Click here to go to the Secrets to Dog Training website
Secrets to Dog Training is a comprehensive guide to owning, rearing, and training your dog. The course provides you with a step-by-step instruction manual and self-help guide on how to recognize and resolve problem behaviors with maximum efficiency and a surprisingly quick turnaround time. Written by the renowned Daniel Stevens, an experienced dog trainer, the book covers all aspects of dog ownership, offering tried-and-true training methods as well as effective techniques for both preventing and dealing with problem behavior.
What's Covered?
I was pleasantly surprised at just how much information's been covered. Secrets to Dog Training starts at the very basics - things to consider before adopting a dog, choosing the right breed and dog for you, puppy-proofing your home, dealing with breeders, basic training; and then moves on at a comfortable pace through intermediate and advanced obedience training and 'tricks', the mindset of a dog, attaining and maintaining alpha status, aggression in all shapes and forms, biting, both preventing and handling destructive behavior like digging, chewing and barking, anxiety, coprophagia (poop eating), dog whispering, and even understanding how your dog thinks.
How It Works
Daniel Stevens recognizes that a great deal of the cause for problematic behaviors in dogs stems from a general lack of communication with the owner. The dog most likely is not misbehaving deliberately; it simply doesn't understand what you want. Secrets to Dog Training understands that owners need training, too, and clearly demonstrates how dogs communicate, what your dog is thinking, how you can clearly and effectively communicate with your dog, and - most importantly - how to put this knowledge to excellent use when training and handling your dog. Knowledge really is power, and your relationship with your dog will benefit dramatically from it
Things I Really Liked
It's a common viewpoint among the dog trainers of the world that an old dog can't learn new tricks. I really like the fact that Secrets to Dog Training refuses to acknowledge this ridiculous viewpoint, and supplies you with hands-on, clearly demonstrated step-by-step instructions on how to train your dog, handle problem behavior, even resolve ongoing aggression - no matter how old your dog is!
I also like the way the book doesn't just focus on one or two aspects of dog ownership: the manual deals with all common problem behaviors, and the clear, step-by-step approach tells you exactly what to do and when to do it. Furthermore, all of the tips and advice come directly from the author's real-life experience, so you know they work!
Another particular benefit is the individualized consultation with the Secrets to Dog Training team. If you've got any issues with your dog that you'd like some personal assistance with, just fire off an email to the team: they'll do whatever they can to make sure your questions and problems are resolved to your complete satisfaction.
Something for Nothing
There are a lot of "fix your dog - today!" guides out there. The question is, how to choose the right one for you?
In case you're wondering whether your dog can benefit from the training techniques and information included in the Secrets to Dog Training package, there's a free six-day course for you and your dog to work through together. Covering the basics of issues like aggression and housetraining, this mini-course is an excellent way to sample and review the fare and decide for yourself whether you like what you see.
In addition to the manual itself, you also get several handy freebies. There are four bonus mini-books, which deal with advanced house-training (including the crate and paper-training method), an in-depth look at resolving aggression, the most effective grooming techniques, and valuable information on security-training your dog.
A Thumbnail Sketch Of Secrets to Dog Training
Altogether, I'm impressed. The material covered is extensive, detailed, thorough, and - above all - effective (I've taught my own 4-month old puppy to crawl, shake hands, and roll over in just three weeks since reading the book!).
You don't need to have a 'problem dog' for this book to be of use: there's a lot of information included which could be of help to any owner/dog relationship. If you own a dog, are considering adopting one, I'd highly recommend taking a look at Secrets to Dog Training.