Lucky reader, too

Lucky Dog Lessons:
Train Your Dog in Seven Days
by Brandon McMillan

At least one reviewer complained that it had "too much anecdote; too little instruction." I did not agree at all!  It is true that I had to flip ahead and read his description of the seven basic commands, then go back to the stories that gave it life. But I was happy to do so.

In addition to the seven basic commands that he teaches all dogs, he addresses a handful of problem behaviors and the ways to untrain them. But all the way through, he addresses the "feel how" and the "feel why" of dog training in a way that few others do. I mean, say you've been given a little cutie that is adorable in all ways except she lunges ahead when you're walking on leash. That behavior would discourage you from wanting to take her on walks, right?  Or to take her anywhere--you've enough muscles in that left arm anyway. So she doesn't get taken on walks.

For you it may be a minor annoyance. But he deals with rescue dogs, and for them it's a life-and-death matter. He may have a perfect home in mind for the little dog, but only if he can turn it into one who walks happily on the leash in the hand of a seventy-year-old woman. If he fails, the dog doesn't get a home and goes back to the pound. (Probably not for real, but it still misses out on a good home.)

Another plus is his willingness to admit that there's not a one-size-fits-all remedy for all dogs and all behaviors. He has to experiment from time to time--and so do you.