Obedience Q&As
December 23, 2019
How do I teach the stay command to my dog?
Hi Cindy,
I've purchased all of the Ellis DVDs and the Basic Dog Obedience DVD and the Marker Training DVD but still am unsure how to train the basic "stay" command - whether in a sit or down. All of the DVDs seem to assume the "stay" command has already been taught to the dog. Anyway, can you assist in how to teach the "stay" command so that I can move on to some of the more skilled obedience commands in the DVDs with my Dutch Shepherd?
Thank you!
59% (10 out of 17)
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November 26, 2019
At what age should a Schutzhund puppy be introduced to burlap?
Greetings,
Most of the puppy toys are not made out of burlap, I assume not to associate possible tooth pain with the texture of jute. At what age should a Schutzhund puppy be introduced to burlap?
Thank you much for all the great work you do!!!
100% (5 out of 5)
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October 28, 2019
How can I improve my dog's food drive and motivation?
I take my dog to a training group where we train for an 1hr once a week it's mostly fun stuff, since we finished out good citizen scheme. But I still struggle a lot with her food drive and after about 45mins at training she just switches off and refuses all the treat I offer. She also will refuse to play at all at my training club. I've worked a lot on engagement, making her work for her food. She just has very little interest in food (sometimes she doesn't even want breakfast or dinner after...
100% (9 out of 9)
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October 21, 2019
Should I let my dog interact more with the neighbors because of the contact they will have, especially the person who may look after him from time to time if something happens or he needs to be looked after for a night if I am traveling?
I just got 10 week old Australian Cattle Dog. He has been home 5 days now. I read about not letting others not pet you dog and I have a question. I live alone in a rural setting in a neighborhood with about 4 houses pretty close by, so I interact with the neighbors a lot. One of the neighbors will be emergency contact for the puppy. I carry a tag on my key chain that says my pet is home alone please call .... and the neighbor will make take care of the dog. Should I let the dog interact more ...
100% (8 out of 8)
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October 14, 2019
What characteristics you would advise looking for in a PTSD service dog prospect in a litter of pups?
Hi!
I was wondering what characteristics you would advise looking for in a PTSD service dog prospect in a litter of pups? I?ve selected an outstanding breeder, whose previous litters had pups that went on to successfully complete service dog training, so there?s a history showing promise in genetics. So as far as temperament, what specifically would you look for if you were choosing an ideal candidate?
Thanks so much!
100% (8 out of 8)
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October 7, 2019
What treats to do you use when you train?
Hello, you've probably been asked this a million times but, what treats to do you use when you train? Thanks.
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September 6, 2019
I am a graveyard electrician and I do most of the training and exercising with our puppy. The pup wakes at 2-3am when I get home and is instantly in full "drive" and the results of training her at this time have been phenomenal. But I do not know how healthy this is for her physically and mentally. Any suggestions?
Thank you for the recent correspondence and the great deal on many of the videos. We chose Ed and your basic and intermediate videos because quite frankly, my fiance and I are beginners. Our puppy however is brilliant!!
We have our first GSD puppy, a female rescue from CA. We live in Oregon and my question pertains to our schedules. I am a graveyard electrician and I do most of the training and exercising with our puppy. The pup wakes at 2-3am when I get home and is instantly in full "dri...
100% (8 out of 8)
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August 26, 2019
I have a two month old puppy that has no treat or enough toy drive, thus I can't do luring, crate training, etc. Any advice please?
Hi Cindy, I have a two month old puppy that has no treat or enough toy drive. Thus I can't do luring, crate training, etc. He is also very slow eater with same food from breeder. Have never experienced this before so I am a bit perplexed. Any advice please?
100% (15 out of 15)
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August 16, 2019
Is it a bad idea to give my puppy beef bones with baby teeth?
I have a 13 1/2 week old puppy that I feed a raw meat and bone diet to. For the last few days I would give her a raw, meaty shank bone to chew on while she?s in the expen. Just today I noticed two of her small front teeth missing and one is loose. It seems too early for her to be teething (but maybe not). Is it a bad idea to give her beef bones with baby teeth? And is there any potential problem with her teeth missing early? Thank you.
88% (14 out of 16)
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June 10, 2019
I was wondering if you could provide some more information about the Michael Ellis On the Road event that is being held at Leerburg in December.
