Most Popular Q&As

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!

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

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

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).

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!

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 ...

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

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

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...

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

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...

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!

Hi Cindy, I'm looking for an easy on, adjustable Fly Ball harness with a handle. The one I saw yesterday on a dog was very nice. The handle was leather. Said it came from your company. I have a small standard poodle. Thank you.

Will this Non-Spill bowl work for flat faced breeds, such as my Boston Terriers? The problem I have is that when they drink water their chin gets wet and they drip water all over! I'd love to eliminate this mess, but I'm not sure if it would work in this situation. Please let me know it you have any feedback from any other flat faced breeds. Thanks, Linda

I have an eight week old male brussels and have noticed orange seed like items in his bedding every morning for the past 4 days. He has been wormed at 3 weeks and I haven't noticed him with any since but these "seeds" are very perplexing. What are they?

Hello Cindy, I am writing to you as I know you are one of the top places to ask questions. I do not have a question but an answer in regard to ear implants. I have a super drive GSD, which I imported. I was also told he had weak ears, and all the photos showed his ears standing, but a bit wavy. When I picked him up and the airport, it turned out the dogs ears were floppy, not weak. While working and having his attention, they would go up, but not remain up at all times. I decided to in...

Hey Cindy, Is there a national nosework organization? I would like to start a club here in Vermont so I would love to talk to the correct people about how to do that. I would also love to have someone like Andrew Ramsey come out and do a talk and clinic about the sport. Any help you could give would be great. Thanks, Nathan