Hi Daniel, My dog Holly was not a young girl - we have been together for over 12 years so she was rather past her prime when I purchased Secrets to Dog Training - The Ultimate Guide to raining Your Dog, but I still found it a fascinating read with lots of useful information for both new dog owners and an old lag like myself. The section on dog whispering was especially useful to us as she responded really well to this method. We didn't do much - but we had a lot of fun putting your methods into practice and I learnt heaps.
Sadly Holly has now passed on and at the moment I don't have a dog - but I plan to put your book into practice when I feel ready to share my life with another canine friend.
I can honestly recommend your book to anyone contemplating getting a dog. It contains lots of basic advice - essential for the beginner - as well as more advanced material for the experienced dog owner. I have read all sorts of books on dog keeping and training over the 40 odd years I have been keeping German Shepherds but none have been as sensible, useful or comprehensive as Secrets to Dog Training.
If you want to use our photo on your website please feel free to do so. All the best.

Hi Daniel, I was given an american staffordshire when he was four months and had never had a puppy before. I was looking around for a good training manual and came across Secrets to Dog Training. I have used it right from the beginning and am absolutely amazed at how much I have learnt and how much progress Lincoln has made in the short time using the Secrets to Dog Training guide. I am now looking at starting Lincoln on some advanced learning techniques and am very confident in using the guide to help him along.

Hello, We had adopted a 2 and a half year old collie from a breeder in Canada. We were told she was a show dog and was very obedient, but found that she was a little lax in some commands. You helped us in teaching her many commands and be more comfortable with her. Thank you!

Hi Daniel, I am a first time dog owner. After years in an office I now work from home and had been thinking of getting a dog for some time. I was still in the process of deciding whether to go to a breeder or a shelter when I found Leo, a mixed race puppy of now about 7 months, abandoned in the streets 4 months ago.
Having no experience at all I immediately started looking for all the information I needed in order to have a healthy, well behaved and happy dog. I found the search rather frustrating until I came across your web site and bought your book. Finally I had found what I was after - information about the nature of dogs which helped a lot to understand Leo’s behaviour, easy to follow step by step instructions for teaching him all the things I want and don’t want him to do, invaluable tips and case studies for coping with any problems. It all made so much sense and gave me a lot of confidence.
Although Leo had been a friendly, loving and fairly unproblematic dog right from the beginning, he did at times have quite a mind of his own. So I found especially the section on being the alpha dog extremely useful. In fact, I cringed (and giggled) when I realised the mistakes I had been making – feeding him first in an attempt to prevent him from begging, letting him go through doors first or stepping around him when he’d made himself comfortable in an inconvenient spot. Changing my behaviour was easy and showed amazing results after just a few days. With your book as a constant companion it is a lot of fun training Leo and no doubt he is enjoying it too. Thanks so much for your help.

Secrets to Dog Training helped us understand why our dog was behaving in certain ways. By using the training techniques outlined in this manual we now get a full nights sleep (no crying & barking in the wee small hours), and every morning we come downstairs to a clean floor with no accidents to mop up. Her behaviour on the lead is much better now too. Taking her for a walk is a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. No more tug of war all the way to the park; No more straining at the lead; No more tripping over her as she spins like a top whilst barking at every passing car.
Secrets to Dog Training has been invaluable to us in getting Cassie to be the well behaved dog that she is now. The training methods are kind and make sense to even first time dog owners like us.

The photo of our three Papillons was taken on July 4, 2005. They are from left to right Niki, Josie and center, front is Missey. I obtained two of your helpful training tips, Secrets to Becoming The Alpha Dog and All the House Training Methods and Tricks plus The Best of the Consultations.
I found all of the tips downloaded off your website extremely valuable as I had never raised a puppy and since my free time is limited, it helped to be able to obtain them off the internet and print them off for future reference. Our girls are now happy, well adjusted members of our household.

Daniel,
We bought your books to help us get to grips with our 4 year old German Shepherd Casey that we rescued. He was in a bad state and had some reasonably severe behavioural problems including continual pulling on the lead and more worryingly attacking other dogs. We had been battling Casey for a few months and had 'invested' hundreds of pounds in many training aids, none of which were making any difference.
Very quickly and for a lot less money we read your book and the theory started to make sense. We worked with him rather than against and assumed the position of alpha dog; things got easier and easier. He is now a joy to have around and is definitely enjoying his life a lot more, so much so that we have taken the leap and got another rescued German Shepherd for him to have some company. This time round we are armed with the right tools and life is a lot simpler. See what looks like any normal dog picture but to us is a minor miracle with Casey (on the left) and Sasha (on the right) in perfect harmony. Thanks again.

I am really glad that I found your book on line. I have a two year old Lab mix named Buddy. I drove to Indiana to pick him up from my Sister. Someone had abandoned him. He has a great disposition does great around kids and other dogs. But the trip back to Florida was a real challenge. Buddy doesn't seem to like to ride in cars very much. I would imagine some type of bad experience at one time. So it was quite a struggle to get him into the car. The whole ride back was always a struggle. But sometimes a treat would help other times I had to wrestle with him to get him in the car. After I got home and found your book on line it was a real lifesaver. I finally got Buddy to finally respond to the treats and he finally would take short ride.
I was very pleased after I had E-mailed your staff on this problem which I got some great advice on. Also your points while having the dog on a leash had some good advice. I try to talk a softer tone and don't yank on the leash as hard anymore and get better results. The chapter on Dog Whispering I find real interesting. But since I have read into your book which pretty well covers everything you need to know. It has been a real big help to me.
All the other books on grooming ,and security also were very interesting to read about. I believe your book pretty well covers about everything you would need to know from puppies all the way up to adult dog. Thank You.

