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Zak George's Dog Training Revolution by Zak George & Dina Roth Port Review: A Comprehensive, Positive-Method Training Guide
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. This review is based on published sources and reception from named outlets, not hands-on use.
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.
What readers & critics say
Reader blogs highlight the book's philosophy as "revolutionary" in reshaping the human–dog relationship through trust and communication (motherofrescues.com), while a knitting-and-reading blogger reports that every technique tried with her puppy "worked like a charm" and praises the book as "so packed with great ideas" (yumiyarns.com).
Sources: Mother of Rescues, Yumi Yarns4.5from 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
Is it worth reading?
Who should read this?
Is positive reinforcement really effective?
How does the YouTube tie-in work?
Is this a good book club pick?
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.
Follow up
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Who is co-author Dina Roth Port?
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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.
Our Review
A functional dog-training guide grounded in positive reinforcement, this book translates Zak George's extensive video-based expertise into a single comprehensive print resource.
What the Book Actually Contains
Zak George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love by Zak George, Dina Roth Port front cover
Zak George's Dog Training Revolution is structured as a cradle-to-collar handbook, moving methodically from pre-arrival preparation through the full arc of dog ownership. Its chapter lineup — as catalogued in the book's own table of contents — runs from "Decisions, Decisions: Choosing the Right Dog for You" and "Before Your Dog Comes Home" through housetraining fundamentals, basic obedience skills, and a dedicated troubleshooting chapter addressing barking, chewing, leash pulling, puppy biting, aggression, and jumping up. Later sections extend into veterinary care essentials, trick training, travel, and exercise. The book also includes bibliographical references and an index, signalling its intent to function as a reference tool as well as a read-through guide.
A notable structural feature is the integration of George's YouTube channel: specific topics are paired with corresponding videos, so readers can watch the advice demonstrated in real time rather than relying solely on the written text. Co-author Dina Roth Port, an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in Glamour, Self, Prevention, and The Huffington Post, brings editorial clarity to George's methodology — a collaboration that shapes the book's accessible, chapter-driven voice.
Significance and Place in the Genre
George arrived in print already carrying substantial platform weight: his YouTube channel, Zak George's Dog Training Revolution, is described as the number-one destination for dog training video content in the world. The 2016 Ten Speed Press release represented the first time George had consolidated the information from hundreds of videos and experience with thousands of dogs into a single comprehensive guide — a meaningful transition from episodic online content to a structured, book-length argument for a particular training philosophy.
That philosophy — tailoring training to a dog's unique traits and energy level rather than applying a one-size-fits-all regimen — is the book's animating premise. In a crowded dog-training field that includes everything from dominance-based manuals to academic behaviorist texts, this volume positions itself as a middle path: science-informed and positive, but written for general audiences rather than professionals.
Strengths Noted by Sources
Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and founder of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, offered a direct endorsement: "Zak George's Dog Training Revolution is a must-read for dog lovers everywhere. It has a wealth of practical tips, tricks, and fun games that will enrich the lives of many dogs and their human companions." That commendation, from one of the most credentialed voices in applied animal behavior, speaks to the book's substantive coverage rather than merely its celebrity-driven appeal.
The breadth of the guide is a genuine asset: rather than addressing only puppies or only obedience commands, it spans the full lifecycle of dog ownership — from the selection process before the dog arrives home to ongoing health care, enrichment activities, and behavioral troubleshooting. The book is designed so that new owners who have never trained a dog and readers dealing with a specific problem (aggression, excessive barking) can both find a relevant entry point.
Genuine Limitations to Consider
The book's comprehensive scope is also the source of its primary tension: a guide designed to cover everything from breed selection to trick training necessarily treats some topics at an introductory level. Readers seeking deep dives into advanced obedience competition, specialized working-dog training, or clinical behavioral modification may find the coverage of those areas less exhaustive than dedicated specialist texts. The book is explicitly pitched as a complete guide for the general pet owner, and readers with more specific or advanced needs should calibrate expectations accordingly.
Additionally, while the YouTube integration is a structural strength for most readers, it creates a mild dependency on external content remaining accessible — a consideration for anyone relying on the book as a standalone printed reference years after publication.
Who This Book Is For
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 enjoy a trainer's voice — energetic, practitioner-driven, supplemented by video — rather than a strictly academic or purely text-based approach are the natural audience. Those who already follow George's YouTube content will find the book a useful consolidation of his method; those entirely new to his work will encounter a training philosophy that Dr. Ian Dunbar has publicly described as enriching for both dogs and their human companions.
Sources & Further Reading
The key facts and claims in this review are grounded in the retrieved, verified sources listed below.
- Cited in this review
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- Further reading
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