Most Recent Q&As

Hello Cindy, My question is concerning an 8 mons old working line GSD. She heels very well both on and off-leash. I have been using an E-collar with her for more than a month now. So far all E-collar training has been relatively Distraction free. One quirk that puzzles me is a few times now when she noses the ground during a heel command I will give her a low-level stim to correct her. When we walk back over this same area again which is usually grassy she will side step the spot she rece...

Hi Cindy! Thanks so much for all the helpful info you've shared. We have a 2.5-year-old male GSD, Jake, who has always been a major barker when he hears someone outside our house – especially other dogs. We and our trainer have been trying to train him out of it and thought we were seeing progress up until recently. He developed a scary habit where upon hearing someone outside, he not only barks but quickly goes after our other dog (a 3-year-old malinois) as if she were the threat, even...

I have pick of the litter male German Shepherd. Using your training techniques with streaming. Still having bad habits and getting worse. Daily training by me, leashed but free time, no responses to No, Come, and runs, bites, etc. Basically incorrigible and I’m pretty firm and had breed in the past. Is he too young for E-Collar? I’ve been watching your free videos on the collars. Advice?

Hi. Will the information in the Puppy bitework dvd apply to non-protection breed/sport puppies? I just want to learn how to properly start playing tug with puppies.

If a dog is known to chase cats, and the behavior is worked out with corrections (I'm thinking e-collar), can they ever be trusted with them when you're not there to correct them? The question kind of relates to the theme in the Dealing With Dominant and Aggressive Dogs video about how a dominant dog will respect family members while the pack leader is around but not necessarily when the pack leader isn't around. I've owned two other dogs that had strong prey drive with rabbits and squirrels ...

Hi Leerburg. I have watched Leerburg videos on Youtube and also bought the DVD Raising your puppy with Michael Ellis. I get my German Shepherd puppy home in about 4 weeks. I have a question about when Michael talks about not letting the puppy be too focused on something that happens in the surroundings, Like other dogs, or a cat, or people. But the puppy must be allowed to be curious and at the same time be allowed to look. Where should you set the limit? I understand that I should not le...

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.

Hi, I have a 13-month-old German shepherd and I purchased the: Roni Ball with Leather Strap Handle Option1: 2.25 inch. I think the ball might be too hard and/or small for her right now, so is there a different one you would recommend? I recall seeing a video that mentioned getting the appropriate toy, so I want to make sure I get the right one, so I don't lose engagement with this type of toy.

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

Hi Cindy, I have a 5 mo. old German Shepard 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

Hello, I want to start off by saying I thank you all so much for all the training content you all give to dog enthusiasts like myself. I went to college at UW Eau Claire and heard about your website through the grapevine and have been hooked ever since. I have a quick question regarding raising a puppy. My wife and I are both teachers and work full days. We are getting a puppy mid July and will be starting school come September. I was wondering at what point (with diligent crate traini...

Hello, I purchased the Curogan collar as suggested so it wouldn't discolor my dogs fur, however it still does. Do you have any recommendations?

What's the best way to teach my adult dog not to jump on me or other people - looking for something that can be relatively fast learning for the dog?

I have a french bulldog puppy (6 mos. old) with a neck that measures 13". Can I still use the micro duo with extra links?

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 love your videos on youtube!! I had 10 years a Briard, now I want to get a doberman. I have 2 more years of university, and I have a lot of time. In 2 years I will have to work mo-fri for 8/9 hours each day. I want to jog or cycle with the dog in the morning before work. After work I want to excersize my dog, mentally/athletically and also do igp(especially in the weekend). Do you think I can get my dog to stay alone for the 8-9 hours per day at an age of 2 years if I train it fro...

Hello, I have a question regarding a 15-week-old female working line GSD. We are currently working on engagement on a leash, distraction-free. Although there is a slight glimmer of progress, shes got a ways to go concerning behavior on the leash, in public places. Next week she goes into Vet for her puppy shots. The last vet visit two weeks ago didn't go so well. She barked excessively at the receptionist as she kneeled to pet her. (let's see, the comment I got was, " what do your German ...

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).

Hey! I am new to Leerburg and loving all the training resources, I am slightly addicted to following along and training. I am wondering how many new things it's okay to teach my girl at the same time in separate training sessions? She is a high drive working GSD and she loves to train as much as I do but I am wondering if I will confuse her if I teach her multiple tricks over the same time frame? Again thank you for all the resources you offer, I wish I could absorb it all at once, so exci...