Wanted to say thanks to Secrets to Dog Training for a delightful two plus months. I'm a first time dog owner but my husband isn't and I have learned a tremendous amount from purchasing your book. The most beneficial learning the alpha role and potty training.
Before your book she would have her way with potty any where she chose but now after having her for these past couple of months she beckons us to the door or lays there if she must go and we aren't ready, so far things are really moving along. Thanks a lot Secrets to Dog Training.

I have 2 dogs a Boxer called Bailey and a Golden Retreiver called Charlie. Bailey is 7 months old and Charlie is just over 5 months. Before I got my dogs I ordered Secrets to Dog Training over the internet as wanted information about training techniques as I was having 2 puppies. The training so far is going well. But they are now fast approaching adolescence so I am preparing for them to get quite willful. I found the Alpha dog book very informative and helpful some ideas I would never have thought of.

Hello Daniel:
I purchased a one pound, 5 month, old valley bull last Oct. and name her {Sophie} being a young pup, all of the training to accomplish. Not knowing any thing about the procedure I turned to Secrets to Dog Training which is simply wonderful, step by step. This information was exactly what I was searching for. Thanks so much,for the training tips and how to over come the behaviour problems. When understanding that you be come the alpha dog make it more manageable. Sophie's class are progressing well. I would encourage any one to purchase Secrets to Dog Training.

Hello Daniel, Your book is great, I trained one dog 15 years ago, so now when I got my new puppy I really didn't know where to start, I forgot everything about training a dog! Your book helped me a lot, it really refreshed my memory and I got so much more info about training without stressing out a dog or yourself. Now anytime I call my puppy to come, he rans as fast as he can, because he knows that he will get a lot of love for coming to me!!! Alpha dog is a great book also, my
puppy now really knows who is the boss, and if I say NO he doesn't hesitate to obey! I really think that anyone who is getting a puppy should get your book!
And Thank You for a great stuff support, the replies to questions are fast and to the point.

My
husband and I have a very spoilt 3 year old dog. At about 18 months
old, he developed a severe case of fear based aggression towards his
own territory, other dogs, strangers, anybody that comes to close to
me, even people he knows, he even growled and lunged at the local vet,
whom Casper knows. He has growled and lunged at a teenager walking too
close to me. He seems to have a comfort zone around him, anybody coming
closer than that look out. He has earned himself quite a reputation
around town for being a vicious dog, which is unfortunate, as at home
he is a very placid, big softie that we can do anything with.
He
has made a real spectacle of himself in the past, when out on a lead
with me, in the car etc. which is sad, as that is all most people see
of him, a dog that looks threatening and menacing, which he does. It is
not very nice to have to say, when out walking with your dog, when
people want to come up and talk to you and the dog to have to say keep
your distance, don't come near the dog. By this time Casper is usually
growling and they don't come close anyway, which is a shame as Casper
does look very cuddly and pattable. Having never owned a dog, we
thought all you had to do was to love them to bits, and spoil them, and
that was it.
Secrets to Dog Training taught me that this is not so, there is a lot more to it. He failed
miserably at Dog Training School, by this time we were getting
desperate, when I ran across Secrets to Dog Training on the internet. Secrets to Dog Traininghas been invaluable in helping us gain control of Casper, by showing
him that we are the boss, and he doesn't have to feel threatened, or
feel he has to protect us, as he obviously lacks the confidence to do
so. That is our job. We realize we have never been the pack leaders,
and that we haven't done him any favors by giving in to him and
spoiling him, treating him like a baby etc. By applying the principles
outlined in Secrets to Dog Training to Casper, he has improved out of sight, he
still has a way to go, but now we can see light at the end of the
tunnel. Even from the feedback from around town, people have seen the
improvement in him, and wonder how we have accomplished this

Hi, I bought the online book Secrets to Dog Training, because I have a big Guardian dog, and she was very aggressive to strangers in our house. I knew she could be trained because her mother was not aggressive. I got several good tips from the book as well as a personnel email on how to correct her behaviour. It worked and she is now much much better. I am
very pleased and satisfied I bought the book. Thanks a bunch Daniel for doing what you do.

Dear Daniel.
We got Henry through the Cocker Spaniel club of Great Britain through their rescue centre, that looks after our part of the country. He was a 2 and a half year old Golden Cocker Spaniel male that had been neutered by his previous owners, who were looking to have him rehoused as he allegedly had snapped at one of their young children. He is a smashing dog, but came with minor faults such as jumping up at everybody, pulling on the lead, barking at friends and strangers particularly if they happen to be wearing black clothing.
Having very little training in dog handling and understanding dog behaviour we purchased your book, with the sole aim of trying to understand why Henry behaved in the way that he did. Taking one issue at a time and with the tremendous help from the book, we have converted Henry from the lovable dog with his little faults to an extremely well behaved and social dog that everybody loves. As you can see from the photograph he just like to be in peoples company and will get involved in all sorts including the gardening. We have now loaned your book to friends who need a little help, so keep up the good work.

Hello, I just want to say that in those books there is a lot of good advice. I am starting to re-trained Mufasa from the beginning. Some how he has become so dominant that he believes he rules the house. I am following the steps to the Alpha bonus along with read and doing some of the techniques in the Secrets to Dog Training book.
It is going to take awhile for him but I believe that with all your help I am going to break him from all these bad habits. We are starting with just the basics right now and then gradually moving on. I do see a change already in him in some aspects. He sits on the first command instead of having to say it several times.
I really believe I will be able to re-route him to the right direction with the help of your books.
Thank you so much for the help and advice.

