How to Train Your Dog with Love + Science Book Review 2025: The Truth About Dog Training

As a dog owner, you likely have a lot of unanswered questions about your four-legged friend. Questions like, why does my dog bark at the door? How does my dog know when it’s time to eat? What makes my dog obsessed with chewing shoes? And if you’re a new puppy parent, you’re probably asking what training method is best to use with your new best friend. After all, everyone wants a well-mannered pup.

The truth is that all dogs have quirks, and there are so many schools of thought when it comes to dog training. So that begs the question, what lies at the root of Fido’s behavior, and what makes a good dog a good dog?

In Annie Grossman’s book How to Train Your Dog with Love + Science, Grossman helps you see the world through your dog’s eyes by deep-diving into the science of animal behavior. In doing so, she teaches you why positive reinforcement techniques work and outlines step-by-step exercises you can practice at home. By the end of the book, you’ll have a better understanding of your dog, and you might even learn a thing or two about yourself!

Overview

Our Experience

When I got my dog, Micah, I came across so many books, courses, and trainers that taught dominance training–where I was to be the leader of the pack, the alpha, and dominate over Micah. Not only did this hierarchy-type relationship feel unnatural, but I simply couldn’t bring myself to use intimidation tactics on my 8-week-old new best friend. I ended up finding resources that taught positive reinforcement, and I still enjoy learning about different techniques that use these methods.

When I came across Annie Grossman’s book How to Train Your Dog with Love + Science, I was eager to learn more about positive reinforcement. Little did I know, I’d learn a whole lot more than just dog training techniques. This book covers everything from the history of dog training to the psychology of animal behavior, and it does so in a way that’s entertaining and easy to understand.

The book is divided into four parts that touch on different aspects of dog training. In the first part, Grossman explains how dominance training is not only unethical but often counterproductive. As it turns out, fear-based training does more harm than good in species across the animal kingdom (including humans), and Grossman outlines heart-wrenching studies that prove it.

In the next two sections, she dives into the science of positive reinforcement and teaches you how to train your dog using this method. Along with learning a lot about canine behavior, this is where you’ll practice training exercises with your pup and learn how to use your dog’s natural instincts to your advantage.

Grossman then wraps it up by looking at the future of good dog training.

So, what did I think of the book?

Honestly, this was one of the most unexpected page-turners I think I’ve ever read. The book was eloquently written, highly informative, and laugh-out-loud funny. I found myself wanting to learn more after each page, and the real-life examples Grossman gave made it so relatable. After each exercise, I wanted to jump up and try it out with Micah because she made them sound so fun.

Having raised a few dogs, I found myself thinking back to their unique quirks and why they might’ve behaved the way they did in certain situations. I also found myself thinking of all the ways I’d improve upon training techniques I’ve learned in the past using Grossman’s techniques.

I will absolutely use what I learned on a daily basis with Micah, and if I get another dog, this is the first book I’ll pick up to read again.

Overall, I’d highly recommend reading this book no matter how old your dog is. Even if you like the support of in-person classes or prefer a bit more handholding during the puppy stages, I’d still recommend reading this book cover to cover. Grossman walks you through key exercises that will help you bond with your pup, and you’ll get a solid foundation for what it means to train using positive reinforcement.

Pros & Cons

Key Features

Science-Backed Training Methods

Let me guess, you’re interested in this book because you want to learn more about dog training – not science. After all, how scientific can dog training really be? That’s what I thought too. But just wait, because Grossman explains exactly how science is at the root of canine behavior, and her science-based approach is what sets her training methods (and success!) apart from the rest.

From start to finish, she touches on the discoveries and teachings of big-name leaders in the field of behavioral science–people like Pavlov, Watson, Thorndike, and Skinner, to name a few. And she does so in a way that’s entertaining and easy to understand (and yes, applicable to training your four-legged companion). So if phrases like classical conditioning and operant conditioning make your head go fuzzy, hang in there because Grossman breaks it down in a way that even your dog can understand.

Encourages Positive Reinforcement

If you love giving your dog treats as much as your dog loves eating them, this book is for you. Unlike other training methods, which use punishment and intimidation tactics (i.e., shock collars, harsh corrections, and loud noises), Grossman says the best way to train your dog is with love using reward-based training, or positive reinforcement. Lucky for your pup, their love language includes treats, toys, and praise, which means peanut butter, playtime, and puppy love are what you’ll shower them with during training sessions. It’s a win-win for you and your furry friend, and honestly, I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to train a dog.

Engaging and Easy to Follow

I’ve read my share of dog training books over the years and know exactly how dense some of them can be. What surprised me about this one is how entertaining it was to read. Grossman had me smiling and laughing from start to finish (which I totally wasn’t expecting!).

Despite being heavily science-based, the book doesn’t read like a textbook. In fact, it’s far from being dense learning material. Grossman combines easy-to-understand information with examples from her own experience as she explains the science of dog (and human) behavior. She includes charts, step-by-step instructions, and pictures to help you grasp different concepts, and she writes in a way that’s conversational, witty, and downright hilarious.

About Annie Grossman

Annie Grossman is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA, KPA CTP), journalist, podcaster, author, and business owner. From 2011 to 2024, she was the owner of an elite dog training center in New York City called School For The Dogs. It was here where she taught the principles of canine behavior to dog owners and helped dog owners bond with their four-legged companions in a fun and loving way.

As an accomplished journalist (writing about pets), her work has been featured in a variety of publications, including the New York Times and The Boston Globe. She was also an associate producer on Animal Planet’s “Too Cute!” television series.

More recently, Grossman has been the co-host of the How To Train Your Dog With Love + Science Podcast, and her How To Train Your Dog With Love + Science book is among her latest ventures.

Is the Book a Good Value?

Whether you’re raising your first puppy or your fifth dog, this book is a great value. It teaches you everything you need to know about positive reinforcement techniques and includes valuable insights into dog behavior. Plus, if you’re someone who appreciates a science-based approach to dog training, Grossman deep dives into that too.

As far as pricing goes, the book is offered in different formats at different prices, so you can choose a format that matches your reading preference and your budget.

How We Tested

I took notes while reading the book and tabbed the pages with training exercises. After I finished the book, I went back to the exercises to try them out with Micah. Since positive reinforcement is all about rewarding your pup for good behavior, this is when you’ll grab your dog’s favorite treats (or toys). This is also when you’ll grab a clicker if this is a tool you like using.

Since Micah is highly food-motivated, I grabbed a few of his favorite treats and got to work! Together, we practiced a few exercises, including eye contact, loose leash walking, and Grossman’s “Sticky Spot” exercise (a spin-off of the “go to place” or “go to bed” cue).

Even though Micah is no longer a puppy, it was still fun to try out the exercises with him and brush up on a few skills (and I know Micah enjoyed all the treats!).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is School For The Dogs still in business?

School For The Dogs was owned and operated by Annie Grossman from 2011 to 2024 and closed on January 1, 2025.

What if I don’t have a background in science?

No worries at all. This book is easy to follow even if you’re not savvy in science.

I have an older dog. Is the book still worth reading?

Absolutely! This is a great read for any dog owner. While it covers basic dog training, perfect for new puppy parents, it also has a lot of great advice and information about dog behavior that any dog owner will benefit from learning about.

Conclusion

Annie Grossman’s book How to Train Your Dog with Love + Science is a great read for dog owners of all kinds. Along with teaching invaluable lessons about dog training, she provides a detailed guide on how to train your dog using positive reinforcement. The information she shares is backed by science, and she breaks down complex terms in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand. By the end of the book, you’ll know how to train your dog using positive reinforcement techniques and know what it means to treat man’s best friend like family.