Most Popular Q&As

September 10, 2010

My puppy screams, howls, pees, and poops when left alone. How do I teach her that separation is ok?

Hello, Cindy. I came under ownership of a (now) 4 month old Australian Cattle Dog puppy a month ago. I've been having some major issues that I really hope you can help me with. The breed is known to be velcro, but this is getting a bit over board. If she is seperated from me, she whines. So long as she is with someone else, it will only be that. If left truly alone, she screams, howls, pees, and poops. If left in a room, she will destroy it - I assume trying to get out. I'm not sure how t...
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January 16, 2012

Recommended My dog can sit for hours constantly mouthing a stuffed animal toy. Can you shine some light on what we might be seeing? Is this a nervous tic or a precursor to guarding?

Hello Cindy, I am hoping you can help shed some light on a particular chewing behavior our dog has. He's a 7-month-old male Malinois who has grown up the Leerburg way and he's a great dog with no real problems. However, he can sit for hours constantly mouthing a stuffed animal toy. If there's no stuffed animal, he will do this with his dog bed. By mouthing, I mean he chews on the toys. He's not tearing it or trying to destroy it, just repetitively "mouthing" it and he looks like he's zoned...
82% (106 out of 129)
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September 24, 2014

Recommended An individual at the dog park was pushing away a puppy that didn't belong to him and when it tried to nip him he grabbed it by the scruff, shook it and threw it. This happened 3 times before someone intervened. What would you advise to do if your puppy is handled this way?

Hi there Cindy/Ed. Big fan of your work. I know you do not advocate dog parks. I will admit I do frequent them from time to time. Anyways I was witness to what I believed was another horror story. An individual at the dog park was trying to water his dog. A 3 month old husky puppy belonging to another owner took over his water bowl. He kept trying to push it away, and when the puppy nipped at him he lost his cool and gripped the pup by the scruff of the neck, lifted it, shook it and to...
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December 12, 2013

Recommended My golden retriever killed my 5 year old yellow lab. Is there a way to break up a dog fight when you are alone or should I let them fight it out?

Ed, I recently tried to break up a dog fight between my 4 year old golden retriever and 5 year old yellow lab (both neutered males). The fight occurred in the middle of our large yard. I was alone but still tried to break up the fight by grabbing the back legs of the dog that was wining and lifting and pulling back. As soon as that dog would let go, the other dog would attack. This went back and forth several times. Each time I was able to get one dog to let go, the other would attack. Th...
82% (76 out of 93)
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January 18, 2016

Do you have any advice on working with dog reactivity with dogs that WANT to get to the other dog vs ones that are uncomfortable and want space?

Hi! I recently purchased the leash reactivity self study course from your online classes. After watching all the videos I noticed that the trainer only talks about dogs that are reactive because they aren't comfortable with a social interaction/want more space from a another dog ect... I could be wrong, but I believe that my dog has the exact opposite issue in that he desperately wants to interact with the other dog. He's a 2 year old dutch shepherd and LOVES playing with other dogs but can b...
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January 19, 2012

On your website you recommend not letting strangers pet or give treats to your dog so that the owner becomes the center of the dog's world (engagement); and so that the dog doesn't see strangers as sources of treats. However, almost universal in the description of the Doberman breed is the need for early and extensive socialization. Can you clear up this point for us?

Hi Mr. Frawley: We are preparing to bring home our 9 week old male Doberman pup. In preparation for our new arrival, we have extensively studied your website and your DVDs. We have had experience with smaller female terrier breeds but this will be our first large-breed male. Our goal is a highly trained, obedient, non-aggressive pet. We are planning on fixing the dog at 6 months. We have very carefully chosen the breeder for good lines and temperament. My question is this: On y...
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April 28, 2011

How long will my remote collar hold a charge?

How long will the remote collar hold a charge?
82% (18 out of 22)
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June 7, 2011

How can we better address separation anxiety? Are these medical problems common among the GSD breed? Is this something that she can grow out of as a puppy? Would you ever recommend medication? Outside of more intense daily exercise, is there any other solution?

Cindy, My GSD is now 1 year old and we had a very serious incident occur last week. She developed a severe case of bloody diarrhea and vomiting which resulted in a day long clinic visit and subsequent hospital treatment for two days. During this ordeal, she lost 10 lbs (from 68 to 58) and the Vet claims she came very close to death. Had we not sent her to the clinic and received treatment immediately to address the problems, she may not have survived. Our GSD has started eating again ...
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January 8, 2019

I notice when I work with my dog and feed him with his head up high in the heel position, he eats the treat head down in order to swallow which breaks up our momentum. What am I doing wrong? Or how is that fixed?

I am re-watching the heelers toolbox and at the section about "head position" I notice it when I work with my dog and feed him with his head up high in the heel position, he eats the treat head down in order to swallow which breaks up our momentum. What am I doing wrong? Or how is that fixed? Or can it be fixed? I am using the Happy Howie's food reward.
82% (9 out of 11)
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September 21, 2011

My dog has been growling at us, especially while he is eating. Can this be corrected with proper training or is he going to always be aggressive?