Hi Daniel, Wanted you to know how very happy we are with our purchase of Secrets to Dog Training. With the price of fuel continuing to rise, it is more important now than ever before for a well trained pulling team for our family sled. Your book allowed us to do what others thought impossible (see picture)! We now have a very fuel efficient, two-dogpower engine for our truck!
All kidding aside, We have been most happy with the results of your books. As my wife continues to spoil our two little treasures, I continue to use the techniques illustrated in your book keep them under control and make well mannered little citizens out of them. First, of course, came the house training task. I found your book invaluable for this most important task. 100% success but not without effort! Being watchful and persistent, as illustrated in the House Training Methods and Tricks section of Secrets to Dog Training, was really the key but the tips and tricks you shared made the task quicker, easier and more tolerable. Then came the basic commands which we found, as you suggested, are critical! I used your book as a bible here and, little by little, our babies are responding to all our commands. We're still not confident to walk them without a leash but I do believe that there will come a day that we will be comfortable with that. Persistence and patience once again! But the biggest task and accomplishment of all was in the establishment of the pecking order of our pack (family). I have become the Alpha Dog and I must admit that educating my wife to this concept was a much bigger challenge than educating King Midas and Sir Micro.
She thought that this was the meanest, cruelest thing I have done to the boys since my use of the infamous crate during housebreaking. My salvation was in finally convincing her (forcing her actually) to read the sections of your book pertaining to these concepts. Once she got through that, she became so enthralled that she couldn't put the book down until she finished it. Now we are a team in our training efforts and the results are amazing. Of course, I have maintained my position as Alpha Dog but she is now Second in Command.
Thank you so much for your book. All our efforts previous to it were in vain with very little success. Our little guys are still babies (10 months old and 15 months old) and we realize that training is an ongoing and long term process, but we already have two little guys that we are very proud of. Just like well behaved children, they are a joy to be around and a pleasure to show off to friends and strangers alike.
Although we both have read your book and supplements from cover to cover, we now use them as an excellent reference as new problems and challenges appear.
Keep up the great work.

Daniel,
I am very happy to say that since using Secrets to Dog Training, teaching Maggie who the Alpha Dog is, using command enforcement and frequent training sessions have helped tremendously. We enjoy her so much more and she is very well behaved with a few things that we still have to work on. Thank you so much for all your help. Because of your books we are now able to keep our pet and enjoy working with her and it has changed our lives. We are now so much more aware of her needs and her wants. Thank you again.

My husband and I adopted Jack (a one year old male Pug/Chihuahua mix) three months ago from a shelter (we are his third home in a year) and to put it mildly he was 20 pounds of terror-- dominate, nipping, chewing and also had separation anxiety issues. He quickly earned the name 'Jack The Nipper'.
I read a couple of books about dogs behaving badly, but felt that I needed a step-by-step approach to correct Jack's unpleasant behavior. I researched the internet and came across Secrets to Dog Training, which I quickly downloaded, printed and read in one evening.
I immediately started with the Alpha Dog lessons and got across to Jack that I am the Alpha Mommy. I had no idea that doing something as simple as making him sit before I put his bowl of food down would make a difference in how Jack viewed me.
Jack has made great progress. His has become confident, less anxious and likes to practice commands every day. We still need to work on a few areas, but it's only been less than three months! Jack is much happier knowing that we are the pack leaders who protect, feed and love him.
I recommend Secrets to Dog Training to everyone who has a dog as a companion. I have learned so much about dog behaviors and how to respond accordingly without yelling or intimidating. Thanks Dan for writing such a great learning tool!

Hi Daniel, It is with great pleasure that I am writing this for you. Secrets to Dog Training was great! We have a crossed breed Poodle/Terrier and training him is extremely important to us since we live in high rise apartment. Secrets to Dog Training's methods are positive and very proactive.
Sumo, our pup, is doing great! At only 5 months old he sits, lies down, heals, stays, and even comes most of the time. We can not expect too much at his age but he is getting better everyday. Secrets to Dog Training continues to provide support through email which we feel is a priceless resource.

I purchased Secrets to Dog Training after I acquired a second puppy that was seven weeks old. My first puppy a male then 14 months old was a little bit aggressive with her. Now my puppies eat, sunbake and play together very happily. I would recommend it to anyone who cares about their animals.

I would just like to tell you about my experience with my dog and how Secrets to Dog Training has changed our life. While researching training techniques on the internet I came across the Secrets to Dog Training method and was really excited.
Here was a simple, effective method that really worked without any cruelty or punishments. Our 2.5yr old dog, Tiggy, is a beautiful little cross breed that we rescued from Battersea Dogs Home in London when she was 12 weeks old. She has always had a lovely disposition but she was very nervous and this affected her behaviour at home. We have been training her for obedience since she was 6 months old. All the techniques we learned in the Secrets to Dog Training book we reinforced at our local class that uses the same methods.
Everything was going great until 9 months ago when our dog suddenly regressed. We couldn't figure out what has sparked it off and went through 2 months of trial and error with different ways of helping her. Finally after our vet said we would have to live with her as she was. I thought to try something different. By this time I had been receiving the Secrets to Dog Training newsletter regularly and knew that the consultants there had helped loads of people and their dogs to overcome problems. I e-mailed the staff at Secrets to Dog Training and received some advice from them within days. We followed their advice and I am delighted to say it worked!
When nothing else worked Secrets to Dog Training methods solved our problems within weeks of implementing them. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Our beautiful little dog is a much loved and very well behaved member of our family. Thank you Daniel and your team.

