•A New Cure For Separation Anxiety
I found this while searching for something else, on Google and thought you might find it interesting.
>From the Peoria Humane Society website: Melatonin the Marvelous!!!
Amazingly, an effective treatment for thunderstorm and noise phobias may be an over-the-counter hormone used by humans to prevent insomnia. Melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland, sets the body's internal clock in response to exposure to light. The body creates melatonin only in total darkness (the pineal gland...
•Adopting A Protection Dog
Mackie writes:
My good friend who is a dog trainer offered me his 5 year old Belgian Malinois for adoption. He is trained as a protection dog so he can guard his master, bite on command, release the bite on command, stay until released and others. He has a trophy as third placer in Level 1 protection in a protection dog competition. I have two dogs at present: A one year-old and a nine month-old Labrador... both are females, obedience trained and not neutered.
I would like to adopt him and I...
•Advice On Adopting A Pitbull
Dear Adam:
I purchased your book about 5 months ago, and I was hoping that might would "entitle" me to some advice. First, let me say that I'm very satisfied with my purchase. Not only does it give advice on specific techniques, but, more importantly, it explains the foundation of all training--timing, motivation, consistency--allowing the dog owner to better understand the training process. Also, it does a very good job of explaining that dogs are pack animals--and will test the alpha's...
•Aggression When Another Dog Invades Her Space
Dear Adam,
Hi, I have a 3 year-old Australian Cattle Dog. She is a wonderfully obedient dog, canine good citizen certified and everything. She is very obedient and good natured to people, however she is very dominant when it comes to other dogs. Recently I have been having problems with her snapping at other dogs if they come up to her while she is on a leash. This is not a problem if I tell her to sit and the other dog stays a normal distance away. She doesn't like dogs invading her space...
•Can You Really Teach An Old Dog New Tricks... Also, Dog Owner Invents Training Techniques
Adam,
I received a surprise Christmas present last year in the form of a 4 year old female shepherd mix that my wife and daughter decided I needed to replace my long time pet who had to be put down last summer. She really is a beautiful dog, but the shelter fibbed to us when they said she was good with other dogs and cats. She has been rather aggressive with them. We are 6 months into this relationship now and she is much better. I guess she is more secure now.
The one problem I have not...
•Can't Get Motivational Correction With Pinch Collar
Judy writes:
"I have a 6 month old Great Dane that I bought a pinch collar to stop bad habits (nipping, jumping up). This worked great for about one week but now it is very difficult to give a 'motivational' correction. It's almost like she's gotten used to the collar and doesn't respond to it anymore. This is especially the case when she is on the couch. Sometimes she bites at this time (not hard, but it's very annoying), and it is impossible to give her a 'motivational' correction. Any...
•Destructive Puppy On The Loose
I have a question for you about my puppy, Lab and Pitbull mix, almost 5 months old. We also have two other labs, about 7 years old, each.
Anyway, Pippin (the puppy), is a really smart dog. He picked up the sit command without my ever teaching him and seems to learn from the other dogs really fast. The only thing he hasn't learned is not to trash the house and the front yard while we're at work no matter how much we punish him. I read one of your responses on your website about dogs...
•Dog Barks Continuously While Owners Eat
Dear Mr. Katz,
I have a two year-old female Boxer named Amber and a six year-old female St. Bernard named Crystal. My question is regarding the Boxer, Amber. Whenever my husband and I sit down to eat dinner, watch TV, or when company comes over, she incessantly barks at us. She doesn't want to play with her toys and nothing can distract her from this barking. We try to correct her in a deep tone, but she only gets crazier; i.e.. jumping up, biting our clothes. From reading your book, it seems...
•Dog Barks When Left Alone
Please let me know if you have any suggestions to help curb a barking problem when we are not home. Our 2 year-old Shepherd/Chow mix rarely barks when we are home, but when we leave her in her nice pen outdoors when we are gone she yips and barks. We have tried stuffed animals and kong toy with food inside. Do we need to get a bark collar? Any other suggestions or info on the collars would be appreciated.
Thank you, Beth Nordstrom
Dear Beth:
First, I would try to figure out what is...
