Most Recent Q&As

In the puppy bite work class Michael tells us to stop playing tug when they start teething. Today my 17-week-old pup lost a very small baby tooth while we were playing. So, my plan is to stop all rag-and-tug play and work on tracking and obedience. My question is how long will this process be and how can I monitor the situation?

Hello. I have an intact male 18-month-old Golden Retriever. For a few months, I would take him on a long walk on a jogging trail using a 20 ft long line so he could run around and sniff and mark. NOW, I don't allow him on a 20ft line instead I only use a 6 ft line and I take him on "structured" walks and not free roaming walks. He marks inside a store if there were previous dog smells like a pet store. But he does not mark if I take him to dept stores or hobby stores where there are no dog sm...

Hello Cindy, my 6-months old puppy eats plastic bags when she finds them in the (only) field she can run off-leash. She already swallowed one and we caught her trying on several more occasions. As an alternative to keeping her leashed at all times, since she does need to run some (GSP), the vet recommended a basket muzzle. Which one do you recommend that would prevent her from eating things? Thanks.

I am returning to training an older pet dog that I had stopped training due to work and personal difficulties. He is 13 years old and does not seem to want to play tug outdoors anymore. He will occasionally bring me a tug toy if I leave it on the ground in our room but he built a lot of bad habits playing informal games of tug with my mother while I was away. Is it too much to expect of this older dog that he play tug with me? He acts like he has been beaten when I show him a tug toy but ...

Hi Cindy, I have a question regarding tug play. I've taken Michael's course on tug play, but I am having trouble generalizing it as a reward. My dog plays reasonably well and is excited to play tug in the absence of distractions. But if I try and use it as a reward outside of my backyard/my garage(training area) then he shows zero willingness to engage. He will sort of half engage in my front yard, but he won't really bite with commitment... even if I tease him with it. He looks right by m...

Hi there. My 14-week-old pitbull puppy is terrified of going for walks. She is super rambunctious inside, wanting to play and bark and run around with the other dogs, but once we try to go outside she slams on the brakes and tries to go back inside. We tried luring her with treats to help her move forward but she is just fixated on getting back in. How can I help her get used to being outside for play and walks?

Good afternoon. I am about to purchase the Foundation of Sport Detection DVD/online course and am wondering what supporting target scent "kit" you recommend. I see there are CKC kits, AKC kits, UKC kits, NACSW kits et al available. Can you explain the key differences and why I might choose one over the other? I have a Belgian malinois/shepherd cross whom I would like to train for scent detection - at this point just for "fun" and mental stimulation ... for both of us. :)Thanks for any assista...

At what age/stage is it appropriate to start leash pressure training?

In the puppy bite work class Michael tells us to stop playing tug when they start teething. Today my pup lost a very small baby tooth while we were playing. So, my plan is to stop all rag-and-tug play and work on tracking and obedience. My question is, how long will this process be and how can I monitor the situation?

We are trying to leash train our 4 mo. old miniature schnauzer. I have purchased and viewed your puppy video, which as been very helpful. Our dog really doesn't have a problem walking with the leash, but won't do it because she is afraid of unfamiliar territory beyond her home turf. How can we build her confidence so that she will walk with us?

I have done a lot of AI's using your video and have been successful, I'm thinking of having semen flown in from another state but am having trouble finding a vet that can thaw and AI. Do you have a video that instructs how to thaw the semen? I'm happy to AI, I know my dogs heat cycle and don't need all the tests, just knowledge of how to thaw correctly so I don't damage the sperm.

I have a young  Terrier just over a year old. All the training I’ve done to this point he’s doing well with. When he’s training at home anyway. The training includes basic obedience, including long sit and down. And dumbbell retrieve. I get him out to the park to do everything he’s learned and it’s like pulling teeth with him. He’s just not into it. What can I do? Thank you in advance for your response.

My gsd came to me on pedigree she is 17 wks now and I put her on hills large breed puppy food but I add cooked chicken, rice, veg, ground sirloin, bone broth etc 1/2 and 1/2 some days Ill add chicken hearts etc. point is I want her to eat raw but I dont know who to follow for nutrient/recipes. I want to prepare raw but not sure how to do it correctly. Thank you

Pls suggest a pinch collar size for adult Rottweiler

Hi Cindy, my 1st DDR sable GSD: She’s now 16 mo, is undergoing her 3rd heat and seems to be blowing her coat in stages. My earlier 3 working line shepherds were West German & all were b & t with stock coats. This little female has had a very thick undercoat. Now it’s all gone & the outer guard hairs are being shed. Please can you give me some idea of how the coat comes back … how long it takes? She currently looks like a coyote! Thanks so much as always!

Hello, I have a 7-month-old GSD that I'm going to start training the recall with, I'm wondering if certain methods like restrained recalls can cause issues with separation anxiety? My dog is very well behaved in her crate and doesn't have an fearfulness being restrained by others but, inside the house she will continuously whine if I leave, even if other people are with her. If we're at the park, front yard or other public areas and I calmly walk away she will act out as though we're preformi...

My Belgian Malinois puppy is 13 weeks old. I am planning to do Schutzhund with him. I have been playing with him with the flirt pole and soft tug toys to engage him. He will chase the rag but mostly grabs it with front teeth, not a full grip and then lets the toy go. He won't tug on it. And if he does catch it with a full bite he lets it slip out or he wants to lay on the ground and play with it instead of carrying the toy. What would be your suggestion to encourage him to bite with a full mo...

Hi Cindy, What chews are good for a 3-month german shepherd? She loves bully sticks, but was told not a good option, what are your thoughts?

Do spayed dogs lose their drive for Schutzhund or other protection sports? 

I’m sending my 3 yr old GSD to training at a training facility next week for three weeks. I am told that they use e collars and prong collars which I have no problem w/. Just wondering since I have not tried a harness and I see you have quite an array. Maybe this question is premature but do you have a suggestion from your line of products? He’s super athletic and very strong and goes nuts when he sees another dog on walks. I feel much safer walking w/ him than by myself but to what end? ;)