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Dogs have been “man’s best friend” for centuries. But like most BFF relationships, they require work from time to time.
Training a puppy for the first time can be a challenging task, especially when you’re still trying to understand what they need and what is causing their issues.
Sometimes they seem to bark at nothing. At all hours of the night. Other times they dig up the lawn or chew holes in the furniture. Sometimes they’re scared of other humans, and other times they want to jump in every stranger’s lap.
Training your dog out of these behaviors takes intention and time, and it can be hard to fit that training into your daily schedule. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you get to know your furry friend and turn them into well-behaved puppies or dogs.
We’ve rounded up three audiobooks that can offer insights from dog experts and experienced trainers, giving you a convenient and informative medium to guide you on the journey.
Slow-Feeder & Water Bowl Set by The Dog Tale
- Dishwasher, microwave, and freezer-safe silicone, so cleanup is easy
- Slow down your dog's eating to improve digestion
- Slow-feed bowl doubles as a frozen lick mat
- Suction cups help keep your dog's bowls in place on hard floors.
- Pair with our matching placemat
The benefits of audiobooks for dog training
Audiobooks allow you to multitask and listen on the go, whether you’re at home, taking a break at work, or running errands. This is great, since you’ll probably have little time for reading since you’re caring for your new pup.
There’s also no risk of your puppy chewing up your book!
Audiobook libraries also offer a wide range of titles, so you can explore various tips and training methods to find one that works for you. The popular audiobooks on Everand include titles created for dog owners, such as How Dogs Learn by Jon S. Bailey and Kevin Behan’s Your Dog Is Your Mirror. You can learn more about how to handle your pup and appreciate them better from top experts in the field.
Here are some additional titles to start with:
The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller
The Power of Positive Dog Training is a comprehensive guide on how to leverage positive reinforcement. Renowned dog trainer Pat Miller uses her decades of experience to offer a six-week training program that shows listeners how to develop a relationship with their dog based on friendship and positivity instead of fear and punishment.
The step-by-step audiobook can teach you how to understand and react to your dog’s body language and phase out clickers and treats for more advanced concepts. It also comes with a glossary of training terminology, which is helpful for first-time dog owners.
Zak George’s Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog: Proven Solutions to the Most Common Training Problems for All Ages, Breeds, and Mixes by Zak George
Dog trainer and broadcast personality Zak George offers his expertise in dog training to listeners with Zak George’s Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog.
George has encountered a wide range of training problems throughout his career, allowing him to create a guide for dog owners trying to navigate the same challenges.
You’ll be able to find insights into solving or preventing behaviors like barking, chewing, separation anxiety, aggression, begging, and more. The audiobook is also helpful for all kinds of dogs, from puppies to senior dogs of various breeds. You can also gain more insights into Zak George’s training style and tips on his free YouTube Channel, or explore dog training apps like Pupford Academy, which features a free 30-day training program he designed.
Lucky Dog Lessons: Train Your Dog in 7 Days By Brandon McMillan
We’ve talked about Brandon McMillan in other articles, and even gone through his dog training course on Masterclass. He’s the award-winning host of the show Lucky Dog, and he showcases how any dog can become a model companion in Lucky Dog Lessons. He’s handled even the most “unadoptable” shelter dogs and helped transform them into trusting and well-mannered pets in a short time.
This audiobook covers the fundamentals of dog training, such as building trust, establishing focus and control, and mastering training techniques. He shares the 7 Common Commands he teaches every dog: sit, stay, down, come, off, heel, and no. The easy-to-follow tips and tricks can help dog owners address common behavior issues to manage a challenging canine. It also contains inspiring stories about some of the dogs he’s encountered and how they’re a testament to the success of compassionate and effective training.
Remember to put it into practice!
Audiobooks are a great tool, but they’ll only help if you put their tips into practice. Listen to these books as you go about other tasks, such as your daily commute. But set aside real time each day to actually practice their tips with your dog. In our experience, you need to dedicate two-to-three 15-minute training sessions with your dog every day to start seeing regular, consistent improvement.
