Most Recent Q&As

November 2, 2023

Recommended Is socializing my puppy really that important? People in my IGP club have said they don't socialize their dogs and they are great.

Is socializing really that important? I have a very confident 14 week old working line German Shepherd I’m raising for Schutzhund and people in my club said they never have socialized their dogs and their dogs are great.
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November 1, 2023

Recommended I'm driving to get a new pup, where should I stop to give my new puppy a bathroom break since he hasn't had all of his vaccines yet? Should I let him sleep in his crate next to my bed?

Hi Cindy, I pick up my new puppy next weekend I have a couple of questions. 1) Its about a 4 hour drive to get the dog. It will have its first immunizations; if I stop on the way home to give it a bathroom break am I putting it at risk of contracting a disease it I stop at a rest area (obviously other dogs would have done their business there too)? 2) The first couple of nights should I have him sleep in a carrier or box next to my bed or just let him tough it out in his crate in the livin...
100% (7 out of 7)
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November 1, 2023

Recommended My neighbor's dog attacked my puppy and I reported them to the township, was that the wrong thing to do?

In the 28 years of living in my home, my next door neighbor has had 4 dogs. Not any problems with the 1st one. The 2nd one they would walk and let poop on neighbors property without picking up. Then that neighbor had to post signs about picking up after your dog. His 3rd dog has bitten me, the floral delivery lady, the post man and attacked the others neighbors lab to the point of needing medical attention. His 4th dog came off their property and attacked my 5 month old puppy while I was walk...
100% (13 out of 13)
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October 26, 2023

Recommended Can my dog whelp her puppies in the kennel within earshot of other dogs or would this be too stressful for her?

Hi, Cindy. I know you guys bred GSD for many years. I have your Whelping video and I am watching it again. I am building a kennel and training facility and I would like to ask for your advice. How important is it that the Dam be completely separated from the presence of all other dogs during whelping? What I mean is, can she be in the same structure and within earshot, but totally separated and secured from other dogs or do you still feel this is too stressful for her? It would be...
100% (4 out of 4)
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October 26, 2023

Recommended My Husky growls and hard stares at my child. Do you have techniques to make her like my toddler?

Hi Cindy, i have a 7 1/2 year old spayed Siberian husky female. She is an obedient, well mannered dog, she has had reward based training with clear expectations since puppyhood, she also has a CGC title but i have one issue. She will hard eye my toddler even growling at times. My soltuion has been seperation, now the dog tolerates and actually enjoys interacting with children who know boundaries. My question is do you recommend counter conditioning or any techniques to help her learn to like ...
100% (8 out of 8)
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October 24, 2023

Recommended I need a tug for my young German Shepherd to use during training sessions. Can your tugs be cleaned and dried if they get dirty?

Hi. I'm trying to choose a tug toy for my 8 month old GSD. He is a tough tugger. I want something strong, yet small enough to stick in my pants pocket to have on me during training. He has a pretty good grip. There are so many to choose from!
100% (4 out of 4)
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October 23, 2023

Recommended My puppy wakes up at 4 AM, how can I get him to sleep longer?

How can I get my 11 week old pup to sleep longer. We take his water up an hour before bedtime and he still wakes up at 4AM?
80% (4 out of 5)
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October 22, 2023

Recommended Is it ok to use a prong and e-collar in a very cold climate? Should we switch to a slip lead?

Hi Cindy, We have been primarily using prong collars with our pups since early spring. We live in Canada, and a part of Canada that gets extremely cold. One of our dogs is a big powerful guy, who we are working through reactivity with. The prong has been a great tool. I was thinking today that cold metal might not be the best idea in the winter, and I believe a plastic pinch may become fragile in our temperatures as well - probably not good for our e-collar batteries either (ca...
100% (4 out of 4)
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October 22, 2023

Recommended My female dog lifts her leg when peeing. Is this a sign of dominance?

Hi Cindy! How would you explain 3 yo GSD female raising her leg slightly when peeing/ marking ? During heat as well as when not in heat. She does NOT dig/scratch the grass with her back paws after. Is it a sign of a dominant female? Anything to be on the look out for? Thank you!
100% (5 out of 5)
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October 21, 2023

Recommended Our German Shepherd pees when we correct him and chews up items even though he has toys. Please advise.

Cindy we got a German Shepherd puppy at the age of 4 weeks we were told he was 8 weeks old back in August of last year every time we correct the puppy he pees on the floor as well as now is chewing up items that does not pertain to his toys what could be the cause of this. I have a feeling it is separation anxiety. He only choose things that have our scent on it. He is now 11 months old will be a year next month on the 26th what can we do to prevent this from continuing any suggestions or ide...
100% (4 out of 4)
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October 21, 2023

Recommended How do I teach my rescue dog to come to me when I don't have food or toys?

