Most Popular Q&As

Blackie, a 5 yr old German Shp/Belg Mal mix military working dog (MWD) has sever aggression towards firearms. Blackie will stay in the heel or down position while the agitator or handler fires the firearm (.38 or 5.76) with little reaction (minor whining) but intense focus on the shooter. When the handler finishes and lowers the firearm he breaks his position and attacks the firearm. He has not shown aggression toward the handler only the firearm (with near misses of the han...

Hi, you helped me once before when I had a puppy with severe hip dysplasia. He was put down at six months of age. I am hoping you can help one more time. Two issues. First - 9 month old East German male, great dog, high drive for prey and reproduction. I have no idea if he has any defense or not, he is so bomb proof with nerves, he may show it later in training. Right now he is extremely good in area and article searches both on and off line. He is a great little tracker, still learning c...

Hello, While researching the effects that neutering may have on my 6 month old ACD, I came upon your page. In your response to a question regarding a Shit-zu that bit a 1.5 year old girl on the lip, you said, "...if the dog even growls at the baby it needs to have its but corrected so hard that it thinks it is going to die." I fully understand that a dog must know it is absolutely the lowest member of the pack. But your response seems to suggest hitting the dog. Why would yo...

Ed, I just read your material on breaking up a fight and found it quite informative. I do have some questions I would like advice on. First let me explain the situation... I have 8 dogs, assorted breeds, and 3 are pits bulls. Last night a vicious fight broke out between the Shepherd & Dobie. The Shepherd in the Alpha Female and once the others saw what was going on, all joined in against the loser (the Dobie). We were able to get all the dogs to stop BUT the pits who were in a deat...

I have a young pup who has a bad habit of eating his own poop. What can I do?

I have 2 huskies, one is 10 months old and the other is 2 months. I started feeding them raw chicken necks and backs about a month ago and they took to it well, but they eat it too fast. They're eating the necks whole without chewing and they can down 3 necks in matter of seconds. Any way to get them to slow down?

Hey Cindy, I have a little puppy for 2 months now. I am feeding kibble but i noticed that her breath is getting smellier and smellier each day. So, I've been reading the eBook of yours about feeding a raw diet and I feel like giving it a shot. I noticed that you recommend two books. Are they still up to date? Or should I be reading something else? I need to study a bit though, since I am studying food science and technology and know what the effects of microorganisms are and how bad they c...

The smaller Educator collar for the dogs I am sure are nice. But unless it is significantly smaller I would prefer the bigger transmitter as I have big hands and most importantly the increased distance. What is the difference in transmitter size?

I taught my GS to come and sit in front of me with a treat in my hands in front of me. Does this great and does finish. Now I am trying to call her and sit in front of me with my hands beside me and no treat. She wants to go for my hands which makes her sit off to side. I am told that in akc obedience my hands need to be at my side. Loosing major points for this. Thanks, Andy

Good morning, I have a 125 lb male Malamute, that is extremely dominant. I've tried a pinch collar and that only escalated the issue. He does very well in basic obedience, but not walking on a lead. I can't get him to stop pulling. I'm currently using a Dogtra training collar, regardless of the setting- vibration or shock he just shakes his head when corrected and pulls harder. I'm looking at your Dominant Dog Collar and the leather slip collar. Which of the two would you recommend or both...

Hi, I have had both my females, a french bulldog and an Amstaff living together since they were pups for the last year. Neither have been spayed. Recently my FB had a litter and I had seperated her down the side. The Amstaff had been barking and jumping at the gate for days. I kept the FB seperate until she gave me signs she was ready to leave, which was today, so I let her out. The Amstaff kept sniffing her, and standing rigid to her with her tail erect. After running out for an errand, I...

Hello Cindy! I just got almost $500 worth of your good DVDs. I have seen 2 of them and they are the best. My question for you Cindy is: I have a 2 story house and is it OK for me to let my 8 week old pup go up or down the flight of stairs (about 20 of them) on leash - will this have the potential to mess up his hips and elbows? Or should I just carry him up or down until he is a little older? If this is the case, how old should he be until I let him up or down by himself? Also, is it OK to le...

We are getting a puppy next month and plan to eventually do protection work with him--this will be our first time. We have watched the following DVDs: Your Puppy 8 wks to 8 months, Basic Dog Obedience, Pack Structure for the family pet, Raising a working puppy, Building Drive & Focus, and the First Steps of Bite Training. I have spent a lot of time on the website reading and trying to put it all together but I am still so confused! For example, in one of the Q&As it says bite work can ...

I have just purchased an adult GSD who has earned her Schutzhund III title ten times. She also has earned FH title. In addition she has been surveyed with result "KKL1." She is truly a very well behave dog, very great temperament. The only problem is since her first day with me, I never heard her bark, not even once. When somebody came and knocked the door of my house, she just laid down on the floor as if she didn't care. When I look at her report card on her Schutzhund test, the ...

Hi Ed, I've spent the last several days reading as many of your Q & A sections, training articles and so forth as I can. Thanks for providing relevant and useful information, instead of just the usual sales pitch. My wife and I run a motorcycle dealership (as you might have noticed) that is located in the core of the city, and as such isn't always the safest neighborhood. We are not a 'tough-guy' motorcycle shop in any way, in fact none of our clients would qualify as a ster...

Hi. I have a 1 year old Red Setter named Lexee. She is a very gentle dog and does not show any aggression except towards large trucks and buses when we are walking or riding in the car. She also does this with joggers passing us?not walkers. I think she is afraid of the noise from the tires and has developed a habit of lunging and barking at them. There has not been any negative incident in particular to cause this. (That I am aware of). It just started and I have not been able...

Mr. Frawley, my name is Richard. I have a two year old rottweiler who is being considered for police work. Myself and my K-9 have been through a patrol course and a narcotics course. My K-9 Rocco has done rather well for a rottweiler, from what I hear. The problem I have is with off lead obedience. I can recall, have him sit and down voice and hand signals, and put him in a stay. He does these commands quite well, however when I try to get him to heel he shuts down. He'll just stay...

I am interested in determining if my 11 month old male GS dog can be instructed in personal/property protection. I have been reading about bite work, etc, and I feel that I may be too late. I play with him on a daily basis with a "pull toy" he has gone through several rope pull toys, and I am currently using some sort of synthetic pull toy. I am a police officer, and I spoke with a friend from another local agency that does K-9. He suggested that he would get me some burlap to play with the p...

Hi, I have two small standard female poodles. I live out in the country, and they run around unleashed, and a few weeks ago one of them got pancreatitis from eating deer carrion - I need a type of muzzle for them to keep them from eating potentially harmful things when they are out - what do you recommend? I was thinking about the wire basket muzzles. How would I go about measuring to make sure they are the right size? I look forward to your response and your thoughts on this. ...

Hello Cindy: My 1 year old Cavalier spaniel is constantly eating trash and dangerous objects while we are out on our walks. I have not had any success training the 'leave it' command. Would either a muzzle or training with an e-collar be a solution to this problem? I have not been able to find a muzzle to fit, and am not sure which kind to get. Could you tell me your recommendation? Thanks for your help. Jacqueline