Attached is the photo of our family with our pet labradoodle, Jem. A little background of our family: We live on the Central Coast in Australia. Like any responsible “parent”, our family prepared for the arrival of our newest “member”, our darling labradoodle puppy, Jem. Part of our preparations was the purchase of the  Secrets to Dog Training e-book. The book is so comprehensive, easy to understand and well-presented that is why I did not hesitate to instruct my sons to read it as well so each one of us knows how to become an “alpha dog” and how to issue commands consistently.
It is recommended here in Australia to attend a puppy pre-school class for training and socialisation. We started Jem’s home training based on Secrets to Dog Training way before he started his formal training. There’s nothing new we learned from the pre-school class that we haven’t learned from your e-book first. As a result, Jem finished “valedictorian” in his class. Thanks Daniel!

Daniel, Secrets to Dog Training has helped us bond with and train our challenging beagle-terrier mix. We got Watson from a rescue organization that knew very little about him because he was so undernourished. As his health improved under our care, many behavior problems surfaced including biting, digging inside and out, barking, and jumping on people.
Secrets to Dog Training taught us so much about the psyche of a dog. Especially important for us was to learn about the Alpha dog. Once we got our family order rearranged how we wanted it, living together has become much more pleasant. Advanced training has been a joy for all of us. Thanks.

“Quite simply, Secrets to Dog Training has changed our lives! The lessons and advice are well-presented, easy to follow and are backed up with interesting and useful information.
I found the 12-week training program especially useful as it gave our training sessions the structure they had previously lacked. I have been surprised at how quickly my dog’s behaviour has improved and as a result I have become a more confident and much happier dog-owner.”

This is our Siberian husky Juno. We bought him when he was 4-months old. His previous owners didn't have the time to train him and kept him outside. We have two other dogs already in the home, so we thought it would be routine when it came to training Juno. At first it wasn't so bad, we had to housebreak him which was moving along smoothly and he had to learn his place in the pecking order of our home. As he became more comfortable in his new surroundings, the more problems we began to have. Keep in mind, Juno is already a 29 pound puppy at 4 months old.
I had to start putting things up out of his reach to keep him from chewing on them. He started using the bathroom in the house again. Then he started chewing on anything he could get in his mouth including our furniture, the carpet, and the kitchen floor. It was turning into a nightmare, nothing we was doing was helping. I finally had enough when he dug up my yard, including my vegetable garden. I finally got online looking for answers. I kept getting directed to the Kingdom of Pets site and decided to buy the book. I was so excited to see so many answers to so many problems. The first thing we addressed was his digging and he quit immediately. It was so amazing.
He is six months old now and he is doing so much better, thanks to the information in the Secrets to Dog Training book. I don't know what I would have done. The thing I like is that the training tips are fairly quick and efficient. Time is something we don't have alot of here lately between my husband working, me going to school, and raising two children. I can't believe the wealth of knowledge in these books from training tips to how to be alpha dog. Things I would have never thought of. Best of all, I can teach my old dogs new tricks. They are already good dogs, but now they are becoming exceptional dogs.
Thank you so much Daniel Stevens for making Secrets to Dog Training available to us and at an affordable price. It definitely beats having to hire a trainer, which we thought we were going to have to result to, but really couldn't afford. I have already recommended this book to several people and I continue to recommend it to all those who are having any kind of issue with their dog.

I love your Secrets to Dog Training program! We had one truly unruly Chihuahua. She would listen to me, but ignore the commands of my husband. She was also extremely aggressive (as Chihuahuas usually are)in public. I knew she was sweet, but no one else would believe me. Strangers would come to pet her and she would go nuts. I just knew I was headed for a lawsuit. After going through your program, she now is much better behaved. We still have a long way to go, but with your help I know we will acheive our goals. Thank you!

Hi Daniel, I am actually using your expert advice this week. A while ago I wrote in that my mother's dog, a four year old brown lab named Molly, was coming to stay with us for a week. My husband and I have a 1-year old beagle named Bernie. Bernie is very playful. And Molly is receptive at first but after a little while, she tires of Bernie and her constant source of energy. Molly is very much Let's rest a while and Bernie is Play with me! Look at me! Why aren't you playing or looking at me! When it gets to be too much, Molly tries to show her dominance in creative ways.
I feared that I would have to keep them apart the entire week Molly was visiting. So I wrote to your site and was advised that by already treating Molly like the dominant dog (even though it was Bernie's house) Molly wouldn't have to take matters into her own paws. By greeting Molly first and feeding her first, both dogs would get the hint. And it's been working!
Bernie still loves to play but thanks to your techniques, my husband and I have been able to give Molly some relief and keep her from acting out too aggressively when she has had enough of our Bernie. Now Bernie and Molly can pal around without much trouble. Attached is our picture with Bernie. I can send one of Bernie and Molly if you'd like. Thanks and best wishes.

After trying (mostly) unsuccessfully to train my mixed breed, Rusty, to be a basically tolerable dog, I realized I needed some help. Being a large dog in a house with 5 small children is a challenge, to say the least. Implementing some basics has been tough, but worth the effort. Mostly I had to change some of my and my children's misguided approaches to training the dog.
I have since established myself as the alpha, and my oldest son has also. The others are very young and will present a constant struggle, but Rusty has been a much more enjoyable companion, his nipping/herding has lessened, and he will drop when I say to. The problem now is to train my children not to get him all riled up! Thank-you so much for your book, and your e-mail help.

