Most Popular Q&As
July 14, 2022
Our Border Collie is taking off after vehicles, is an e-collar the route to go?
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...
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June 23, 2022
I want to teach my dog some new behaviors. Do I use continuous rewards for teaching the new behaviors even though I’m at the random reward stage with other cues/behaviors?
Hello Cindy,
I have a year-old German Shepherd. I understand the Continuous, then Variable, then Random Reward System. I have been using the marker training with her.
I am finally at the Random Reward System with the Basic Commands sit, down, heel, here, stay, wait, etc... But want to start teaching some new commands like Flip Spin into the heeling position.
Do I start over with the continuous reward system with the new commands and keep the Random Reward System for the known command...
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June 17, 2022
Can I use an e-collar to teach the out while playing tug with my dog?
Can I use an E-collar to teach the out while playing tug? What would be the side effects?
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May 10, 2022
I’m in a wheelchair and can’t use my arms or legs so I spit treats to my dog and he catches them. If he misses one, he checks out. I’d like to make the reward event more meaningful, do you have any ideas?
I’m training a German Shepherd. I am a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. I can’t use my arms or legs but I do have a power wheelchair so I can move a little bit. I can’t run from the dog and feed him with my hand. What I do is spit treats to him. It makes for a great eye Contact but after I give him the first treat, he checks out until I call him back for another command. If I spit a treat at him and he catches it then I can give him another one and he doesn’t check out. But once we miss ...
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March 16, 2022
Do you have an article on how to properly fit an agitation harness?
Hi Cindy. I received the New Style Leerburg agitation harness. What a beautiful harness. Thanks.
Which that said….do you have an article on how to properly “fit” the harness?
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March 10, 2022
My dog loves playing tug but when I let go of the item she munches her way to the end and bites the handles. How do I stop this?
Hi,
I have the following problem. My dog (2yr old Malinois) loves playing tug, biting wedges and arms and bites perfectly center but as soon as I let go she starts munching her way to one side and biting the handle or the corners of the wedge. How can I train her to keep it center and stop biting into the handles or corners or in case of the arm sticking her muzzle into it and biting the grab handle?
Thank you for your time and all the best!
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November 11, 2021
How do you keep your dog’s teeth clean and when should I have my dog’s teeth cleaned by a vet?
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?
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August 26, 2021
My dog loves to be chased, it’s her favorite game. Is it possible to build a strong recall with a dog that enjoys running away from you? Can I use this to my advantage?
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
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August 23, 2021
My young dog won’t play the “two ball” game. He is happy to just possess one ball and isn’t interested in the second one. Which Michael Ellis video deals with possessiveness?
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.
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August 16, 2021
Ed advises not to feed dogs sugar but are blueberries ok?
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
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July 26, 2021
I’m trying to compare the No Slip Long Line with your regular long lines, is the no slip line all rubber?
Is the No Slip Long Line all rubber or with something added to zigzag? Trying to compare with/against cotton 1” long lines. Thank you
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July 16, 2021
What type of equipment do I need for training a retrieve?
Hello -- I'm interested in the Michael Ellis Training the Retrieve course, can you tell me what type of equipment to buy to complete this video (other than dumbells) and the size of dumbells I should start with (my dog is a 55 pound mutt).
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June 21, 2021
I ordered an agitation harness but it will be too big for my puppies. What do you recommend for a GSD or Malinois puppy from 8 weeks until they are large enough for the 2 snap agitation harness?
Hello again Cindy,
Included in my order is the 2 snap Agitation Harness. However, it will be too big for my puppies right? (GSD and Malinois).
What's the best solution from 8 weeks old till the time I can use the 2 snap harness? The Eezwalker Medium size?
Thanks for your help!
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June 11, 2021
Is there a lesson plan or flash card system that you know of to help new trainers keep track of dogs they are working with?
Hi Cindy,
I am a new trainer looking for some planning/organizing help. I currently have 3 dogs I am training/sitting while owners are on vacation. I am having trouble keeping track in my head where each dog is at in terms of what they have learned, and what I need to teach them next. I have autism so I struggle with planning/memory so I think some sort of flashcard system like quizlet would help cue me if I get stuck training dogs... that's what I've come up with so far. I'm curious if you ...
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April 26, 2021
How do I introduce my German Shepherd puppy to my 8 pound Yorkipoo? He’s so rough with her.
Hi Cindy, I have a 5 mo. old German shepherd puppy I've had since he was 8 weeks old. I have an 8 lb yorkipoo & a labradoodle. I haven't been able to introduce him to my Yorkipoo because all he wants to do is paw her and mouth her to play and she's too little so we keep them apart. My question is how do I introduce them? He really wants to get to know her but he's too rough. Thank you
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April 19, 2020
I have a service dog that is struggling with the retrieve. How can I break it down further for the dog?
Hi Cindy,
You have been wonderful with answering questions in the past, thank you. My question is this: I have a service dog that is struggling with the retrieve. The dog will take and hold but the moment the object goes to the floor the dog is baffled. He cannot seem to understand the difference from just above the floor to floor. Obviously, this has made teaching the dog to bring objects difficult. Any thoughts on ways to break it down further for the dog? Thanks
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January 13, 2020
Recently, I started adding verbal cues to my dog's behaviors and now his engagement is waning. Why?
I have a 7-month-old mal/dutch shepherd puppy and I am just starting to put his behaviors on cue. Up to this point, he looks really good being lured into position and I am about 90% happy with the positions he is ending up in. We are both also having a ton of fun with a lot of engagement. Previously in my routines, we have worked through several different positions/behaviors which seems to keep him more engaged. Lately, I have limited the sessions to one behavior per session and have begun to...
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June 23, 2014
How concerned should I be about getting the Top-Matic magnets near electronic items?
I am considering purchasing the top-matic training equipment. How careful do I have to be with the magnets as far as getting near electronic items? Is there a suggested range? Do they come in a case that allows them to be kept without damaging outside items? Can they damage a car computer if they are in the vehicle? Thx
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December 6, 2013
I'm training my dog in competitive obedience and he has always listened very well until recently encountering a female coming into season. It ruined our entire training session. Can you advise any training tips to help with this problem?
Hello,
I recently started in competitive obedience training with my 5 year old Doberman. He is intact and has never been a problem other than being a very high energy dog. I am very intune with him, watch his every move esp. when we're out and about. He listens very well inhouse and while off leash on our runs through the woods. My problem is that he was doing very well in obedience class until he encountered a female coming in season. His nose was on the mats and being 95 lbs, I could ha...
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November 12, 2013
Is the higher content of alfalfa in Honest Kitchen Preference ok to feed on daily basis?
My question concerns Honest Kitchen Preference - what is your opinion on alfalfa? Preference seems to contain alot of alfalfa and I have heard good things and bad things about alfalfa use in dogs. Is the high amount of alfalfa that is in Preference ok to feed on a daily basis? Thank you!
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