Most Popular Q&As

Can a dog be reconditioned to enjoy working through marker training if its previous owner used compulsion training? I have an adopted dog who I believe was trained using compulsion and is very timid or cautious when training, I can tell she is afraid to make a mistake. I adopted her at about 1 year old, she looked pretty neglected, but is smart as a whip. Thanks, Sharon

Cindy Thanks for your previous help. Here is my question. I switched to RAW 2 weeks ago and am having no problems at this time. The question is about the chicken I am feeding. I have 2 local sources, one sells leg quarters for .59 per pound. They appear to be fresh, young chicken quarters, not frozen, with no back or other parts attached. The second source sells them frozen for .39 per pound. These are larger with pieces of back and often small bits of liver attached. They are probably ...

Hi Cindy, I have a 9-month-old GSD and I cannot get him to stop eating rocks. I have bought a muzzle from you and I was wondering if you have a plastic muzzle that I can feed food rewards through to him?

Hello. I have an intact male 18-month-old Golden Retriever. For a few months, I would take him on a long walk on a jogging trail using a 20 ft long line so he could run around and sniff and mark. NOW, I don't allow him on a 20ft line instead I only use a 6 ft line and I take him on "structured" walks and not free roaming walks. He marks inside a store if there were previous dog smells like a pet store. But he does not mark if I take him to dept stores or hobby stores where there are no dog sm...

Hi there. My 14-week-old pitbull puppy is terrified of going for walks. She is super rambunctious inside, wanting to play and bark and run around with the other dogs, but once we try to go outside she slams on the brakes and tries to go back inside. We tried luring her with treats to help her move forward but she is just fixated on getting back in. How can I help her get used to being outside for play and walks?

I have done a lot of AI's using your video and have been successful, I'm thinking of having semen flown in from another state but am having trouble finding a vet that can thaw and AI. Do you have a video that instructs how to thaw the semen? I'm happy to AI, I know my dogs heat cycle and don't need all the tests, just knowledge of how to thaw correctly so I don't damage the sperm.

We are trying to leash train our 4 mo. old miniature schnauzer. I have purchased and viewed your puppy video, which as been very helpful. Our dog really doesn't have a problem walking with the leash, but won't do it because she is afraid of unfamiliar territory beyond her home turf. How can we build her confidence so that she will walk with us?

My gsd came to me on pedigree she is 17 wks now and I put her on hills large breed puppy food but I add cooked chicken, rice, veg, ground sirloin, bone broth etc 1/2 and 1/2 some days Ill add chicken hearts etc. point is I want her to eat raw but I dont know who to follow for nutrient/recipes. I want to prepare raw but not sure how to do it correctly. Thank you

Do spayed dogs lose their drive for Schutzhund or other protection sports? 

Hello, we have a very sweet but dog reactive beagle/basset mix. We are currently in training with a trainer who recommended using a prong to help with walks that were becoming stressful (lots of pulling and barking). I can't believe what a difference the prong makes! Our current prong is a bit large though (it is a Herm Sprenger with clip closure, stainless 1.5 inch width and approx 16.5 inches length). Can you please recommend a more appropriate-sized prong for our beagle/basset? It seems to...

Do you have a DVD or other reading for some recommended dry foods for puppy to adult German Shepherds and whether to go with grains or grain-free? Also tips for raw foods for puppy to adult, thank you!

I need some advice about how I should speak around my 14-week-old Retriever. I am following training methods detailed in courses and videos purchased from your company. My question concerns carelessly using words associated with very important skills in everyday conversation with the puppy. Among them is the word COME. My puppy has learned a very good unrestrained recall. However, both myself and my wife find ourselves saying COME HERE to the puppy for a variety of reasons but not the officia...

Our 3-year-old border collie, who's always high drive, has taken to lurching out after vehicles. It started with rattly trucks with trailers, and not its even noisy vehicles. He can be fully engaged and still reacts. It seems to be the sound and motion. Is an e-collar the route to go? He'll also take off if there is a bouncy ball e.g. basketball or tennis going on too? I don't see how we can engagement train him off this and it's life-threatening for him as he reacts and chases the moving veh...

Hello! My 15-week-old Dutch Shepherd pup is very hesitant with people and seems nervous. I really try and socialize her a lot. She never barks or shows aggression, just retreats and backs away from people. Wondering if this is normal and how much to push her with socialization. I try and give lots of treats while socializing to make it a positive experience but is there any risk of pushing them too much and overdoing socializing? Also, what are some recommendations for the best places to soci...

Hi. Me and my mom and dad have a 3 year old miniature poodle. He has epilepsy and is on potassium Bromide. He has been VERY aggressive since his first and only seizure. When I take him outside, he literally attacks me! Last week my dad was bringing him back from a walk and he lunged at my dad and bit him and to get him off, my dad had to kick him! Is this apart of the epilepsy or just aggression?! What should we do?! People are scared to pet him when this happens!

Hi Cindy, my puppy (4 months Rottweiler) is having some problems eating his meals (2/day). During our training he eats easily his kibble from my hands but when it's time to eat from the bowl he eats something and go away. It looks like he want to be feed by hands. Our meal routine is easy: - I prepare the food (kibble) - he waits in a sit position for a few seconds - I release him and he eats Am I doing something wrong? I can't understand the reason. He's eating less than he sh...

Two Questions: !). What do you do to keep your dog's teeth clean? 2). I have a 2 y/o Belgian Malinois. When should I have his teeth cleaned by my Vet? What age?

I have a question which I think could be interesting for various dog owners. My dog loves to be chased. It's by far her favourite game. It seems counter productive to play chase if one try to have a dog who loves to be near you, and hope to build a strong recall. Is there a way to use the chase game in our advantage? Can we transfer chase to a different game? Thank you

Which Michael Ellis DVD deals with dogs that are possessive with toys? My 8-month-old GSD won't play a two-ball game. He is quite happy to just possess one ball and isn't interested in the second ball.

Hey Cindy, Ed advises not to give dogs sugar, but condones giving blueberries as treats. Is he referring to refined sugar like table sugar? Are the natural sugars in blueberries carcinogenic? Thanks