•Dog Digs But Only At Night
Hi Adam,
I've been using your techniques for six months now and Zac, my Labrador/Heeler cross (two years old) is just about an angel now.
[To read about the dog training resources he's referring to, please take a look at: http://www.dogproblems.com/newvideos.htm]
The only problem I have is that he digs up the lawn approximately once every two months. I have him on a running lead when I'm not home and this prevents him from digging. However, he is off the lead over night. Most of the time...
•Dog Gets Into Water Garden When Owner Is At Work
Dear Mr. Katz,
I've read your book and it's been interesting as well as helpful - it's taught me to teach my dog some new behaviors and discipline.
However, I wouldn't be writing if I still didn't have a lingering problem.
The water garden is obviously too much fun to ignore. And there's birds landing in there to take a bath! I'm nearly convinced it's the birds tempting her, but I could be wrong. I don't think she really sees the fish.
In any case, I have tried the Snappy Trainers - the...
•German Shepherd Whines When Left In Kennel
Dear Mr. Katz:
I have a 6 month old German Shepherd named Thor. Having read your book, I applied your techniques to him and he responded very quickly, to my surprise!
He is quite good at a sit-stay and down-stay now, which is very, very useful. I do have one problem that I couldn't fix with him though.
Here are the circumstances and the problem:
Thor lives outside in a dog kennel/pen thing, I walk him every day and play ball with him and always make sure he has food and water, I brush him...
•Get Your Dog To Stop Whining
Dear Mr. Katz
We have a 15-16 month old German Shorthaired Pointer named Copper. She is pretty well obedience trained (if a dog can be that). We have used a pinch collar and an electronic collar for her training. The one thing we would like to solve is her whining. I would like to find out what we could do to eliminate it. When we corrected her in the past for whining she'll stop for a few seconds, but then start right back up again. My first instinct is to continue to correct until she...
•Going From The Pinch Collar To The Soft-Collar
[Adam's replies denoted by '>>' within original question]
Dear Adam:
My pup is a 8 month-old male Labrador.
I have read your "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer." I have also just finished 8 private lessons with a trainer using the pinch collar. My question is: With the pinch collar on the lab works well; put a soft collar he won't work the same; if fact, he won't even go in a down sometimes. So I didn't really teach this dog anything; only that he feared a correction with a...
•Her New Dog Won't Bond To Her
Debbie writes:
"Ok, here is my story. I found my dog off the Internet. A website called "HeartBandits" for American Eskimos, which by the way is where I purchased your book. [To read about the book she's talking about, go to: http://www.dogproblems.com/secretsbook.htm]
Anyway, the lady that rescued her said that she might have been abused and that she was shy of men but loved women and children. When I get her home, I find out she loves my husband, adores my daughter, but will have nothing...
•How To Keep Your Dog Mentally Stimulated
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and I thought I would quickly send this out to you, before I leave for the weekend.
We were discussing how to keep your dog's mind stimulated.
Remember: Bored dogs cause problems. If you don't keep your dog's mind stimulated, chances are that he'll find activities to stimulate his mind, himself. And you won't like those activities.
A dog that is mentally stimulated on a daily basis is a happy dog. And happy dogs don't cause dog problems....
•How To Let Your Dog Enjoy Family Time
Dear Adam,
I adopted a 1 year-old female dog about a year ago. I have 2 cats who grew up with dogs and like dogs. When my dog first arrived, the first few days she was subdued-- being in a new surrounding - but then she wanted to play rough with the cats... which didn't set too well with them.
The cats run and she chases when we try to have them all in the same room together when watching TV, etc. I've been keeping them separate with baby gates (the dog in the kitchen and the cats in family...
•How To Make Your Dog Appear To Be Incredibly Intelligent
Many people are under the mistaken assumption that commands need to be one syllable.
"Sit."
"Down"
"Up" (in the car).
"Kennel up"
This is not an accurate understanding (or observation) of how dogs learn.
In my experience, dogs recognize sound patterns, rhythms and tonality. Have you ever noticed how your dog's ears perk up when you ask, "Do you want a cookie?" just as much as they do if you just say, "Cookie"?
Now, when you're out in the field, sometimes it's best to have commands that...
