Greg
My 19-mo old working line GSD has proven to be highly trainable and gentle 99% of the time. That 1% failure comes out of no-where when I am least expecting it. The last time was an elderly lady wearing wide bell-bottom pants that were blowing in the wind causing my GSD to lunge at the pant legs and terrifying the lady, seconds earlier peacefully strolling along with me walking tight by my side. This 1% failure rate is unpredictable and because I live in a city, I no longer call it a walk but instead a patrol. Will this resolve with maturity?
Tommy A
Halo Cabralians.
A while back I got told by a Dr at the hospital that I should start preparing myself to the fact it is likely I have to amputate a leg in a not too distance future.
I want to train my malinois and Alaskan huskys( maybe not al at once)help me pull the wheelchair.
I see some dogs pushing the wheelchair, I think pulling is better for several reasons, is there any benefits for the dog to be pushing the wheelchair that you think of.
Lina T
Dear Robert and Janet, I still working on the basic commands especially to give Harpo success and confidence. I have 3 15-30 min of training and playing a day. My trainer always warned me not to so much with Harpo (my GSD) or I’ll end up confusing her. I rotate the tasks, even during one session.Since she just turned 6, should I take it easy on her, to keep her to prevent confusion & hips protected?She doesn’t have hip issues but I was told it was common in GSDs; can they have bloat with water only? She gets water only fatet sessions. Thank you Robert and Janet
Darius
My older dog (M 8y old Romanian Mioritic Shepherd) and the new pup (F 12 weeks malinois) have a hard time being calm around one another. He is a really calm dog, but she jumps with the paws up and to his face, so he just runs away. Sometimes he growls and barks when he’s had enough. I have her on a long line so I can keep her under control. Should I just give it time so she learns how to play or can I do anything else? I can put her in a SIT focused on me 1 foot away from him, but once that’s done, she goes to play
Harry T
How do you introduce the color to my dog Max? I am using only the tone and vibration and everything is going very well he responding can I stay with that only or should I condition him to stimulation as well Thank you
Donald H
Do you have any training videos for small dogs. I have a 3 lb, 9 week old Shih Tzu. I’m 71 yrs old in fairly good shape but having to do most training on my knees is getting to me. Leash training is particularly hard as I can’t just hold the treat at my side like you do with larger dogs. Her head is only 4” off the ground.
Chuck W
Hi Robert! We have a 10 week old rottie and we’re wondering your opinion on going the natural route for Heartworm and flea and tick prevention as opposed to using medications. If so, any natural products you recommend? Thank you so much for all of your help in training and helping our dogs live well adjusted and healthy.
Ailene V
Hi Mr.C. My 8 breed pup (Embark tested)is turning 7mths old in June. She know her basic commands, is crate trained but my biggest problem with her is that she turns around and bites me when I say no her or take a rock or pebble out of her mouth. I thought this was an issue because of her teeth. She was spayed and extra teeth were extracted,but she hasn’t stopped being aggressive. I’ve used your techniques on saying “no!” The only way she will stop charging at me is when I grab her by the scruff and set her in her play pen. I need help. I’m trying to video tape it for you to see.
Anita
Akita has very low attention span. She is listening to my commands but automatically. She is heeling and if I stop she notices few second later. We pass next to dog and she keeps her head turned there.I tried turns, corrections, lose leash, cookies, ball,making noise and nothing. She reacts sometimes when I start running and follows for a bit but I can’t run so much. If she looks at me she looks at my leg but I never get real focus from her. And she protests a lot. Whines when I train her near dog park
Btw I want to be professional dog trainer in Croatia. Do you take students for a week or 2?
Gina
Hi Robert, my 3 y.o. Amstaff Donato gets very excited when new guests come over. I want to be able to have gatherings while he calmly roams around vs him jumping and getting over stimulated. I live alone and got him right before Covid hit so his exposure to many people inside my home was and still is limited. With people he sees often he gets excited and then can occupy himself. I don’t want to cage him for gatherings bc I want him to learn to settle and be calm no matter who or how many people are over. What should I do and how can practice this with him when people aren’t over daily?
Jack
Howdy, Robert and Janet!
I’d like to work toward getting my 11 m/o Border Terrier ready for a K9 Good Citizen test. She’s a naughty, stubborn, independent, and willful beast, but is amenable to training…when interested and not distracted.
Are you organizing a K9 Good Citizen set of lessons? (I thought you might be….) That would be very helpful and much appreciated.
With the reorganization of the site, is it possible to have a sub-section where K9 Good Citizen related lessons could be found? That would be fantastic!
All the best,
Jack
Neil
I live on a moderately busy residential road in downtown Toronto. My 10.5 month old male cockapoo barks when we are in the front of our house and someone walks by. He is also triggered by sounds, like construction work. I tried distracting him with treats and doing obedience (sit, down, etc) but none of that has worked. Nor has grabbing him by the scruff and telling him to stop. My plan now is to sit outside with him, and when he barks say “no” followed by firm pops on the leash. This seems to be having an effect, but it’s early. Do you see any issues with doing this? Thanks for any tips!
David
3-ish year old doberman we got from a shelter a couple of years ago. He does really well with basic obedience. Something Ive noticed from the start is that he really shuts down when we go out to train and play together. I don’t know what to do to make things fun for him, it’s like he’s afraid he’s going to get into trouble. No interest in toys, but very food motivated until asked to do something he doesn’t know or understand. I had given up working on advanced skills because I don’t know how to get him excited or comfortable with training. I wish I had found your training sooner.
Christina B
My 11 month old 1/2 malinois 1/2 Dutch/German shepherd – is sweet with all who enter our home, sweet at the dog park, walking etc. She’s been great. Our issue is that she goes ballistic when our next door neighbors get into their cars and drive away. She tears up and down the fence growling, barking, jumping- shes red lining. Also if our neighbor approaches our fence she will also snap. I have tried – had her on a leash and feeding her treats on other side of yard but its been very difficult. I am serious about training her, many classes & I train 2 hrs a day. Going great except for fence!!
Bellamy
Hey Robert/Janet, I am having issues with my puppy.
She is an 8 month old doberman and lately, she’s been biting my pants and then begin jumping and biting my arms on walks. I cannot redirect her with toys or commands when she gets in this state. This can happen when I’m out in the backyard playing with her as well, but I’ve been better able to redirect her. I’m working on finding the root cause of this behavior, but I want to know if you have any tips on getting her out of this state when she gets like this. Your videos have inspired me a ton so thank you for that.
Carlie
I have a 1 year old mal shepherd cross who trains and plays very enthusiastically. Sometimes when we play or do some recall work on a long line he will get really excited and body check me. I’m a sturdy and strong girl who can take it so I don’t discourage it since I actually love it when he does this. Is there a way to train him to do this on command?
Carlton S
New 11 wk puppy in training. Ok when walking on 7 ft loose leash until i turn to return home and then she pulls the rest of way back. Question: Is she too young for pinch collar. I have her on just a loop rope leash now.
Tristan
Hey Robert. I’ve had my 3 y/o mal since he was 7 weeks old. I’m currently working on muzzle training him (I should have started long ago). He will not let me buckle it and tries to bite the muzzle when I do so. Apparently the vet muzzled him to administer shots one time and never told me about that. Is it possible to recondition him to be accepting of a muzzle? Im trying to work through his fear aggression issues and touch sensitivities and I think a muzzle will make that much safer. Planning on getting thick gloves also. Any advice/recommendations? Thanks
Rayla
In your latest video you state in the text: “don’t use focussed heeling as a leash walking drill”. Can you elaborate?
