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A bouncy Boxer can be hard to teach “four paws on the floor,” let alone “sit.” They seem to just be so excited about life that those paws can’t keep still. However, as an owner, it’s reasonable to want your Boxer to sit when asked for many reasons, including not being tripped, and so they can politely greet your guests. The following is an easy and effective way to teach your Boxer to sit when asked the first time, every … Read more
When you own a giant breed like the Great Dane, a cue such as “sit” almost becomes a necessity. It can help you not trip over them as you walk around your house, or prevent them from knocking over your guests as they come through the door. The following is a simple and effective way to teach your Great Dane how to sit so he responds the first time, every time. Capturing The Behavior You are going to use a … Read more
Chihuahuas are smart dogs with strong opinions, which can make training tough. Many Chihuahua owners have a rough time getting their dogs to consistently sit on the first cue. Luckily, there is an easy way to fix this with a method that both you and your Chihuahua will enjoy. The following is a simple and effective way to teach your Chihuahua to respond to “sit” the first time, every time. Capturing The Behavior You are going to use a form … Read more
For most Labrador Retrievers, teaching “sit” isn’t difficult because they have a problem being in the actual position. The hard part with a Lab is getting them to sit still, especially if they are under the age of 5 (and I’ve known some 12-year-olds that still had trouble!). If you have struggled with getting your Lab to sit, don’t worry, you are not alone. Here is an easy and effective way to teach your Lab how to sit on the first cue, … Read more
Pit Bulls are smart and willing to please, making them fairly easy to train. However, their zest for life and high energy can sometimes make simple cues – like “sit” – a bit hard for them to master. They can’t imagine sitting still and missing out on life! Most Pittie owners agree that while their excitement brightens their days, it is nice to be able to tell them to sit and have them respond…the first time. But don’t worry, here is … Read more
There are few breeds as good at expressing their opinions as Siberian Huskies. Owners know they have a strong personality. This personality, while amusing, can also be frustrating when it comes to training. “Sit” is a basic behavior that almost all owners want to teach their dogs. And while it seems simple, a lot can go wrong in the training process that can result in a Husky that only responds some of the time. But don’t worry, here is an … Read more
Pit Bulls are an intelligent breed that can learn practically anything that’s possible for a dog to learn, and they enjoy training with their owners. But this doesn’t mean you have to have the most well-trained dog in the neighborhood. The important thing is that your Pittie fits in with your lifestyle. For some, that’s just a well-mannered family member. Others may work toward agility or obedience titles. While most training really is optional, the following are 3 behaviors you … Read more
“Sit” is a basic cue that most German Shepherd Dog owners want their dog to know. It’s useful for a variety of things and is the first step to teaching a “sit-stay.” The key to teaching any behavior is getting the dog to respond to the cue on the first request, every time. The following is a simple but effective way to get the “sit” you’ve always wanted from your German Shepherd. Capturing The Behavior You are going … Read more
What you teach your Husky is up to you. For example, some people want their dog to know Sit and Down, others do not care as long as they do one of these behaviors when asked. Mostly, it depends on your lifestyle and whether you just want a nice family pet or a serious competitor in a dog sport. However, there are a few behaviors your Siberian Husky should know for safety reasons. The following are the top 3 cues … Read more
If you have a bouncy Boxer, chances are you have thought about dog training. Especially during their “teenage phase,” Boxers can be overwhelming for some owners. In reality, what you teach your Boxer is entirely up to you – you may be happy with just a few simple behaviors that make him a nice family dog, or maybe you plan on her becoming the next agility star. Regardless, there are a few behaviors that every Boxer should know for safety … Read more
What you teach your Great Dane is really entirely up to you and your family. If you want a Dane that pretty much just knows his name and is a great family dog – that’s fine. Or maybe you want to do competition obedience, rally or even agility with yours. These factors are what ultimately decide what you teach your Dane. However, along with these, there are a few behaviors that really should be taught to every Great Dane. The … Read more
Many of us own Labrador Retrievers because they make great family pets. As such, you may feel you don’t need to teach your Lab many things, and that’s fine. Then there are owners who may compete with their Labs in agility, obedience, dock diving, etc., and teach them a lot – that’s great! Regardless of which category you fall into, there are a few behaviors all Labrador Retrievers should know for safety reasons. The following are 3 cues all Labs should … Read more
When it comes to training your Chihuahua, it’s really up to you to decide what you want to teach him. Most likely, it will depend on whether you just want a nice family pet or a performance Chihuahua. If you are looking for just a nice family pet, you may not care too much if your Chihuahua even knows the basics – and that’s fine. However, there are a few behaviors all dogs should learn for safety reasons. The following are the top … Read more
