Most Popular Q&As
July 20, 2011
Completed the first two Michael Ellis DVDs and 11 month old dog is progressing great EXCEPT he has 'sticky' outs. I'm thinking I need to simply step back and work on his outs again, but how far do I step back in Michaels system of dog training?
Completed the first two Michael Ellis DVDs and 11 month old dog is progressing great EXCEPT he has "sticky" outs. He understands to out but if it is a tug he will continue to teeth it. If its a ball after a retrieve he will come right to me and will out on command but then when ball hits ground will attack it. I have tried simply saying no for a period of time, have said no followed by continuous tension with the leash until he drops it but once it hits ground he is back on it. I have tried s...
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May 23, 2023
My Puppy Won't Recall When He Has A Ball?
Our puppy has developed the habit of not coming when lose in the yard (fenced) at home. He is especially bad if he has a ball. In Obedience and agility, he has a pretty good recall - actually listens quite well in class... Then when he is out with a ball he has no interest in treats. Our trainer/breeder did suggest giving him his daily food only by hand as a reward. If he does not do enough to get rewarded with his normal food portion - do we feed him the rest at the end of the day?? Do...
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April 6, 2023
My Dog Is More Interested In Other Dogs Than Me. How Can I Fix This?
Hi, our Border Collie is a 10-month-old male. We were doing well with him, reliable recall, etc. until the last month or two. Now off leash, while playing with other dogs he will not return. He is super interested in other dogs. Likes to play, but if the other dogs are not so interested, he will do some "herding" behaviors. Previously he did. Also, now while walking him he "loses it" if near a playground, seeing a rabbit etc. He really needs the off-leash to get his running and exercise in.
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March 3, 2023
Is using the 'No' reward marker considered an aversive?
Hi Cindy,
I saw an article recently on the subject of marker training, specifically the use of a no reward marker or negative marker. The article argues that the use of NRM’s while it may not seem like it, is actually “aversive” to the dog and that it does not help to tell the dog that they did not succeed or that they did something wrong. They said that dogs learn faster if just encouraged through what they do correctly. This is the first I had ever heard of this idea and I know you...
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August 25, 2022
I’m taking my German Shepherd for a 3-week board and train next week, he is strong and goes nuts when he sees another dog. I haven’t tried using a harness in the past, can you recommend one for him?
I’m sending my 3 yr old GSD to training at a training facility next week for three weeks. I am told that they use e collars and prong collars which I have no problem w/. Just wondering since I have not tried a harness and I see you have quite an array. Maybe this question is premature but do you have a suggestion from your line of products? He’s super athletic and very strong and goes nuts when he sees another dog on walks. I feel much safer walking w/ him than by myself but to what end? ;)
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April 17, 2020
I watched a video of your puppy getting his nails done. My puppy won’t sit still. How do I start?
The pup in your Conditioning Your Puppy for Nail Trimming video looks older than my 11 week male rott pup.
I just started charging the mark and yes for 2 to 3 days.
My pup does not sit still as yours does in the video.
I don’t want to force holding the dog down. Can you recommend next steps for training mine to sit long enough to accomplish what you are doing in the video? Should I start with sit and place and then add the sound of the dremel and work from there?
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February 17, 2020
If I do protection sports (Schutzhund/IGP) with my German Shepherd is it going to make him aggressive to strangers? He’s currently a very friendly dog and I don’t want to ruin that.
Hello!
My GSD is 14 months and we decided to try Schutzhund. Prior to giving this a try, he has basic on and off leash obedience, getting ready to certify in AKC tracking and is taking Rally classes. Suddenly I am a little worried, is Schutzhund going to make him more aggressive to strangers? I know this may be a stupid fear, but he is a nice, friendly dog most of the time and I am worried about doing something to ruin that.
On the other hand, he really enjoyed the tug and puppy sleeve ...
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January 28, 2020
I'm having a hard time switching from food to toy rewards, do you have any suggestions?
Cindy,
I'm having a hard time switching over from food to toy rewards. My dog will play tug with enthusiasm at the house, but when we are out she will show no interest if something else remotely interesting is around. I am trying to get away from carrying around food rewards and just keep a tug on me. It just seems like that will not be motivational enough for her. She likes the flirt pole but that's hard to take around. Do you have any suggestions on how I can increase her interest in toy...
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October 21, 2019
Should I let my dog interact more with the neighbors because of the contact they will have, especially the person who may look after him from time to time if something happens or he needs to be looked after for a night if I am traveling?
I just got 10 week old Australian Cattle Dog. He has been home 5 days now. I read about not letting others not pet you dog and I have a question. I live alone in a rural setting in a neighborhood with about 4 houses pretty close by, so I interact with the neighbors a lot. One of the neighbors will be emergency contact for the puppy. I carry a tag on my key chain that says my pet is home alone please call .... and the neighbor will make take care of the dog. Should I let the dog interact more ...