When I brought home my puppy Skylar at 8 weeks of age, I literally had no idea how to take care of her, let alone train her. I was a first time dog owner and very overwhelmed! I searched the internet and bookstores on useful books and training tips. Of all of the books I purchased (there were quite a few), Secrets to Dog Training was the most comprehensive, well written and easy to read.
I read through more than 1/2 of the book on my first sitting and still use it as a reference. I
would recommend this book to any new dog owner who not only wants to train their dog but also understand her.

Hello Daniel, I adopted a Springer spaniel from ESRA (English Springer Spaniel Rescue) in January of this year. JD (which stands for Just Dog) had a few issues but was mostly a good boy I was told. We brought him home only to find out he needed a lot of attention and discipline.
JD was very nervous. He had been a stray when found, and he lived in his foster home for several months. I was told that JD did not like his new 'foster dad', especially when he wore white t-shirts or when he took off his belt. He also was aggressive toward other dogs, and sometimes other men. However, he was fine with kids, his foster mom and me. I must mention that he is an extremely handsome guy (as you can see from his picture!).
My boyfriend was nervous and wanted me to send JD back to his foster home. Of course, being a Springer lover, I fell in love with JD as soon as I saw him, so I did not want to give up so fast. Someone had told me about your book, SitStayFetch: Secrets to Dog Training so I decided to look for it online. When I realize I could download it, I opted for this. I began reading and finding good ideas on what I could do immediately to try to correct some of JD's bad behaviors.
One thing I did immediately was to stop allowing JD to sleep next to my bed at night. He thought he was to be the leader of the pack and would sometimes climb up in the bed with me. I had to show him that he was not, so I put up a nice-sized crate for him in the dining room and he started sleeping in there. He actually liked going in his crate, it gave him a sense of security that he sorely needed.
Another thing I did with JD was to begin walking him with a gentle leader several times a day. I trained him to walk by my side, to sit and to walk when I began walking. He needed a firm and consistent mom and I guess I was the one! We still take daily walks and I make him work for every treat he gets from me or the kids. He has become a wonderful pet over the past 7 months but it has not been easy.
JD is now a trusted family member, a wonderful watch dog, and a playful happy guy. He has made a complete 180, and I owe it to your expertise and to the help of a trainer I hired in March. She works on many of the same principles that you/your book does, mainly using strong and persistent techniques to break bad habits. Showing the dog that he is not the boss, is key.
Thank you for your e-newsletters, too. I really enjoy these. Sometimes the problems are similar to mine and JD's, sometimes not. Your answers are always clear and intelligent. I believe you are helping many people and their dogs to become compatible friends-the way it should be!

Hello, I began this new adventure in dog training due to my deep love for homeless kids and dogs, whom I believe yearn a childhood full of love and care and fantasy no matter they have lived a crueler and harder life than any of us will ever know. My dream is to bring both together under one roof and I'm sure I have taken the correct path in investing my money in dog training courses such as Secrets to Dog Training. I want to be the last last opportunity for many and the first for some in this country where animals are still not treated with respect nor are the kids known as disposables. One day I will be able to raise the funds I need since I believe in the human species and definitively God is with me.
I live at the moment in Colombia, South America. I am an extremely happily married person, mother of 3 kids, and 7 dogs, for now, (schnauzer (4 yr old), golden retriever (2 yr old), 2 German shepherds (4 yr old and a 6 month old), Rhodesian ridgeback (4 month old) and 2 crossbreeds - between the German shepherd and the golden retriever. I am 39 years old, I caught leichmaniasis in Africa 22 yrs ago when I fell in a puddle of stagnate water while participating in an ostrich race and its side effects are still an every day reminder that nature takes and gives but provides the cure if you let it. When my pain seems unbearable and I curl up in a ball, my dogs manage through their vigorous licking and persistence to make me accept their offer, I uncurl and let them in my arms. How can I deny them the best training methods offered?? I still have a long way to go to recover my health and sleep, but yet its a wonderful life this, so much to do, so much to see, so much to learn, so many people to help, so many creatures to save. I love spending time with these street wise kids with more painful experiences than I. They will sit with me for hours under the shadow of a tree while holding their box of cigarettes and sweets, effective labor force at low cost, and and a bottle of glue in the other, listening to my tales of historic events and stories about my dogs while patting the lucky one whose turn it was to hop up in the back of the car and come with me.
I want my dogs to be lovable no matter who touches them, to obey without the use of violence so we can open doors together and prove that they can help these kids find a place away from drugs and violence. Thank you for being a great stepping stone towards my dreams and the dreams of many others.

