Recommended Dog Training and Behaviour Books
A practical reading guide for Staffy owners — organised by topic, expert, and problem.
The Staffy Club started out as a simple blog about raising Staffies. As it’s grown — and as I’ve grown with it — one thing has become clear: no single person is an expert in every part of the dog world. There are behaviour specialists, training experts, veterinary voices, nutrition experts, and people who’ve spent decades studying how dogs think and communicate.
I like to think I know a bit, but The Staffy Club works best when it acts as a signpost rather than claiming to be the final word. When I hit a question I don’t immediately know the answer to, I look to the people who do. Some write for major publications, some are known for their books, some focus on a single area like reactivity or nutrition, and some simply aren’t active anymore but left behind solid work.
Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, I’ve put together a list of the trainers, vets, and behaviourists I consider reliable in their fields — the same experts I turn to when researching Staffy behaviour, health, and training topics. Before building this site, I had no idea there were so many different “dog fields,” never mind that each had its own respected voices.
Below, you’ll find a curated list of those experts, organised by topic, along with places where you can read more from them and see the books they’ve written.
Browse the Topics Below
🟦 Behaviour & Emotional Regulation
Many Staffies are big-hearted dogs with big feelings, and it helps to understand what’s driving their excitement, frustration, or reactivity. The authors below explain the emotional side of behaviour and offer practical ways to help your dog regulate better in day-to-day life.
Patricia McConnell
Patricia McConnell’s work blends solid behavioural science with a down-to-earth way of explaining what’s actually going on inside a dog’s head. Her books are especially useful for owners dealing with reactivity or dogs who get overwhelmed easily — something many Staffies struggle with. She’s great at helping you spot the emotional side of behaviour, not just the surface-level actions.
Books:
Feisty Fido (co-authored with Karen London)
Turid Rugaas
Turid Rugaas is best known for her work on “calming signals” — the small, subtle things dogs do to ease social tension. Once you know what to look for, you start spotting these signals everywhere. For Staffies, who often tip from excited to “too much” quite quickly, her approach helps you recognise the early signs of arousal and step in before things escalate.
Books:
On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals
Barking: The Sound of a Language
Dr. Sophia Yin
Dr. Sophia Yin had a talent for turning behavioural science into straightforward, practical steps owners can use straight away. Her methods are gentle, structured, and ideal for dogs who need help with impulse control or emotional regulation — areas where many Staffies benefit from clear guidance and consistency.
Book:
🟩 Puppy Training & Early Development
The early months shape everything — confidence, manners, socialisation, and how well a young Staffy copes with the world. These trainers specialise in laying solid foundations using calm, reward-based methods suited to lively, people-focused breeds.
Dr. Ian Dunbar
Dr. Ian Dunbar’s work forms the foundation of modern reward-based training. His approach is play-focused, structured, and ideal for energetic breeds that thrive on engagement — Staffies included. Dunbar is especially good at breaking training down into simple, motivating steps that help dogs think rather than react.
Books:
Steve Mann (IMDT)
Steve Mann has a very down-to-earth style that suits everyday dog owners. His methods rely on clear communication, structure, and positive reinforcement without overcomplicating things. Reviewers often comment on how practical his advice is — it’s easy to apply in real life, not just in theory.
Book:
Zak George
Zak George is known for his encouraging, modern take on dog training. He prioritises relationship-building and calm consistency, which pairs well with Staffies who benefit from a confident but gentle approach. His explanations are clear and beginner-friendly, making him a great entry point for owners new to training.
Books:
🟧 Nutrition, Health & Longevity
Good health starts with good choices, and Staffies can be prone to skin issues, allergies, and weight struggles. These authors focus on long-term wellbeing and how diet and lifestyle affect overall health throughout your dog’s life.
Dr. Karen Becker
Dr. Karen Becker focuses on long-term health and nutrition, with a particular interest in how diet, lifestyle, and environment influence a dog’s overall well-being. Her work is useful for Staffies, who can be prone to skin issues, allergies, and weight gain, and she presents nutrition in a way that helps owners make thoughtful, informed choices rather than follow trends blindly.
