Most Popular Q&As

I have tugged a number of times with my dog, but I am hesitant to fully develop my dog's tugging skills because her mouth always bleeds slightly when we tug. She acts as if nothing is happening, and she continues to tug. Even when I tug lightly with her, she still bleeds. Is it common for dogs's mouths to bleed while tugging? Is this something I should go to the vet about? Thank you.

I recently purchased the DVD "8 weeks to 8 months" which has been a great training aid. I wanted to ask at what age does Ed typically recommend to spay his female shepherds? Thanks in advance, John

Ms. Cindy, Which of the prong collars is the sturdiest? I plan on purchasing a 2 clasp lead when I purchase the prong collar so that I will have a lead on a backup collar should the prong collar fail. I'm working with a 10 month old 170# English Mastiff that is still 100% puppy but also incredibly strong. Anyway, please let me know which prong collar you feel will handle the most stress. Thanks, Brad

Hi Cindy, I would like to ask what is the appropriate feeding temperature of a raw diet? That is, do I serve it straight from the fridge or at room temperature? Thanking you in advance. Best regards, Dennis

My 3 year old neutered doberman is aggressive with other males only when I am around. I walk him on a leash at all times, and he does not lunge at other males, but if they approach, he will attack. Unfortunately, I live in an area where numbers of people walk their dogs off-leash. If another dog approaches, I make my dog sit next to me and call out to the other dog owner that my dog is not friendly, but people don't always listen. My dog walker and the kennel where he is sometimes boarded rep...

Hello, I came across your website, which is amazing and just wondered if i could ask your opinion on recent events. The Scenario: My friend has two staffordshire bull terrier bitches who appeared to be getting on well, they came in season together and she mated them! The first bitch went into labour but a pup got stuck and an emergency section was needed, at much cost, the bitch took well to the pups and all seemed fine. The second bitch was took in for a section after what ha...

Dear Ed, I wrote to you before sometime ago about herding GSDs. I have a very young bitch who is quite promising in herding with strong schutzhund lines and herding lines in her pedigree. She is working a two sided border rather independently on a long line, but from time to time she is still breaking in on the sheep. In herding, it is acceptable for a grip on the sheep when appropriate, the problem we have is, Janna our girl has a great grip and in the proper places on the sheep. She is a...

I visited your web site today to find out what kind of vitamins to supplement my puppy with. To be quite honest, I did not have much time to go item by item, but I really want to buy something. Would you recommend something with calcium for his bones or what kind of vitamin would you suggest? I'm currently feeding Royal canine which is a good brand, but still want to give him some supplements... In advance thanks for your time. Juan

How much do I feed?

Hello, I took my dog in for a check up and talked to my veterinarian about the raw food diet you push and she said; bad idea. She said dogs will contract Campylobacter and salmonella from raw chicken just like humans. She said eating raw chicken is unsafe for humans and why would you risk your dogs health by feeding them raw chicken? I've been making my own dog food; cooked with a protein source such as elk; oryx; deer; chicken; pork or beef mixed with brown rice; cooked vegetable; egg...

Dear Cindy, First I would like to say that you have a beautiful website with a good information that easy to know for every one, thank you very much. I have question on breeding... I have a couple of rottweilers and I want to breed them. From the the day 1 to day 9 she started her heating period it was normal and clean and the blood became very light that hard to see then I let my male jump on her from the 9 day till 14 day but today I shocked because I found a lot of dark drop of blood...

I just ordered your whelping video but needed an answer to my question before I would get it. The breeder of our dog told us to give our bitch, Pet-tab Calcium 1 week before whelping her. The Vet says no. Who is right?? This is suppose to ward off eclampsia. Our bitch is due in 2 weeks. Thanks, Paula

Hello, I have enjoyed your e-mails in the past with questions about whelping and you were very quick to respond, straight up and very very helpful and thank you for that. My new question is this, I have breed my female Sandy vom Salztalblick twice with 2 different males, the first was Kim von der Ehrfelder-H?lzung and the second breeding was with OCJ of Shepherdglen. 9 pups in the first litter "6 males & 3 females" and 6 pups in the second litter "2 males & 4 females." I keep in co...

Hi: I have been sitting here reading your emails from people regarding vaccinations. I have had many pets die in the past after living to be only 5 to 7 years old, and I truly believe they were over vaccinated. Anyway, here is my question, how do you get away with not having to give Rabies vaccine? Is it not mandated in your area? I have 2 GSD's and I feed them a raw diet and I do NOT plan to give them any more vaccinations but I KNOW the vet is gonna pressure me but my main thi...

I have an alaskan husky who is 17 months old. He is a sled dog from racing lines- leaders bred to leaders. I am training him to skijor, and one of the most important things a skijor dog must do is be willing to lead, pull steadily, avoid distractions. I know many trainers say you should always walk in front of your dog to show you are the pack leader. What's your take on this, when I've been training my dog to pull in front, but still respond to my commands from puppyhood? Do you a...

I have two pit bulls, 1 male, 1 female, both three years old. They are great dogs and my life. Single military guy, not much else to do. They dogs are great in the home and have never been aggressive towards me in any way. But are aggressive towards other dogs and will do anything to get to a cat and kill it. Major prey aggression. The dogs and I have established the master of the pack situation, but I am having trouble controlling them off the leash. I am trying to retrain them (previous mil...

Dear Cindy, I want to thank you first of all for answering my questions a few weeks ago. I received the puppy training video and Establishing pack structure one and am nearly through the puppy one but not very far on the other one. We have a 4 month old puppy and a 4 year old mutt who looks and acts like a Jack Russell. Your information has been so helpful. I have several questions concerning how these two dogs may/should interact. 1. Can you direct me to an article that would tell...

I'm so hoping you will read this and respond :) I just ordered your e-collar DVD and looking forward to learning correct training methods with the e-collar. I have a 15 month old Bernese Mountain Dog who is very dog reactive, not aggressive just VERY enthusiastic to meet other dogs, any dogs. She has been well socialized starting at 11 weeks old and this problem persists. We have gone to classes also and she still acts like she's never met a dog in her life! The main problem is when she...

Good Morning, I am hoping that you can help me with what I believe is an unusual situation. Almost two months ago, we found a Shiba Inu running stray in our community... she was in beautiful shape but very skittish, scared, impossible to catch. We called every agency, checked every website, nobody was looking for her. My teenage children and I set out to gain her trust - it took over a month, but we were able to catch her in a crate - we had anticipated a bad reaction, but she ha...

Hello. While searching the internet for "2 weeks after Neuter. my black lab is attacking me," I found your website and information on why dogs attack. I called one of your staff members today and told her my plight, she didn't know the answer so she guided me to your email address. Of all the websites I've searched, and all the phone calls I've made, some how, I've been lured to your site. Anyway, here is my story: 2 weeks ago, I went to the local humane Soc...