Dogs need to be safely enclosed when allowed to run free outside. As I tell all my clients, “If you can’t fence them, leash them.” It’s your responsibility to provide for your dog’s well-being in the world, so think it through, talk...
Ideally, your dog should be with you when you’re home. But perhaps that concept has some of you shaking in your shoes. With all that unsupervised running around and destruction, your house will be trashed, your dog will be wild, and...
Whoa, Nellie! That’s what the “Down” command says. Once you can get your dog to do this, you’re really on your way. “Down” is also a sign of respect. Sound dreamy? It’s easier said than taught, however, because the issue of...
The Terrier Group: Losing is not in a terrier’s vocabulary. Own a terrier and one word will spring out at you immediately—determination! They take a bite out of life and won’t let go! There are two types of terriers: vermin hunters...
Is this your dream command? You’re not alone. I’m not sure why people have so much trouble teaching this one, but it’s probably because it’s rushed. They teach it one day and expect their dog to stay while they welcome company or walk...
Mouthing and nipping are two different issues. Nipping is a puppy thing; it’s interactive and playful. Mouthing is a lesser infraction; it’s more of communication skill to get you to do a particular thing. Less pressure, less annoying, but still not a charming habit. If you...
Everybody knows a jumper—a knock-you-over-when-you-come-in jumper, a muddypaws-on-the-couch jumper, a counter cruiser (a dog who likes to sniff along with countertops). Jumping is a sure-fire attention-getter. So what gives? The first step in solving your problem will be to understand how...
Chewing is a dog thing. It’s nothing personal. They don’t know a stick from furniture or a doll’s head from a chestnut. Fortunately, they can be rehabilitated. If you have a habitual chewer on your hands, however, you’ll need to be...
Tone: If your dog thinks of you as another dog and you start yelling, what does he hear? Yes, he hears barking. And would barking calm excitement or increase it? Right again, it would increase it. Now some of you may...
Here are a few tricks that are nonessential, but fun. You don’t need to teach your dog all of them—just those your dog picks up easily. For example, if your dog’s paw is expressive, he’ll get into the “Paw” or “Wave.”...
No one can underestimate the pleasures of a well-trained dog. In recent articles, we went over leash training techniques. Master these before you begin the exercises described in this chapter. As you work toward off-lead control, don’t get too bold. You’ll have...
Doglish: One more thing before we jump into the how-to’s of training: I have to teach you the dog’s language. To be the best teacher, you need to be fluent in Doglish. Give your family or friends a lesson too and...
The Herding Group: The function of these breeds is as it sounds: to herd livestock. They’re a hard-working crowd of dogs who, in most cases, work under the direction of a shepherd. This group can be broken down into two types:...
Litter Language By seven weeks of age, puppies have begun to develop a worldview. Each has a special way of relating to littermates, mom, and the world beyond. There’s a pecking order in litterland, the beginnings of a dog pack hierarchy....
The Trip Home: You’ve selected your one and only. The moment’s arrived to bring him home! Unless it’s a neighbourhood litter, I’ll assume you came by car. Now depending on the situation, the car ride can be quite an experience, so let...
