Buy new:
-52% $11.51
FREE delivery Saturday, May 18 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon
Sold by: SAM BOOK
$11.51 with 52 percent savings
List Price: $23.95

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, May 18 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 7 hrs
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$11.51 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$11.51
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Sold by
SAM BOOK
Sold by
SAM BOOK
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$7.09
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, May 18 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 7 hrs
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$11.51 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$11.51
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

New Skete Monks
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog Owners Hardcover – October 30, 1978

by New Skete Monks (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 132 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$11.51","priceAmount":11.51,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"51","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"9zYH4MxnCRMjMu9vjLcTlONhgwre7DG7jXC7Ql879LZ2JrxXRmInfY58GrkVoT8V%2B7y%2FN0q19amMJtKyC4pViZoJGwPjESU4K%2FPb%2F8xNhKfESKt3aNG11COdgrYfiq5qDl%2FlrKStQcHqgH1ESScxo69BmCERaP%2B14ogCaUQgksMqReIiNLqxH%2FdLVmAjM4gc","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$7.09","priceAmount":7.09,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"7","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"09","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"9zYH4MxnCRMjMu9vjLcTlONhgwre7DG7RUF71dyUI6%2FjJuuOIBNNBYr5jG0pVu0t%2FzPFgEA%2FNKXAtGRUft8z0nNrj4KBoNcSQJUXmryImEV0UpyYxR0KwXUW3%2F2nYKxfGGeG%2F3E%2BY5SBr9LwuM%2FLvkyR4veVRVp85c9aaWsrmMWBtBonSomsgOT8p%2BunQMGW","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

The monks of New Skete advocate the philosophy that "understanding is the keyto communication, compassion, and communion" with your dog. This very specialguide features a unique, step-by-step obedience course, and proper techniquesfor complete care at every stage of a dog's life.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    202 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Little, Brown
  4. Publication date
    October 30, 1978
  5. Dimensions
    6.5 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0316604917
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0316604918
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog Owners
$11.51
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 18
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by SAM BOOK and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners (Revised & Updated Edition)
$16.79
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 18
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Monks of New Skete share their invaluable training techniques and philosophy in their bestselling book, How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend. First and foremost, the Monks--who themselves breed and raise German shepherds in Upstate New York--emphasize that "understanding is the key to communication, compassion, and communion" with your dog. Outlined in seven highly readable and informative chapters, the training principles offer a better knowledge of your pet's psyche and personality--ultimately deepening the bond between human and animal. Striving to educate and sensitize new and potential owners to dog kind, the book explores different breeds and temperaments, and assesses the best places from which to obtain a dog. Thanks to a succession of neatly ordered chapters and subsections on everything from crates and leash training to dog treats and massage, training is made accessible and even fun. The Monks lay particular emphasis on the importance of training with "spirit, humor, and most of all, physical and verbal praise!" Whether you're a new owner or an old-timer, How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend is one of the best training guides available, written with compassion, empathy, and humor. --Naomi Gesinger

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown; 1st edition (October 30, 1978)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 202 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316604917
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316604918
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 132 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
New Skete Monks

New Skete Monks

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

The Monks of New Skete have lived as a community in Cambridge, New York, for more than thirty years. Their two previous books, The Art of Raising a Puppy and How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, have sold almost three-quarters of a million copies.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
132 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Richard M
5.0 out of 5 stars A different take on dog training
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this as a gift to go with a book that I feel goes with this book, and that is the The Monks of New Skete, "The Art of Raising a Puppy." Also a fascinating read, taking a different perspective on dog training.
Helpful
 Report
cai
5.0 out of 5 stars Get this book
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
A few years ago I was given my dads dog to help raise. I was so over my head, I was a dog person but not a person for dogs. Under my control in an environment that I could fully control she was spectacular at commands of any type. However she wouldn’t listen in any other environment, it was so frustrating because I didn’t know or understand why she was behaving the way she was. Covid happened and I returned her back to my dad. Recently I decided to get my own dog, and figure out how to be a better order. This book (plus many others) was so helpful in regards to training my young pup. I have an insane relationship with my dog because I can now understand his behavior. I use to think I could, but I was humanizing dog behavior.
Helpful
 Report
KC Crafter
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic book that still applies today
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
We bought this book 31 years ago when we got our first dog. Now we purchased one for our son and his new dog. He asked that he get the original version as he has seen the success we’ve had with our dogs compared to people who don’t realize training is as important as what kind of dog you get.
Helpful
 Report
pgk
4.0 out of 5 stars U & Ur Dog - training & research methods of the 90's
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2002
Verified Purchase
This book is great for the novice dog owner. The training methods
and understanding dogs is very well captured. But it lacks material which would provide more insight on how to choose your pup. What are the things you need to look for when selecting a pup. How do you know what kinds of traits the pup will have when it becomes an adult dog? How to train for obedience?
Luckily the Monks of New Skete realized this and have come out with a newer book "The Art of raising a Puppy" which talks about all the stuff that's not present in their first book.
My suggestion, save yourself of buying this book and get their newer one instead which has material of the first book + more.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Zwal
5.0 out of 5 stars love this book
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
I absolutely love love this book and recommend it to anyone i know with a new puppy. i buy it for friends all the time and have read it twice and bought their other books. it helped me so much with my adopted hard to manage dog who has been a delightful friend/ companion for 12 years.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Nate
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Dog Training Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2011
Verified Purchase
I got this book when my dog was just a few weeks old. She is now almost 4. She was a high energy dog and it took a lot of work but I get many comments on how well trained she is. The book does not "go easy" on your dog or tell you that it is simple. Training a dog is work and this book tells you, in great detail, how to do this.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
LStrick
5.0 out of 5 stars Love those monks!
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2013
Verified Purchase
Wonderful book on the best training methods. There are other books and even a video series. The monks believe that dogs were meant as companions for us. Their training methods are based on the pack nature of dogs. I have used this method on my 3 German Shepards and am very pleased with the results. People are amazed at how well behaved my dogs are. Thank you Monks of New Skeet.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Gary Venezia
5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN ABOUT HOW TO TRAIN ANY DOG.
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is about the 4th time I am buying this book. Every time I met someone that has just gotten a puppy I ended up giving away my copy. After reading this book I ended up with the dog that everyone in the neighborhood wanted.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

RosieAS
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the money (This is the 1978 print.)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
I think this is a GOOD reference book. Can't comment on the later reprints but this book will give someone training a puppy or adult of any breed a very good idea how to go about it. It covers just about all the need to know tips that some trainers don't mention and goes in depth into problems people face with their dogs. Have a look at the New Skete tips on YouTube.
One person found this helpful
 Report
RR
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
An interesting perspective from its time. Some great ideas, but also some old fashioned training ideas. Worth a read.
Report