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...

November 26th, 2009 by AT 
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Teach Your Dog Commands for Moving Through Doorways – Inside / Outside

Inside – Outside Description: The dog moves through an open door on command, on and off leash. Function: Teach the dog to move through doors on command. Prerequisites: Condition a reward marker; “Sit”, “Attention – Without Cue”; Target Here” Time: 4 Days Many of my clients complain that their dogs will not enter and exit their houses on command. The dogs ignore their owners,...

November 16th, 2009 by AT 

Help! My Dog Races Through Open Doors!

Why wouldn’t a dog bolt through an open door? Because you teach him not to, that’s why! Does your dog race through open doors and gates? Most people either pick up their dogs or hold the dog’s collar to prevent door bolting behaviors. Both of these actions “pay” the dog for trying to run through the door. The ultimate pay is the chase and adventure of escape. Every time your dog...

September 30th, 2009 by AT 
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Doggie Poop, Pee on Command!

When it’s cold outside, when traveling, or anytime you are about to leave the house, it’s wonderful when your dog will eliminate or potty on command. It’s easy to teach your dog two different commands or cues, one for urination and one for defecation. It helps if you are already familiar with your pup’s potty signature. Observe your pup closely so you’ll recognize when he is about to...

September 25th, 2009 by AT 

Teach Your Dog to Ring a Bell – for Potty Signal

Most people state they want their dogs to bark to signal the nedd to go outside to potty. I suggest teaching the dog to ring a bell instead of teaching the dog to bark. The dog will inevitably signal when she doesn’t need to use the bathroom but she does want you to interact. If you teach her to bark at you, she will learn to bark at you for attention. If you teach her to ring a bell, you can...

September 22nd, 2009 by AT