Dear Daniel, Your book was a lifesaver! Our 2 year old black German Shepherd, Jack, came to us from a woman who was not able to cope with him herself. When he came to us at the beginning of the year he was a total handful. He was boisterous, aggressive, skittish and unresponsive – outside the home. At home he was still boisterous and a bit aggressive but would sit or come every time.
Our White GSD Charlie was diagnosed with cancer literally 3 weeks after we agreed to take Jack and had been moping since his spleen was removed but he perked up with some young competition so we were feeling good about having them together…until we took them for walks.
We almost never put Charlie on his lead – we just never need to. Jack however couldn’t be let off his lead. He would drag me along behind him and strain against me to get to other dogs or cats or people that he could see and would panic once the door was open – struggling to get out and then trying to run off. It was distressing to say the least.
Jack was born and grew up in the one village so we have gleaned a lot of information from fellow dog walkers who recognised him and have seen our progress with him. We know the woman who gave him up to us loved him but couldn’t cope with him and a toddler so we think he just stopped getting walked. He was such a nightmare we can understand why.
In the first month we were at our wits endand when I bought the Secrets to Dog Training books online we were a week from giving him up ourselves. We had the dominance training sorted from day one because we were aware that was going to be an issue otherwise but Jack had serious behavioral issues around food and walks that needed a lot of work.
In the months since we got and read the books he has become a different dog! Everyone says so. We have recently been told people suggest us to friends in the area who have dog trouble and we have helped socialise several problem pups with Jack (because its good for him as much as them) all thanks to Daniel and his book giving us that extra knowledge that has really rounded out our own understanding.
I recommend it ad nauseum!Jack still pulls on the lead he has good days and bad days but we are working on it (to be honest Charlie – our dream dog – has never been good on leads either). Jack now looks us in the eyes, can be walked off lead. Sits, Stays, Fetches, leaves – he is a great play mate. He sits and waits so quietly for his dinner we have honestly forgotten he is still waiting once or twice and he has come to remind us 5 minutes later!
He doesn’t immediately run out if the front door is open and will happily sit outside with us if we are cleaning cars or talking out the front without dashing off. We have taken him from the most difficult, messed up dog – almost deliberately awful – to a great member of our family.He is fun. He is funny. He is a joy and we wouldn’t give him up for anything! And we wouldn’t have gotten this far without the wonderful hints, tips and explanations from Daniel in his online books. The best buy ever!! Bar none!
My other half is very good with dogs and even he was confounded by Jack but having the advice to hand in Secrets to Dog Training just turned it all around. We honestly have had dozens of comments on how good Jack has become. No joke!
Cheers Daniel – I really appreciate all your good work has done for us!

I love Secrets to Dog Training. I rescued two German Shepherds and I did not know anything about dog obedience. One of my dogs was quite aggressive with other dogs, and crazy about chasing cats and squirrels. What I like about your book is that you give insights into what the dog is thinking, why they behave the way they do, and tips on what to do to correct the problem.
I have learned so much from your instructions, and my dogs are now following my commands and I am able to control them. Thanks for the great book.

Hi Daniel, I love your book Secrets to Dog Training, & have learnt quite a lot from reading it. I have included one photo of Tyson & I, & three more of Tyson. Tyson is an Australian Koolie, his colouring is called 'blue'. Koolies come in the full variety of colours & are bred for herding sheep & cattle. Love your book & have found the section on Dog Whispering to be fascinating. Thank you again.

Daniel, We recently purchased a new boxer puppy from California (we live in Colorado). While waiting for him to be shipped, I scowered the internet for training information, when I came across your website. Thank goodness I did! I purchased Secrets to Dog Training and started reading up on how to train our puppy. Little Oscar is only 4 months old, and already sits, heals on the leash, stays off the furniture, and is very gentle with our small children.
After having a difficult time training dogs in the past, Secrets to Dog Training has made the first few months with Oscar a joy. He is a true member of our family, and thanks to Secrets to Dog Trainingh we have fun with him instead of being frustrated. I can't wait for him to keep learning as he grows up!

Daniel, Here is a picture of my 2 babies, JohnnyD and Benito. They are 1 1/2 years old and 9 months old, who very much need attitude adjustments. I ordered your Secrets to Dog Training ebook because they have barking problems as well as growling/nipping from JohnnyD (the oldest). I have only read a little bit of your book mostly in the areas needed. I am implementing your techniques and testimonies from others, with slow progress so far.
I will keep up the training. So far, quickly getting their attention onto something else at the start of barking seems to help tremendously. I look forward to learning more as the days go by, and having 2 well behaved chihuahua's. Thank you for all your expertise help. Thank You.

Hi, I am happy to be part of your customers and I want to thank you for your advice, I have a five year old Pomeranian, of course she is not a puppy anymore, but she have to learn a lot, I tried to call her before whenever she is in the house and she was just looking at me, let me tell you she is very intelligent, but I did not know how to teach her what I want, of course my commands are in French, but since I used your technique I saw quite a change, today I told my husband, have a look outside I'm going out with Leesa and see the progress.
I called her she was quite a way from me, she came in running and when she was closed to me I told sit assis in French, she answered right away, and I did the same exercise twice and she responds the same way. Can you imagine how proud I was, furthermore I want another dog this time I choose a Yorkshire, let me tell you that I'm anxious to use my book Secrets to Dog Training to learn more and more about dogs. My husband and I have enough LOVE for two dogs, as long as they are well dressed. The picture was taken by a professional but I took a picture of it to send to you. Thank you.

My name is Sabine Saunders and this is my 2 year old, female, German shepherd, Quincy. She was the only female in a litter of six pups and proved to be a domineering girl early on. I knew I had to do some quality training with her in order to keep my leader position in her eyes, or she would try to become the alpha in our family. By the time she was 8 months old, she had the strength of an adult German shepherd. Heeling had to be practiced every day in all kinds of different environments and among people and other animals - especially cats and squirrels.
Through continuous practice Quincy now heels wherever I go, keeping a constant eye on me. Teaching her the sit and especially the down was very important to keep her with a submissive attitude. She fought it for a while but I consistently showed her that there are no options when I give her a command. After completing her basic obedience classes (heel, sit, stay, down, come) she also certified in tracking in 2005. Quincy and I enjoy visiting schools in our area and we show the kids and teachers how much Quincy has learned with English and German commands, and obeying handsignals. We teach the kids safety around dogs and what makes a good dog owner. Having an obedient dog is a joy to have around because the dog has learned how to behave in every day situations. Consistent obedience training is hard work, but if you endure with patience, love and an understanding of how dogs learn, you end up with the dog you deserve.

