Dog Training Mastery -
An Owner's Manual!

Dog Training Mastery reviewed by Chris Smith on June 8, 2006.

This very comprehensive package (one main book and 9 free bonuses) has a natural, logical flow to it - more so than other similar training tools. Firstly its main focus is on learning about your dog, what motivates him/her to behave the way he does. The theory being that by gaining an understanding of how your dog perceives the world you will be much better equipped to apply proper training. It's all about learning how to form a strong and correct relationship with your dog and at the same time provide the boundaries which your dog needs to fit into society. Ideally this is achieved through the mutual respect made possible by clear two way communication between you and your dog, rather than bullying tactics.

The book takes a while to get into the obedience training lessons and behavior problem solving tips, but it's well worth reading the early chapters. You'll probably actually learn more about your dog in the first few chapters than you would imagine.

The main book in the package is very well thought out by the author Ray Coleiro. It is 108 pages full of valuable tips, advice and practical dog training information. It is well structured to help you understand and master the following 4 steps, in this order:

1. Dog Psychology

2. Canine Learning Theory

3. Obedience Training - Basic and Advanced

4. Problem Behavior Solving

There are also 9 free bonuses which come along with the main book:

• 7 books (discussed further down this page).

• 1 audio broadcast.

• 1 email consultation with Ray (this is a good one)

This book lays the foundation for the rest of the package. It is set out in 7 detailed and descriptive chapters. I can't give too much away in this review, but I will outline each chapter as well as mention specific topics which I found to be informative and beneficial.

Chapter One: Humans and Dogs

• The opening chapter is all about developing the deep relationship that is shared and enjoyed between human and dog.

• Discusses the importance of establishing your role as your dog's leader up front, setting your place in the hierachy.

• Describes the canine communication system. Seeking to understand your dog before expecting your dog to understand you is the basis of this section. Communication is a two way street, they talk to you, you talk to them. Ray believes this is the key to successful training.

• Shows you how to think like a dog and even how to become a dog whisperer.

• Suggests ways to channel your dog's inappropriate behavior such as chewing and jumping.

Chapter Two: Dog Psychology

• Discusses how dogs think and reminds readers that they aren't humans in different bodies.

• Tells us how we can learn alot from watching how dogs interact with each other.

• Learn about your dogs "instincts" or "inherited behavior" and how to work with them in your training.

• Discover how to shape your dogs behavior with clicker training.

• Offers advice on how to deal with canine rivalry.

Chapter Three: Dogs and Their Feelings

• Learn how to read and interpret your dogs body language.

• Discover that our dogs have feelings too.

• Learn to recognize your dog's various postures which can tell you a lot about how he is feeling at any given time.

Chapter Four: Understanding Your Dog

• Discusses the battle that can go on in your dogs brain between his instincts v's his learned behavior (your training).

• Learn about the acute, highly refined senses your dog has.

• Ray believes that a proper owner-dog relationship is based on four things - Respect, Knowledge, Love and Confidence.

• Discover which training methods really work and which ones don't.

• Outlines the steps involved in proper dog training - demonstrate the skill, add your verbal command and combine this with the right tone and demeanour.

Chapter Five: Basic Obedience Training

• This is where you put all you have learnt in the previous chapters into practice.

• Learn the philosophy behind obedience training.

• Learn the basic obedience commands listed in this section, then build on them. These commands provide the foundation for further training in the future. There is a strong emphasis on reinforcement and praise.

• After correctly applying these lessons you will accomplish two things - you'll build a bond of communication and you'll have the tools to correct problem behavior.

• Learn how to determine what motivates your dog.

• Learn all you need to successfully housebreak (potty train) your puppy or older dog.

• Find out which style of obedience training would best suit you and your dog. Is it dog whispering, clicker training, collar and leash training or something else?

• Use the lessons in this section to help your dog become well mannered and safe.

• Learn the right way to teach the basic obedience commands such as sit, down, heel, fetch etc.

Chapter Six: More Advanced Obedience Training

• Add these advanced obedience skills to the basic skills covered in chapter five.

• Learn how to add hand signals to the verbal commands you learnt in chapter five.

• Teach your dog some harder skills including tricks such as shake, find it, weave and wave.

• Learn about competitive obedience training, which can be a great outlet for some dogs.

Chapter Seven: Fixing General Behavior

• Learn the reasons behind problem behavior in dogs. Not providing enough challenges is one important factor.

• Includes a comprehensive list of dog behavior problems and offers solutions to all the common dog problems such as chewing, pulling on leash, chasing, barking, digging and heaps more.

• Learn how to treat one of the biggest canine problems - Separation Anxiety.

• Discusses how to deal with an aggressive dog (one of the bonus books goes into more depth about canine aggression).

• What you feed your dog has a big impact on your dogs growth and behavior. This 12 page bonus book outlines the proper balance of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, minerals and water to feed your dog.

• Tells you which foods you must avoid.

• Outlines the pros and cons of the popular BARF diet.

• Learn about the Homeopathic approach to feeding.

• The basic theme of this bonus section is that it's no good having a well trained but unhealthy dog.

• 25 pages of great treats and proper mealsyou can prepare and to feed to your dog.

• Even the fussiest of dogs will enjoy some of these recipes.

• The cookie recipes and liver treat recipes are brilliant, your dog will love them.

• 9 very thorough pages of advice on how to choose a suitable Vet for your dog.

• The best information in this book is how to keep your dog out of the Vet.

• These are an extension of the obedience training commands discussed in the Dog Training Mastery manual.

• 5 pages of cool tricks you can teach your dog. You can then "show off" to your friends when performing them. It is a great way to stimulate your dogs mind and spend some quality time with them.

• This is a good little bonus. It is an audio file which you can listen to straight through the speakers on your computer or download the file to a mp3 player. It is a 45 minute interview with a professional dog groomer. Goes through the whole process of grooming your dog. Including what equipment you will need and the proper grooming technique to use.

• Learn how to get your dog looking his/her best.

• This is a very valuable bonus. Any specific dog training issue you need addressed you can email Ray for the answer. This one on one direct access to Ray's brain is valid for 12 months after the purchase date.

• When I first downloaded the Dog Training Mastery package I fired a question off to Ray regarding my whippet, Pocky. The problem I had with Pocky was that when we went to the off leash dog park my "come" command was being ignored most of the time. Anyway, after two days Ray emailed me back his response which included some excellent advice which I have since put to good use with Pocky.

• For anyone who has a dog that has shown any sign of aggression, this is a good reference tool.

• It answers many questions like - "Why do dogs become aggressive?" and "what to do if your dog is becoming aggressive?"

• Discover how to prevent dog aggression in the first place.

• Outlines the various forms of canine aggression.

• Every dog breed requires different levels of mental stimulation to prevent boredom and separation anxiety.

• Explains which dog toys are the safest and best.

• Outlines a weekly dog stimulation plan which you can put into practice.

• If you have to leave your dog for any length of time you will pick up some good strategies within this bonus. You will feel much more comfortable leaving them after putting these techniques in place.

• This information could eliminate many of your dog's behavioral problems in the future.

• 10 pages of things to consider when looking at dog insurance. Should you get it? Is it worth it? What are the advantages? Plus many more questions are answered.

Dog Training Mastery would be an valuable addition to any dog owners library. Whether you are just starting out with a new puppy, correcting behavioral problems in an older dog or teaching obedience commands, this package covers it all.

Dog Training Mastery really does provide you with all the groundwork and practical tools needed to successfully train your dog at home. For more information about this training package or to download it right away please click here - Dog Training Masters.