Behavior Problems Q&As

Hi Cindy, I have read many articles on your website and also purchased and viewed (and still viewing) your DVDs. I have currently got a 4th dog, which I was supposed to have in joint-ownership, however it seems that I will have it all by myself unless we return him to the rescue center. I am currently following your advise from DVD Establishing Pack Structure and Article Ground work. To Explain, my existing pack (I had all 3 dogs from pups) consists of: 1) 3.5 Year old JRT bitch - spaye...

Hi Cindy, You've helped me before and your advice has been right on, so I'm back for more help :) We are adopting an English Springer Spaniel dog (about a year old) and she is a perfect fit for our family. We are so excited to bring her home. I've studied your site and Ed's article on ground work for adult dogs. I plan to follow that advice carefully. The dog comes from a home where they didn't crate train her, free fed her garbage food, and had a doggie door so she's not house tra...

Hello! I just recently adopted a 3 year old American Bulldog. She has never been around cats so introducing her to my cat Bob has made me nervous. I was reading about American Bulldogs and it says that they don't get along with cats unless they have been around cats and my friends are telling me to get rid of the cat or give the dog back. I just don't believe that because of a dogs breed they couldn't get along with a cat. I did read the article about introducing dogs and cats and so far ...

Here is the history. I've had Yorkie's in the past and they are the very sensitive, loyal, and loveable dogs. As a breed, I don't feel they are the most brilliant, but smart enough if you work with them to catch on to basic tasks and potty training. A couple of months ago, I was in a store and overheard a man talking about a breeding kennel that had a little Yorkie that would not breed and they were getting rid of her. I could tell by the way he talked that she needed a home immediately. ...

Last week I received a rescued Golden Retriever - age 6-7? Still has a lot of puppy in him. He needs proper training but is a wonderful dog. His name is "Boy." is it too late to change his name in some way? All I know is that he originally came from a pound in GA and the family moved to PA but were told to give him up. Boy is the only name he knows so I understand keeping that but, I think, he deserves something a bit more like him. And yes, he is a boy. Eager to hear your suggestions o...

Hi Ed, I really appreciate your online content. I've read a few days worth and still see there is much much more to go. I have a question about your 'no two dogs' article. The first line talks about an example like "no, do not get a second puppy to keep your older dog company," but the article mainly talks about how people shouldn't raise two puppies at the same time. I want to make sure if and what the distinction is. I am currently in the approximate position you me...

I need your help in making the right decision. We have a large bullmastiff that is a 4 year old male. When we brought him into our family we had a male black lab who was 9 years and a female golden retriever who was 7. They adjusted to the bullmastiff just fine. The male black lab was the dominant dog and there was never any trouble with fighting. In fact, the bullmastiff would pretty much bow down to the lab. He played regularly with the golden. Last November we had to put the black lab ...

I have been reading many of your responses to questions about raising 2 puppies at once, and still have some outstanding concerns about my own situation before committing to adopting a couple of new family members. Up until a couple of months ago, I had 2 miniature schnauzers, Basil (13 years old) and Oscar (8 years old). Oscar succumbed to a rapid cancer a couple of months ago and passed away peacefully thanks to our loving vets. Basil was raised from a puppy with our previ...

Been a long time fan of your kennel and training methods. Have a question that I would like your expert opinion on. My wife and I have three small children 5,3,1 and would like to add a puppy to this mix? I have been getting mixed reviews about having a dog with three small kids and that I should wait till the little one is at least 3? My question too you is have you sold dogs in the past to people in my situation and how did it work out. We have narrowed down the search to with a GS...

Hello, I have read most of your articles on bringing a dog into a home with other dogs, I have not been able to discover your suggestion on what to do if you have a new puppy. I have 3 dogs a 12 year old, a 7 year old, and a 3 year, these are the dogs that I have had for years I have raised all these dogs from less then a year old most since they were puppies. The 3 year old is the only one that I have questions on, he is a malamute and he is a big baby. The puppy I am trying to introduce ...

Perhaps you could give some very desperate owners some advice on how to handle this? We have three rescue dogs two about twelve; male and female one recently rescued about 8 months old a female just over her first heat. She became very aggressive with the older female, she has established her dominance but still there has been several attacks and the last few were bloody ones and harmful to the older female. Is something like this possible to fix and how? We're planning to h...

Cindy, We are planning to add to our family. Currently, we have a 3 year old, spayed female GSD who we purchased from the breeder when she was 9 weeks old. Raven is very sweet and 'soft' in temperament ? definitely not an alpha female. With the increase in home foreclosures, loss of jobs, etc., we feel as though it would be more socially responsible to adopt a rescue dog. My question is this: is it a myth that the best pairings are male-female rather than adopting a dog o...

Hi There. I found your website while trolling for ways to control or train a new to our house Pitbull. We rescued her a few days ago and she is slowly putting weight back on, just skin and bones when we caught her, which wasn't hard! We already have three house/garden dogs and three cats. The Pitbull, now named Harley, just won't stop trying to catch and kill the cats! How do we control Harley as we do not wish to have her put down? Would an electric collar work? What about a muzzle? ...

We are owners of a Cavalier King Charles 2 year old female. We have been discussing the prospect of adding a 'buddy'? for her to our home and finally decided that it was time. We also decided it would be a rescue from the Cavalier Rescue of Chicago. About 10 days ago we drove with our dog (Sophie) to the foster home to meet Merlin (male 2 years old). The foster home had 3 other cavaliers in the home so everyone was at ease when we introduced Sophie. The immediate attention to one a...

I have your videos on Pack Structure, Puppy 8 weeks to 8 Months, and Basic Obedience, have read your articles and tried to find this on the discussion board but have been unable to do so. First, I am a former math teacher and have had a lot of experience with teenage boys and a normal amount of experience with dogs. Your training methods for dogs are just what I applied in the classroom. I am retired and spend most of my time with the dogs. My husband is a pack member but he doesn'...

Hi, I just adopted an intact 5-yr old male German Shep who, I'm told, is Level 3 Schutzhund-trained. He's been retired due to an injury. I am having him neutered in the next 2 weeks. I am having a problem introducing him to my cats, as he is fairly aggressive toward them. Can you recommend a training video or other anything else, that can help me with this? I am reluctant to use shock collars and other extreme measures. My goal is to get him to be friendly with the cats...

You came highly recommended by a coworker and I could really use your advice. Last Saturday we picked up an 11 month old Australian Shepherd / Shih Tzu mix from the SPCA after being spayed. I have two girls one 8 and one 12 and a 13 year old cat. So far the cat and dog definitely do not get along and the dog has gone from constant submissive urination to becoming aggressive, hyper and even destructive. Unfortunately, I have had her crated all night and then again during the day while we w...

Hi Cindy. My name is Katrina. Recently, a couple of days ago, I bought a puppy from a lady. The puppy is a mini Aussie, 5 months old (in 4 days). I think I might have made a mistake. When I picked her up (I drove 500 miles to get her), she seemed ok. A little scared, but I thought that was normal. Now that we are home, I don't think she was ever around humans before, except to get fed. She will not come to me with kisses or whistling, or anyone else. I put her in the house, and she...

Hello Cindy, We recently (only been 3 days now) got a 4 month old puppy and I was wondering your opinion. The dog is great in terms of how nice it is, and it seems to already be learning quickly. The issue I was wondering about was the time we spend with the dog. I am thinking that we kind of rushed into getting him without really thinking enough about the time that we should spend with him. My wife and I both work full time and can't really be home in the day time. I can and have ...