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July 3, 2023
Everything I am reading online about introducing a new puppy to my older dog states that it's necessary to do the introduction on neutral ground, is this necessary?
Good morning, Cyndi.
First, thank you for the wealth of knowledge you share!
We have an 8 year old male GSD and will be getting a female GSD puppy in the spring from the same breeder. We have purchased an extra crate, ex pens, and other items necessary to keep the dogs separate in the house until they can get along (with the knowledge it may never happen).
Almost everything I have read online at other websites states that it is necessary to introduce the dogs on 'neutral' ground...
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July 3, 2023
My dog is fearful around strangers and becomes aggressive, what type of training program would work best for him?
Hi, my dog is fearful around strangers and will become aggressive when they get too close. What training program would work best for him? I'm stuck between two types 1. Board and Train (4 weeks at facility with field trips and at home follow up session) 2. Hybrid (9 week home self-study, coaching at a facility, Group Classes). My concern for option 1 is that he he may not listen to me or will revert back to his over protective habits because I wasn't the one training him while he was away. M...
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June 20, 2023
I've been training my puppy to track and working with him 4-5 days per week. I was told that I am doing too much and should back off to 2 tracks per week. If my training is going well do I really need to back off?
Good day
Thank you for all the excellent training content.
I have been training my pup since eight weeks old to do footstep tracking and he does it accurately and at a good pace. Not quite a tracking thru drive pace, but the dog is focused.
I have been doing tracks in the country about 4-5 days per week.
I was told that is too much tracking and should back off to 2 per week.
However, my dog loves to track and I don’t think he’s being overworked physically by any means. ...
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June 19, 2023
What age is recommended for puppies to use an exercise pen in the house? Our 18 week old puppy is lunging and biting us.
Hi Cindy,
In the Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 12 Months video, it is described to use the exercise pen for the puppy. At what age is too old for the pen? We used ours up until 4 months of age and then stopped but started again 2 days ago. What age is it recommended for while in the house? We are having considerable issues with hierarchy struggles with our puppy and lunging/biting. (Puppy is 18 weeks old now).
Thanks!
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June 8, 2023
How do I get my dogs to respond to their names and follow commands when they are together? They seem confused.
If I have two dogs and separately they know their names and respond to commands, how do I get them to respond to commands when together depending on whose name I called out? For example, if they're in a sit and I say "Lexi, come" I only want Lexi to come and Roxy to stay seated. They're getting confused when I attempt this. I want to keep the motivation high and not use "no" every time the wrong dog responds.
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June 6, 2023
My dog is guarding bones from me. How do I address this?
Cindy,
I've made great strides with my dog, thanks to your advice. She displays only brief, calm interest or indifference towards the chicken coop and defers to the cats in the home if they growl, hiss, or run away - no chasing, fixating, etc. Thank you!
A new issue has cropped up: yesterday she began to guard high value treats from me (bison or beef bones), growling if I approach, and even snapping to deter me. These treats are new, but 1 week ago I could approach or pet her when she wa...
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June 6, 2023
I'm looking for protective boots that stay on my older dog's paws. Can you suggest a product?
Do you have a recommendation for protective boots THAT STAY ON the dog. I have a 78 lb, 12 year old GSD female who is "toeing under" and needs protection for her right back foot. I know several other owners that have had this problem and have had trouble finding a comfortable boot that will reliably stay on the dog. Any help you can give will be much appreciated. (I own a boarding and grooming operation and would love to be able to recommend a product you may carry that works...preferably ava...
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June 5, 2023
What size harness do I need for an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy?
Hi Cindy,
Which puppy harness is recommended in Leerburg's puppy training videos, and which size should be purchased for an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy?
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March 16, 2023
My 8 month old German Shepherd just started a group obedience class and 2 of the dogs in class were littermates. They were reactive to my dog and my dog was barking and lunging towards them. The trainer says that I am the problem because I'm anxious. What should I do?
