Most Popular Q&As

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!

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...

We will be moving overseas to Japan (military) with our dog. Any tips in general and any favorite pet shippers? Dog (Dutch Shepherd) is only 65lbs, but because he has such a long neck/long legs and big pointy ears putting him at 35" tall while sitting which equals giant #700 kennel and cargo only status.

I didn't read your article to not get 2 puppies at one time. Now that it is to late we have a female Golden Retriever and a male Cavalier both about 4 months. we have had them for 1 month and potty training is pretty good we do have the occasional accident. Our big problem is the Golden is beating up on the Cavalier. We have tried putting her in her crate when she starts, we have tried loud noises and spraying water but to no avail. We can't let either one go as they both have physical proble...

I just found out that my dog that I bred a week ago has fleas and the other animals in our house. What can I use on her to get rid of the fleas and not hurt the puppies she might be carrying?

I understand a stretch strap comes with one of the Educator units. Will the stretch strap work with all units? If so, can I purchase it separately?

Cindy, We have a very small female puppy (~12 lbs @10 weeks) and are working with her to encourage prey drive as a start for protection. She seems to have good prey drive for moving objects ( compared to my last dog and my friends` GSDs) and is crazy for the leather bite rag. I want to take it slow with her development since my last dog was damaged by a well respected trainer starting defense work too early (this is just my opinion and suggestions from other working breeders of this typ...

Hi Cindy, I was wondering if Giardia Parasitic D'Tox is a treatment or preventive for Giardia and if it also works for Coccidia?? Do you have any recommendations for Coccidia? I seem to have it when I am weaning puppies. Any and all help will be great! Thanks.

We have a 16-month-old male neutered Boxer and have had him since 8 weeks of age. I have trained him on your methods and have had great results except, when he was very young about 3 or 4 months, he would turn and snap at me when I gave him a correction if he was nosing around or chewing on something. I would correct by LEAVE IT command and move him away from whatever it was. I thought that had been rectified until recently. He wears a drag leash all the time and the other morning, while ...

I have an 8 month gsp. I trained him fully on papers. He holds it in all night. I am frustrated and I walk him, he refuses to make outside... any tips? Should I not put down the papers... Your Q&A page was not working properly. I need some help so the gsp can be fully housebroken to go outside. I am one step into sending him to a foster home for adoption. My gsp has the makes on a good family dog. Need help. Thanks, Anna

Hello, I purchased an electric collar on my vet's advice. I have a three year old American Bulldog (112 lbs)and a 10 month mastiff mix (90 lbs). Both are rescue dogs, and both have serious behavioral issues. I have made a lot of progress with most of their issues, but one definitely remains. I was having difficulty walking/jogging with these dogs (each is walked individually, never together due to their size) and their over stimulation regarding other dogs/stimuli. Choke and prong collars ...