Ask A Dog Trainer

There are hundreds of dog breeds in the world, each with their own unique look, purpose and personality. While many people think they want a certain breed, they sometimes find out that the dog they thought looked really cool is actually a lot of work to live with. This is why so many trainers and rescues try to advice first time owner to avoid certain breeds. Many breeds are becoming more popular on looks alone, but end up most often … Read more

While it may be obvious if your dog runs in the opposite direction that she is afraid, dogs have many less obvious signs of fear. You can help ensure your dog doesn’t get to the point where they want to bolt by watching for these subtle signs and reacting to them to make your dog more comfortable. Knowing these signs can also make training easier, as you realize your dog is not being stubborn or ignoring you, but is actually … Read more

“Leave it” is one of the most valuable cues we can teach our dogs. It can save them from eating something harmful, from chasing a car or stealing your steak. It’s so important that most dog trainers teach it in puppy and/or beginner obedience. However the easy version of leave a cookie in mom’s open hand or on the floor of the training room is a far cry from what we expect our dogs to do in real life: leave … Read more

We know that obesity shortens lives and impacts overall health. The trouble is when you see your dog every day it is hard to tell exactly what her perfect weight might be. Be aware that “ideal weight” for dogs is not a number on a scale because dogs come in so many shapes and sizes. Purina’s Life Span Study showed that normal weight dogs lived an extra 1.8 years longer than their overweight counterparts. Look at your dog with a critical … Read more

Many dog training classes are full of what you should let your dog do and what you should not let your dog do. You tell your dog where and when he can’t go to the bathroom, when to eat, when to sleep (and usually where), when he gets exercise and when he has to be quiet. We pretty much run our dogs’ lives. But should we? Dogs are thinking animals – with a brain they should be using. They also … Read more

Do you own one of those dogs that greets someone by immediately turning their back to them, often pushing their rump toward the person’s legs? It’s a strange behavior, no doubt, and fairly common. We have had many people ask why dogs do this on our forum, so we went to an animal behavior expert to get the answer. Sherry Woodard CPDT-KA is Best Friends Animal Society’s resident animal behavior consultant. As an expert in animal training, behavior and care, … Read more

  Does any (or all!) of this sound familiar: Barks for food Barks to go out Barks for attention Barks for you to throw the toy If so, than you probably dealing with a demand barker! Demand barkers are simply pups that don’t have a lot of self-control AND have learned from you that all they have to do to get your attention is to bark at you. Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed we all do it. Usually it happens … Read more

For some of you it may be hard to understand, but there are dog owners who do not want their dog licking them constantly. It may be because of allergies or they just don’t like it. For others, it has to do with their goals for the dog as a working partner – for example therapy dogs are not allowed to lick the people they visit in hospitals or retirement homes for health reasons. Regardless of why you may not … Read more

If you have ever witnessed a dog fight, you know they are scary. Even if no dogs are hurt, it sounds like they are killing each other – and sometimes they do. While many people have been told what to do if there is a dog fight, it’s best to know how to avoid a dog fight altogether. The following tips can help you stop dog fights before they happen. #1 – Know Your Dog The first and most important thing … Read more

A lot of dog trainers and vets recommend people use activity toys and with good reason. They are great for boredom, mild separation anxiety, slowing down fast eaters, increasing problem solving skills and even tiring your dog out (thinking is hard work!). However, activity toys can be pretty expensive and if you don’t know anything about them, you might spend a ton of money on toys that never work for your dog. So, before rushing out and buying a bunch … Read more

Many dogs get what owners affectionately call “the zoomies” after a bath. Something about it gets them riled up and they speed through the house, often stopping to rub all over a bed, couch, blanket, etc. But the question is, why? Tonya Wilhelm, owner of Global Dog Training, has been a dog training specialist for almost two decades and was just named one of the top ten dog trainers in the United States. She focuses on treating dogs holistically, from … Read more

To a lot of people, fetch is THE game to play with your dog. In fact, some people have a dog so they can go outside, get some fresh air and play fetch. Others like it because it can tire the dog out without costing you too much energy. However, not all dogs naturally fetch. In fact, many dogs, of all breeds, are not “into the fetch.” Or maybe your dog likes to chase the ball, but never brings it … Read more

It seems like a cute trick – you tell your dog to “go to bed” and he runs to his bed (mat, kennel, whatever) and lays down. But actually, a “mat” or “bed” behavior is an extremely useful training technique and one that I recommend every dog owner teach their dog. Here are just a few reasons why every dog needs a “bed” behavior. #1 – Teaches self-control The basis of the mat behavior is a prolonged stay. No matter what’s … Read more

Clicker training can seem overwhelming at first: juggling a dog, treats, leash and clicker. Knowing when to click and when not to, remembering all the “rules” – all while trying to pay attention to what your dog is doing so you can successfully teach him something new. Don’t fret! We all struggle at first! The following are a few tips to help you improve your clicker skills to make training easier and faster. Have your own tips that help you? … Read more

The idea of this article actually came from an ex-client of mine (ex because I moved states) who begged me to write an article on a topic that causes her a lot of frustration as the owner of two reactive dogs. She is not alone, either. Anyone that owns a reactive dog deals with this anytime they go out. And the main reason is because many dog owners don’t realize that they shouldn’t let their dog stare. What do I … Read more

This question is a BIG one. It can be a reason a dog is taken to the shelter or debarked by a frustrated pet parent. It’s also one I get asked a LOT as a dog trainer. Unfortunately, the answer is not as simple as we’d like it to be. There can be a varying range of reasons why dogs bark at other dogs. What we will do today is try to provide more insight into that question so that … Read more