The Power of Positive Dog Training [Paperback]

I had to send this review as this book, to me, should be at least a first book on training your dog. Yes it is what I call the new age of dog training using a clicker and food as treats and a reward. I have trained two dogs using the old methods of choker chains, but after reading the authors references, I see and confirm behaviors resulting from this method. I just adopted a four month old mixed breed from our local SPCA ( folks please don't write these dogs off as having poor training abilities) and here are my comments. It has taken me less then three days to teach this dog to sit, lay down, HOUSE TRAIN, and shake a paw! More importantly, all books usually will advise a pen to teach your dog about house training and securing your home if away ( this works by the way).

Have you ever tried to put a dog in kennel? If you have succeeded without a battle, the dog must have lived in one, because this was the hardest thing I have ever tried in the past. However, it took me no time using the treats as a reward and the clicker. On the second night he beat me to the kennel! For experienced dog trainers this would appear likely to be no big deal. This is why I recommend this book, because too many of the books you read forget that most of us are just learning a method to deal with and train our dogs whether pure breeds or muts. The begining chapters explain how your dog learns, your body language, the dogs language, and how they effect your training methods. To me this was worth the price of the book by itself. And for all dogs not just registered breeds.

I recommend this book as the most informative book on training methods that I have found at least. I suspect that those who issue a poorer raing are those that have had years and knowledge in training and forget about the beginers. So, some of the information as I have shown above, would be so what! I can do these things in minutes as well, but remember most people buying these types of books are first timers. Some don't have access to training courses or perhaps the money. They need the basics to understand how to accomplish there goal which is usually just for living in peace with their dog not trying to win awards at dog shows, although the author goes into the higher levels if that's your goal.

If you are new to training, why clicker training is so effecive, you couldn't buy a better book, that's my opinion and thanks for reading.

The Power of Positive Dog Training is just that -- positive. Miller is a proponent of operant conditioning and uses clicker training methods throughout the book. She does mention that you don't HAVE to use a clicker, but that it's helpful. I am following these methods with my own 4 month old puppy and it's working like a charm. Along with Culture Clash, this is a great book for beginners in dog training.

This book is an excellent introductory book on positive reinforcement training with dogs. There are a few minor inconsistencies and a couple of slightly inexact explanations of the science behind clicker training, but nothing that's going to make or break a training program. In fact, it is really hard to be exact and still speak in plain English, so that should not be a reason for the new dog trainer to avoid this book. It will get you off to a good start. This book has certainly gotten a lot of dog trainers and pet owners off on the right foot (or paw!) and out of the old methods that may work but result in a lot of unpleasant side-effects in our dog-friends' behavior.

I have recommended this book and will recommend it again!