Description
Price: $28.00 - $7.89
(as of Feb 28, 2025 09:57:33 UTC – Details)
America’s most beloved dog trainers are back with brand-new training techniques in the definitive guide to raising a happy, obedient puppy.
Raising a happy, well-adjusted puppy is much like raising a child — owners have to listen to what their puppy’s behavior is trying to tell them. And it’s far simpler than people think.With the intuitive and step-by-step methods included in this invaluable book from experts Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, including tips on how to deal with every kind of personality, puppies can be trained quickly and painlessly.With humor, time-tested advice, and an arsenal of tricks, My Smart Puppy teaches new dog owners everything they need to know to raise a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted dog.
Publisher : Grand Central Publishing; HAR/DVD edition (October 16, 2006)
Language : English
Hardcover : 352 pages
ISBN-10 : 044657886X
ISBN-13 : 978-0446578868
Item Weight : 1.81 pounds
Dimensions : 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book helpful in training their puppies. They find it easy to understand, with clear explanations of techniques and demonstrations. The book comes with a DVD that provides additional support. Readers describe the training approach as effective and enjoyable for both you and your puppy. The content is full of great concepts and training games.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Kindle Customer –
Without a doubt one of the best I have read on the subject
I have read many dog training books in order to get some of my puppies thru basic obedience and then Canine Good Citizen class.From the Monks of New Skete’s books ( which I think are wonderful) to Ceasar Milan and Victoria Stillwell’s books as well as watching them on their shows ( now a waste of time to me)This book blows them all away and I will tell you WHY…..The book is clear , consise and TELLS you how to begin to train puppy and ( most importantly!)the very REASON you are training a specific command so that puppy understands your command,,,,and the consequences of how a dog will take it if you dont do something a certain way. I don’t speak dog,,,,but this pairs understands the language of the canine better than any trainer or ” show person” I ever saw!I just want to help my dog understand what is expected of him/her and train!Today you hear a lot about being the ” pack leader” first,, or your puppy will assume that position should you give up that position to ignorance on all the shows.And that is truly how it is,,,,,,not purposefully, but people do not understand the language of the canine world and how to effectively communicate with a dog in order to allow the puppy to grow to be the dog that you want your pup to be.While most of the other books deal with problems that already exist , this one clearly teaches you that you will not have to deal with problems long term if you take the window of opportunity at the very beginning ,and seize the moment in a fun way , not a sour and overly determined stressful way for you or your puppy. Training is a game that puppy ( and you!) should enjoy and have fun with!Its a time to bond, hang out,,, and plain old have a great time together.Training is looked at like a game , and this is the HUGE difference that this book offers vs other books.I cannot speak highly enough about this book , I am reading this prior to picking up my lona awaited Cavalier puppy from the breeder in 5 short weeks from now.I will be able to work thru stage I immediately,, while understanding at the same time my puppy’s need for sleep and also how to handle issues common to puppyhood ( chewing , housetraining etc)( as the saying goes,,,,,,this too shall pass,,)The DVD that accompanies this book is outstanding, in fact I wish this team would put out MORE training DVD’s as many of us cannot get to their seminars ,,,,and would appreciate even more information as our dog grows.I read the reviews about a dog food companies endorsement,,,oh well,,,,fast forward,( you DO have a clicker in your hand dont you?) Move on and get over it. ( I did!)I do not feed kibble at all, I feed raw food and have been successful at that for a few years so I skipped over that part rather quickly, somebody has to back somebody, and this food company did that.Economics 101 is all it is. Get past that.It did not take away from the very valuable advise and training exercizes on the DVD!I want to be SHOWN how to do this also! The DVD delivers.This book is THE best book I have EVER read on training puppies!I would give it 10 stars if I could but amazon only allows 5. If anyone should have a TV show on animal planet it should be this couple but alas, the others are there for the shock value , because people have allowed their pets to rule the roost and have accepted ( and dare I say encouraged!) such horrid behavior in their dogs, so it makes for good viewing for many.( sad isnt it?)Sort of like the show Bridezilla ,(which I wouldn’t put up with either in my family by the way) I pay for wedding=we collaborate,,,, and you act like the grownup you are,,, IMHO.But once again,its done for shock value just like many of the dogs shows that are only retraining people shows essentially.You can still bet that when I make that long long drive to the breeders,,,, I * will* do a few puppy tests on my chosen puppy ( info is out there in many other books too,) to see the personality of the puppy before I hand over hard earned money.Its just wisdom to do so.I am looking forward to training in this most positive and fun way ( I threw out the clicker too!)A clicker cant be heard as puppy heads towards a busy road with cars should you be foolish enough to have your pup off leash not trained well on re call yet.Great book,,,,and fun to read!Added note Feb 2011~ Everything the book says to do was correct, while we allow our little one up on the couch, she always must ” earn” it,,,,she has to do a sit, roll over, or something so she knows SHE is not in charge, we areMY son got a yorki at the same time we bought our puppy and oftentimes