This is an excellent book on how to train puppies or adult dogs in a lasting and effective way!
Training a dog requires patience and effort, but this book contains everything you need—especially if you start training from puppyhood.
I believe you’ll be amazed by the effectiveness of this method; even when you’re not around, it can have a lasting impact on your dog’s behavior.
This approach is completely different from collar-based training and other outdated methods. It puts far less stress on the dog and helps truly build a close bond between you and your beloved pet.
Even stubborn breeds like our French bulldog respond well—haha.
—Amazon Review

A clear‑structured, powerful, and highly effective method that works for all dogs and trainers.
Rusty was rescued from Mississippi and brought to a local shelter in San Diego. Now he’s a two‑year‑old, 60‑pound (about 27 kg) dog—strong and full of energy. We adopted Rusty when he was just seven months old; at the time, he had no household training, was fearful and aggressive toward most people, and didn’t know how to play with other dogs. He was terrified of doors, pipes, and vacuum cleaners. When startled, he would lunge at someone and then bolt away, making him quite dangerous.
I immediately signed up for a “positive” training class, but it turned out to rely on coercive techniques. By “positive,” they meant rewarding obedience; if Rusty disobeyed, the trainer would force him into a down position using the leash and collar. Rusty became extremely frightened by my attempts and utterly panicked whenever the trainer tried to make him lie down. The trainer responded by applying even more pressure, sending Rusty into a state of extreme fear. To prevent injury to either Rusty or the trainer, I dropped the class and began searching for a more effective approach.
It was through the bibliographies and recommended readings in several canine training books written by animal behaviorists—particularly those by Patricia McConnell and Jane Goodall—that I discovered Pat Miller (whom I highly recommend). Pat Miller’s methods are clear, scientific, and sensible, and they work wonderfully for dogs of all types, sizes, and ages.
One of her key points resonates deeply with me: there are no inherently aggressive or “hard‑to‑train” breeds. All dogs—like people—seek to please themselves, maximizing rewards and minimizing punishment. Training almost entirely relies on rewards: 1) it’s highly effective because you can consistently link rewards to the desired behaviors in your dog’s mind; 2) learning happens quickly, depending on the trainer’s communication skills; 3) it fosters a strong bond between dog and trainer; 4) the result is a balanced, calm, and confident companion; and 5) it’s fun for everyone.
The book is well organized and easy to read, covering everything you need for comprehensive training. Following Pat Miller’s approach, Rusty progressed rapidly. Today, he walks nicely on and off the leash, comes when called, enjoys people and other dogs, and plays reasonably well (though his lack of socialization as a pup makes complete correction difficult). He knows many tricks, behaves appropriately, and adores my wife and me, trusting us completely. He loves learning because it’s enjoyable, and each new skill earns him what he wants: treats and pets. I enjoy teaching him too, because it’s fun, I love him, and I get exactly what I want—a happy, well‑behaved, robust big dog.
Other books can help you better understand dogs and the human–dog relationship, but for training, this one is all you need. If you follow Pat Miller’s methods, both you and your dog will be very happy.
—Amazon Review (Excerpted)

Many years ago, I asked for advice on training my Corgi mix on a dog forum (without hiring a professional trainer), and someone recommended this book. They told me Pat Miller was an expert in the field, and I bought it—and wasn’t disappointed. I found it at a used bookstore for about a dollar; the clerk even said I was lucky to snag such a great deal. After reading it, I understood why. This book guided me through the first few years with my Corgi mix, enabling me to train him fully at home with hardly any outside help. It’s incredibly easy to read, even for novice dog owners. It covers all the basics—from sit and stay to managing jealousy in multi‑dog households—and six years later, Sandy remains well‑trained and mostly obedient (except for occasional barking, which we’ve gradually corrected over the years). I keep this book on my shelf, and even now, if Sandy develops any behavioral issues, I still refer back to it occasionally. A large portion focuses on clicker training, but most of the techniques work just as well without a clicker. It’s truly outstanding. When we first adopted Sandy, I bought many dog‑training books, but this is the only one I read cover to cover. Most left me feeling unsatisfied, always wondering, “What should I do next?” But this book felt welcoming—it neither dismissed me as a novice nor condescended to me as an expert (two attitudes I often encounter in dog‑training literature—I’m no pro, yet I’ve gained some experience)—but treated me as an equal partner. I really appreciate that. Pat Miller knows her craft inside out and explains it so clearly that the results speak for themselves. I frequently recommend this book to new dog owners, and most of them are grateful, finding it immensely helpful.
I’d also add: the end includes useful resources—links to further information on clicker training, videos, and more—which are very practical. There’s also a training‑progress chart at the back. I love this feature, and Sandy’s training milestones are recorded there. Even today, looking at the chart shows just how quickly he learned.
—Goodreads Review

