Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes

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January 4, 2026
I will be picking up an 8 week old puppy, can you direct me to a video or steps that will help? I want to do everything correctly from the start.

I am a Tester/Observer for therapy dogs. Several months ago I lost my 12 yr old Lab.. But with some time, I found a puppy that I will pick up when 8 weeks old. I have no experience training a puppy. Can you direct me to a video or general steps that would help? Very excited about bringing him home but want to do it correctly from the start. Thanks,

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January 3, 2026
My German Shepherd has started obsessively chasing his tail over the last 6 months. It's become a problem and our vet has no idea what to do, any thoughts would be appreciated.

Hi Cindy, my dog is a one and a half year-old GSD who has begun chasing his tail over the last six months or so. It has gotten so bad that whenever the energy changes in any way in a room he immediately jumps up and starts spinning wildly in a circle, and even sometimes growls to himself as he does it. He is a great dog overall and has no other personality issues of any kind.. Our vet has no idea what to do. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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January 2, 2026
My young Golden Retrieve will jump up and mouth me on walks and correcting him makes it worse. Any suggestions?

Hi Cindy, My 1 year old male Golden Retriever will once in a while jump and mouth me on our walks, and it seems to be random. Leash corrections make it worse, he does not listen to commands, even food isn't very effective. I've been using leash pressure to out him into a down, but it takes a few attempts. Any other suggestions? Not too sure what is going on.

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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

November 30, 2025
Our toy Poodle is fine around my grandkids until they cry, run or screech. She gets excited and last week nipped one of the kids and broke the skin. Can you advise which videos we should start with?

We got our toy poodle from an experienced breeder at 9 weeks in late 2020. Due to COVID, she wasn't well socialized, although she was well behaved (in spite of no formal training). She was exposed to my wife, myself & my 36 year-old son most of the time. I have 2 married daughters, and they now have little kids (1-3 years old). Our dog is generally OK around them, until they cry, screech or run. This excites the dog and until last week wasn't much of a problem. Last week she nipped at a ru...

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November 29, 2025
How do you choose the width of an agitation collar, is it purely personal preference?

Hi there. Is an agitation collar purely a personal preference in terms of width? My dog weighs about 70 pounds and the 2 inch collar I got looks big. I did not consider finding more about best practices for fitting a collar before I ordered. To be honest. I am beginning to learn more about protection sports, not sure which I have more affinity for and I’m just kind of dipping my toe in so to speak.

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November 29, 2025
How do I clean the French linen and jute tugs I ordered from you?

Hello Cindy! I recently ordered a couple french linen tugs and round from you guys and couldn't be happier with them. Though, I was curious how best to clean them after they collect some sand/dirt/leaves/ect from use in the yard on a line? I'm concerned with the sand building up and grinding my girls teeth down and just want to keep them clean overall. Also would there be any difference in cleaning jute or other types of synthetic training toys? Thanks so much!

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