Review
Secrets to Dog Training review: a lot of book for the money
The cheapest program on our list and the broadest reference. Its weak spot is an outdated idea about being the pack leader.
The short verdict
Secrets to Dog Training is a large, readable manual that covers more problems than most owners will ever face, at a low price. It works best as a reference you dip into. Read its "alpha dog" material with care: modern behavior science has moved away from dominance-based explanations, and we would skip any advice that relies on intimidation.
Secrets to Dog Training
$39.95 for the download. 60-day money-back guarantee.
What Secrets to Dog Training is
Secrets to Dog Training is a downloadable training manual by professional dog trainer Daniel Stevens, published by Kingdom of Pets. The seller says more than 220,000 owners have used it.
At its core is a 256-page, full-color eBook that walks through more than 25 behavior problems step by step, from barking and digging to house training and aggression. It is written for every breed and age, and aimed at owners who would rather read a plan than watch hours of video.
What's inside
- The main manual: 256 pages covering obedience basics and more than 25 specific problems.
- A 30-minute video program demonstrating key techniques.
- The audiobook version, for listening on walks or in the car.
- "Secrets to Becoming the Alpha Dog", a companion eBook on leadership.
- Four bonus eBooks on related topics.
- Unlimited consultations with the team in a members' forum.
At checkout you can add a Premium Online Video Series for $59.95, or order a shipped two-CD pack instead of the download.
The training method
Much of the practical training in the manual is conventional and useful: clear cues, consistency, rewarding good behavior and managing the environment. The weak point is the framing around being the "alpha" or pack leader.
The idea that dogs misbehave because they are trying to dominate their owners comes from early wolf research that has since been revisited. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has published a position statement warning that dominance-based thinking can lead owners to use confrontational techniques, which can make fear and aggression worse. Our advice: use the manual's step-by-step plans, keep the rewards, and leave out anything that asks you to intimidate your dog.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Lowest price of the programs we compared
- Very broad: more than 25 problems in one manual
- Easy to look things up when a new problem appears
- Audiobook and forum access included
- 60-day money-back guarantee
What to know
- "Alpha dog" framing is out of step with current behavior science
- Mostly text; the included video is short
- Upsells at checkout for the longer video series
- Less structured as a day-by-day program
Who it's best for
- Owners on a tight budget who still want a complete reference.
- People who prefer reading to watching videos.
- Households with more than one problem to work on over time.
Who should look elsewhere
- If you want a program fully based on reward-based training, choose Brain Training for Dogs.
- If your dog is fearful or reactive, avoid anything confrontational; see our anxiety guide first.
- If you learn best from video, the base package will feel thin.
Price and refund policy
| Download | $39.95 |
|---|---|
| Download + video series | $99.90 |
| Shipped 2-CD pack | $89.95 |
| Guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Sold through | ClickBank, which processes payment and refunds |
Prices as published by the seller in November 2026. They may change.
How we reviewed it
This review is based on the official product description and table of contents, the seller's published package details, and the method measured against current veterinary behavior guidance, all checked in November 2026. We update it when the product, price or terms change.
Want the budget option?
A wide-ranging manual for under $40, with 60 days to decide.