Zak George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet by Zak George, Dina Roth Port cover

Zak George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet

by Zak George, Dina Roth Port

A guide to raising and training dogs using positive reinforcement methods, covering puppy basics, obedience skills, and common behavioral challenges.

$3.22 on AmazonRead our full review

At a glance

First published2016
AudienceAdult
ISBN1607748916

About the Author

Zak George, Dina Roth Port

1 book reviewed

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Zak George's Dog Training Revolution

The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet

by Zak George, Dina Roth Port

LuvemBooks Verdict

Best for

New or prospective dog owners who want a single, organised positive-reinforcement resource covering the full arc of dog ownership — from breed selection through housetraining, behavioural troubleshooting, and ongoing health care — and who are comfortable supplementing the text with linked YouTube videos.

Worth it if

You want one comprehensive, accessible handbook built around a proven positive-reinforcement philosophy, endorsed by a credentialed behaviourist, and written in a practitioner's voice rather than an academic one.

Skip if

You already have an advanced training background or need deep specialist coverage of competition obedience, working-dog protocols, or clinical behavioural modification — the breadth-first approach leaves those areas at an introductory level.

4.5from 9,481 Amazon ratings— reader ratings, not a LuvemBooks score

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Zak George's Dog Training Revolution is a cradle-to-collar handbook co-written by YouTube trainer Zak George and award-winning journalist Dina Roth Port, covering everything from breed selection to trick training and behavioral troubleshooting within a positive-reinforcement framework. Endorsed by Dr. Ian Dunbar — veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and founder of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers — the book earns its reputation as the definitive single-volume guide for new and prospective dog owners who want structured, science-informed guidance supplemented by George's linked YouTube videos. The key caveat: its comprehensive scope means individual topics are handled at an introductory level, so owners with advanced or specialized training needs may need to look beyond this volume.
Is it worth reading?
For new or prospective dog owners seeking a single organized resource, Zak George's Dog Training Revolution delivers genuine depth: it spans the full arc of dog ownership rather than focusing narrowly on puppies or obedience alone, and its YouTube video integration lets readers see advice demonstrated in real time — a meaningful advantage over purely text-based guides. The endorsement from Dr. Ian Dunbar, one of the most credentialed voices in applied animal behavior, speaks to the book's substantive coverage rather than just its celebrity appeal. The honest caveat is scope: because the book covers everything from breed selection to trick training, individual topics are treated at an introductory level, and readers with advanced or highly specialized needs will likely require supplementary resources.
Who should read this?
Zak George's Dog Training Revolution is designed primarily for new or prospective dog owners who want a single, organized resource covering the full scope of responsible dog ownership and positive-reinforcement training. Readers who prefer a practitioner's voice — energetic and supplemented by video — over a strictly academic or purely text-based approach are the natural audience. Those dealing with a specific behavioral problem (aggression, excessive barking, leash pulling) will also find a relevant entry point even without reading cover-to-cover. Readers with advanced training goals or highly specialized working-dog needs should calibrate expectations, as the guide is pitched at the general pet owner.
Similar books
Readers who value Zak George's holistic, relationship-focused approach may also enjoy The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete, another comprehensive guide that emphasizes understanding a dog's nature from the earliest stages. Patricia B. McConnell's The Other End of the Leash offers a deeper behavioral science perspective on the human-dog relationship, making it a strong complement for readers who want more academic grounding. For those interested in the physical and activity side of dog ownership, The Simple Guide to Getting Active With Your Dog by Margaret H. Bonham expands on the exercise and enrichment themes George addresses in his later chapters. Cat owners in the household may also find value in Total Cat Mojo by Jackson Galaxy, which applies a similarly personality-driven, positive approach to feline behavior.
Is positive reinforcement really effective?
The book positions positive reinforcement as both scientifically informed and practically accessible, tailoring techniques to a dog's unique traits and energy level rather than applying a uniform regimen. The endorsement from Dr. Ian Dunbar — veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and founder of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers — lends significant credibility to the approach, with Dunbar specifically citing 'practical tips, tricks, and fun games' that enrich dogs' lives. In the broader training landscape, the book occupies a deliberate middle ground: science-backed and positive, but written for general audiences rather than professionals or academics.
How does the YouTube tie-in work?
Each chapter is paired with corresponding videos from George's YouTube channel, Zak George's Dog Training Revolution — described as the number-one destination for dog training video content in the world — so readers can watch advice demonstrated in real time rather than relying solely on the written text. This integration is a meaningful structural advantage over purely text-based guides, effectively turning the book into a hybrid print-and-video resource. The one limitation: it creates a mild dependency on external content remaining accessible, which is worth noting for anyone planning to use the book as a fully standalone printed reference long after its 2016 publication.
Is this a good book club pick?
As a practical how-to guide rather than a narrative or ideas-driven work, Zak George's Dog Training Revolution is less suited to traditional book club discussion than to shared use among a group of dog owners tackling training together. Its accessible, chapter-driven structure and YouTube video integration make it well-suited for informal study groups or new-owner cohorts — for example, friends who have recently adopted dogs and want a common framework to reference. Those looking for a more thematically rich or debate-generating read on the human-dog relationship might find Patricia B. McConnell's The Other End of the Leash a stronger book club choice.
Summarize this book

Summarize this book

Zak George's Dog Training Revolution is a chapter-by-chapter guide to responsible dog ownership and positive-reinforcement training, published by Ten Speed Press in 2016. Co-written by YouTube personality and Animal Planet trainer Zak George and award-winning journalist Dina Roth Port, it moves methodically from pre-arrival preparation through housetraining, basic obedience, behavioral troubleshooting (covering barking, chewing, leash pulling, puppy biting, aggression, and jumping up), veterinary care, trick training, travel, and exercise. A standout structural feature is the integration of George's YouTube channel, with specific chapters paired to corresponding videos so readers can watch advice demonstrated in real time. The book represents the first time George consolidated his experience with thousands of dogs and hundreds of videos into a single organized print resource.

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Age & Reading Level

Recommended age

Adult

Reading level

Adult

Skip if you're looking for advanced, specialist, or competition-level dog training depth rather than a comprehensive introductory guide.

Editorial Review

Zak George's Dog Training Revolution is a thorough, chapter-by-chapter guide to raising and training a dog, co-written by YouTube personality and Animal Planet trainer Zak George and award-winning journalist Dina Roth Port, and published by Ten Speed Press in 2016. The book covers everything from choosing the right dog to troubleshooting common behavioral problems, all within a positive-reinforcement framework.…

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