My Smart Puppy (TM): Fun, Effective, and Easy Puppy Training

by Brian Kilcommons, Sarah Wilson

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Reference, Animals

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2006

Reviews

[Kristen Kilpo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't give this 5 stars yet since we don't currently have a dog to try these training techniques out on... But they seem relatively easy to follow and it was a quick, fun read! It also made me very anxious to now get a puppy so I can get to work!

[Laura Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Training Guide for Softies

This is the second time I've turned to "My Smart Puppy" to house break my puppy. Matilda trained pretty easily, so I downloaded for our latest edition, Gertrude. I recommend reading through to the end and then going back to the chapters that pertain to your dogs issues. To have a good dog you need to be consistent, firm and fair. I am also going to use this to reinforce with Matilda some of the less desirable habits I have let go, such as jumping on visitors and dashing out the door. I highly recommend for any first time dog owner.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a great training book with helpful pictures and easy to follow commands, but it was organized in a strange way and too cutesy with the names (some command called “near is dear” comes to mind and it just makes me cringe). I really liked how they frame the mindset you must have when raising a puppy, even though they had more cringe-y phrases to go with it (“you raise what you praise”), but the point is that you must always be purposeful, direct, and consistent. It just makes a lot of sense! It’ll be a good resource to have.

[David Cuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical, easy to follow guide, on how to train your puppy. Read it first as we are getting a new puppy but also to correct some behaviors in our sensitive dog. However, this isn't a book you just read and shelve. It's one you keep close, to use as a forever guide in your canine friends world.

[Elizabeth Baugus · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best dog training books I have ever read. This was my first time fully training a dog from being a puppy and it truly helped me understand how to train her for success. I can’t recommend this book enough and always go back to it if needed.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a pretty good puppy training book. Full of helpful advice and a great index.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I'd heard great things about this book, I wasn't too impressed with it. Mostly, I think the organization of the book threw me off - it didn't seem to be there at all. I just couldn't understand how it was organized (or more importantly, why it was organized that way). I compared the information in this book to the other two dog-training books I've been reading (Good Owners, Great Dogs and How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With), and the information seems to be on par with that found in these two books. There are lots of picture demonstrations, which I think would be useful. Also, the book is very specific about problems that you may encounter and how to correct those problems - that would be the only reason I would return to this book. Overall, it just feels gimmicky.

[Caralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book, as it offers some unique methods and games to training. It breaks dog training up into different levels and sections such as Trust, Touch, etc. It even includes a DVD that could potentially be useful, however, the dog trainers are a little over the top happy for me. The one thing I wish would have been more thoroughly discussed is the order to do the training/games and how to know when to move on to the next level in the sections.

Overall, a nice approach to dog training. One of the games in the book taught my puppy to sit when she wanted something from me within a few minutes.

[Pamela D. Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is an exceptionally funny and embarrasing story behind how I came to learn about this book and speak with the author. I'll tell it to you some time. We adopted a 9 month old 74 pound black lab mix. I had not been around dogs since my childhood and he was a BIG puppy. The book was great and helped our family work with our dog and his issues instead of returning him to the shelter. My copy came with a DVD which is great for addressing specific problems quickly and for those who are visual learners.

[Stef · Rating 5 out of 5]

An indispensible guide to having a puppy. I love how there are actual lessons to practice with your pup. Even if you only do 1/4 of the exercises, you can see how much your dog appreciates the guidance. Also, the tone of the book made me look forward to working with my puppy. My fav. advise that has kept me motivated to work with charlie is to avoid the 4 "s"'s when describing him - sneaky, stubborn, stupid or spiteful. Just think of him as being confused! Yelping helped alot for nipping.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

though i am not currently in ownership of a puppy --or a dog for that matter-- i keep hanging on to my dreams. someday.....when i do go that direction and once again at least take on the foster care side of dog ownership, this book will be a treasure in helping me to get through sticky situations, and tackle common dog problems. it's a real piece of gold for those headed towards adding a new puppy to their home. great advice!

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book might be great if you have a larger breed dog, but for mid-size to smaller it is only vaguely useful. Also the organization of the book is illogical and confusing, referencing things way further into the book. The authors should follow the progression of problems with age and include their solutions at that time. I would not recommend this book to anyone. By the time I read this book, I could have looked online for a multitude of solutions.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I'm not really done reading this. At this point it will be more of a reference title, than one I'll read.

I like the advice. I like the authors' combination of physical discipline (leash tugs), praise rewards, treat rewards, and play rewards. We owners need to spend absorb more of the information, there is quite a bit in a very small space, but it's all geared to having a happy, healthy dog.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for new puppy owners! Not all of the information will be pertinent to your specific puppy as it is laid out by puppy personality, age, and training level, but the layout is easy to navigate. Even if you don't have time to read the whole book, you can learn a lot by devoting a small amount of time to this book. There is a very positive vibe throughout, even when discussing your puppy's(our your) mistakes.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some good things in here: You get what you pet and you raise what you praise. Get to 'Good!'

Overall, some things I agree with, a lot that I don't. A little too 'precious' with all the cutesy names. I think they were trying to come up with catchy names that would make it easier to remember training aspects, but it was too much for me.

I can't endorse a book that says pronged collars are good for certain situations.

[klm4Bostons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved loved loved Good Owners Great Dogs-- fabulously humane methods of understanding dogs so we can train together successfully. This book was a bit on the disappointing side--BUT the DVD that came with it: worth every penny of the cost of the book. AMAZING pups being trained in the necessary basics in minutes. Dogs are so smart. Now, if owners had half the brains and even a quarter of the heart that dogs do, we'd all be in a better place.

[Adam Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really just skimmed this book, mostly to see how much I may have screwed up my current dog by not having ever trained her. The truth? Not much. She has far fewer complexes than many dogs. We really lucked out. But this book should come in really handy whenever we get a new dog...or if I have to train the neighbor's dog that keeps jumping the fence, practically living in our yard, chewing up our kids' toys, and digging holes around our trampoline.

[Sumiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're going to get just one dog book for a new puppy, I'd recommend this one. Positive approach, fun training games, good ideas for commands to teach your puppy so she'll grow into a well mannered dog with good self control. I also recommend "Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Behaved Dog" by Ian Dunbar.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first i hated this book because I thought it was too complicated. But if you pick and choose, it's not so bad.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

well, all the tips iread in the other puppy book do not work for brophy...thisone's already helping!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

One more pass through this one in preparation for possible new 'family member' this year! Great practical book! Unfortunate title :-)

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

so far, so good.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love Love this book!!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're getting a puppy, get this book and read it cover to cover. And read it BEFORE you get the puppy. It will help you know what to expect and what you are in for.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info book about puppies. We keep referring back to it!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generic information, nothing new

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great resource, going to be referencing it for quite some time I think. Gives training "games" and helpful hints. Even common problems and how to avoid those.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very good book with lots of useful information on how to raise and train a puppy but I found it poorly organized and too long.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as puppy training books go - this one is really amazing. Highly recommended, can't wait to try all of the training methods.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of practical dog wisdom in one place!