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October 14, 2019
What characteristics you would advise looking for in a PTSD service dog prospect in a litter of pups?
Hi!
I was wondering what characteristics you would advise looking for in a PTSD service dog prospect in a litter of pups? I?ve selected an outstanding breeder, whose previous litters had pups that went on to successfully complete service dog training, so there?s a history showing promise in genetics. So as far as temperament, what specifically would you look for if you were choosing an ideal candidate?
Thanks so much!
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September 6, 2019
I am a graveyard electrician and I do most of the training and exercising with our puppy. The pup wakes at 2-3am when I get home and is instantly in full "drive" and the results of training her at this time have been phenomenal. But I do not know how healthy this is for her physically and mentally. Any suggestions?
Thank you for the recent correspondence and the great deal on many of the videos. We chose Ed and your basic and intermediate videos because quite frankly, my fiance and I are beginners. Our puppy however is brilliant!!
We have our first GSD puppy, a female rescue from CA. We live in Oregon and my question pertains to our schedules. I am a graveyard electrician and I do most of the training and exercising with our puppy. The pup wakes at 2-3am when I get home and is instantly in full "dri...
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May 6, 2019
Should I have eye contact in competition Long Sit and Down Stays?
Should I have eye contact in competition Long Sit and Down Stays?
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September 24, 2013
I hired a trainer to help with distraction training and he created a bad experience with the ecollar. What do you think of what happend?
I have a Brittany rescue that I've had for about 4 1/2 years. She's well trained in the house and yard but gets very distracted outside. I had thought about trying an electronic collar but when I first got her I stupidly hired a trainer recommended by the rescue people. He was trying to get her to come and was working quickly and somewhat roughly with her. He took her to a conservation area down the street after a quick session in the yard with an e-collar. She didn't come when he called her ...
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November 29, 2012
My dog is 13 months old and hasn't gone into heat yet. Do you know why she hasn't?
My golden retriever is 13 months and hasn't gone into heat. I plan to breed her, as she is an AKC show dog. Thank you for your help. I don't know why she hasn't yet.
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April 17, 2012
How should I proceed trying to establish pack structure leadership with a dog that has been a part of my household for 4 years and has a very established routine in our house?
Cindy,
I have a 4-year-old male Boston Terrier who is very dominant and is the pack leader (of me). I'm trying to right this wrong because of two major behavioral issues we're having with him. 1. He terrorizes house guests with too much crazy affection 2. He's extremely leash reactive and can only be walked in really deserted areas (this is our biggest problem and I'm hoping that by beginning to establish pack leader we can work up to correcting this).
I read the article on pack structu...
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September 12, 2011
I need help with the send out. Any ideas?
Hi Cindy,
I need help with the send out. I bought the Ellis video. My dog used to have a great send out, and will do it in training, but refused to go out in my last 3 trials. I thought I had it fixed before this last weekend. He did practice send out fine, then would not go in the trial. Any ideas?
Mike
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May 23, 2011
I have a female that is 5 years old. We try and breed her every season but she never seems to get to the point of flagging the male and getting bred. Any ideas?
I have a female that is 5 years old. She has had one litter of two puppies - done with an AI. We try and breed her every season but she never seems to get to then point of flagging the male and getting bred. Any ideas?
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May 23, 2011
I have a 120 pound GSD and am looking for a female to breed my dog to. Would you be interested in breeding one of your bitches to my male?
I am looking for a good bitch to breed to my male GS. Do you ever use outside studs, after proper qualification, etc.? I am in Houston at the I-10 and Bunker Hill area. I have a one year old GS that is close to 120 lbs. and well trained, wonderful disposition, and very SMART. I just lost a 13 year old dog, from old age, and would like to find a good bitch of comparable standards to breed with him. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Dianne
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May 20, 2011
My dogs already play tug well with me. Should I still do the food work from the DVD then to tug or can I do both at the same time?
Hi Cindy,
Both DVDs are GREAT information! Michael makes training dogs seem so simple and easy. I can honestly say that I was one of those trainers that was ahead of myself in where I should have been with my dogs. They could do a lot but to be honest the TRUE engagement wasn't all there. I have been working on nothing but engagement and will be for a month.
With that said. Since Prong Collars can kill engagement. Should I still allow them to wear the collars and never use t...
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May 17, 2011
I rescued a dog last year. He has lots of issues with not listening and also being alone in the crate. He was abused in his last home. How can I get this to work out?
Hi Ed;
I am from southern Alberta Canada. Weather is a major factor in winter for walking and training dogs here...And I am an outdoor person! I wanted your opinion on this particular dog I rescued last year.
Zing, is shep/dobi and very intelligent. He learns fast,and hopefully this year he will be trained for tracking, as he seems to have the qualifications for it. I am a firm believer in Ceaser's (Dog Whisperer) and your type of training, and have been for many years. My issue...
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