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your book The Ultimate Guide to Training Your Dog. I adopted a puppy named Harry and as I never was the mother of a brand new baby, I did not know to much where to start, how and when raising him. I always got doggies who were all brought up to adult with their qualities & of course faults so I did not want to miss my shot with this one. I learned a lot about dogs in general, how to understand them but more importantly how to be understood by them. I am still raising him as he is just 3 months old and I refer regularly to your book.
I find it very useful, practical, easy to understand and written with style and humor, plus it Works! So I just want to keep reading it and re-reading the parts I need until Harry is a nice, sweet, little dog who does not react like a spoiled brat, as would be his tendency.Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us and permit us to enjoy our pet the best way there is.

We have two dogs a Rough Collie named Ben (5 years) and a Boarder Collie cross Lakeland Terrier named Mindy (8 months). Ben was a rescue dog and was so grateful to be re-homed that he was a breeze to train, Then came along the puppy from Hell Mindy and we really needed help with her from the start, so we decided to buy Secrets to Dog Training. After reading through Secrets to Dog Training we got some very good ideas on how to handle her. I am not saying that it is a magic cure and that it happens over night because it doesn't , and it is hard work. But if the people stick to the explanations given it is very worth it in the end.
Mindy was so much of a handful with my three children that we had thought of actually getting rid of her, but with Secrets to Dog Training being on hand to read and refer back to when needed, we have no thought of that anymore. The book has every problem -/ Solution that we have come across with Mindy, and even though there is still along way for us to go with her, we are happy in our-self's because when she throws a problem at us the answer is just a few pages away.

Bello is the first dog I have had, so there was much I didn't know about dogs. Bello is a very smart and friendly dog, but as he started growing up (he is 18 months old now), he developed this quite idiosyncratic characteristic of taking matters into his own paws, so to speak. More specifically, he barks at and tries to scare other male dogs or some strangers he considers dangerous, although he's told not to.
On one such occasion, I almost lost hold of the leash, and he seemed to be close to attacking a male poodle. That's when I decided to look for help. I searched the web for books about dogs, and Secrets to Dog Training caught my eye. I'm very happy I purchased and read it. I realized that the problem lay with me. I knew nothing about the importance of conveying to him that I was the alpha dog. For example, I was completely unaware that I had to go through doorways first; instead, I always let him go first. This is but one of the useful tips I got from Secrets to Dog Training, and they have all helped me greatly in the past two months to establish a better and healthier relationship with Bello. I only wish I had gotten the book when Bello came to live with me 16 months ago.

My wife was interested in Yorkie terriers. She e-mailed a lady (Sharda Baker) about Yorkie's. Sharda sends her info on Yorkie's and other dog topics. One of her e-mails mentioned your Secrets to Dog Training web site and your e-mail book. I recently ordered it from you and the other booklets. I was very pleased with it. I have done extensive training of our extremely bright female Jack Russell.
When it comes to (fetch) she is tops. She will fetch till she drops. I have set up a complete agility course in our yard, I have used the Trick and Treat device from Sharper Image for teaching her tricks. She does Frisbee and has also had several outings doing Lure Racing (almost to perfection).
I have several dog neighbors that are not having as much luck with their pets. They have dominate issues. One of them has over aggressiveness issues and food and toy guarding problems. I told them about your web site and book. Their dog (while I was talking over the fence) tried to attack, through the fence, our dog. ...I highly recommend that the buy your book, and sign up for your weekly tips.
We leave tomorrow for a three week vacation to Leech Lake Mn (picture above). We will bike, canoe, hike, play frisbee and fetch (Sparky loves camping, all we have to say is were going camping, and she grabs a fetch toy and runs to the door). We will be gone for 3 wonderful weeks. I have all your materials already in the trailer for reading and using while gone. After receiving my down loads, I e-mailed all our friends (several of whom are trainers) about your books.
I will be working with the book and Sparky while we are gone. I have been busy since getting your book, getting ready for our vacation. I have been assimilating the information, but have not had the time to apply it. I will give you another report upon returning.
Thanks for taking the time to write such wonder training materials, and providing your e-mail tips. If more people would just take the time to purchase your materials, we would.

I have 2 year old GSP (German Shorthair Pointer) named Dakota. After I got her I became a member of NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) and trained with a local group of NAVHDA members. She accepted basic obedience almost too easily. After a few months everyone was complimenting me on how well behaved Dakota was, especially around kids and my son who was only 2 months old when I got her.
Dakota and my other dog Dixie (a Black Lab Mix) were inseparable and Dakota followed and copied everything Dixie did. After owning Dakota for 6 months Dixie was placed in a great new home after a very long and grueling decision to only keep one dog due to financial and time constraints.
One month later I received orders to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. When I got my orders our dog was not allowed to travel with us so she was left with my parents for 2 months while I moved and got settled and could pay to have her shipped over to Germany. When she finally arrived in Germany she was a completely different dog.
She was very aggressive toward other dogs, and disobedient and timid and often had accidents in the house when I was conducting training sessions with her. I tried everything to fix the problem I took her to the vet to see if the urinating problem was medical, took her to basic obedience classes offered through the local pet shop in Germany to try and correct her disobedience, and I brought her to Happy Hour for socialization. I was at a point where I was debating to give her up for adoption. Then as luck would have it I stumbled upon the Secrets to Dog Training website. I spent so much time (8 months) and money trying to fix the problems I was having with Dakota, that I was very skeptical but figured I would give it one more chance. I ordered Secrets to Dog Training and read through all the books in less than a week. A lot of the problems I was having were actually addressed in those books, but the book Secrets to becoming The Alpha Dog really caught my eye as my experience in trying to correct her problems had brought me to believe her problems were due to a dominance issue.
After only one month of using the techniques in Secrets to becoming The Alpha Dog Dakota had done a 180 degree change. She still had a couple disobedience issues and a few accidents in the house occasionally but we were finally making progress. After another month of using your techniques to become the Alpha Dog again and learning and using techniques in Secrets to Dog Training for Basic Obedience, Advanced Obedience, Tricks and Dog Whispering Dakota is back to her old self. She is everything I had hoped she would be and then some.
I can now let her run off leash again and not worry about her creating havoc or running away. Thanks Daniel for such a great training aid. I have recommended your books to many other military members who have asked how I got my dog to behave so well.Thank you for helping me keep my best friend!