•How To Teach Your Dog To Come Every Time You Call Him
Dear Adam:
First of all, let me just say how much I have enjoyed your book. I cannot believe the difference in the behavior of my two dogs since I started using the pinch collars and your techniques. I accomplished in about 15 minutes what two obedience classes could not - I got both of my dogs walking on loose leads. Amazing. Also, both will do a good down stay around most distractions - we're working on proofing now.
I have a 19 month old border collie cross and an 11 month old lab cross....
•Is Doggie Day Care Bad For Puppies
(From our discussion board)
"I recently started taking my puppy to daycare and thought it was a godsend. Our 4 1/2 month old puppy comes home tired and ready to nap & love on our laps. After a 12 hour work day it was just the thing. But our trainer who is helping us says she'll develop separation anxiety if we take her there everyday and won't be able to stay alone at home and be happy. She suggested only letting the puppy go 2-3 times a week and then having her walked other days. Does...
•Is Your Dog Ever A Pain In The Neck?
Do you ever experience those moments when your dog is a proverbial, "Pain in the neck"?
Maybe you're sitting at your desk, and your dog won't stop shoving his head into your lap... demanding attention?
Or maybe she's just restless for whatever reason. Or feeling needy?
Well, there's really three things you can do:
#1: You can put the dog in the kennel/crate. Just because your dog is demanding attention, doesn't mean that he's always going to get it. Remember: You're the Alpha dog. You're...
•Leaving A Puppy Loose In The House
Hi Adam,
I purchased your book, and have made huge progress with my 6 month chocolate puppy (Kava). (To read about the book she's referring to please see http://www.dogproblems.com/newvideos.htm)
Kava is a good dog, very smart, and basically obedient. Thank you for the wonderful training information. Kava will soon be a good doggie citizen.
In the last two weeks, he has displayed behavior that relates to "Separation Anxiety". He is chewing on books, pulling covers off the bed, digging, and...
•My Neighbor Couldn't Believe How Fast I Was Able To Get This Young Dog To Respond Reliably, Off-leash
Please keep the following a secret. Don't tell anyone. I don't want everyone "and their uncle" copying my dog training techniques/concepts and then claiming them as their own.
Anyway...
My neighbor couldn't believe it. I'd just brought this beautiful 9 month-old German Shepherd dog home, only two weeks ago, and already she was responding reliably to off-leash commands. (Or more specifically, coming immediately when I call and responding instantaneously to the word, "No!" from a...
•On Retrieving
Dear Adam,
About 6 weeks ago, I acquired a border collie through the local SPCA.
She is about 18-24 months old. I have no idea of her history. All I can say is that "Rosie" is a very smart dog. Rosie is a quick learner and eager to please me. She knows the word "NO", knows how to sit, is housebroken, comes when commanded to, stays within the borders on my farm, and comes wherever she is when I ring a Tibetan bell.
My Question: Since Rosie is from a working breed, I would like to teach her...
•Puppy Defecates In Crate
Dear Adam:
We recently purchased a 9 week-old puppy and are having some difficulty keeping her crate clean due to her defecating inside of it. According to your input and so many others, they are not supposed to have accidents inside their dwelling place. What am I doing wrong?
I have been diligent about training her by taking her outside as much as possible and also using your command, "Get busy."
She does a great job outdoors, but this crate problem has got me stumped. Is she stupid?...
•Raising A Puppy And Starting Training
Dear Adam:
I bought your book the other day and read it right to the last page as soon as I got the secret password and web site address. I learned a lot, but now I have a few questions.
[Here's the link to the book again... in case you forgot! http://www.dogproblems.com/cgi-local/cart.pl?referrer=ezine3]
I have an 8-week-old Rotty/Golden Retriever mix and I have begun the bonding exercises and started establishing the pecking order. However, I'm wondering at what age I can start training...
•Spitting In Your Dog's Food To Build Dominance - Revisited
I was having dinner last week with Jeff and Michelle--two of my first dog training clients, when I branched out on my own and started South Bay K-9 Academy in Southern California, back in 1994.
[I'm now actively retired from working with the general public... I love working with dogs, but the dog owners (Jeff and Michelle not withstanding) drove me absolutely nuts!]