bring his dog over when he stays overnight,, that dog litterally will FLY thru the air up on any piece of furniture, and take over any toy even the small childrens toys if it wants it.It seems to be ok with them but I asked him ,,,,would you put up with the same behavior in an 80 lb dog that you put up with your 8 lb yorki?? The answer clearly was no wayI dont care what size your pooch is, do train the dog for your sake , your families sake and for the safety of your pet,,,I have * never* had my dog not come back on a re call after taking time( yes lots of it) to get her back, We live on a country road and I dont want her hit b/c she does not know her bounderiesShe is now ready to take her Therapy dog test and I can thank the authors of this book for steering me in the right direction in the first place~ we have a great time with our dog and we are happy b/c she is trained and NOT a problem to us or anyone elseBelieve me those cute puppy days go by fast and ya better learn early on who is in charge or your dog will make that decision for youthank you for the great book!regards~One very grateful owner of a nicely trained and well loved dog.ETA ( 12/15/12)DH has purchased me a puppy for Christmas,,,,actually we will pick him up AFTER Christmas b/c it can be very confusing for a pup to come to new home that is filled to the brim w/family and friendsI am re reading this book b/c it has worked So well for my training,, and I have purchased copies for friends that had new dogs come into their lives this past year,, one a basset, one a doxie) Am going to order yet another book for my son and family as we are both getting new pups from the same litter,,,,,English doxies, I do have a cavalier now ,she actually loves to be not only w/other dogs but our nearest neighbors kittens,so I know she will be fine.Time for me to read the book again and while I do not relish training in winter in Wisconsin, I will be getting a lot more walking outside for the next few months to border train alsoMerry Christmas to one and all,,,,,,
E. Drury –
This book is a must (and easy) read for raising a puppy.
I bought this book when I got my first puppy in 2010, then I bought it again in 2019 with my second puppy. I also bought it for friends when they’ve gotten puppies. I think it is a must (and easy) read for raising a puppy. Also if you don’t have the time to sit down and read the whole book, keeping it as a reference book for different issues with your puppy is very helpful!
Jane Rosenblum –
The best puppy book!
As I’ve said in my other reviews of Brian Kilcommons’s books, I love his writing and his philosophy of dog training. He’s practical, sensible, down-to-earth in his approach, and writes in a clear, understandable way that makes learning about dogs easy and enjoyable. He and his partner Sarah Wilson are not only great dog trainers, they write well too, sometimes a rarity in the dog world!This book is full of great information about puppies and how to handle them from the day you bring your new pup home. Many new puppy owners have no idea how much time and energy it takes to raise a puppy in those first weeks and months. This book gives the new puppy owner all kinds of valuable information about the myriad details involved, and in a format that’s easy to read, along with an extensive table of contents and a great index as well. It’s easy to look up specific information in a minute.This book will not only help you raise a calm, happy pup, it will help you avoid behaviors that can blossom from small annoyances in a puppy to serious behavior problems in adult dogs.One of the best things about this book is that it comes with a DVD showing the authors working with puppies. The DVD alone is worth the price of the book, especially for the first-time puppy raiser. The old adage, a picture is worth a thousand words, definitely holds true in this case!As a dog trainer, I consider this absolutely the best puppy book around, and I always recommend it to my clients with new puppies. If you’re considering a puppy, get this book!
Mindy –
Advertisement for Iams Puppy Food
This product is a book PLUS DVD.The Book is great, and I highly recommend it. It gives a thorough explanation for how to raise and train a puppy or dog. This book was more complete and effective than the five other puppy / dog training books our family purchased. I think a lot of other reviewers have covered why and I agree.The DVD is also beneficial and worth watching. However I can’t get over the amount of product placements the DVD’s sponsor, Iams has throughout the video. Some of the dogs are even wearing an Iams scarf!In the first few minutes of the video you will find: “Feeding premium puppy food that actually enhances learning” while showing a large bag of Iams food in the background. This continues throughout the video.Iams isn’t the only and is far from the best high quality dog food. It’s 2nd ingredient is genetically modified corn meal, full of the toxins BT and roundup. Corn meal, even without the pesticides, isn’t healthy for dogs and shouldn’t be such a prominent ingredient in dog food, and ideally wouldn’t be included at all. Look for a grain-free dog or puppy food that has primarily all natural ingredients and meat or bone as the first three ingredients.Whether Iams is a healthy puppy food or not, I didn’t appreciate the product placements throughout the video and would object to any brand-specific advice because it erodes my trust that dog trainers’ information is unbiased.
Judy O’Brien –
Easy to follow and techniques work
Dibdobbs –
Good book. Practical and well laid out.Comes with DVD.
Amazon Customer –
This book is very easy to read and understand. They provide many pictures to accompany the directions. An example of their simple advice is “You raise what you praise.”
country girl –
Full of very useful tips and tricks of dog training well worth the money.Very easy to read and assimilate.
Amazon Customer –
This book was suggested by a dog behaviorist helping us with our 4 year old rescue dog. I would highly suggest it to anyone with a new puppy, or new dog of any age. Very excellent advice.