The Puppy Primer
The Puppy Primer, Patricia’s beloved guide to raising a puppy, is now all-new and fully-updated!
"We give The Puppy Primer to all of our Puppy Day School students because it is the next best thing to having a trainer in their living room.”
— Kelly Elvin, TipTopTraining, Kalamazoo, MI
"The Puppy Primer changed my life-with-pup immediately and my understanding of dog training forever. It is the best-written concise manual to basic training I've ever encountered. I recommend it to anyone, even an experienced owner, who has a dog and wants to understand him better.
— Amazon Customer Reviews
"The Puppy Primer is a must for anyone thinking of getting a puppy, and is a great resource for trainers.”
— Victoria Stilwell,
Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog
The Puppy Primer
The updated Puppy Primer, third edition, has it all! Along with helping guardians through every stage of puppyhood, from house training to loose leash walking, this revised edition of a beloved book explains how to correctly use positive reinforcement, and how to use cues, interrupters, and markers to raise happy, confident dogs. Readers enjoy the friendly, supportive voice, and professional trainers love it as a supplement to in-person puppy classes. It is available now to pre-order from Little Creek Press, with an official launch date of October 1st. The eBook (Kindle) is available now and we are working on an audio version as well! Volume discounts for trainers will be available soon.
Want to be among the first to get updates? (We’re working on an Audio version too!) Join our email list and we’ll let you know as soon as we have more news.)
REVIEWS & FEEDBACK
What People Are Saying
“McConnell takes the overwhelming, gives you a hug and a road map, effectively explains the "why" of puppy behavior, and dictates achievable steps that anyone can follow.”
— Melissa McCue McGrath,
author of Misadventures of the World’s Okayest Dog Trainer
"Dr. McConnell's clear, approachable style feels like having a conversation with a supportive and dog-savvy friend.”
— Kathryn Staron, CPDT-KA
A Sound Beginning Chicago
Winfield, IL
“Patricia McConnell’s book,The Puppy Primer, is a friendly, informative guide that shows you how to build a relationship based on trust and love.”
— Karen London, PhD, author of Treat Everyone Like a Dog
Other Books from Patricia
Trisha’s debut mystery novel. A woman. A dog. A murder.
A powerful memoir about dogs, love, trauma, and redemption.
Stories, science, and advice about the emotional lives of dogs.
Your dog is begging you to read this! A classic, now in thirteen languages.
Booklets That Make Training Easier
Patricia's concise training and behavior booklets are trusted by dog lovers and professionals alike. Filled with practical, positive-reinforcement techniques, they're perfect for individual owners and available at discounted pricing for trainers, shelters, and rescue organizations.
Upcoming Events
Explore upcoming appearances, workshops, and speaking events featuring Patricia McConnell.
View event details, dates, locations, andregistration information.
Beyond the Books
Go beyond the page with Patricia's latest podcast and radio interviews. Listen as she shares stories behind her books, insights into dog behavior, and theinspiration behind Away to Me—with conversations that are thoughtful, engaging, and full of heart.