★This book has been frequently ranked among the Top 10 Amazon “Dog Training Books” category.
★The second edition of this book was named “the Best Overall Dog Training Book of 2025” by The Spruce Pets.
★The classic, best-selling guide to positive dog training returns with a major upgrade in its all-new third edition! The new edition features cutting-edge research on canine autonomy and cognitive abilities, brand‑new training techniques and games, and even more comprehensive supplementary resources. A six‑week, step‑by‑step foundational course teaches you to replace fear and punishment with friendship and positive reinforcement, helping you build genuine trust with your dog.
★A masterpiece by renowned dog trainer Pat Miller—member of the Board of Directors of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, former president of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and columnist and editor at Whole Dog Journal! This book provides the positive training methods you need, catering to both beginners and advanced trainers, and guiding readers toward a human‑dog relationship built on shared joy, companionship, and mutual respect.

Renowned dog trainer Pat Miller will provide you with the positive training methods you need to ensure a lifetime of joy, companionship, and mutual respect between you and your canine companion. Through her step-by-step, six‑week foundational training program, you’ll learn how to build a relationship with your dog based on friendship and positive reinforcement—rather than fear and punishment. In addition, you’ll receive:
- Essential insights into the importance of observing, understanding, and responding appropriately to your dog’s body language
- Guidance on gradually phasing out the use of clickers and treats as you introduce more advanced training concepts
- A practical journal to conveniently track your progress, suggestions for tasty treats your dog will love, and a glossary of training terms.
This third edition also features the latest research and statistics on canine behavior, up‑to‑date resources on positive dog training, new chapters on dogs’ autonomy and cognitive abilities, and fresh photographs.
Whether you’ve never trained a dog before or are just beginning to explore positive training, Pat Miller’s proven methods will help you train your beloved pet in a way that’s easy, enjoyable, and highly effective. That’s the power of positive dog training.

Pat Miller
Pat Miller has been working in dog training for nearly 40 years. She has served as a board member of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and as president of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. As the founder of Peaceable Paws Dog and Puppy Training Center, she is a passionate advocate of force-free dog-training methods.
Her training column in the Whole Dog Journal enjoys a wide readership, and she also serves as the magazine’s training editor. She is the author of several books, including The Power of Positive Dog Training, Beware of Dog Behavior, Play with Your Dog, Positive Outlook: Love Your Dog, Train Your Dog, Positive Outlook 2: Understand Your Dog, Train Your Dog, Do It Again, Dog!, and How to Foster Dogs.
Before founding Peaceable Paws, Pat spent 20 years working in animal protection at Marin Humane in Novato, California. As a humane officer and animal-control officer, her daily duties included rescuing animals and apprehending those who neglected or abused them.
Pat holds certifications from multiple training organizations, including Certified Behavior Consultant—Canine Knowledge Assessed (CBCC‑KA) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer—Knowledge Assessed (CPDT‑KA). She currently lives with her husband, Paul, on an 80-acre farm in Maryland, where they keep four horses, five cats, two dogs, one chicken (with more on the way), and their pet pig, Dexter. Peaceable Paws Training Center and the Dog Trainer Academy are also located on this farm. Hundreds of trainers from Singapore, Brazil, Japan, Sweden, Australia, and across the United States and Canada have come here to hone their skills, and today they are training dogs all over the world.