Q: How do I help my rescue dog come out of their shell?
A: Our natural tendency is to first feel really sorry for the rescue dog and for their past.
Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I help my rescue dog come out of their shell?
Discipline vs Punishment
Have you ever come home to the terrible stench of the potty mess your dog made? Were you tempted to lead them over the the scene of the crime and give them a finger pointing pep talk on why they were a very bad dog? Did you later realize that all this seems to do is make your dog feel guilty and not know why? You're not alone!
Ask A Dog Trainer: What do I do if my dog growls at visitors?
Q: What do I do if my dog growls at visitors?
A: There are many reasons why a dog would growl, but most likely, it's because they're unsure of the situation or the person and they're vocalizing their discomfort and disapproval.
Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I teach my puppy what they can and can't chew on?
Q: How do I teach my puppy what they can and can't chew on?
A: Teaching a puppy what they can and can't chew on is simple: always reward them with, "yes!" or, "good choice!" when they choose the correct toy to chew on, and always correct them with, "no!" or, "ehp!" when they choose the wrong toy to chew on.
Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I stop food possession?
Q: How do I stop food possession?
A: Food is a ritualistic experience for dogs, they're driven by their stomachs, and food is a very strong influence over their psychology. Therefore, it's very important that we control the process of how and when they eat.
Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I stop my dog from barking non-stop at my guests?
Q: How do I stop my dog from barking non-stop at my guests?
A: If your dog barks non stop at guests, what they're saying is, "hey, I'm uncomfortable with this situation, and I'm letting you know about it" or, "hey, person, pay attention to me, this space is about me, not about you". Both of these are forms of dominance, and therefore need to be addressed rather than just ignored.
Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I stop my dog from jumping on everyone?
Q: How do I stop my dog from jumping on everyone?
A: We need to understand why dogs jump in the first place. When dogs are born, their noses are already open. And then their eyes open, and later their ears. Because of this, when they meet someone they always want to sniff first.
Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I stop my dog from bolting past me with excitement?
Q: How do I stop my dog from bolting past me with excitement?
A: If your dog is bolting past you with excitement, there's a high chance that they have an overabundance of improperly channeled energy. Depending on how much daily and healthy exercise this dog gets, it will respond to you with a recall or when you're coming home with a much calmer energy.
Why Your Dog Interrupts Your Time With Guests And How To Prevent It
Every dog lover enjoys a sweet greeting from a friendly dog, but we never know whether the person coming to our front door has had bad experiences with dogs or not. When our dogs are over zealous during the greeting and visiting process, it can be both annoying and embarrassing, especially if our guest isn’t comfortable around dogs.
Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I stop leash reactivity?
Q: How do I stop leash reactivity?
A: Leash reactivity is when the dog you are walking pulls against the leash and / or barks at another dog while walking by. Sometimes their over anxious or over excited energy can be transferred to other dogs that are being walked at the time, or even the handler walking the dogs.
Ask A Dog Trainer: How should I arrange my dogs' crate to be comfortable for them?
Q: How should I arrange my dogs' crate to be comfortable for them?
A: In my experience, the best way to arrange their crate to be like a cosy cave for them. So you can arrange it next to other furniture, or you can put a blanket over the top and inside of it. Or if it needs to be in an empty room, you can arrange it against the back wall so that the back part and one of the sides are both against walls.
The Case For And Against The Wolf
Dogs have a very beautiful history. Originally descending from the wolf, today’s modern dog looks in a myriad of ways very like and very unlike their ancestors. We see their survival instincts kick in during moments of need, their pack pecking order instincts being asserted and reasserted on a daily basis, and the strikingly beautiful features carried down through the generations.
Ask A Dog Trainer: How Do I stop my dog from pulling on the leash?