Being a small dog, many Dachshund owners don’t feel the need to teach their Doxies a ton of behaviors, which is fine! Really, the cues you teach your Doxie will be dependent on what you want her to be – a nice family dog that knows a few words or a top performance dog. This is entirely up to you and your family. But, there are a few behaviors that can save your Dachshund’s life, and these should definitely be … Read more
Some get German Shepherds because they want an intelligent dog and like the look of the Shepherd. Others get one because they know they are good workers and aspire toward herding, agility or obedience titles. Why you got your Shepherd will determine – for the most part – the behaviors you want her to know. If she is the family dog, you may not care too much about a precision Heel or even if she knows Down. Still, the following … Read more
The hand touch is one of my favorite “tricks” to train because it has so many uses when taught properly. (Check out 6 clever uses here!) A hand touch can turn into a fast recall, a way to keep you dog focused on you, and even help teach heel. It can also be used for a variety of tricks, such as the “dolphin” where your dog jumps in the air. The following tips will help you get that rock-solid hand … Read more
It’s no secret Labrador Retrievers love people, food and toys. In fact, Labs can get downright excited and even crazy over all of these things. When that happens, their manners tend to go out the window, unless they have been carefully trained. These are the Labs that jump all over you for anything they want. Not only is this behavior a nuisance, it can cause injury – especially to young children or seniors. So how do you get your Lab … Read more
Huskies are energetic, fun loving dogs that have a zest for life that can’t be equaled. This zest sometimes manifests itself in the inability to keep paws on the floor when interacting with humans. Whether he is just so happy to see you or wants the toy in your hand, this behavior is annoying and can even cause injury. So how do you get your Husky to not jump? It may seem like a big task, but if you know … Read more
Walking nicely on a leash can be a real challenge for Huskies. After all, they were bred to pull. But a pulling Husky can be the cause of a lot problems. They may injure your back or neck, get loose and lost, or even injure other people if they pull you into them. All you want is a nice, calm walk, but what you get is frustrating pull down the street. Never fear: while it does takes some patience, your … Read more
It is rare that you encounter a Labrador Retriever that doesn’t try and pull himself over to you to say hi. They are a breed that simply loves other people and dogs. This is great, but it can be a real nuisance for the owner who is constantly being dragged all over the street. A walk should be pleasant. Your Lab’s pulling could cause injury to you, he could get loose, or he could even injure someone else – these are … Read more
Boxers are known for using their paws, especially when greeting someone or when they want something, like the toy in your hand. And when they do, they tend to use those front paws like hands, which can easily cause injury as they grab you with those sharp claws. While it’s nice that your Boxer is friendly, he needs to learn to ask for things, such attention, appropriately–and that means no jumping. Luckily, there are some easy ways to get your … Read more
Great Danes are notorious for being exuberant greeters! They love people and can’t wait to get lots of love. But if your giant Dane thinks it’s okay to run up and jump on people, they could cause serious injury. Teaching a Dane to not jump on others is the respectful thing to do and will make your dog more welcome in public. It may seem like a big task, but if you know some canine psychology, it’s actually pretty easy. … Read more
It’s no wonder Dachshunds like to jump up and put their paws on us – they are so close to the ground. Most Doxies jump up when they want something – attention, the food or toy in your hand, or to be picked up. But not everyone appreciates this form of request. If you have little kids or dress nicely for work, you may find yourself trying desperately to stop your Doxie from jumping up. Luckily, once you understand why … Read more
A German Shepherd that jumps up on people is not only unpleasant, it can cause injury. While it’s nice your Shepherd is friendly and wants to greet people, he needs to learn to do so appropriately, and that means no jumping. Once you understand why your Shepherd does this behavior, the way to fix it becomes clear. Then, all you have to do is follow the steps (which do take some time and patience!) to get your German Shepherd to … Read more
Pit Bulls are notorious for being exuberant greeters! They love people and can’t wait to get lots of love, which usually means those front legs leave the ground in attempt to get as close to you as possible. They also may do this when they are excited about the food or toy you have in your hand. Unfortunately this behavior can not only be obnoxious, but also cause injury. So your Pittie needs to learn to greet people and ask … Read more
Boxers are an intelligent breed with lots of energy. This makes them a fun dog breed to train because they enjoy the job and interaction with their owners. What you train your Boxer to do is up to you and your lifestyle. For example, you may not care if your Boxer lounges on the furniture, or you may have a strict “no couch” policy. Mostly, training is a personal choice. However, there are a few basic behaviors every Boxer should … Read more
