New Q & A

Hello! My 6 month old cockapoo is nervous when walking the trails in the park. He also does not like to walk in the neighborhood unless someone else is with us! I have tried to use treats and praise him when he gets to a certain point with no luck! He is VERY smart a...

Hi Cindy, Our family is waiting for our German Shepherd puppy to come to our home in March. We are first time dog owner, and we are serious about properly training our dog. I am amazed by the amount of training material and courses you have made available on your websit...

Hi Cindi- what is the best food for puppy & adult malinois? Thank you

I have had my rotty male puppy for 1 week now. He is 9 weeks old. His puppy biting is getting more vigorous and when you try and calm him down he comes back even harder. To me he is showing a lot of prey drive but how do you think I should control this biting. Will most pr...

Hey Cindy! I’m sure this question was asked but I don’t know where it is. I’m trying to find a way to make my own dog treats that are high value but affordable. Do you have any ideas on what I could do or a recipe?

Hi Cindy, I have a 4 month Rhodesian Ridgeback (45 lb) who wants to sniff everything on leash walks, on public sidewalks and on my own acreage. I walk him 3x per day (10 min) before meals, in addition to various potty breaks. He eliminates on his own property (not on wa...

Hi Cindy, we have spoken before. We are getting a Malinois puppy probably the first part of March. I am interested in ring sports, mainly mondioring. What characteristics should I look for when being first introduced to this or all puppies? Not all dogs are suited for this...

Hi Cindy, I don't mean to keep bothering you but I am having some problem with my pup. 1) I use a comfort flex collar and British slip lead at night when I take him to the bathroom. He pulls so hard on the leash that he chokes himself, I can't get him to stop pul...

Cindy, I am watching your video on nose work and am getting ready to start training my dog in it. My dog is a house pet and usually is allowed in all of the rooms in the house. When she is home alone, she is either outside in the kennel or inside a closed room in the bas...

Hi, I would like to order a ball on string. Just had a few questions. I saw Michael Ellis's video on ball play and he said the ball should be right in size and squishier for inexperienced dogs so they can get a good grip. I have an 8 month belgian malinois. Which ...

I am now working through the Michael Ellis puppy development courses but I would like to know where I can learn more specifically on socialization with other dogs. We are taking our puppy out for walks and a lot of dogs on leashes seem aggressive. He is supposed to meet ot...

I am rehabbing a 10 month old Mal. She is doing great but after we go for a serious romp in the forest and she returns to her kennel, she pees and poos in it. We are out many times per day so she has plenty of opportunity to potty in the right spot but she seems to think t...

Isn't there a video where Michael Ellis explains the best order for progressing a puppy/dog through his system? I can't seen to find it. Can you send me the link?

We just started putting our our 8 1/2 week GSD in the ex pen under supervision with toys and Kong to work on. Both times he eliminated (pee and poop one of the times) right on front of us and without asking to get out. We had taken him out to potty right before. Also we ma...

I just wanted to send a quick note thanking you for the dog park article. I was beginning to think that I was crazy or over nervous about it, but I absolutely hate the idea of dog parks. I get super anxious every time I drive past one and there's several dogs running aro...

I want to be sure I understand Michael Ellis and Ed correctly and that is puppy bite training is used as an engagement tool or activity and that it is a precursor to obedience training. Once you have the dog/puppy really engaged then teaching the dog obedience is eas...

I have an 8 week old Malinois who I plan on doing IGP with. I introduced a ball today to see his retrieving behavior in a small space with a small throw. He loved the ball but he immediately grabbed it, lay down facing away from me and started chewing it. It looks to m...

Hi, I am having trouble finding a good tug toy for my 8 month old whippet terrier mix. I purchased the Nylon Tug with Handles which is too fat and hard for him and the Suede Leather Flat Tug which is better but he still doesn't bite well on it so we just use a kong toy...

Dear Cindy, About a year ago we rescued a beagle/lab that had been shot with a shotgun and rifle. "Freight Train" had been passed through a couple of homes because he would run away through an open door or gate. We contacted you online for advice for dealing with him....

Hi Cindy, I am watching the puppy video from 8 weeks to 12 months. I think the last time I watched it was almost 13 years ago and it was all about crate training which worked for our puppy then as we worked all day. Now we are retired and have a new puppy. The Ex - Pe...