Obedience Q&As

Dear Ed and Cindy, I want to first think you for all of the great help you have to offer on your website. I have learned a lot about working with dogs from you. I'm writing because I have a new problem that I would like your advise on. I have a 5 month old male GSD that is aggressively biting me and spinning to get away when I hold on to his collar. I have tried many different corrections but it just seems to make the situation worst.

Dear Cindy, I hope this email finds you well. I am inquiring on the concept of full crate submission. I recently adopted a 3 y.o cattle dog mix this past April. He has come a long way with his training but still has a long way to go. Every morning before class, he gets fed and we go on a 25 minute walk. When we get back, I make breakfast for myself and watch some TV before class. Right before I leave for class he gets put in his crate. Because of this routine, he knows when he will be p...

I have a Red heeler/GSD mix. He is 12 weeks old and has been a perfect puppy. He sits before we go out and come in. I have established I am the pack leader. He does not listen to anybody but me. I'm a little nervous about that because I have roommates. My problem is that when we are playing he sometimes bites and when I sternly say NO. He stops but then "talks back" barking and moaning. I have to say NO 2 more times for that to stop. What would be the reason he is doing this? And how can I co...

Hello, I've been watching your videos with Andrew Ramsey on the upcoming nosework DVDs. One question I have is how much equipment is necessary to do this sport? I see on the short video clips that you have the dogs learning to search many plastic type containers. Can you give me an idea of what I will need in order to get started before I commit to buying the DVD? Thanks! Mari

We recently rescued a starved emaciated female pitbull from the side of the road. I have been watching her closely to pinpoint any aggression issues; but so far she has shown no aggression to our dogs that she has seen but not closely encountered or people. She is very submissive and shy although hasn't even really thought about biting anyone even when poked and prodded by the vets. Evidently she was never trained on a leash. This is fundamental stuff she needs to know ASAP. I have tried to b...

Hello there. Your focus heeling DVD has been recommended to me. I have a toy fox terrier with several titles on him. However, his weakness is heeling. I have tried everything I know and then some...lol Would the DVD be appropriate for a toy dog? Thank you so much. Mary

I have tugged a number of times with my dog, but I am hesitant to fully develop my dog's tugging skills because her mouth always bleeds slightly when we tug. She acts as if nothing is happening, and she continues to tug. Even when I tug lightly with her, she still bleeds. Is it common for dogs's mouths to bleed while tugging? Is this something I should go to the vet about? Thank you.

Cindy, My 4 year old GSD does not bother with two of my three cats. They are smart enough to know that he's a big goof ball, so they let him lick them a few times until he gets bored and walks away. He likes all the cats, BUT the third cat is too damn stupid to realize the dog is just being playful. He's not afraid of the dog, he just doesn't want to be bothered. Of course, the dog's natural prey drive kicks in when the cat runs from him. The dog would NEVER harm any of the cats, but how d...

Dear Ed and Cindy, 14 days ago we picked up a GSD puppy (12 weeks). The dog is playing and playing... He runs around the house with his ball and his Kong but as soon you start to play with him he freeze and just stared at you. He is also not willing to play outside (walking is fine, meeting new people and new dogs is also not a problem and he is not scared for cars, buses, trains or whatever). Can you maybe give me some advice about how I can teach him that playing with other people (me...

We have a 8 1/2 year old Kangal from Turkey. His name is Yurek. We have, since he was 10 weeks old, fed him a raw food diet. He weighs 136 lbs. We boil Chickens, have raw meat cut into 1? stew size and he eats around 3 lbs per day. He recently has been having some stomach problems. Is there anything I can give him to settle his stomach down? Robert

How often should I give a search command during nosework?

How long should a nosework session be?

How long does it take to train your dog in nosework?

What are your thoughts on training aids, working in a sterile environment and cross contamination in nosework?

What is rewarding from the source and how is it different from other training methods?

How do you Desensitize Your Dog to the Payment Delivery Process in Nosework?

Hi Cindy, You have always been so helpful in the past. I attribute my dogs wonderful behavior to your DVDs and informative website. I purchased a Dogtra 280 ecollar and have used it training my dog (boxer-chow mix) with recalls since he was 1 year old. He responds well to the collar and marker training and is extremely well behaved. After my dog turned a year old he developed a shyness toward people (mainly men). He warms up after being ignored and approaches on his own terms and eventual...

I have an 8 week old puppy & have been crating her since day 1. Although it's only been 4 days. She still gets pretty frantic after putting her into the crate. She sreams, howls & barks exsesivly. It can last from 1 solid hour to 3 hours off & on. We ignore her while in crate. I have tried placing the crate both in site of us (day time) & out of site (night time) with no change. I do put an everlasting toy/treat along with another chew in the crate with her. Also at night I place a blanket ov...

Hi, Love your all you are doing :) I have a 13 week old puppy(Weimaraner). Things are going well with marker training. He is crate trained and we are getting there with house training. He is a soft to mid temperament. Started marker training first few weeks with his name, now he just about gets whiplash when I call his name. He's learning sit already. When we walk I made the mistake of thinking I could 'marker' train the "slow" command by marking him when he slowed and turned. But I realiz...

Hello, I purchased an electric collar on my vet's advice. I have a three year old American Bulldog (112 lbs)and a 10 month mastiff mix (90 lbs). Both are rescue dogs, and both have serious behavioral issues. I have made a lot of progress with most of their issues, but one definitely remains. I was having difficulty walking/jogging with these dogs (each is walked individually, never together due to their size) and their over stimulation regarding other dogs/stimuli. Choke and prong collars ...