Dog Puppy Behavior Training Help

Should I Get Another Dog / Puppy?

Here’s the deal. Your 7 month old Labrador Retriever is driving you nuts. Walter has so much energy, you can’t seem to wear him out. You take him on 2, 30 minute walks every day, one in the morning and one when you get home from work. He is crated during the day, because Walter would “remodel” your house otherwise. Every evening, you play fetch for at least an hour. You want...

Six Facts You Need to Know to Raise a Perfect Puppy

Fact #1: Forget about alpha and pack. A nine year old child, or a 85 year old grandparent in a wheelchair, can teach and control any dog by following a few, simple, kind rules. There is an excellent, simple way to teach your puppy, and it has nothing to do with alpha or dominance. As neat as it sounds, your family is not in some sort of mythical pack with your dog. You do not compete with your puppy...

Your Choice- Obnoxious Dog or Well Mannered Pet

Every day, I speak with clients about meeting their dogs’ basic needs. Most of us assume our dogs are getting plenty of exercise and stimulation when the dogs are alone (or with other dogs) in a large fenced area. The dog is in the great outdoors, so she must be getting enough exercise, right? Wrong. This is not usually the case, unless you have a turbo Jack Russell Terrier, like the one pictured...

Mini Goldendoodle Puppy Training Plan

Living with an untrained dog can be exhausting, for years . . . and years. We often develop elaborate plans for ourselves and our families that include life stages, education, careers, finances, property, vacations, remodeling, and one-time events. The key to planning any event is to understand your goals and expectations. Raising a mini goldendoodle puppy (or any puppy) is a chore! People who have...

The Great Curtain Battle of 1999

I’ll be perfectly honest. I made all the same mistakes as anyone who every owned and raised a pup. I’ll never forget one of the many incidents when my newly adopted, turbo terrier, 10-week old pup, Bentley, was unsupervised for only a moment. In less than 10 seconds, he breeched a baby gate and enthusiastically bolted into the off-limits, living room. He immediately attacked the most valuable...

Goals of Off Leash Obedience or Guard Dog Performances by the Family Dog

Okay, so you want your puppy to stay in the yard, when off leash. You want your puppy to ignore that sandwich your toddler is dangling at her nose level. You want your puppy to sit calmly while you vacuum. You want your dog to protect and guard your home and family. You want your puppy to grow into a combination of Lassie, a Guide Dog for the Blind, or a canine Police Officer. Good for You! Lofty goals...

Meet Your Dog’s Physical Needs for Balance – Commercial, BARF, Frozen & Organic Diet, Food Choices

Physical needs are related to the physical well-being of the dog. Routine vaccinations are one example of physical health requirements. Grooming and bathing, quality food and clean water are other obvious needs. Shelter from environmental extremes and refuge from everyday household commotion are important for the physical health of your puppy. The ability to move about, sufficient bathroom access,...

The critical period of socialization for puppies begins when the ear canals open at about 21 days of age. The period ends anytime from 12 to 16 weeks of age.

You have a very brief window of opportunity to socialize your puppy. During the last century, experiments and studies concerning genetics and the social development of dogs were prevalent. It is well documented that dogs that were deprived of social interactions with people and events during the sensitive or critical period of socialization were adversely affected. The critical period of socialization...

Add a Pup?

I know many suggest adding another dog to give your pup a playmate. Adding another dog has exercise and social benefits, however; I never mention add-a-pup as a solution for families that are having difficulties meeting the training needs of one dog. Owning two untrained dogs is at least three times the work as one. You’ll need to separate them for teaching sessions. Dog A must be trained....

Puppies for Thinkers – $7.95 Start Off Right! House Training – Play biting – Socialization – Food Choices – Crate Training

The purpose of this 70 page booklet is to provide new puppy owners with accurate information about house training, dog food choices, socialization, play biting, and meeting basic needs. I know, you are thinking, “There is information everywhere, hundreds of books to choose from and experts are on every corner.” Exactly! Everyone is an expert. That’s the problem. Pet supply store clerks, your...