Most Popular Q&As

Hi Cindy. In one of the videos, Ed suggests giving your dog a "time out" by putting your dog in his crate when he has done something wrong. He said that it doesn't have to be a long time-out period. It can be only a few minutes to be effective. Even so, won't the dog start generalizing being put in their crate with having done something wrong? Won't it cause confusion when you send your dog to his crate to "go to your bed" at night?

Hi, my 10-week old puppy, since we got him, has never really been into food. We got the food the trainer suggested... didn't like it. Got a new brand, liked it for a day, then didn't like it the next. The only way he'll eat ALL of his food is if I soak it in water and let it sit for 30 minutes... Any suggestions as to why this is happening? Is it just a puppy thing...? Thanks!

Hello Cindy, My question is concerning an 8 mons old working line GSD. She heels very well both on and off-leash. I have been using an E-collar with her for more than a month now. So far all E-collar training has been relatively Distraction free. One quirk that puzzles me is a few times now when she noses the ground during a heel command I will give her a low-level stim to correct her. When we walk back over this same area again which is usually grassy she will side step the spot she rece...

Hi Leerburg. I have watched Leerburg videos on Youtube and also bought the DVD Raising your puppy with Michael Ellis. I get my German Shepherd puppy home in about 4 weeks. I have a question about when Michael talks about not letting the puppy be too focused on something that happens in the surroundings, Like other dogs, or a cat, or people. But the puppy must be allowed to be curious and at the same time be allowed to look. Where should you set the limit? I understand that I should not le...

Good Evening, I have a 10-week-old GSD that is a bit nervy with car rides. He has exhibited very solid nerves with most other things, so I am thinking it is because he experienced a traumatic experience when he got severely car sick on the two hour ride home (crated) from when I picked him up at 8-weeks. He will get in the car but it is with slight hesitation and he only starts to relax when he is laying on my someone's lap. I have not tried using a crate again as I felt it would makes ...

We live by a golf course and I let my 7 month old lab off leash a bit so he can run around. Problem I find is he will catch a ball but then stop and find grass or something else to start eating. Yelling, Yuck or No does nothing to get him to stop. As I approach he'll quickly swallow the stuff. I then say Yuck or No and put him back on lease. Any ideas for me to get him to stop this action??

I’m trying to get my 12-week-old Aussie puppy to focus on me using Michael Ellis’ methods. I want us to have a good relationship. The problem is, she is tepid about me but she ADORES my older Aussie. I started keeping them separate at all times (which is hard) but whenever she’s out of her crate, the puppy goes straight for the big one. And when they are together in person, they are relentless players. The puppy shows ten times the enthusiasm for the old dog and she does for me despite ...

when training my puppy what are some of the best training treats?

My local trainer is requesting I get a 6-foot leather leash. What width of a leash do you recommend for a male Shiba Inu? Thank you!

First of all, I want to express how thankful and grateful I am with the content that I've purchased. It really improved my game and the bond with my dog. I have a question about luring; my dog keeps licking my hand extensively while luring him (trying to get the reward, or at least taste it, I think). How can I stop this behaviour without damaging the lure work? I would like my dog to just touch my hand with its nose during the lure without licking my hand. Many thanks in advance.

Hi, I would like to order a ball on string. Just had a few questions. I saw Michael Ellis's video on ball play and he said the ball should be right in size and squishier for inexperienced dogs so they can get a good grip. I have an 8 month belgian malinois. Which one of your balls on string would you recommend (he isn't good at gripping my hard rubber ball) and which size? Thanks in advance

Isn't there a video where Michael Ellis explains the best order for progressing a puppy/dog through his system? I can't seen to find it. Can you send me the link?

I have an 8 week old Malinois who I plan on doing IGP with. I introduced a ball today to see his retrieving behavior in a small space with a small throw. He loved the ball but he immediately grabbed it, lay down facing away from me and started chewing it. It looks to me he is very possessive over it (you could see it in the eyes and him facing away). No amount of encouraging would make him move or come near me (I've never taken things away from him only redirected to not encourage guarding). ...

Hi Cindy, I am watching the puppy video from 8 weeks to 12 months. I think the last time I watched it was almost 13 years ago and it was all about crate training which worked for our puppy then as we worked all day. Now we are retired and have a new puppy. The Ex - Pen is awesome and aside from a little whining our chihuahua-yorkie mix is doing great. My question is about potty training. She is supervised in the Ex-pen and we take her out frequently while she is awake or right after she wa...

After many months of trying, my 14 lbs terrier mix is not consistently straight on a recall or being called front from heel. Do you have any advice? Thanks!!

Hello, I have recently rescued a German Shepherd. He is male and approximately 15 months old. I have had the dog for two months and we are bonding fine and he is responding well to marker training, however, he becomes aggressive when approached during feeding, and this morning he growled at me after being put in his crate. He had not finished his food, (unusual) and crated himself (he usually does this once he finishes his meal). When I went to pet him (while he was in his crate) and invite h...

Hi Cindy, I was wondering, how do you keep the rubber feed pan from collapsing under the weight of the dog? I purchased the rubber feed pan to teach rear end awareness. Every time my dog stands on it it collapses. In the videos you produced on the subject. You use the rubber feed pan but it does not collapse. I have resorted to several cut up 2x4’s screwed together. It works but is a headache. I figure you must have done something similar. But perhaps not so cumbersome. I would appreciat...

I have a 2 yr old bloodhound/coonhound/newfie mix with low food drive, a sensitive stomach, and zero toy drive. He has no interest in chasing a ball or playing tug, and not a great appetite. Does the Power of Training with Food video deal with building food drive at all? I've done marker training in the past with other dogs but was stymied by this one. I need to build engagement, and am hoping one of your videos will help.

Hi Cindy, I have been looking into purchasing a working bloodline pup for some time with the goal of going as far as possible with obedience training. The breeder I chose is overseas and currently has an ideal puppy but says they need to wait another month before shipping her to the US, at which time she will be 4 months. In your opinion, how much of a difference does delaying training impact the overall results?

Hello! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your website and all of it's contents. We have a 9-week old Golden Retriever puppy and the information you've provided has given us such a firm foundation. Thank you! My question has to do with running. I know pups this age shouldn't be running/jogging until they're older, but what age is that? Also, is playing fetch considered running as well? I've searched your database but couldn't find this answer. I'm sure it's in there but I couldn't l...