Most Recent Q&As

Hi Cindy, We have a 16 month old male GSD, (we picked him up at 12 weeks old), he’s great at home a great demeanor, playful. When we take him for walks, he barks at people. Strangely, in a couple of situations, when they came close with open palm and a non-threatening demeanor, his bark changed to a whimper, almost as afraid. We have been crate training Max and working on establishing the pack hierarchy. Please note, when we arrived at the breeder and initially met him, he did not ba...

Hi Cindy, I have an 11 yr old male Doberman and a 1 yr old female Malinois/GSD cross (neutered and spayed). Both have received their CGC certificates and get along well together. I would like to add a 3rd dog to the family. I was wondering if the sex of the 3rd dog was significant (which would be better) or whether the potential compatibility was more a related to the personality/temperament of the specific dog? Second question: Are there any recommended ages I should be looking for...

Hello Cindy, I have a Labrador Retriever that I'm in the process of training, I'm having to use balanced training with him since positive reinforcement and food rewards aren't enough for my strong, stubborn working line Labrador. Here's my question, I have a nosey neighbor who gets in my business about how I train my dog using corrections with a prong collar, she tells me I'm abusing my animal and ruining my relationship with my dog by giving a simple correction with a light pop on the prong....

Hello Cindy. I have a Bernese Mountain Dog who is reactive and you have helped me modify this behavior! Thank you. Now she (3 years old) has taken to tearing into packages around the house when left alone when we go out. It used to be about food but now she got into xmas ornaments. What do you suggest? I have done the following courses: Leash reactivity; remote collar training and marker training. Thanks

I’ve followed your recall and remote collar program and my dog is near perfect on recall mostly. He was very well behaved off leash on our property. We are very protective of the collar training only me and my wife but we left the dog with family for vacation who used old school shock punishment style and made my cattle dog collar-wise. Haven’t been able to break it. He now won’t come without the remote collar on and will hide from putting it on. The no longer coming without ...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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!

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?

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...

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!

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...

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?

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...

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...

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...

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