Lucky Dog Lessons - by Brandon McMillan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The celebrity dog trainer and Emmy-winning star of the CBS show Lucky Dog shares his positive dog training system to transform any dog--from spoiled purebred puppy to shelter-shocked rescue--into a model companion in just seven days.

Each week on Lucky Dog, Brandon McMillan rescues an untrained, unwanted, "unadoptable" shelter dog. In the days that follow, these dogs undergo a miraculous transformation as they learn to trust McMillan, master his 7 Common Commands, and overcome their behavior problems--ultimately becoming well-mannered pets and even service dogs. With his labor of love complete, McMillan unites each dog with a forever family. Now, in his first book, McMillan shares the knowledge he has gained working with thousands of dogs of every breed and personality to help readers with their own dog obedience training and turn their pets into well-trained Lucky Dog graduates.

Lucky Dog Lessons begins with the basics--building trust, establishing focus and control, and mastering training techniques. From there, McMillan explains his playful, careful, and kind approach to training the 7 Common Commands he teaches every dog: SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO. Next, McMillan provides solutions to common canine behavior problems, including house training issues, door dashing, chewing, barking, and common mealtime misbehaviors. Lucky Dog Lessons includes easy-to-follow steps, illustrative examples, tried-and-true tips and tricks, and photographs to demonstrate each technique. Throughout the book, McMillan shares inspiring stories about his favorite students and gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the show and some of his most unique and challenging canine encounters, including some never-before-seen outtakes.

Brandon McMillian believes that no dog is beyond saving, and the loving, positive, successful methods he offers will work wonders with even the most challenging dog. Create the happy pet family you want with Lucky Dog Lessons.

This essential guide for every dog owner breaks down Brandon's proven process, teaching you how to:

• Master the 7 Common Commands: Learn the foundational skills--SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO--using the same kind, playful, and effective techniques from the hit TV show.
• Solve Common Behavior Problems: Get easy-to-follow steps for the most frequent issues, including house training, nuisance barking, chewing, and door dashing.
• Build a Foundation of Trust: Discover the basics of establishing focus and control, creating a powerful bond between you and your dog before training even begins.
• From Puppy to Rescue: Whether you have a brand-new puppy or a shelter-shocked rescue, Brandon's system is designed to transform any dog into a happy, well-mannered companion.

From the Back Cover

Each week on Lucky Dog(TM) Brandon McMillan, respected celebrity animal trainer and Emmy(R) Award--winning host, rescues an untrained, unwanted, "unadoptable" shelter dog. Within days these dogs undergo a miraculous transformation as they learn to trust McMillan, master his 7 Common Commands, and overcome their behavior problems--ultimately becoming well-mannered pets and even service dogs. With his labor of love complete, McMillan unites each dog with a forever family. Now, in his first book, McMillan shares the knowledge he has gained working with thousands of dogs of every breed and personality to help you turn your pet into a well-trained member of the family.

Beginning with the basics, Lucky Dog Lessons shows you how to build trust and strengthen your bond with your dog. You'll learn how to set your dog up for success by understanding the roles of personality, age, and breed in training. From there, McMillan explains his playful, positive, and kind approach, starting with his 7 Common Commands: SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO. Finally, McMillan provides solutions to common canine behavior problems, including housetraining issues, door dashing, chewing, barking, and mealtime misbehaviors.

Based on proven techniques that simplify and streamline training and yield results after a few short lessons each day, Lucky Dog Lessons shows you how to:

• Get--and keep--your dog's undivided attention
• Use your dog's food drive to your advantage
• Adjust your approach based on your dog's energy level
• Use rewards--treats, toys, and play--effectively

Throughout, McMillan shares his favorite success stories: Apollo, a leash-wrecking troublemaker turned star service dog; Grover, a sweet-tempered boomerang shelter dog who overcame severe separation anxiety; and Jemma, who transformed from an overexcited, antic-prone pup to a well-mannered companion.

Filled with practical step-by-step advice and variations based on your dog's breed, size, and temperament, Lucky Dog Lessons provides everything you need to work wonders with even the most challenging dog and create a happy, healthy, and safe environment for you and your four-legged family member.

Review Quotes

"Lucky Dog Lessons is a practical, approachable guide packed with sound advice on how to safely train any dog while building confidence, trust, and a loving bond. McMillan's inspiring stories of the 'unadoptable' dogs he has helped find new forever homes affirm why every dog deserves a second chance." - --Kwane Stewart, D.V.M, Chief Veterinary Officer, National Director No Animals Were Harmed(R) Program, American Humane Association

"A practical, approachable guide packed with sound advice on how to safely train any dog while building confidence, trust, and a loving bond. McMillan's inspiring stories of the 'unadoptable' dogs he has helped find new forever homes affirm why every dog deserves a second chance." - --Kwane Stewart, D.V.M, Chief Veterinary Officer, National Director No Animals Were Harmed(R) Program, American Humane Association

"Lucky Dog Lessons captures the unique combination of heart and head at the core of great dog training. McMillan's methods are practical and effective-obviously honed over a lifetime of training and getting results. They're also unfailingly positive." - -Dr. Marty Becker, "America's Veterinarian," Chief Veterinary Correspondent for the American Humane Association, and bestselling author of 22 books, including Your Dog: The Owner's Manual