Overriding instinct: making coming to me better/stronger than chasing a squirrel. When I train recall, my pup will come when she knows I have food/ toys. How do I transition to train without food and toys?
100% (11 out of 11)
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October 20, 2023

Recommended How long does a treadmill need to be for my dog? She's a 14 month old Dutch/Belgian Shepherd.

Hi Cindy! I need to buy a treadmill for my dog and would like some advice on the size. I cannot afford a canine treadmill. The treadmill I am considering has a 'running space' of 104x39cm. It is for a Dutch/Belgian shepherd who is now 14 months. She is approximately 58cm from the top of her of tail to her shoulders. The treadmill is for walking only and only for a small percentage of total exercise. Would this treadmill be an adequate size for this dog? Also, would such a treadmill size be of...
75% (3 out of 4)
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October 20, 2023

Recommended My dog regurgitates treats during training and immediately eats it again. Does that count as a reward or should I give him another treat?

Hi Cindy, I have a German Shepherd who is 1 year and 3 months old and is very well trained. My question is a bit of a silly one but it's happened quite a few times now so I'm just curious. Lol. When training at times my dog will regurgitate a treat after he performs a command and he'll immediately go and eat it afterward. (Mind you his treats are small bite-size pieces no bigger than half a pinky.) Does that count as me giving him a reward or should I still reward him after? Thank you and...
100% (7 out of 7)
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September 30, 2023

Recommended Where do I start learning about breeding dogs?

Hi Cindy, I've been doing behavioral modification for dogs for the last 3 years. I wasn't supposed to be a dog trainer. I just wanted to help this one dog and it grew into a full time job. I worked in shelters, rescues, foundations and for private clients. I love working with dogs but often experience frustration when dealing with ppl. I have a medium sized 2 year old male mutt I picked from a shelter a year ago, I've trained him to a high functional level and we are learning advanced obed...
100% (9 out of 9)
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September 30, 2023

Recommended My dog loves playing tug but when I use a ball on a string she prefers to bite the string. Will this hurt her teeth and gums?

My 14 month old GSD loves playing tug, but often she is biting/holding onto the string (and tugging hard) vs. the ball. I'm worried about the impact on her gums and teeth. I don't see any effect. Should this be a concern? Thanks
100% (3 out of 3)
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September 30, 2023

Recommended Should I let strangers pet my puppy that is in training as a Search & Rescue dog?

I have a new 5 month old Belgian Malinois that I am training with the goal of her being a future search and rescue dog. Just like many Malinois, my pup is super cute and thus everyone wants to pet and give her treats (even with a vest that says working dog do not pet) but I personally don't want her to see every human as a treat and pet machine but of course, she has to be "socialized" as one day she will be tasked to associate finding people with her toys/rewards. In the future I want he...
100% (7 out of 7)
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September 29, 2023

Recommended My dog digs on her bed and won't lay down. How do I correct this?

Hi - I have a 1 yr old Brittany and she digs on her bed -most dogs do the scratch n circle and then lay down - but she scratches/digs and doesn't lay down. This is worse when she is overly tired. How do I help her / correct this behavior? Currently if we go to her and hold her paw and calm her she finally relaxes. Thank you
100% (4 out of 4)
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September 29, 2023

Recommended Does my adult dog need to socialize with other dogs?

Hi, how much socialization with other dogs does my almost 5 year old German Shepherd need? He interacts with my son's golden retriever daily in short increments and is with me pretty much 24/7.
100% (5 out of 5)
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September 10, 2023

Recommended My 4 month old puppy has no bite inhibition, should I use a prong collar for correction?

4 month old Boston terrier has no bite inhibition. Prong collar for correction? If so, what type? He weighs 7#.
100% (6 out of 6)
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September 9, 2023

Recommended My 12 month old Beauceron will pull and lunge on leash when other leashed dogs walk by. Can you recommend a video so I can teach her to remain calm and ignore the other dogs unless it's playtime?

Hello Cindy: My 12-month spayed Beauceron pulls on her leash to greet/play with other leashed dogs. For example, we are enjoying breakfast at an outdoor coffee shop and a well-mannered dog will walk by, causing our dog to jump up and playfully lunge towards it. Can you recommend a video so that I can teach her to remain calm and ignore other dogs (unless it is play-time) ? Thank you. Cindy
100% (12 out of 12)
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