Anyway, Jeff and Michelle still have their Dalmatian, "Dotty," who's now close to 11 years-old.
I've always thought it was...
•Submissive Urination With A Young Dog
I have an eleven month old English Springer Spaniel "Rio". For the past nine months I have been using clicker training, the gentle leader, and various other methods with no success. The trainer who was helping me told me our dog was untrainable, which I didn't believe because she is so smart.
I purchased an electronic collar [not necessary, but sure makes training faster and life easier!] and a pinch collar per your advice.
Within two days I have a well behaved dog. She walks at my side, she...
•Teaching A Quick Response To Commands
Dear Adam:
I have read the first 125 pages of your book.
You reference, "training collar" several times. I have probably overlooked this, but what do you mean by training collar? Is it a pinch collar or one that delivers a shock? So far I have used your techniques with a great deal of success. We use the "get busy" command to make the dog relieve himself. After three days, it works very well. The dog sits well, too. He still needs a hand signal from time to time. We're currently working on...
•Teaching Your Dog A New Release Command
Dear Adam,
At first, I want to thank you for your information in your book and give us such opportunity to join your forum so that we can discuss and ask about our loving dog.
(To read more about the book she's referring to, take a look at http://www.dogproblems.com/secretsbook.htm)
It's so wonderful and precious to me.
I've also ordered your DVD a few days ago. I'm looking forward to it.
By the way, my problem is not in your book. I read some books and internet before I read your book....
•The Five Things You Must Do To Housebreak Any Dog In A Hurry
1. Correct the dog any time he has an accident in the house. Keep him confined to either a crate, or a dog run outside when you can't supervise him.
2. Praise the dog anytime he eliminates outside.
3. Establish a specific spot, and a command you repeat (such as "Get busy!") while you're waiting for him to eliminate outside.
4. Set up a rigorous feeding and watering schedule, and take him out immediately after he does both.
5. Use an odor neutralizer, such as a product called "Nature's...
•The Truth About Taking Your Dog To The Dog Park
This idea of taking your dog to a dog park is not a good one. Why?
Because:
#1) It's not natural for the dog. We're not talking about human children who need to be socialized with other kids throughout their infancy. Dogs learn dominant and submissive behavior and how to interact with other dogs from 6 to 8 weeks of age. This two week period is called a critical stage, and a small amount of exposure will have a lasting effect on your dog's personality.
When you throw your dog in with all...
•Three Things You Can Do To Fix Car Sickness
Dear Adam:
Thank you so much for your tip on how to get my dog to come to me. After only a day of training he now comes right away no matter where I am. I am definitely the Alpha Dog around here.
I do have another problem. He always gets car sick. Yes, I have not fed him and taken him on short trips. But he always gets sick. He also hyperventilates when I get out of the car even to just get the mail. Not sure what to do.
Thanks, Patrick
Dear Patrick,
Car sickness like you've described is...
•Tips For Taking A Road Trip With Your Dog
Vehicles: With the possible exception of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a side car, I've seen practically every type of vehicle used for taking the family pooch on a road trip.
Below I review three of the best:
1.) Tom Rose of High Ridge, Missouri, had a Ford van he converted into a dog-friendly transport vehicle. By enclosing the back area, installing custom upholstery and a special air conditioning vent, he created an area in the back of the van where his dogs could ride in their crates...
•Training Collar Selection And Behavior
Hi Adam:
I enjoyed your website, but still need help choosing the right collar for my hard headed Jack Russell. She does go swimming to chase and catch my ducks in our pond, she chases cars, and she sometimes sneaks up behind visitors and bites them on the leg. She does not listen at all when she is so intensely concentrating on doing what she is not supposed to do...ignores us completely. Other than being so aggravating 1/4 of the time, she is a good little dog. But, when she is bad...she is...
•Trying To Stop Jack Russell Terrier From Sleeping With Us
Adam:
My boyfriend has allowed his wonderful, very well-behaved Jack Russell, who is two years old, to sleep not just on but in his bed. We are trying to teach her to sleep in her bed which is on the floor by our bed but it's proving very difficult! She's managed to sleep there until about 4 AM, but then the whining starts and she ends up with us. It's not really a problem so much when we are at our house but we are planning to go on holiday and she will be staying with my parents and they...
