Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes

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October 4, 2024
I am going to have my 2 year old German Shepherd's undescended testicle removed, should I consider a stomach tacking (gastropexy) at the same time?

Hello Cindy I lost a german shepherd to bloat in the past. She was not a well dog and developed chronic issues including heart failure and perianal fistula. I am going to have the undescended testicle removed in my 2 year old german shepherd. We will keep him intact. Should I consider doing a stomach tacking (gastropexy) at the same time? He is on raw diet and we never exercising him for few hours after feeding. Thank you so much,

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October 4, 2024
I want to teach my dog to walk with me under any distraction, we live in a big city with narrow sidewalks. Should I teach contact heeling or use a second command for loose leash walking? Do you have any suggestions?

Hi Cindy, My dog is a 3-year old high energy border collie who is trained in obedience and has solid heels and loose leash walking and a bullet-proof stay. I now want to build an equally bullet-proof way to walk with me even under any distractions. My question is, should I 1) build on her loose leash walking, or 2) teach a contact heel, or 3) use a second command for loose leash, or 4) anything else? Since we live in a big city we use loose leash a lot, either on narrow sidewalks, but...

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October 3, 2024
We rescued a Malinois who has amazing food drive indoors but none outdoors. How can I build more confidence in him?

My Mal was rescued and wasn’t crazy socialized. He is fairly nervy outside, but getting better at least walking. Amazing food drive indoors but will not even try to open his mouth for food outdoors. My hope was IGP for this dog but I don’t think that can happen. I do want to be able to work flashy obedience with the dog. However, I don’t know how to do so outdoors if the dog won’t work for food. My dog is 1.5 and I’ve had him around a month at this point. I know it can take a dog up...

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Popular Q&As

November 20, 2012
My mom’s GSD has a lot of behavioral issues and is teetering on the edge of needing a new home. I’m frustrated with her, can you suggest some specific DVDs?

Hello Ed & Cindy, I'm writing today regarding my mother's year old spayed female GSD. She was purchased by my 18 year old brother who didn't do groundwork before leaving for college. She is loving & intelligent, but extremely stubborn and dominant. I've never had a dog this frustrating to train. She is teetering on the edge of needing to find a new home because of her behavioral issues. I'm hoping that you can suggest specific DVDs and articles that are most fitting for her issues. We'...

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October 25, 2016
When we drop (our dog) off at daycare, he is showing separation anxiety. He tries doing these little nips at the staff when they put him in the runs in the beginning of the day. Should we nix daycare?

We have an almost 7mth Malinois who when we drop off at daycare, is showing separation anxiety. He tries doing these little nips at the staff when they put him in the runs in the beginning of the day. They said the rest of the day, he is perfect; it's just right after drop off happens. He starts crying when we pull up to the clinic not wanting to go but then they say he does excellent all day long! We don't get it. Just want to address the nipping issues because some techs are starting to get a ...

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November 18, 2014
What's the shipping stress on a new puppy? I'm getting an 8 week old German Shepherd by air.

What is the shipping stress on puppies? I will be getting an 8 week old German Shepherd by air. The flight should only be one to one and a half hours.

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Recommended Q&As

October 2, 2024
I'ma dog trainer and some clients don't want to give treats directly from their hand to reward the dog. Can placing the treat on the ground be an acceptable alternative ?

Hi Cindy, Becoming a dog trainer here using very much relationship / engagement-based training approach. I can imagine I'm going to run into clients who absolutely don't want to give their dog treats directly from their hand (since I know owners like that already). Apart from offering to show them how to do so safely and encouraging them to do so for the more direct connection to you, how absolutely necessary or unnecessary is that delivery when it comes to food rewards? Is placing it on ...

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October 2, 2024
My 4 month old German Shepherd puppy barks when he sees certain dogs on our neighborhood walks, do you have any tips?

Hello-I have a 4 month old GSD and I am very aware that they can be vocal/whiny/barky however, I am determined to prevent this behavior via management and controlling his environment. When he sees certain dogs in the neighborhood (large, fluffy) he does a bark when he is not engaged in something/activity. most of the time he sees a dog, looks and easily can move along, but certain larger fluffy dogs can elicit a bark. So far the bark doesn't turn into anything more(it's a bark or two and I can r...

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October 1, 2024
My 11 month old dog was using the dog door to potty outside but after a camping trip and weather changing he now goes to the bathroom inside. How do we let him know it's not ok to potty in the house?

Hi there, we have a 11 mo puppy we have had him for 4 months now. He was in a shelter for 4 months before we got him so he just knew to potty anytime anywhere. We got him to learn the dog door and he has been great. All of a sudden after a camping trip and weather turning he wouldn't go out the dog door, would go inside. I guess maybe he really doesn't know how to tell us he just uses the dog door anytime! He relapsed for a few weeks and is back on track but if the dog door is closed he jus...

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