21 Dog Training Books That Make Great Christmas Gifts for Dog Owners

If you’re shopping for dog lovers this holiday season, whether new puppy parents, therapy dog hopefuls, or everyday pet owners, a thoughtful book can spark new ideas, deeper understanding, and better training. Below are 21 highly regarded dog training and behavior books to give as gifts this Christmas.

Top Picks: Essential Training & Behavior Books

Why these deserve a spot under the tree

• Don’t Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training, A classic and transformative book that explains how reinforcement works across species. Great for anyone wanting to shift to a kinder, science-based training approach.

• The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, Focuses on the human side of the dog–human relationship. Helps owners understand how their own behavior influences their dogs, which can drastically improve communication and results.

• The Complete Handbook of Dog Training, A solid all-around manual covering a broad range of training topics; good for households with multiple dogs or people looking for an easy reference book.

• The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training, Covers everything from puppy basics to retraining rescue dogs or handling older dogs, useful for first-time owners and seasoned trainers alike.

• The Dog Tricks and Training Workbook, Revised and Expanded, A practical workbook style book that can serve as a “training journal” of sorts. Perfect for owners who prefer step-by-step, interactive guidance.

• Dog Training For Dummies, Great if you want something simple and straightforward, ideal for beginners or people new to owning dogs.

• What Color Is Your Dog?: Train Your Dog Based on His Persona, Offers a unique personality-based training approach that may resonate with people working with different breeds or temperaments.

• The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book, A broad resource that covers many common problem behaviors and teaches tricks for everyday life, a good “all-in-one” gift for dog owners.

Behavior + Psychology Deep Dives, Understanding the Dog’s Mind

Books that go beyond commands and offer insight into what makes dogs tick:

• The Genius of Dogs, Explores canine intelligence and how dogs think, helping owners appreciate their dog’s mind and adapt training accordingly.

• Inside of a Dog,  Looks at canine psychology and behavior from a scientific and empathetic angle, great for dog lovers who want depth rather than just how-to training.

• Culture Clash,  Challenges common misconceptions about dogs (pack-leader myths, dominance, punishment) and teaches humane, thoughtful approaches to training.

• Decoding Your Dog,  Focuses on understanding your dog’s behavior, including stress, anxiety, and communication,  helpful for adopters and people dealing with behavioral issues. Reddit+1

• The Dog’s Mind,  Offers a veterinary-informed perspective on how dogs perceive the world, useful for owners who want to train with empathy and insight. 

These books are ideal gifts for people who treat their dogs like family and want to deepen their bond beyond basic obedience.

Puppy Owners & New Dog Families, Starter Books for a Strong Foundation

For anyone welcoming a new dog or puppy, a few of the most recommended titles:

• Perfect Puppy in 7 Days,  A go-to for early puppy socialization, housebreaking, and establishing healthy habits. Trainers often recommend it for first-time puppy parents. 

• The Puppy Primer, A week-by-week guide covering obedience basics, socialization, and early skills that make a lifelong difference. 

• Puppy Start Right,  Another trainer-recommended resource aimed at setting puppies up for success at home and in public life.

• The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever, For families who want to balance obedience with fun tricks as their puppy grows, a playful yet practical read.

Starting right with a new dog can set the tone for many years of success.

Why Books Make Great Gifts, Especially This Season

1. Lasting value: Unlike toys or seasonal gear, a good training book keeps offering value year-after-year.

2. Foundation of trust: Understanding canine psychology builds empathy and strengthens the dog–human bond, something priceless, especially for new owners or families transitioning a rescue dog into their home.

3. Supplement professional training: For people who work with professional trainers (like you do with Alaska Dog Works), these books provide context, help reinforce lessons at home, and support continuing education.

4. Accessible learning for everyone: Not everyone can travel to a trainer or class, books give them tools they can use anytime, at home, in their own routines.

Which Book Is Right for Whom?

Use the table as a quick guide if you’re sending recommendations to customers or friends.