Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“To you, your dog might be a part of your life. For that dog, you are their whole world.”

As a dog lover and owner, I personally think you can never read too many books about training! Training should be an ongoing process throughout your dog’s life and in keeping up with it, there are just endless benefits. Even though our Golden Retriever girl is very well behaved, I loved everything I gained from this book. There really is no need for constant treats if you do things George Tran’s way! A unique, story-driven book with force-free strategies and tips for really nailing your dog’s behaviour. I’m very happy to share my review for Beyond Treats: Revolutionary Dog Training for Lasting Behaviour Change!

About the book

Beyond Treats: Revolutionary Dog Training for Lasting Behaviour Change, by Sydney-based Dog Behaviourist George Tran, is a groundbreaking guide for dog owners who struggle with their dog’s behaviour and having to constantly bribe them with treats.

This book is innovative because it is written in a story-driven manner to make it easy to understand. The story follows Emily, a young woman seeking meaning beyond her unfulfilling career, who encounters Buddy, a troubled mixed-breed dog facing euthanasia due to severe behavioural challenges. Determined to save Buddy, Emily embarks on a journey to become a dog behaviourist, learning Tran’s leadership based methods along the way. Through their shared challenges, Emily’s commitment to Buddy deepens as she applies leadership-driven techniques that enable him to become a loyal, well-behaved companion—without relying on treats. In the process, Emily herself finds new purpose and confidence.

Through this transformative journey, Beyond Treats presents readers with practical, force-free strategies for addressing complex dog behaviours, making it a powerful resource for owners seeking a lasting change. As Buddy’s transformation unfolds, Emily also finds her own redemption, highlighting the profound impact of human-dog relationships and underscoring how true leadership can strengthen bonds without rewards.

Beyond Treats is both an innovative training guide and an inspiring tale of resilience and mutual healing, offering readers an empowering, story-based approach to dog training that is as transformative for owners as it is for their pets.

My thoughts

I really admired the different approach to this book and appreciated just how different a story-driven approach to a non-fiction book felt. It surprisingly made such a difference for me in terms of retaining the information, and it was just so pleasant to read from the start. We’re introduced to Emily, a woman who is unsatisfied by her career, but who soon meets a troubled dog by the name of Buddy. As a result, her whole outlook on life changes. Buddy is facing euthanasia because of his behaviour, which was absolutely heartbreaking. It really tugs at your heart right from the start, so be warned!

When Emily discovers George and his training methods, she wants to work with him and to give Buddy the chance he deserves. She knows it’s a tough job but we can feel her passion and determination to give this dog a better life, to become a Behaviourist. As a dog mum, I can relate to wanting to do anything you can to give your dog everything it needs to thrive and be healthy and confident, just like you’d want for your child. It was so moving and felt really powerful. I felt like I was there with Emily as she has her first training session with George, and I could really see her improving after each session.

Of course, at its heart, the book is teaching readers about different training methods, so at the end of each chapter, there is a summary which goes over key training concepts for each section. It was so easy to digest and also really great for quickly looking through the book to serve as a reminder. The story format was brilliant and really helped each concept stick in my brain. Some of the chapters felt a bit samey, for example, a lot of chapters start with the same routine, and Emily waking up and turning off her alarm after it blares Don’t Stop Believin’. (Not the worst song to constantly have on a loop in your head, I guess!) But I didn’t mind too much. I loved the familiarity of the book each time I picked it up and I just knew I’d learn something different within each new chapter.

There’s something incredibly special about waking up with a loyal companion by your side; it’s a bond that words often fail to capture.

George’s training methods are solid. Even though we see all his methods carried out by fictional characters (including a fictional version of himself) and dogs, the detail in everything was so strong. We can really see how each piece of training works, how good it makes people feel, how successful each session was. And in turn, it made me feel good too! I was always rooting for Emily, always keen for her to get the desired results, which she eventually does. Seeing her character change from beginning to end was so moving, and seeing how she works as a Behaviourist to help other people and their dogs just shows what you can do when you put your all into something. She showed true dedication and enthusiasm. I loved sharing that feeling of accomplishment. Such a rewarding job!

The book focuses on so many things aside from dog training (although the training is the most apparent); stepping out of your comfort zone, building that incredible bond between human and dog, self-discovery, and even finding love. It was a heartwarming story of a woman finding her way and finding happiness. A story of hope and believing you can make a difference. It’s a book that will lift you up and help you see so many positives in life. A hugely recommended read if you’re a dog lover, or even if you’re considering going into a Behaviourist or Trainer profession. If you want to know more about training your dog, George Tran is your guy! You can find out more information about training and lessons on his website: https://www.dogacademy.com.au/

With permission from the author, I’m able to offer anyone who wants one a digital copy of Beyond Treats! Please drop me a message if you would like one. Alternatively, you can order a copy from Amazon from 1st December if you’d like to support the author. The eBook is only 99p!

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