From renowned expert dog trainer and star of Lucky Dog: Reunions on CBS, Brandon McMillan shares his training system to transform any dog—from spoiled purebred puppy to shelter-shocked rescue—into a model companion in just seven days.

Each week, renowned celebrity animal trainer and Emmy® Award–winning host on Lucky Dog, Brandon McMillan rescues an untrained, unwanted, “unadoptable” shelter dog. Within days these dogs undergo an extraordinary transformation as they learn to trust Brandon, master his 7 Common Commands, and overcome their behavior problems—ultimately becoming well-mannered pets and even service dogs. With his labor of love complete and this positive reinforcement training program, Brandon unites each dog with a forever family. Now, in his first book, Brandon shares the knowledge he has gained working with thousands of dogs of every breed and personality to help you turn your pet into a well-trained Lucky Dog™ graduate.

Beginning with the basics, Lucky Dog Lessons shows you how to build trust and strengthen your bond with your dog. You’ll learn how to set your dog up for success by understanding the roles of personality, age, and breed in training. From there, Brandon explains his playful, positive, and kind approach, starting with his 7 Common Commands: SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO. Finally, Brandon provides solutions to common canine behavior problems, including housetraining issues, door dashing, chewing, barking, and common mealtime misbehaviors. Based on proven techniques that simplify and streamline training and yield results after a few short lessons each day, Lucky Dog Lessons shows you how to:

Get—and keep—your dog’s undivided attention
Use your dog’s food drive to your advantage
Adjust your approach based on your dog’s energy level
Use rewards—treats, toys, and play—effectively
Throughout, Brandon shares his favorite success stories: Apollo, a leash-wrecking troublemaker turned star service dog; Grover, a sweet-tempered boomerang shelter dog who overcame severe separation anxiety; and Jemma, who transformed from an overexcited, antic-prone pup to a well-mannered companion.

Filled with practical step-by-step advice and variations based on your dog’s breed, size, and temperament, Lucky Dog Lessons provides everything you need to work wonders with even the most challenging dog and create a happy, healthy, and safe environment for you and your four-legged family member.