Adding a new dog to your home could be a benefit to both you and your current dog. However, successfully adding a new dog depends on several critical criteria. Before you commit to adding a new dog to your household, consider your current dog’s manners and temperament; the new dog’s temperament and training needs; the time, cost, and energy commitment of adding a second dog.  New Dogs Don’t Solve Old Problems  Many people think about getting a new dog to solve problems with their current dog. This is never a good idea! You might think a new dog will provide more exercise for your current dog, entertain your current dog when you leave him home alone, be a playmate when you…

Avoiding Common Mistakes  Often, I am asked how to get an overexcited, out of control dog to listen. The fact is, your dog is always “listening.” However, humans and dogs communicate differently. So, the messages you think you are giving your dog may be getting lost in translation.  In the chaos of the moment, people will try anything to calm their dogs down. Unfortunately, most of these attempts lead to mistakes that only make the problem worse.  Mistake #1:  Repeating Commands Multiple Times    If your dog has not responded to your initial command, I guarantee you that he is not going to respond to the next five commands.  You may think you are showing firmness in repeating the commands; however, your dog has “tuned you out” and he will…

 Helping Your Dog Make the Transition from Summer to Fall  Summer has ended and the kids are back in school. For parents, this time of year often means that some peace and quiet return to their days as the kids return to school. For many family dogs, however, it means a complete upheaval of their lives! Rover spent the whole summer chasing the kids around and having constant companions during the day. Suddenly, his playmates have disappeared for large portions of the day. Even families without children tend to have a more relaxed “dog-friendly” schedule during the long days of summer. But in September, the “dog days” of summer have ended in…

As a dog trainer, the biggest mistake I see my clients make is that they are not anticipating the misbehavior and only reacting after their dog has reacted negatively to something or someone.  Reading your Dog  After a few months you should be able to ‘read’ your dog and anticipate what his next move is.  Whether it be to jump or bark or react aggressively to another dog while on the leash; you should see it coming before the act is accomplished.  The best way to stop unruly or aggressive behavior is to correct the dog before he becomes unruly; or when the idea pops into his head.  Body Language …

I am often told of young puppies being bitten by older dogs.  Some puppies then develop a fear of other dogs and some puppies can actually turn into adolescents or adults that are dog aggressive.  How can my dog not like other dogs?  When your puppy is with his litter and mother, he is learning dog on dog interaction.  But that interaction must continue once you adopt or buy him.  If you seclude your dog from other dogs, that builds frustration and the dog eventually learns to dislike other dogs.  Some dogs don’t like other dogs because at a young age they were dominated or bitten by another; that created a…

You are what you Eat  Feeding your dog is similar to feeding your child. The food must be good and unprocessed food.  Dogs that are having house breaking issues, aggression, hyper activity and other behavioral issues benefit from a well balanced diet that agrees with his stomach.  Does your food agree with your dog?  Your dog should eliminate as many times as you are feeding him.  For instance, if you are feeding two times per day, your dog should eliminate two times per day.  Of course, if he is snacking in between, an additional bowel movement is not out of the ordinary.  If your dog is eliminating multiple times per…

The only problem with small breeds is their owners! Too many small dogs have behavioral problems because their owners treat them like small, cute stuffed animals instead of dogs.  Many times they think it is funny when their 2 lb Chihuahua acts aggressively toward a stranger.  All of my dogs are treated the same, from the German Shepherds to my mini dachshund. Whether your dog is 2 lbs. or 90 lbs. it is still important that your dog realizes that you are Alpha, there are rules that must be followed and you, as Alpha, will correct the pack family for any misbehavior.  When you do need to correct your small breed dog, it is still important to remember that any correction you…

Owning a true working dog is a great experience, if you are working him.  Many people buy working dogs and then life throws them a twist and the working dog now becomes a pet.  Unfortunately, this cannot only be disastrous for the dog but the owners as well.  Most working dogs are dominant by nature and only respect one true Alpha human.  That’s what makes them great working dogs.  They are active, and strong, physically and mentally which makes them great working dogs but not so great family pets. When the Alpha human is not around, the dog takes on the role of Alpha to all in the home; including…