•Urinating In The Kennel Run
A dog owner named Ellen writes:
I have a 12 month old golden retriever. When I am at work during the day she is in an outside kennel. The kennel has a concrete floor that is slanted to allow for drainage. I live in Wisconsin and when the snow melts, drainage is an issue even though I keep the kennel shoveled out. Here is my problem: Abby has decided to always pee up on the high end of the kennel.
Therefore, there is always urine all over the kennel and she ends up with it in her fur and it...
•Verbally Correcting One Dog When You Have Two
A poster from our discussion forum asked:
"I have two dogs- - a Pit Bull and a Boston Terrier. I have read that you should not use the dog's name and [the word]"No" together so that the dog does not associate negative feelings with his name. So how do I tell one dog "No," without both feeling like they are both in trouble?
Situation: The Pit Bull is happily playing with her chew toy. The Boston Terrier is chewing on my sofa. How do I let the sofa chewer know that he is in the wrong (the...
•What Andy Griffith Can Teach You About Dog Training
Some people get worried and excited when their dog is off-leash and he's done something that requires you to correct him. Because the owner is both worried and excited, they move fast toward the dog, concerned that the dog might run off before they can correct him. However, if you've done your long-line work properly and you've laid a solid foundation for your off leash training, there really isn't any reason for you to worry that your dog will run off. So, what does this have to do with Andy...
•What Dog Breed I Recommend To My Friends
To recommend a good dog breed to someone, you need to know two things:
1. You must have an in-depth and personal experience with many different breeds. And more specifically, you must have multiple experiences with each breed. When you've been training dogs professionally for about 10 years, you've seen pretty much everything cross your path, at least three or four times. And for the more popular breeds, you've had literally hundreds of experiences that can put you in a very good position to...
•What Type Of Training Collar To Use On Toy Breeds
Hi,
I just wanted to say that I've been reading much of your book and I can't wait to get started applying your techniques to my two dogs.
(To read about the book and package she's referring to, take a peek at: http://www.dogproblems.com/secretsbook.htm)
I've noticed in almost all, if not all, of your training techniques, you mention using a pinch collar for correcting the dog. On page 155 you say that a pinch collar is the best collar to use - with a few exceptions for the toy breeds. Now,...
•What You Need To Know When Picking A Puppy
This was a last minute e-mail I sent to a friend in California, who contacted me only a few hours befote she was leaving to pick a puppy from a breeder she's been researching.
(EMAIL FROM ME, STARTS HERE)
Actually, everything looks really good - for a show breeder. And even better, what I really like is that she's doing things with the dogs (using them in commercials) - which to me, suggests that the dogs she's breeding should (in theory, anyway) have solid temperaments.
The only thing I...
•When Is Dog Reliable Off Leash
Dear Adam:
My name is Diane and I have a German Shepherd named Ajax.
I have watched your video over and over again on having your dog come every time you call him. I have done all you have said (believe me, I'm a fan of yours now).
(To read about the videos that she's referring to, please take a look at http://www.dogproblems.com/newvideos/htm)
My problem is Ajax does everything on long lead, well. I try setting him up but he never fails to come. I tried the short leash, tab, etc...
My...
•When To Start Obedience Training
Dear Adam:
I have a 4 1/2 month-old Doberman Pinscher. Got him at 9 weeks of age and trained him to sit by command and hand signal by 11 weeks for the most part. He comes when I call and heels and goes down somewhat, but I'm sure if I practice the information in your book he will come around. He seems to be very intelligent. I'm wondering: At what age do you think I should start training? And I was also curious about the "Development of Perfect Attention" I would like to know how to do that...
•Your Dog Is Hyperactive When You Get Home From Work... What Should You Do?
Dear Adam,
I am a member of the Bouvtrain list. That's how I got your name. I'm almost through your book and it has certainly given me some new ideas. Gypsy is a 1 1/2 year old Bouvier. She is very high-strung but we're working on it. You're absolutely right that it does no good to send your dog away to school. For $900 bucks she now does just what the dog trainer tells her to do. I'm getting a lot better, though.
Here's my question. I exercise her in the morning. We play ball for 30 minutes...
|
|