We bought a cocker spaniel around 12 weeks old. He will be five months next week. He is so smart and very easily house trained and learns new tricks/commands daily. He is very friendly when he meets new people and dogs. However, at home sometimes he is quite scary to me. Mason, our new dog, has some behaviors that make me nervous. If you go close to him when he is eating, he growls and if you get too close will show his teeth. If he is laying on the floor and you go to close to his toy, he wi...
82% (9 out of 11)
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May 17, 2011

Sometimes my pit bull becomes aggressive, I think when she has too much energy and is running circles around my apartment. Do you think maybe just more exercise will help?

Mr. Frawley, Let me first commend you on such an informative and well thought out website. This website keeps me occupied for hours, I just flat out love it. I am new to dog training but have been around dogs for a while. I am a 20 year college student and I own a pit bull, but let's get back to that in a minute. I recently bought your e-collar DVD and I have purchased the Dogtra 1900 ncp collar (I got it because I saw it was one of your favorites on your web site. I have no...
82% (9 out of 11)
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April 21, 2011

I am having a problem getting my dog to sit straight in front of me after he returns with the dumb bell. What can I do?

I am having a problem getting my dog to sit straight in front of me after he returns with the dumb bell. What can I do?
82% (9 out of 11)
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May 23, 2011

What are ‘pink registration papers’ for a German shepherd?

Hi Ed, I was wondering if you would explain the term Pink Paper's to me. I have heard several meanings from different people. I guess this is a dumb question, but I would like to know what is the significance and importance of having a Pink Papered dog? Thanks, Walt
81% (46 out of 57)
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May 20, 2011

Our dog had a reaction to the rattlesnake vaccine, which according to our vet is unusual. What do you think?

Dear Cindy, Just read your latest comments on vaccinations for dogs. I live in Arizona and Rattle Snake vaccinations are almost a requirement. However, no one told me about the possibilities of some of the possible side effects. My German Shepherd pup (will not be 2 until June 15th.) had his series of two shots under his front leg toward the side in the fatty area. Within a couple weeks I noticed a large lump and took him into the vet. (I must say I have one of the finest vet's I h...
81% (29 out of 36)
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April 18, 2012

Recommended I’m confused about allowing my puppy to have toys in her ex pen. She’s a 9 week old GSD. She also bites me when I try to play tug with her and my arms are all bandaged up. How can I stop her from biting me without damaging her drive?

Hi Cindy, I'm a bit confused about the rules on puppies with toys. Ed says in several of his videos that the toys are his, and that he doesn't allow the pups to keep them. Yet in the ex pen video, there are toys in the pens that he says he rotates every 2 days. Can I get some clarification on this? My high prey drive GS pup is really getting bored. She's 9 weeks old. I am on steroid inhalers for asthma and the skin on my arms is very thin. Due to my pup being so mouthy, my arms are band...
81% (17 out of 21)
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April 21, 2011

I leave my 2 year old Lab/Pit cross in a crate while I am at work. How long is too long to leave a dog crated?

I have a quick question. I have a almost 2 year old Lab/Pit mix and I crate her while in work since she has what I am assuming separation anxiety since she chewed my furniture each time I tried to leave her out of the crate and I left the house. I emailed before questioning that problem but she is fine when I am home, does not destroy anything, so I don't know how she can break from it if it is done when I leave the home. Besides that, I want to know how long is too long to leave her crated. ...
81% (17 out of 21)
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July 14, 2011

The more I read about the dominant dog collar, the more confused I have become. Can you please help me with what sort of collar set up I should have with my dog?

Hi Cindy, First let me thank you for all your advice and the very educational DVDs that are available through your website; and second, let me apologize in advance for the questions I have in this email as I should've been able to get my answers from all the helpful Q&A sections....but apparently, I'm a "slow learner"! Ok, that said, here's my dilemma: I'm slightly confused about if the dominant dog collar is exactly what I'm looking for, or not; the more I read, the more I confuse myself!...
81% (13 out of 16)
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April 28, 2011

My dog hid in the bushes after I used the electric collar the first time, did I completely screw this up?

Hi, I talked poor Donna's ear off, and she suggested I contact you for assistance. I am sorry this is so long, but I encountered a totally unexpected problem with the e-collar and am wondering if I can fix this or if I should just return it. Background: Raja is a male Doberman. He'll be two next month. He's a great, great dog. I'd done all the groundwork with him but I clearly messed up somewhere because we have two big problems: high prey drive and some self-control i...
81% (13 out of 16)
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August 1, 2011

Recommended I have 2 puppies and they sleep in their crates all night without accidents. During the day they do not tell me when they need to go out even though I’ve put bells on the door for them to ring. What am I missing?

I have two maltipoo puppies. One is 7 months old, one is 8 months. I am still having trouble getting them house trained. They are in the crate at night and sleep all night without accidents. They are taken out first thing in the AM and usually both go pee and poop. Once they eat, they are taken out again within the hour. Sometimes they will both go pee and poop again... sometimes just one will. Here is the problem. They do NOT tell me when they have to go out. I have them confined to the fami...
80% (32 out of 40)
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June 3, 2011

Recommended My dog's breath smells like rotting meat, do you know what could be causing this?

Hi! We have a 1 1/2 year old beagle and his breath just starting smelling really bad like rotting meat. He is on an all raw meat diet, do you know what may be causing this smell? Thanks! Britni
80% (24 out of 30)
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