Books:
- The Forever Dog (co-authored with with Rodney Habib)
- Real Food for Healthy Dogs & Cats
Veterinary writers for the PDSA and RSPCA are also reliable sources of practical, UK-specific advice on general health, safe foods, and day-to-day care.
🟪 Enrichment, Mental Stimulation & Focus Work
Staffies thrive when their brains are busy. Enrichment, problem-solving and focus work help channel all that energy into something positive. The authors in this section offer practical ways to keep your dog engaged, calm, and mentally satisfied.
Karen Pryor
Karen Pryor is best known for popularising clicker training, and her work centres on helping dogs learn through clear communication and positive reinforcement. Her techniques are brilliant for Staffies who need more focus or get overexcited easily, as clicker-based training gives them something specific and rewarding to do with their energy.
Books:
Dr. Ian Dunbar
Alongside his puppy work, Dr. Dunbar has always placed a big emphasis on mental exercise — games, puzzles, scent work, and activities that keep a dog thinking rather than simply reacting. Staffies tend to thrive when their brains are engaged, and Dunbar’s approach mixes training with play in a way that suits them perfectly.
Book:
Victoria Stilwell
Victoria Stilwell often highlights the importance of emotional balance and giving dogs appropriate outlets for their energy. Her approach encourages calmness, low-pressure enrichment, and building routines that help dogs settle more easily — all helpful for Staffies who need structure and gentle guidance to stay focused.
Books:
🟥 Canine Psychology, Communication & Body Language
Understanding how dogs think — and how they communicate with subtle signals — makes everyday life easier and prevents problems before they start. These experts help you read your Staffy more clearly and understand the motivations behind common behaviours.
Dr. Stanley Coren
Dr. Stanley Coren writes about how dogs think, communicate, and interpret the world around them. His work helps owners understand the “why” behind behaviour — particularly useful for Staffies, who are expressive, sensitive, and sometimes misunderstood. Coren’s explanations give helpful context to behaviours that might otherwise seem unpredictable.
Books:
Patricia McConnell
Alongside her behaviour work, Patricia McConnell writes deeply about the emotional life of dogs and how they communicate with both people and other dogs. Her insights help owners read body language more accurately, especially in high-energy breeds like Staffies where excitement can mask early signs of stress.
Book:
Turid Rugaas
Turid Rugaas is the leading voice on “calming signals” — the small, subtle behaviours dogs use to defuse stress or avoid conflict. Once you know what to look for, you start noticing these signs everywhere. For Staffies, who can swing from relaxed to overexcited quickly, Rugaas’s work helps owners catch early cues and step in before things escalate.
Books:
🟫 Separation Anxiety & Emotional Dependence
Staffies are famously people-oriented, and many struggle with being left alone. These authors focus on the emotional and behavioural sides of separation anxiety and offer structured ways to build confidence and independence without causing distress.
Malena DeMartini
Malena DeMartini is one of the leading specialists in separation anxiety, and her methods are built around reducing fear rather than “toughing it out.” She provides structured, low-pressure steps that help dogs build confidence at their own pace. For Staffies — a breed known for their velcro tendencies — her approach offers a kinder, more realistic path for teaching independence.
Book:
Patricia McConnell
Patricia McConnell writes extensively about the emotional bonds between dogs and their people — why some dogs struggle when that bond is disrupted, and how stress and uncertainty shape their behaviour. Her explanations help owners recognise what their dog is feeling during moments of panic or distress, which is particularly relevant for Staffies who form deep attachments and often dislike being left alone. While she isn’t a separation-anxiety specialist, her work gives you a clearer understanding of the emotional groundwork behind it.
Book:
Reader Recommendations are Invited
If you’ve read any books that helped you understand your Staffy better — whether it’s training, behaviour, communication, or health — I’d love to hear about them. This page is a work in progress, and I’ll keep adding to it as I read more and as new voices emerge.
Feel free to share your own recommendations or experiences in the comments below. Your suggestions might help another Staffy parent find exactly what they need.
How to Suggest a Book
If you’d like to recommend something, here are a few helpful things you can include:
- The book title and author
- What problem or topic it helped you with (reactivity, overexcitement, recall, health, etc.)
- One takeaway you think would help other Staffy owners
- Whether it’s beginner-friendly or more advanced
Short or long — either is fine.