I was wondering if you could provide some more information about the Michael Ellis On the Road event that is being held at Leerburg in December. How does this program compare to the various courses offered at the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers? Is there a certification offered after completion of this event? Does the format of the class include both lecture and hands on work with dogs?
100% (9 out of 9)
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May 31, 2019
How much of a difference does delaying training impact the overall results?
Hi Cindy,
I have been looking into purchasing a working bloodline pup for some time with the goal of going as far as possible with obedience training. The breeder I chose is overseas and currently has an ideal puppy but says they need to wait another month before shipping her to the US, at which time she will be 4 months. In your opinion, how much of a difference does delaying training impact the overall results?
100% (4 out of 4)
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May 13, 2019
What do you recommend when your dog "hand mugs"?
Hello, my dog has a very high food drive, which has aided us in the obedience training we have been doing as he is very motivated by it, but often, particularly if I am using a high value reward, he tends to ?hand mug? or bite at the hand to get to the food. I have been teaching him by offering the food, saying ?no? and pulling it away repeatedly if he snaps and ultimately feeding him when he is gentle. It?s not been highly effective, though. What do you recommend?
100% (5 out of 5)
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May 6, 2019
Should I have eye contact in competition Long Sit and Down Stays?
Should I have eye contact in competition Long Sit and Down Stays?
100% (7 out of 7)
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April 29, 2019
How do you reward your dog if they offer a behavior before luring/gesturing?
Hi Cindy,
FIrst of all, thank you so much for answering my previous question about multiple people in the household and inconsistencies when training a puppy! You were incredibly helpful.
I've now purchased 3 of the DVDs from Leerburg (started with "Raising your Puppy" by Michael Ellis) and am now working on Ed's, "Basic Dog Obedience" DVD. Next will be "The Power of Training Dogs with Markers." I'm so appreciative of this material!
Ok - so question is, my puppy automatically offer...
100% (5 out of 5)
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April 22, 2019
At what age should puppies start to run?
Hello!
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your website and all of it's contents. We have a 9-week old Golden Retriever puppy and the information you've provided has given us such a firm foundation. Thank you!
My question has to do with running. I know pups this age shouldn't be running/jogging until they're older, but what age is that? Also, is playing fetch considered running as well? I've searched your database but couldn't find this answer. I'm sure it's in there but I couldn't l...
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April 15, 2019
Do you have any videos for working with super high energy dogs?
Do you have any videos for working with super high energy dogs (usually happy, exuberant pit mixes in my area), perhaps a video with systematic protocols for helping clients?
Thanks again!
67% (2 out of 3)
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April 8, 2019
My dog seems stressed when walking in the city. Any advice/insight?
Hi Cindy!
We rescued a dog about 6 months ago when she was 3 years old. We think she is a Lab/Shepherd/Pit mix? We have no knowledge of her past. She is a great dog, we have done the pack structure ground work process, as well as I am now training her through the Michael Ellis videos. She has been doing amazing and is very engaged with me and I feel we are creating a good bond. My concern is that when we go on walks through town on sidewalks, on a busy street or not, she is so stressed see...
50% (9 out of 18)
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March 11, 2019
How do you encourage and maintain engagement when you don't have food/toys?
Hi Cindy!
I'm excited to learn more about engagement! My question is in regards to using food/toys. I understand when first teaching engagement, it is necessary to use food and/or toys, but what do you do afterwards? If you're at an obedience competition trial, you can't use food/toys in the ring. How do you encourage and maintain engagement when you don't have food/toys?
Thanks!!!!
100% (5 out of 5)
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March 11, 2019
What is the difference between a Video On Demand Stream and an Online Course?
What is the difference between a Video On Demand Stream and an Online Course?
100% (15 out of 15)
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March 8, 2019
Any advice on how to socialize a 12 week old GSD and 8 month old Dachshund safely?
Hi Cindy,
We have recently acquired a GSD girl who is 12 weeks old. She is a good girl and learning but becomes very excited and wants to play when my daughter brings her 8 month old spayed female dachshund over to visit. She also wants to play, but the GSD stands much higher than her and mouths her. I have kept her leashed and don't allow her to continue the behavior, but the dachshund bears her teeth. We want them to eventually become friends, just after some advice. We also have an olde...
100% (6 out of 6)
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