Most Popular Q&As
May 2, 2011
Is there any correlation between excessive panting and a raw diet?
Cindy,
My dog has been on a raw diet for over a month now and I've noticed he's panting quite a bit. I've searched the website and looked over the books but haven't seen anything on this. Do you know of any correlation between excessive panting and raw? He seems healthy otherwise.
Otherwise, the diet has been a dream. Earwax-gone, itching-greatly diminished, coat-like a puppy, I mean it is really noticeable. Thank you for teaching me about raw though Leerburg. I have already convinced...
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December 3, 2013
My dog whines when we're out. Should I be correcting this? If so, how to I make sure she understands that the correction is for whining?
My four year old American bull dog/pit bull mix when out will whine, cry or whimper at a low level; however you want to describe it, in certain situations. She wears an electric collar and a prong collar where ever we go. She requires a lower level of correction (usually under a level of 5) for she tends to regress or shut down if correction is too high. My trainer said that she may outgrow this since she is new to being brought a lot of places and has to gain more confidence. Should I be cor...
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May 20, 2011
My dog has always had separation anxiety issues but on video camera he seems to get over it after about 20 mins. Will crate training work for him?
I have checked the forums and and the FAQ. I believe I know part of what you will say but I have questions regarding the nuances (if there are any). My 2 yr old cairn mix, who I have had for 2 months, has always had separation anxiety issues but on video camera he seems to get over it after about 20 mins... so I didn't care too much. Every once in a while he will go into the bathroom trash. Just recently I found out he urinated in one of the bedrooms. From reading the FAQ I believe you sa...
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May 3, 2011
What products do you recommend for heart worm prevention, flea and tick protection?
What products do you recommend for heart worm prevention, flea and tick protection? I live in upstate NY in an area with heavy mosquito and deer population. I have an 18 month old Maltese/Shih-tzu pup that has already had surgery to fix a genetic hip and knee problem. I was lead to your web site when I was looking up info on diet, hip dysplasia, and knee luxation and read your views on immunization, diet, etc. I started making my own dog food with chicken, rice, vegs and "Balance IT" supp...
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April 21, 2011
My dog has recently become afraid of a few things showing signs of submission. What might be the problem?
Hi Cindy,
First I want to thank you guys for your wonderful web site and all the invaluable training information it's provided to me and my currently 12 month old GSD Max.
To give you a little background, I've had Max since he was about 18 weeks old. I purchased your marker training, focused heeling, and Power of Tug videos and have completely used marker training with Max from day one. Currently, (thanks to the marker training) I have had very few corrections with Max. He is a house d...
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December 26, 2013
I'm getting a new Black Russian Terrier pup and I've been told that a lot of your methods won't work for this breed of dog. Do you have any experience with this breed?
Leerburg,
Brief history: A majority of my dog training experience through the years has been the "old way" of thinking - and it is frustrating to think of all the mistakes I've made with some wonderful dogs - and how things could have been different. With that said, I'm committed to continually learning so that my future canine relationships will gain the maximum benefit. I appreciate the wonderful accessibility to information your site provides. I've bought several of your videos and have...
94% (15 out of 16)
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September 24, 2013
What age is it acceptable to allow your GSD to jog with you? Engage in jumping outside of what he would normally? Lastly, does tie out work effect your puppy'ss joints?
I was just curious about GSD hips and bones. What age is it acceptable to allow your GSD to jog with you? Engage in jumping outside of what he would normally? Lastly, does tie out work effect your puppy's joints? Mine is currently 8 months.
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June 21, 2011
In Remote Collar Training for the Pet Owner DVD, you state to use a NO command followed by a NICK. Wouldn't this be teaching my dog that she has two chances to comply?
Good morning, Ed.
I have a 22 month old GSD and have had her since she was 8 weeks old. She is obedience trained and has been trained in personal protection the past 8 months. I have purchased your Remote Collar Training for the Pet Owner DVD and a Dogtra ecollar. I have conditioned my dog to the collar as you recommend, and I am viewing the DVD a second time before actually training with the collar. I am confused on something you say in the video. You state that if a command is given and ...
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April 21, 2011
My pup does fine in the crate and puppy pen but whenever I leave the room or house, he whines and screams. Any advice?
Hi Ed:
I've been raising English Mastiffs and doing rescue for the last 17 years so I am not new to puppy training to say the least. I completely agree with your method of training so this was the first place I came now that I am having some issues with our new puppy, a rottie named Odin. Odin is 10 weeks old, I've had him for 2 weeks now. He was with his mother and siblings up until I got him. I introduced him to the crate day one. He goes in for his naps and at night or when we a...
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March 10, 2014
I can't trust my dogs with other dogs. The problem stemmed from her being attacked by 2 Jack Russels who went for her face. Until this time she had been sociable with other dogs. I would appreciate your thoughts.
Hi, I have an apricot coloured GSD, she will soon be 7 years old. She is adorable with people, in fact so much so that I have to pen her when we have visitors after a while, as she wants a fuss all the time?
My problem is I can't trust her with other dogs when we go out to the local woods for a walk. She lives with a greyhound, and I lost my male GSD a year ago. She is wonderful with them, and is very good with a stray cat that has adopted us, although I keep an eye on her with the cat, as...
