics than a puppy could reasonably expected to learn and does not cover topics which puppy owners will likely need like house training. If you are planning on getting a puppy, I recommend reading Puppy Primer before you bring the puppy home, use it until the puppy is 6 months or so (i.e. becoming a teenager) and then read this book.
This book covers the key things nearly every family wants their family dog to know, though I think some people would argue that wait and heel are not necessary. Unfortunately, the book does not stress enough the importance of these skills, or really, any skill. For example, the book does not explicitly say that teaching your dog to "leave it" could say her life if one day she happens about something really dangerous, like a cooked chicken bone or a posionous plant, but it obviously could. Less obvious is how wait and heel are also essential for safety, especially wait. Wait teaches a dog that it cannot make forward progress, most often at a door, and can be vital to ensuring your dog doesn't jump out into the car into traffic or run out an open door into traffic. Yes, the book eventually mentions this, but I do not feel enough is done early on to get buy in. In fact, when I read Puppy Primer, I didn't pay much attention to the sections on how to teach heel because I did not see the point. I live in a semi-rural area and it's not vital my dog is next to me. He's a relatively good walker and as long as he's not pulling, I didn't see a reason to teach him heel. Until I walked him with my toddler nephew in the city neighborhood he lives in. I quickly realized that having a dog which could heel on command is vital for the dog's and yuor family's safety. If there is someone walking an out of control dog, being able to keep your dog right next to you means that it is much less likely there will be a dog fight let alone that your family will be caught in the middle of it. Trust me, it is hard enough to manage a toddler while out and about; you don't want to have to also try to manage a dog.
This book is probably best paired with a dog training class which uses similar methods, but for many situations, it will be sufficient on its own. It definitely covers the minimum things a family would want their dog to know.
This book covers the key things nearly every family wants their family dog to know, though I think some people would argue that wait and heel are not necessary. Unfortunately, the book does not stress enough the importance of these skills, or really, any skill. For example, the book does not explicitly say that teaching your dog to "leave it" could say her life if one day she happens about something really dangerous, like a cooked chicken bone or a posionous plant, but it obviously could. Less obvious is how wait and heel are also essential for safety, especially wait. Wait teaches a dog that it cannot make forward progress, most often at a door, and can be vital to ensuring your dog doesn't jump out into the car into traffic or run out an open door into traffic. Yes, the book eventually mentions this, but I do not feel enough is done early on to get buy in. In fact, when I read Puppy Primer, I didn't pay much attention to the sections on how to teach heel because I did not see the point. I live in a semi-rural area and it's not vital my dog is next to me. He's a relatively good walker and as long as he's not pulling, I didn't see a reason to teach him heel. Until I walked him with my toddler nephew in the city neighborhood he lives in. I quickly realized that having a dog which could heel on command is vital for the dog's and yuor family's safety. If there is someone walking an out of control dog, being able to keep your dog right next to you means that it is much less likely there will be a dog fight let alone that your family will be caught in the middle of it. Trust me, it is hard enough to manage a toddler while out and about; you don't want to have to also try to manage a dog.
This book is probably best paired with a dog training class which uses similar methods, but for many situations, it will be sufficient on its own. It definitely covers the minimum things a family would want their dog to know.
December 1, 2023
A very well written book. I read McConnell's two other books on dogs and am glad I did as this one was a review of her "Other End of the Leash' and 'For the Love of a Dog'. These two books explain in detail the why and how where this this book is almost like a refresher course and outlines a program for working with your pet. The program is spread over six weeks but it will take a life time of working with your dog to make both of you better. The non-combative approach is so much better that some of the programs I have seen. Yes I still get frustrated when my dog doesn't understand 'English', but it is me not her that is the problem. I just wish I had of had these books when I started out with our dog as a puppy instead of trying to revise some of the error I made early on.
January 13, 2018
Very good advice is given in that book. And it's been done in a way that is easy to understand and rather easy to follow.
Of course, it takes some effort to change one's behaviour, but it is possible and the results are great. My dog and I are in week six now, although I have to admit that it has taken us nine weeks to get there. But that's ok. The result is what counts and life has become so much easier for me and my dog.
Will go on and follow the author's ideas.
And I will also read more books by that author !!
Of course, it takes some effort to change one's behaviour, but it is possible and the results are great. My dog and I are in week six now, although I have to admit that it has taken us nine weeks to get there. But that's ok. The result is what counts and life has become so much easier for me and my dog.
Will go on and follow the author's ideas.
And I will also read more books by that author !!
January 16, 2020
This was a borrowed book. It's so good that I went and bought it and have read and re-read, and will continue to use it as a reference.
In a perfect world, this would be all you need, but every dog is different. So is every human and in dog training the human is just as important as the dog. I wish there was a book on how to train the humans first before training the dog (if someone knows of one, do let me know).
In a perfect world, this would be all you need, but every dog is different. So is every human and in dog training the human is just as important as the dog. I wish there was a book on how to train the humans first before training the dog (if someone knows of one, do let me know).
September 27, 2019
I've used this book for 3 dogs now. (Just reread to train new puppy). I've always been complimented in how well-behaved my dogs are and that is thanks to Patricia McConnell. Best advice for teaching your dog to be polite and reliable.
October 13, 2023
great book for those just starting out. As a canine behaviorist, I have recommended this book to multiple clients. The emphasis on force free methodology shines throughout the book, and Dr. McConnell is a fantastic writer and trainer.
June 5, 2025
This book has a lot of helpful training tips and techniques. I decided to read it after our rescue dog completed Fundamentals and Advanced training at Petco, but we were needing more. It was the winter and not great timing to try an in-home trainer. We went slowly working through this book, and I only wish I picked it up sooner!
I love the idea of treating walks and training as a game that your dog thinks is fun. This really worked for us, and you can keep practicing/reinforcing the exercises well beyond 6 weeks.
I also appreciated the writing feeling conversational, understanding, and not overly serious. There is humor mixed in and the chapters are fairly concise. I think I would naturally gravitate to in-person training or a video, but reading this book and applying what I read was more helpful than I could have imagined!
I love the idea of treating walks and training as a game that your dog thinks is fun. This really worked for us, and you can keep practicing/reinforcing the exercises well beyond 6 weeks.
I also appreciated the writing feeling conversational, understanding, and not overly serious. There is humor mixed in and the chapters are fairly concise. I think I would naturally gravitate to in-person training or a video, but reading this book and applying what I read was more helpful than I could have imagined!
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January 10, 2013Great approach, clear advice. Her tenor and methods really resonated with me, having once, long ago, taken an obedience class that seemed far too **snatch and yank** for my - and my dog's - temperament. I've watched the author's videos and she sure seems like a nice person with very nice dogs. A good role model to study. We'll be trying her plan on our two new German Shepherd puppies, come April 1st!
August 6, 2013
Lots of good ideas!
August 30, 2012
You'd think after reading this, I'd have the most well-behaved dogs!
Not true!
Not true!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews