Why am I passionate about this?

As far back as I can remember I’ve always loved canines and always wanted to make sure they were treated kindly. When I was a kid, I would bring a bag of dog treats with me to visit family and friends that I knew had dogs; I had to be very convincing too, or else people would’ve thought they were for me! But they could see it was a delight for me; while everyone would be inside talking, I would be outside with the pups. Eventually, this enthusiasm culminated with the creation of Nate Schoemer’s Dog Training Program, with a mission of improving the lives of dogs and their owners through education. 


I wrote

Nate Schoemer's Dog Training Manual: Animal Planet's Dog Trainer Shares His Dog Training Secrets

By Nate Schoemer, Cyrus Kirkpatrick (editor),

Book cover of Nate Schoemer's Dog Training Manual: Animal Planet's Dog Trainer Shares His Dog Training Secrets

What is my book about?

One day, a client reached out to me for help after working with a different trainer for nine months with…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Dog Training with the Touch: Demystifying the Art of Training the Top Working Dog

Nate Schoemer Why did I love this book?

This manual is the first and still the most in-depth dog training book I’ve read.

This book was written by one of the best dog trainers I’ve had the pleasure to learn from and train with: Tom Rose. He’s won countless competitions with his dogs, established one of the best dog trainer schools globally, was the first American to score a perfect FH Schutzhund advanced tracking title and continues to share his knowledge and expertise with aspiring dog trainers plus…he’s just a really neat guy!

This book covers everything from puppy imprinting to training the competitive working dog. It is a must-have for anyone who wants to take their dog training skills to the next level. And truthfully, isn’t that what we all want? 

Book cover of For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend

Nate Schoemer Why did I love this book?

This book is hands down one of those essential readings that every dog owner should own…it should be read, re-read, and then re-re-read.

Patricia beautifully describes our dog’s emotions, body language, and even the more subtle expressions that most people miss… it’s like training to be a doggy empath.

I found myself smiling and learning something new and valuable in every chapter, even after being a professional dog trainer for over ten years. 

We love our dogs, and they depend on us to care for them and understand them. This book is not only a page-turner, but it will enhance the relationship that you have with your furry-faced friend. 

By Patricia McConnell,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked For the Love of a Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Yes, humans and canines are different species, but current research provides fascinating, irrefutable evidence that what we share with our dogs is greater than how we vary. As behaviorist and zoologist Dr. Patricia McConnell tells us in this remarkable new book about emotions in dogs and in people, more and more scientists accept the premise that dogs have rich emotional lives, exhibiting a wide range of feelings including fear, anger, surprise, sadness, and love.

In For the Love of a Dog, McConnell suggests that one of the reasons we love dogs so much is that they express emotions in ways…


Book cover of Advanced Schutzhund

Nate Schoemer Why did I love this book?

This book is full of great advanced training concepts by one of the best dog trainers in the world. It is chock full of practical ideas that are helpful for any type of dog training, not just protection sport training.

Balabanov believes in working within the premise of the dog’s psychology and drives, desires, and abilities, promoting an ethical framework; rather than working against those drives, focusing predominantly on positive reinforcement. Through this, Balabanov sets up a pathway to success to help trainers become the most successful competitors of any protection sport.

Balabanov lays out the most important foundations, starting with the selection of your dog, on through competition at national and world levels, tackling areas that you might not find in other training books, with a focus on achieving world-class competitor status. This is a must-read book for people who want to take the sport to the next level.

By Ivan Balabanov, Karen Duet,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Advanced Schutzhund as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Ivan's training comes from the heart, for the dog. He has certainly enhanced my view of training and has taught me many valuable, yet simple techniques to achieve the most from my dogs and myself." --Mary A. Allen, World Championship Competitor, USA Apprentice Judge, USA New England Regional Director

"Ivan Balabanov is among the few top trainers in the country who truly understands dog behavior and drives. He is highly respected by the best Schutzhund competitors, trainers and coaches in the country." --Glenn Stephenson, United Schutzhund Clubs of America Judge, International competitor

Training methods for the top competitor. Advanced Schutzhund…


Book cover of The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer

Nate Schoemer Why did I love this book?

This is the best book I’ve read on the science behind canine nutrition and helping someone's dog live a long and happy life. Rodney Habib and veterinarian Karen Becker create a prescriptive plan that integrates nutritional health sciences through the study of the most long-lived canines. They incorporate environmental principles, stress reduction, and the principles of an overall healthy lifestyle with preeminent science about what nutrients dogs require. They emphasize stress, isolation, and psychological factors, how even exposure to negative energy—insults and mean behavior—can so badly affect dogs and their owners alike.

The authors also dig deep into the subject of what pet food manufacturers don’t want customers to know about. They help the reader get out from the matrix of how we typically feed our canine companions, with information about how standard pet foods are made with the lowest quality ingredients, based on how large corporations do not consider a dog to be on the same level of importance as us. There’s also great information in this book about how to introduce nutrition supplements, which is sometimes confusing for a lot of us to figure out.

By Rodney Habib, Karen Shaw Becker,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Forever Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In this pathbreaking guide, two of the world's most popular and trusted pet-care advocates reveal new science to teach us how to delay ageing and provide a long, happy, healthy life for our canine companions.

The #1 New York Times Bestseller and Sunday Times Bestseller 'Everyone who lives with dogs needs to read this book' ALEXANDRA HOROWITZ, author of Inside of a Dog and Our Dogs, Ourselves

Over the past few decades, many dogs have been getting sicker and dying prematurely. Why?

Rodney Habib and Dr Karen Shaw Becker have galvanized the best wisdom from top geneticists, microbiologists and longevity…


Book cover of Service Dog Training Guide: A Step-by-Step Training Program for You and Your Dog

Nate Schoemer Why did I love this book?

Jennifer is a personal friend of mine and is an excellent dog trainer. Her book covers much of the “need-to-know” basics regarding service dog training, and makes an excellent guide for those starting out. It goes well paired with my book. 😉

What makes this book special is that it breaks down how an owner can enter straight into the service dog training world. This is a very rewarding skill set that can be converted into an extremely fulfilling career for those interested in working in the field of training dogs to help people with disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorders, age-related conditions, and so many more circumstances.

The book captures the fundamentals like raising and training puppies, on up to the important points about service dog creation, which includes guiding the vision-impaired, audio-alert training for the hearing impaired, medical alert responses, and many more primary skillsets that can help someone on a path of eventually having their dog certified.

I’ve done a lot of work within the field of service dog training, and I’ve seen the remarkable difference these skillsets can have on the lives of their owners; to a point that is absolutely mind-blowing, so it’s an awesome area to work within and adapt into your field of expertise.

By Jennifer Hack,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Service Dog Training Guide as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Master service dog training at home with this easy step-by-step guide

Service dogs are life-changing for people with a range of physical and mental disabilities. But getting one can be complicated and expensive. The Service Dog Training Guide offers you an easy, step-by-step program for you and your dog to follow at home.

Bone up on everything from basic exercises to essential service dog tasks that will guide you and your dog on the best training path. You’ll also find an overview of different types of service and support dogs, breeds, and equipment for training. The step-by-step instructions will help…


Explore my book 😀

Nate Schoemer's Dog Training Manual: Animal Planet's Dog Trainer Shares His Dog Training Secrets

By Nate Schoemer, Cyrus Kirkpatrick (editor),

Book cover of Nate Schoemer's Dog Training Manual: Animal Planet's Dog Trainer Shares His Dog Training Secrets

What is my book about?

One day, a client reached out to me for help after working with a different trainer for nine months with no success. I noticed that people would understand everything I taught them in the lesson, but it was data overload, and they couldn’t retain it. This problem is what prompted me to write my manual. 

In the manual, I cover the science of dog training; and with this knowledge, it is important to keep in mind that the science is always the same when you are training your dog. Adjusting for each dog’s specific needs is considered the art of dog training. And if you can understand the science, you can master the art! This book will have you going from Einstein to Kahlo in no time! But…you know…for dogs. 

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The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace

By Susan Hartzler,

Book cover of The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace

Susan Hartzler Author Of The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm an accomplished author, award-winning writer, seasoned blogger, and savvy Public Relations Consultant, but my true passion lies in being a die-hard dog lover. Due to the demands of my current pack of Australian Shepherds, Seven and Paige Turner, I’ve built a rewarding career working from home, writing dog-centric books, blogging for diverse clients, consulting in public relations, and creating dog-friendly travel stories. I also launched the online shop, “Dog Travel Gear,” where I share tips and adventures with fellow dog lovers on the blog, “Paws on the Go.”

Susan's book list on life with dogs

What is my book about?

As one of 67 million Americans who serve as caretakers to their elderly parents, Susan Hartzler cared for her dad for three years, gaining profound insight into Parkinson's disease and the multifaceted challenges of caregiving. Throughout this period, Hartzler's rescue dog, Baldwin, a precious gift from her late mom, provided unwavering support.

This memoir offers a personal roadmap for those facing similar caregiving decisions. Thoughtful, tragic, and funny, it shows that, while demanding, caregiving can be a fulfilling endeavor, especially with a dog by one's side. The author's story will better prepare others in similar situations and encourage them to…

The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace

By Susan Hartzler,

What is this book about?

In a role 67 million Americans face as caretakers to their elderly parents, Susan Hartzler cared for her dad for three years, gaining profound insight into Parkinson's disease and the multifaceted challenges of caregiving. Throughout this challenging period, Hartzler's rescue dog, Baldwin, a precious gift from her late mom, provided unwavering support.

This memoir offers a personal roadmap for those facing similar caregiving decisions. Thoughtful, tragic, and funny, it shows that while demanding, caregiving can be a fulfilling endeavor, especially with a dog by one's side. Hartzler's story will better prepare others in similar situations and encourage them to consider…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in dogs, dog training, and health?

Dogs 422 books
Dog Training 18 books
Health 119 books