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January 25, 2012
We have an outdoor dog that loves to dig. Nothing we've tried has worked. Do you have other recommendations as to what can be done to save our yard from being destroyed but also allow her more freedom?
Hello,
We have an outdoor dog (beagle, cocker spaniel mix) that loves to dig. She digs anywhere and all the time. We have tried a lot of different things to get her to stop but because she is outdoor it is hard to catch her in the act. We have had to fence her in a paved portion of the yard in order for her to not dig while we are gone and can only let her out to play when someone is watching her. We have even hidden to where she didn't know we were there and used a shock collar to get her...
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April 19, 2011
Our dog acts very terrified of people when we go for walks and to all people who come to our house, and is now beginning to act aggressive to kids and people. What can we do?
I just finished reading your articles on dog aggression. It sounds like my dog Meeka. She is a 2 year old Keeshond. We have great concern for her, (at least I do).
My husband feels that she will change in time. We purchased her from a pet store back in Dec 1997. The first day was wonderful, she even slept in her crate peacefully that evening. But from there on she has never been the same. She started to show these signs as she got older. It is like she is terrified of other people....
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April 21, 2011
Once we step in the ring and the leash comes off, my dog acts like she's never heeled in her life. She whines and won't pay attention in the ring, do you have any suggestions?
I have a 3 year all black German shepherd that I am training for competition obedience. We have a CD and am working on her CDX. However, I am having problems with her and hope you can give me some insight. I have always trained with food and toys. She has high drive but is very soft and she is a whiner. When we are training, we have no problems. It's when we step into the ring, and the leash comes off. When we are training and does not have a leash on she heals beautiful. But once we cross ov...
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January 16, 2014
My dog has begun to guard me and occasionally growls at other dogs and people. He also recently bit my other dog. Any advice on how to handle this situation?
Hi Ed and Cindy!
I have a 17 month old springer spaniel that I am having some problems with recently. As far as obedience and engagement he is awesome, our relationship if great. He has 2 legs on his BN title, his CGC and is entered in his first agility trial in a few weeks. My problem is that he has no off switch and we are struggling with exercise in these -50 wind chill days. He has also begun to guard me and I am not sure how to handle that. He gives a hard stare to other dogs and grow...
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April 21, 2011
Can you tell me how long I should train my dog in obedience when I take him out for training and how to organize the sessions?
Hi, Ed and Cindy!
I've been enjoying your newsletter for a while, and I've got a pretty minor training issue I'm hoping you might be able to help with. My dog (papillon, 2 years) is not very toy motivated, and I've been trying to teach him to fetch as a game to get him some more exercise. He will chase a toy and pick it up, but the second I say his name to get his attention to call him back, he will drop the toy and run back to me, because he would much rather be with me than play ...
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May 19, 2011
I've been training my dog in schutzhund, but she is terrified of the starter pistol noise. What would you suggest I do to turn this around?
Greetings!
I have a 3 year old dobie female that has incredible drive (ball, food, prey) and loves praise. She received her CGC, ATTS, 1st & 2nd leg in herding, going for her AD this year and maybe her BH. I built her confidence throughout the last year or more on the sleeve. When she first started out, she was very defensive and now we both work as a team and she loves it. Even though I still get a reminder how fast she is with her excitability and get it in the leg sometimes.
...
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April 21, 2011
I have a 5-month-old shepherd who is so persistent in chewing on me! What would you recommend at this stage in training?
Hi Cindy,
First, I would like to compliment your company for always providing quality products that arrive promptly and provide guaranteed satisfaction. I have purchased many of your products, in addition to some of your DVDs on training.
My question is a common one; however, I desperately need your perspective! I have a 5-month-old shepherd who is well-trained thus far for a puppy (marker training and basic commands). However, the exception to that statement is that he is s...
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January 2, 2014
My dog & I are in training for our CDX and until recently his sits have been straight and beautiful. He has started sitting crooked and repetition has not helped fix this. Do you have any input?
My Terrier and I are training for a CDX. He had a beautiful, straight sit until recently. He has started tucking his fanny almost behind my left heel. If I say "sit straight," he corrects his position. Repetition has not helped eliminate the problem. I use only positive training methods and basically no corrections. Repetition solved our previous errors, but not with his curled sit. What am I doing wrong? Thanks a million for your input,
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October 4, 2012
Our mixed breed 7 month old dog attacks our coats and shoes when we are out in the yard. He lunges and won’t let go. Please help us.
Please help me! My husband and I have consulted our trainer who has suggested things that just don't work and I have yet to find an answer that really relates to our problem. We have a 7 month old Boxer mix (we think--we adopted him from a shelter at 2 months). He is such a good dog! He has been in obedience classes since he was about 4 months old and does amazing everywhere but in our backyard. Even then the only issue (but a big issue) is that he will attack our coats and shoes when we are ...
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January 11, 2012
How much equipment is necessary for Nosework? Can you give me an idea of what I will need in order to get started before I commit to buying the DVD?
Hello,
I've been watching your videos with Andrew Ramsey on the upcoming nosework DVDs. One question I have is how much equipment is necessary to do this sport? I see on the short video clips that you have the dogs learning to search many plastic type containers. Can you give me an idea of what I will need in order to get started before I commit to buying the DVD?
Thanks!
Mari
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