When it comes to training your Pit Bull, it’s really up to you on what he learns. Most of the time, what we train our dogs has to do with what we want to do with them – a nice household pet, agility, disc dog, etc. For example, some people do not want their dogs jumping on the couch or jumping on them as a greeting. Others don’t care. Mostly, training is a personal choice. However, there are a few … Read more
Little Pitty puppies are the sweetest things in the whole world. That is, until they have a potty accident in your house. That’s about when most puppy owners start to wonder why they got a puppy. And we can all agree it’s the major downside to getting one. Worse still, if not trained properly, you will end up with an adult Pit Bull that thinks it’s okay to go in the house. It’s important to start out right from the very … Read more
Boxers are a wonderful, happy-go-lucky breed. Their zest for life makes them very attractive to families. They are known for being wonderful with children and other pets. But their high energy and playfulness can also be a burden if you are not prepared for it. If you’ve been thinking about a Boxer, you should ask yourself the following questions before adding one to your household. #1 – Can I Provide Enough Exercise? Boxers are busy, busy, busy! If you’re getting a … Read more
Awhile ago, I wrote about new research that showed hand signals resulted in more correct responses from dogs than verbal cues, in most cases. The exception was the COME cue. This research was done on a small pool of Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers that had been taught both hand and verbal signals as part of their water rescue training. So what should you, a pet parent, teach your dog? Here are the pros and cons to both ways of training. … Read more
When it comes to teaching dogs basic cues such as sit and down, most of us think of them as “easy.” And, for the most part, they are. However, sometimes even these “simple” behaviors can be hard to teach your dog. Small dogs, in particular, are often harder to teach lie down to than bigger dogs. Why Small Dogs Don’t Like To Lie Down When Asked Of course, you want to first make sure it’s not because your dog has … Read more
One of the most easily recognized dog breeds in the world, Great Danes are admired by all dog fanciers, so it’s no wonder you are considering adding one to your home. Maybe you watched Scooby Doo when you were little or enjoyed reading “Marmaduke” each Sunday. It could be that a friend of yours owns one and you just love her. Whatever your reason, you are now contemplating adding a Dane to your household. And while they can be wonderful … Read more
Boxers are a loving, happy breed, which makes them a wonderful family pet. But there are definitely things that can make your life easier (or harder!) when it comes to caring for a Boxer that’s sharing your home. In regards to training and health, there are things that are sometimes overlooked and can cause your dog to not be as well-behaved or as healthy as you would like. The following are 5 mistakes that Boxers owners sometimes make. #1 – No Set … Read more
If there is one thing that Dachshund puppy owners know, it’s that potty training can be a chore. In fact, it is the number one complaint I receive from clients with Doxies. Many adult Doxies still go to the bathroom in the house. Although some are quick to say that they are just stubborn, usually holes in training are to blame. If you have a Doxie puppy, you want to make sure you train them correctly from the start, to avoid … Read more
Great Dane puppies are adorably cute – all ears and legs. That is, until they have a potty accident in your house – not so cute. Potty training is the one unpleasant task of puppy ownership. And if not done correctly, your Great Dane puppy could grow up into a dog that still thinks it’s okay to go to the bathroom in the house. It’s important to start out right from the very beginning in order to be truly successful. … Read more
Great Danes are a wonderful dog to own. They make great companions and definitely live up to the phrase “gentle giant.” If you are lucky enough to share your life with a Dane, then you want to give them the best life possible. Chances are, you’ve received lots of advice about the breed from fellow Great Dane admirers. However, we often forget tips or tricks people tell us as life goes on and we get busy. The following are 5 mistakes … Read more
Dachshunds are a very popular breed, so chances are you have received a plethora of advice from friends and family who have owned Dachshunds over the years. Maybe you have owned several of the breed and consider yourself a Doxie expert. But no matter how many Dachshunds you’ve owned, we all forget tips we’ve been told as life gets busy. Unfortunately, mistakes made because we’ve forgotten these tips can affect your Dachshund’s quality of life. The following are five mistakes … Read more
As dog owners, we all mistakes from time to time. Definitely not intentional – sometimes we just don’t remember a tip someone gave us or we are hurrying through our busy lives. Unfortunately, some mistakes can compromise your pit bull’s health or happiness in your home. The following are 5 mistakes Pitty owners make that can cause problems in the home. #1 – Too Much Rough Play Pit Bulls are an exuberant type of dog! They love to play hard … Read more