Dear Daniel, I just purchased your e-book on line a few month ago and so far everything is going as you wrote. Caramel, my 7 month old golden retriever and myself are both enjoying the daily training sessions. All your good advice seems to work very well. I never thought it would be so easy to teach him to be such a good boy. Thank you so much.

I highly recommend this book to all pet owners. Dogs are so trainable but can get confused if you try too many different methods out on them. Reading how to do it and do it right the first time is the way to go! I taught mine to fetch and sit by the time he was 12 weeks old.

My dog Harley is a beagle, he is 5 months old, very active, aggressive and curious. Harley and I have been working the lessons from your book for at least three months now. We are very pleased about the results. I must say you cover everything that puppy gets into. The funny thing is when I see him behaving in a wrong manner I run to your book, look it up then apply the technique that pertains to the behavior, consistently and everyday until the results are automatic.
Harley (My beagle) is doing well now as a result of your wonderful step by step instructional book he is for the most part house trained, no longer digs, he sits, stays, heels and I understand his behavior much better. Harley and my families relationship is getting much stronger because we are all consistent with the same commands and your book guides us to understanding Harleys habits and reasons. Thank you Mr. Stevens for making the book simple, easy to understand and internet available.

These sweet, innocent looking little darlings are named Max and Chance and they are the light of my life. Both are shelter dogs and as best as my vet can tell, pitt bull/boxer mixes. I first acquired Max when a friend of mine left for boot camp and needed someone to care for him. Since he is in the Army National Guard, and can have to leave on a moments notice, he gave me Max when he realized how much I had fallen in love with him. However, Max is seventy-five pounds of pure energy and exuberance! He was a real challenge on a leash, even for my friend and he's a very strong man. After following your advice in Secrets to Dog Training, I am pleased to tell you that we go for long walks/jogs in the park and Max is wonderful. He stops when I command him to and resumes when told. He slows down when I do and picks up the pace when I begin to run. He could easily send me to the chiropractor if he had a mind too, but he has become a joy to walk and he helps keep me motivated on the days I don't really feel like walking. I consider him my exercise machine with fur.
Now... for the real challenge. In February of this year, my friend and I decided that Max needed a playmate. There are so many great dogs in shelters that need a good home that I feel compelled to look there first. We found Chance at a Humane Society here in NY. He was so sweet. We took Max to visit him at the shelter and they got along wonderfully, so a week later we brought Chance home.
He was fabulous when we were home with him, very loving and well behaved, but what the shelter neglected to tell us, (until we called back a month later about his neuter certificate) was that he had been returned three times because he suffered from separation anxiety and was very destructive when left alone. We tried caging him but he is so strong that he bent the door on the cage. We had the door reinforced and his buddy, Max Houdini, found a way to get him out! They would pull a blanket or article of clothing through the cage until they couldn't stuff it anymore and Max would pull from the outside until they bent the cage walls! They are very smart dogs! We tried padlocking the cage, etc., but finally gave up the idea as it distressed Chance to be left in it for four hours at a time. Instead, we concentrated on dog proofing the house. We put the garbage up so that he couldn't tear it up, cleaned the carpet with Ammonia where he had gone inside to remove his scent and deter further bad behavior. We made sure he went out twice before we left home and always leave the radio on for him. We spent time picking out toys that we knew would keep them entertained, and we gave them plenty of attention when we were home.
Chance would follow us around the house every where we moved for hours after we returned and when either of us put on our coats, he would get extremely nervous. I began wearing my coat inside the house for a while even when I wasn't going out and I left a blanket off our bed for them when we were away. It has been a long haul and a lot of cleaning, but I am pleased to say that he is much better. He still has an occasional setback, but for the most part, patience has paid off and he and Max behave well when we leave the house.
I believe it was the combination of the training techniques in Secrets to Dog Training and good old fashioned patience that paid off. Chance is now pretty secure that he has a good home and that he is not going to be returned to the shelter or abandoned and I think that helps. For those of you looking for a new dog, puppies are wonderful, but a shelter dog truly need you. Go ahead, visit one today. I dare you not to fall head over heels in love!

Without the help of Secrets to Dog Training, I could not have been able to train Marty, my now 23-month-old dog. He was abandoned as a puppy and being a large dog, I did not know how to cope with his erratic behaviour. Secrets to Dog Training is my Bible, it is vitally helpful, comprehensive and very easy to follow. I recommend it to all dog owners; it helped me a great deal, answering all my questions and covering a wide range of subjects.
I have bought other dog training guides in the past, as I have another dog, and I am sure many others, like myself, have been looking for something very practical, in order to get immediate results. In my humble opinion, this guide is definitely the best that one can find.

Seven weeks ago, this Blackmouth Cur was listed as unadoptable by the Humane Society because of its extreme hyperactivity. Using the Secrets to Dog Training guide and a Gentle Leader, we have turned him into what passing horsemen and hikers call a well-behaved dog both on and off leash. We are using a training collar to correct his recall response when he encounters deer and elk. The Ultimate Guide to Training Your Dog has been useful in teaching me how to train the dog.