I have an 8-month-old GSD who is very sweet-natured and who I have been successfully working on engagement and luring training since I got him at 8 weeks. He has played successfully with several other dogs that I knew well enough to allow that interaction and had no signs of aggression. However, I started him in obedience and the other two dogs in the class were littermates belonging to a mother and daughter. They were reactive to my dog and began lunging and barking and he lunged and barked ...
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September 23, 2022
My female German Shepherd is blowing her coat, how long until it will grow back?
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!
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May 12, 2022
Do you have any videos about training terriers? My terrier puppy has an aversion to his harness and leash
Hi Cindy, are there any videos about training pet terriers?
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March 16, 2022
Do you recommend puppy classes where puppies are turned loose together to “socialize” ?
Hi Cindy,
I hope you are well. I cannot find anything that specifically addresses this question, so I am reaching out. Puppy socialization classes: specifically, a local trainer has classes where puppies, grouped roughly by age, are placed together to "socialize." Do you/Leerburg recommend this sort of class? Thank you!
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May 11, 2021
How much socialization with other dogs does my adult German Shepherd need?
Hi, how much socialization with other dogs does my almost 5 year old gsd need? He interacts with son's golden daily in short increments and is with me pretty much 24/7.
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January 3, 2021
Our family is waiting for our German Shepherd puppy to come to our home in March - What would you recommend as we start our preparation and plan our training for the dog in the next 12 months?
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 website, but at the same time feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. What would you recommend as we start our preparation and plan our training for the dog in the next 12 months?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
...
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September 28, 2020
What is the best food for puppy & adult malinois?
Hi Cindi- what is the best food for puppy & adult malinois? Thank you
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March 2, 2020
What are the magnetic effects from the Top-matic ball on phones, credit cards, and dog microchips?
What are the magnetic effects from the magnet and ball on phones, credit cards, and dog microchips? I know to keep magnets away from the cards and electronic devices but how close can you be without effects? What about the dog microchip? Any problems with that?
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April 1, 2015
When using an electric collar is it OK to have other collars on my dog?
When I use my electric collar can I have my dog's other collar on without it effecting her? She would be wearing either collar a prong collar or a fur saver collar. I would assume it would be okay. But id rather be safe than sorry. Thank you for your time.
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March 13, 2015
I have a 9 month old cockapoo that is almost house trained but recently he’s been jumping up on my couch or bed and urinating. Is this dominance or insecurity?
Hello!
I have a 9 month old male cockapoo who was recently neutered. He is almost fully house trained, but recently has been jumping up onto my couch and bed and urinating. He is fully eliminating, and has done it about 5 times. I am wondering whether this is a dominance issue, or an issue of insecurity. I have tried to keep him off the furniture but he will run into the other room and do it before I can get to him. I live alone but have a serious boyfriend who is usually around. I am unsu...
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February 19, 2015
Every time I give my German Shepherd a bone to chew on he gets diarrhea. Can you suggest something for him to chew on that won’t upset his stomach?
Every time I give my German Shepherd a large bone to chew on from the local pet store it gives him major diarrhea. I give him these to keep him busy when I go to work or when I am busy and don't have time to play to keep him busy. He loves them and enjoys holding on to them while chewing on them. What is an alternative or what can I give him to prevent his stomach from getting upset and he still be able to enjoy his bones? I even tried what is called Busy Bones and they do the same thing. I n...
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February 10, 2015
My young adult dog is targeting the end of the hard sleeve where the jute has no area of hard casing under it. Is there a way to soften a hard sleeve?
Hi Cindy,
I just have a query regarding the bite sleeve with jute cover. My Malinois loves his bite work but we have noticed that he is specifically targeting the jute sleeve where it overhangs the end of the hard arm as this is the area with no hard casing beneath it. He has learned that this is the softest part and has just exhibited re-bite to ensure he gets that part only. Is there a way to soften the hard arm itself? Indy is 16 months of age and plenty big enough to tackle the sleeve...
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