Most Popular Q&As

I just returned from a walk with my 3 dogs very shaken up and would like your advice. At the end of our walk, about 3 blocks from my house, a small (approximatly 5 lbs.) dog ran out of its house and started barking at us and yipping at our heels. I yelled at it to go away, but it wouldn't, and followed us for a couple blocks. I stopped to look for rocks to throw after it was apparent it wouldn't leave. All 3 of my dogs had head collars on (Halti brand) and one of them went nuts as this dog wa...

I have two dogs; a 2-year old golden and black lab. Both were crate trained since pups, but they've had the run of the house for about 6 months now and I haven't had any problems with anything until now. My black lab seems to get too excited when I come home and he pees before I can let him outside. I'm only gone at the most for 5 hours in a day, and I'm not sure what to do. Should I not leave water for them while I'm gone? The black lab has a tendency to over drink, but I don't want to leave...

I have a question for you. When I am working with Tasha I have to correct her, because she will try and bite my hands, or even try to jump on me. When she gets her fingers pinched she gets madder and really bites at my hands. This especially happens if I have to correct her after inappropriate behavior towards other dogs. I know this is training oriented, but I have never encountered this before, this is a recent behavior, and I am not sure how to approach dealing with it. I need your adv...

When you say puppy prong collar are you referring to something different than just a normal prong collar that is small enough to fit a puppy? My 10 week old border collie is biting near constantly and through most every correction given to her. I've tried the basic ouch!, a low growl, scruff shaking, picking her up by the cheeks, pressing down on her tongue lightly but firmly, pushing my hand into her mouth to force a gag, pushing her away, holding her down, taps on the nose. All result in he...

Hi, What is the recommended dosage of Fish oil for dogs? Thank you,Ezriyah

My girlfriend and I have a 7 1/2 month old female Standard Schnauzer named Gracie that we have had since 8 weeks old. I have had no problem establishing myself as a pack leader, but it has not come so easy for my girlfriend, so we purchased your Pack Leader DVD along with Obedience Training for later. We started the social isolation phase this past week. My main issue that I have is that I let a friend move in a month ago while he deals with separation/divorce. He stays in the basement and...

First of all, thanks for your email advice from your last note. We did have our pups checked for worms, and sure enough, they had them Since treatment our male pup's energy has gone up noticeably. He is now enjoying the ball-on-a-string game. Here's my question: Our pups are pretty quiet most of the day and night, but sometimes during the evening they start a barking fit loud enough to wake the dead. They can see us moving inside our house in the evening as we pass in front of the ...

I'm nervous about putting my dog in the crate because the reason he was breaking out of the old crate was thunderstorm anxiety. I didn't see that referenced in the videos. I have sought help from a local specialist. But he thinks I should put the dog on prozac and xanax for the anxiety. I am fairly convinced that the pack structure program and training (along with the info about dealing with dominant dogs) will address the core issues. My concern is that he hurt himself in the crate in th...

Hi Cindy, First off, thanks for all the great information on your web site and videos. I bought both Basic Obedience and Your Puppy 8 weeks to 8 Months and found them very helpful. Looking for some advice about by Doberman puppy. She's 16 weeks old and starting to show "stranger anxiety." If she is in our fenced-in yard off leash, and someone walks by the house, or she spots one of our neighbors, her hair stands up and she barks like mad. Even though she is a puppy, she ...

Hi Cindy, I was wondering if it is possible to train a lab to stay out of the pool. My chocolate lab is a year and 4 months old and I cannot keep him out of my pool to save my life. The main reason I don't want him in the pool is because when the kids are in the pool he wants to swim with them and of course he usually ends up on top of them creating an unsafe environment. And of course when we chain him up while the kids are in the pool, he whines, cries and barks. If yo...

Cindy, You helped me with a previous question about training and I appreciate it. We were about ready to get rid of our rescued mutt, but your advice helped. I have another question. Our Terrier mix mutt has turned into a very good dog based on some of your advice, however, she LOVES to roll in really bad things? cat droppings, raccoon droppings, dead mice etc. Hardly a week goes by that we aren?t bathing her multiple times. We want her to be able to be outside alone in our nic...

I am interested in knowing what you think about submissive wetting. I am a trainer myself and am possibly getting a German Shepherd female that I know has been very poorly bred. She is a clients of mine that will not keep her due to this problem (I have tried to talk her out of it, but her husband is adamant). Is it possible she will outgrow it despite her not so great lineage? She is only five months old. Thank you so much for your time and your very valuable web site, it has proven to b...

I have a 12 week old female beagle, who wants to go to the bathroom 3 or 4 times a night. I don't feed her after 6 pm., yet she is still able to go lots. Is there anything that I can do? Feeding Pedigree Puppy food 3x per day. Anna

Hi, I have a question about my dog. He's a 21-month-old working line dog. I purchased him about 3 months ago for Schutzhund and he as developed a tight bond with me. He has been having a little separation anxiety when I leave the house. He stays in an extra large crate in the basement when I leave to go to work. My other dogs stay in crates beside him when my wife and I are both at work. But when she is not working, the house dogs usually go upstairs with her. The problem is, he ha...

I have a question regarding a neighbor's dog. We have three hounds (one blue tick and two bassets) who are wonderful animals. Yes, I am biased. My concern is with one of my neighbor's Huskies. Yesterday she bit my oldest dog. This is the forth dog she has bit to my knowledge. She also bit my husband when he foolishly tried to break up a dog fight. The attacks seem unprovoked. When I approach the husky she lays her ears back, crouches low to the ground and growls. Needless to say I ...

Dearest Cindy, Thank you for providing an excellent resource such as your web site. All of the training tools that you have for sale on it make life very easy. Speaking for thousands of your viewers, we really appreciate you and Ed imparting all of your wisdom onto us. We are truly blessed! My husband and I own a 15 month old, 80 lb, unneutered rottweiler named Sigma. He is a wonderful dog!... as per many peoples remarks. In addition to being very loving, he is very low in t...

Is my (almost) 19 week GS male ready for a prong collar? I don't know what size or how heavy to get or whether a quick release one is better. HELP! Also, I cut his toenails - just the ends - and played with his feet while I had him on his back between my legs. (That was the only way I could see well so as not to "quick" him. I NEVER DID! All of a sudden he will not let me do this and I can tell he is serious about trying to bite me. I don't want to scare him, but I want to be able to cut h...

Hi Ed...sorry to bother you. I have enjoyed your web site over the years and now have a question that I'm sure you can help me with. My 3 year old field trial Labrador Retriever had a litter of 7 puppies 5 days ago. (Surgical A.I. with frozen semen on a maiden bitch) In the week before whelping, she was receiving 4-5 cups of high performance food with about 1/3 cup all-natural canned food on top to make it more palatable. Her appetite decreased in the last week of pregnancy. Whelpin...

Every time I give my German Shepherd a large bone to chew on from the local pet store it gives him major diarrhea. I give him these to keep him busy when I go to work or when I am busy and don't have time to play to keep him busy. He loves them and enjoys holding on to them while chewing on them. What is an alternative or what can I give him to prevent his stomach from getting upset and he still be able to enjoy his bones? I even tried what is called Busy Bones and they do the same thing. I n...

My new border collie puppy is just 10 weeks old; I've had for 1 week. In the last 2 days he has noticed cars and wants to chase them. Is it safe to use a prong collar on such a tiny puppy? If not, what do you recommend as a correction for such a young puppy? I have tried to distract him/hold his attention with a treat as soon as I detect a car approaching, but that is not working - he still looks away toward thee car and/or tries to start after it. I want to nip this in the bud. Thanks