Most Popular Q&As

First let me thank you for responding as I am sure you are very busy. I am fan of your videos, I've ordered several and plan on ordering several more along w/ the books. I have a 3 y/o Mali who is sensitive to the E-collar. He doesn't even like just a slight shock. For example when it's put on him for a building search he will enter the building go about 10 yards, turn and detain me (the handler). His previous handler has only had to 'roll' him once and it was when he had the shoc...

What are the best toys for puppies?

We adopted a 6-9 month old Brittany and have had her for approx. 2 months. We have done a lot of work with her and she and our 3 cats can now co-exist rather well. Our main concern is that she literally hates being crated when we leave the house. She is never left in her crate more than 7 hrs. while we are at work/school. She seems to find some way to escape and then ultimately chews something up while before we get home at least two days out of the five. What can we do?

My husband and I brought a German Shepherd puppy 5 day's ago. She is 8 weeks old we are very happy with her and she seems to be settling in well. The first two nights she never cried during the night at all. Now however she whines and howls and we have got up to her and told her a firm "NO" and given her a light shake on the scruff of her neck. This method does not seem to be working now. Can you help? I think we should ignore her my husband is worried about the noise and the neighbors. We wo...

Dear Friends, I was so happy when I found your web site. Our family recently expanded with a new member, our new "baby" GS puppy.She is beautiful and only four month's old.We love her so much, our Bella. When we brought her home both of her ears are fine and our friends kept teasing us that we have a new "satellite" dish.But, we don't know what happened and her left ear 'flopped' two days ago. Could you tell us if that is ok for now and when we should tape it? ...

Hi Cindy, We have a 15 week old GSD who we want to eventually train in protection. We have several of your dog training DVDs- puppy, 8 weeks to 8 mos, working puppy, puppy bite work, basic obedience, marker training, but I haven't seen the answer to these questions: 1. He is going through a very mouthy stage- we are constantly re-directing him to chew on acceptable items. Is this just what we need to do during this time, verses any corrections? We are working on 'leave it', ...

Hi, I'm sure you get many emails regarding dogs. I have purchased many of your DVDs and read the wonderful articles you have online. We have a 14 week old boxer/lab who has taken to his crate very nicely, always goes potty outside in the same spot and seems to have a nice personality. I ALWAYS keep the dog on a leash, inside and outside (and have never had an accident because of it!). My question is, you mention not to interact with a puppy unless he is outside until 4-5 months. We...

Can you recommend me some good training treats for my german shepherd puppy? Thanks

Hi Ed, Wanted to thank you - I am a big fan of your website and DVD offerings. I wanted to ask your opinion on a particular stumbling point I am having with my mastiff puppy who is now 12 weeks old. It is the steps, she seems afraid of them, and despite my coaxing with food markers refuses to follow a come command to follow me down them or even go to the top of them. Which until today, I've passed off as something she will overcome. However, it is becoming more and more app...

Hello. I have a lab mix who will turn 2 years this October. When I first got him I took care of him inside 24/7. Since then, he has been completely an outside dog. I will be moving into an apartment in August next year (2006), and I will have to keep him indoors. I was told by family it was cruel to do that to a dog. I was told it would be taking away the "freedom" he's had. So...my first question is...Is it cruel to change an outside dog to an inside dog. Second is it okay to crate train...

My almost 5 month old miniature schnauzer puppy has been in puppy obedience class for 3 weeks. She is doing very well with her commands (sit, down, come) and up until this past Saturday has interacted well with all the other handlers and dogs in the class. However, at our last class, she growled at and bit the training instructor when she touched her feet. The bite did not break the skin or leave any red marks. I was very surprised by her reaction since she has never before displayed any ...

Hi My mother got a white German Shepard.She is 73 years old and lives alone.She wanted the dog for protection to let her know when someone comes up.She has a problem with the dog jumping on her and skinning her arms up. and nipping at her shoes. When she walks.She wants the dog but I don't think she can handle him.He's a smart dog. I thought about getting a shock collar. I have seen some from 90.00 to 450.00.I don't know which one would be best for her. She is on a fixed income. any help woul...

Ed, I have a 1 1/2 year old working male Bouvier who is defiant about taking the platz/down command. He knows it, but is giving me the finger. Any ideas? 1. Use the e-collar and MAKE him 2. Use his dinner as the food reward 3. Prong the piss out of him 4. Wait until he gets through this stage... I respect your knowledge of working dogs and this is why I am writing you. Thank you. Sincerely, Howard

Hi Cindy, Two quick questions..... Just bought two bully sticks from you.....and yes I know what they are and it makes me smile to think of it as I know a few people that might need the same treatment......but that's another story... What do you recommend for a year and a half medium - large size dog (60 pounds) who is a very aggressive chewer. Bones (real or artificial are out) rawhide bones are ok, cheap bully sticks last two seconds, and she guts stuffed animals....

Hi Ed and Cindy, I adopted a female GSD (then 6 months old) from another family a few months ago. She is now 10 months old. Her previous family trained her in search and rescue at a very young age, and I think they did this without even training her in basic obedience. When we got her, she was practically pulling my arms out of the sockets during walks and sniffing the ground the entire time. They also taught her to "speak" when she wants something, and now she is constantly whining and ye...

Cindy, I have a 4 year old female Brittany who was given to us when she was one and a half because she was afraid of the shotgun and wouldn't hunt. She is very obedient around the house and in our backyard but the second you put a leash on her and take her out she forgets you exist. She is too busy observing the birds and squirrels and she pays no attention to the person at the other end of her leash. I had a trainer come to my house and whenever he is around she walks nicely but a...

Hello Cindy, I was wondering if I could get some help and advice. I have a German shepherd puppy who is a few months old. Still a baby of course but we have started marker/clicker training as I do with all my dogs. The shepherds I have had in the past all matured slowly but they at least showed some form of prey drive as babies. This puppy comes from good working lines and is high energy. However, I cannot get him to chase ANYTHING. We have put various tugs on a string, including buffa...

Cindy, I'm amazed by the focused heeling video that Ed just sent out. I have a few questions. My dog has only food drive, though it's a very strong food drive. Will this be a problem for that training? Will tugs be involved in the focused heeling training? The site has jute tugs that you can put food in, would that be a good to teach my terrier mix to like tugs? I'm also wondering if the DVD would be good for dog owners not engaged in any competition training. Thanks. -Ben

What is your opinion of an officer buying a puppy and trying to raise it with the purpose of ending up with a police service dog?

My Sheriff Dept. is considering starting a auxiliary K-9 unit to be staffed by some reserve officers, to be spread into the county areas to assist the regular K-9 unit. Because the reserve officers are routinely called out to back up the zone officers we feel this will greatly enhance our k 9 dept since our k9 unit also work regular zones and not strictly k9. The Sheriff wants the dogs to do tracking and narcotics search and not really specialize in "bite," what type of dogs should we look fo...