Perhaps the only downside to getting a cute German Shepherd puppy is the potty training. No one likes it and if it not done properly, you may end up with a dog that has accidents throughout his life. It’s important to start out right from the very beginning in order to be truly successful. To that end, here are 5 potty training tips to make sure your German Shepherd puppy gets it right from the start. #1 – Say NO … Read more
Bringing home an adorable Boxer puppy is the best thing in the world – until he has a potty accident. House training is the one task about dog ownership we can all agree is not fun. Even worse, if not done properly, your Boxer may have accidents throughout his entire life! It’s important to start out right from the very beginning in order to be truly successful. To that end, here are 5 potty training tips to make sure your … Read more
You’ve finally found your Mr. or Mrs. Right. You’ve been on several dates and you are already thinking it might be love. There’s just one thing left to do. Bring them home to meet… your dog. But what happens if your dog doesn’t like your new partner? Is there a way to make sure that this doesn’t happen? The following are some tips and tricks to help that first meeting go smoothly so your love can continue to grow. Before … Read more
Most basic obedience classes teach a hand touch where your dog learns to put their nose on your hand. Some may even learn it in puppy class. At the time, it may seem like just a cute trick, but once your dog knows the basic hand touch, there are many useful behaviors you can teach your dog – including ways to help around the house and things that could save your dog’s life. The following are just a few of … Read more
Dachshunds are small and cute; because of this, we often are remiss in training them. But they are a smart hound that really does like a job and can excel at everything from obedience to agility and, of course, barn hunts. Regardless of what you and your best friend will do in the future, training starts at home with basic manners. What you teach your doxie at home will depend on the rules you have – for example, some people … Read more
Great Danes excel at training – you can teach them almost anything that’s physically possible for them to do. And better yet, they truly enjoy the job. Maybe you want to teach yours to turn on lights, fetch your TV remote or help you find those car keys. Or maybe you just don’t want him on the furniture. When it comes to training your Great Dane, it’s really up to you what you want to teach him. A lot will … Read more
For many of us, walking our Dachshund is one of the perks of pup parenthood. It gets us out, we meet new people, and it’s enjoyable…unless your dog pulls on the leash. Then it’s just a frustrating chore that no one in the family wants to do. A bit of training can change that, and make the walk enjoyable again. The following easy training tips will help make sure that your Doxie doesn’t pull on the leash. #1 – Start … Read more
We all know just how big Great Danes are. In fact, some outweigh their owners! When your dog is that big, leash pulling can be extremely dangerous. Your Great Dane could pull you into traffic, down a hill, or pull you off your feet. For these reasons, it’s important your Dane learns lovely leash manners. The following are tried and true tips to help make sure that your Great Dane doesn’t pull on the leash. #1 – Start Young As … Read more
German Shepherd Dogs are known for being excellent at obedience and training – it’s one of the reasons they are used for police, military and service work! But, this doesn’t happen by itself. A German Shepherd that has not had the right training can just as easily pull you down the sidewalk and be very pleased about it. The following are tried and true tips to help make sure that your German Shepherd doesn’t pull on the leash. #1 – … Read more
Feeding a dog who guards his food can be dangerous. You can get bitten and you can even (accidentally) make the guarding behavior worse. There is a safe way to do it so that both you and your dog have a positive experience, which can actually help diminish the behavior over time. Why Dogs Guard Food Dogs guard food (and other things like toys, people, etc.) because their instinct is telling them they need to protect their resources. Wild … Read more
A formal heel is an amazing thing to behold: dog right at your leg, staring attentively up at you while you walk. It’s something even non-dog people can appreciate. You may feel it’s something you and your dog can never accomplish, but it’s actually easier than you think and can even be fun with the following tips. What Is “Heel,” Anyway? First, let’s define what we are looking for. Knowing what you want the behavior to look like before you … Read more
Do you have a pushy dog? You know the type – jumps all over you, invades your space while you are trying to eat, barks for attention or toy throwing. They may even knock your kids over by being too friendly. These are not bad dogs. These are dogs that do not understand the concept of manners. It’s a frustrating way to live for the owner, and sadly, these are often the dogs that end up in the shelter. A … Read more
A litter of puppies may seem like they don’t do much – eat, sleep, play a bit, repeat. But you may be surprised at just how much those puppies are learning and how what they learn will affect the dog they become. In fact, behavioral problems you are dealing with now may likely have stemmed from what happened (or didn’t happen!) before you bring your puppy home. Those First Several Weeks While those puppies are certainly eating and sleeping a … Read more
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