Click here to go to the Secrets to Dog Training website Secrets to Dog Training is a comprehensive guide to owning, rearing, and training your dog. The course provides you with a step-by-step instruction manual and self-help guide on how to recognize and resolve problem behaviors with maximum efficiency and a surprisingly quick turnaround time. […]
Dogs bark for three main reasons: To alert you to new people or animals in their territory To communicate with you To relieve boredom, stress, or anxiety These reasons beg several questions: Are you doing enough to relieve your dog's boredom, stress, and anxiety? Does your dog get enough exercise and mental stimulation? And finally, […]
"Let the sleeping dogs lie..." Most of us would like to complete this phrase by adding: "or else they will bark!!" Barking is a very common trait of dogs and one we cannot get rid of it. But, we CAN control the barking. Here is some priceless stop barking advice that will solve you and […]
All dogs make some form of noise, whether it's barking, whining, or - in the case of some breeds - screaming and yowling. They might be trying to tell you something, trying to initiate play, trying to scare off a potential intruder, alerting you to the presence of - well, just about anything. It's all […]
Dog digging can be amusing to some and a cause of embarrassment and irritation for others. However, there is nothing funny about dogs digging up your fields, gardens or in mud. This is a problem faced by dog owners. This strange habit of a dog can be seriously destructive and requires corrective action. Before finding […]
Stopping troublesome dog behaviors is often a matter of understanding what is contributing to the behavior in the first place. Are you at the point of screaming at your dog to stop digging? Do you reprimand your dog for digging hours after the crime has been committed? Learning how to stop a dog from digging involves understanding […]
PROBLEM Rosie was a bright Jack Russell Terrier who enjoyed digging holes in Danny and Debbie's lawn and garden. In fact, it was her favorite activity of all. Rosie had two other doggy companions, so she wasn't bored or lacking in any way. Like other terriers, whose name means "put to earth," she simply loved […]
The way some dogs dig up holes in a yard, you'd think they were professional gravediggers. Unfortunately, while this may be amusing for guests, for the dog owner, it is an immensely frustrating problem that demands immediate solutions. Why do pups dig? While the behavior may be frustrating, your puppy will most likely dig out […]
Learning how to stop a dog from digging essentially requires an observation of your dog's behavior, and an understanding of the underlying motives. It is important to remember that digging is a natural behavior for dogs, so you are going to have to work with your dog to achieve a mutually satisfying outcome to the […]
Dogs dig out of boredom. They dig because they're trying to escape - either to find their owner (if they are the co-dependent type) or to find a mate (if they are the un-neutered type). They dig because they are too hot and need some cool bedding. And they dig because they've got a high value […]
Once a dog has begun to dig, there are several options that you have to either eliminate the behavior or modify it to an acceptable practice. The first decision is to decide if you wish to eliminate or modify the digging. Remember that some breeds dig by instinct and breeding, so eliminating this type of […]
The best way to learn how to prevent your puppy from chewing is to look at someone who solved the same problem! Let's see how David and Sally were able to stop their puppy chewing: BACKGROUND Sunshine was a female standard poodle puppy that David and Sally acquired at the age of about 5 months old, […]
Chewing is a widespread and very common activity for dogs - similar to how humans watch TV as a pastime, dogs chew because they're bored, because they don't know what else to do, because they're lonely, and because they just plain like it. Sometimes there are behavior reasons for dog chewing that you'll need to […]
For a dog that needs to chew, it's hard to tell the difference between objects that are fair game and objects that are off-limits. You'll need to control this behavior as soon as possible, and really spell it out for your dog what is and is not appropriate for him to chew. The alternative is […]
Dogs will always chew. Some breeds are certainly more predisposed towards chewing than others - especially breeds that have long been used in pursuits requiring the use of their mouths. These breeds include hunting dogs, like Retrievers, spaniels and hounds; but a basic truth is that for most dogs, chewing is a pastime (similar to […]
A dog who is constantly chewing its feet may be suffering from a number of medical problems, so it is important to diagnose this before considering all the other possible contributing factors and solutions. Yeast infections, allergies, and other factors can lead to this behavior. Certain breeds are more sensitive than others. Therefore, if you […]
Have you got dog biting problems that never seem to go away? If your dog's been snarling, growling, lunging and biting lately, he's probably got a case of dog aggression. Biting problems can occur at any time and can be the result of a number of issues the dog may have. But often, unprovoked aggression […]
For an overwhelming majority of us, dogs are a positive and welcome addition to human society. They provide us with an incredible array of rewards, not least among which is their incredibly capacity for love and companionship. Firmly ranked as humankind's best friend, it would be difficult to dislodge the dog from its position as […]
Dog bites are a serious concern. It is estimated by the Center For Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia that there are approximately 4.7 million people per year that are bitten by dogs in the United States alone. The greatest majority of the victims of dog bites are children, and since children are physically much weaker […]
Does your beloved puppy have a biting problem? Mouthing and biting are common among puppies and dogs, especially when at play or while teething. It's usually up to the owner to teach the puppy what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It's never a good idea to just let puppies play with one's hands […]
It's incredible. It's hard to believe. But it's true: More than 4.7 million people become victims of dog bites each year! Even worse, most of these victims are children. This is a serious issue that responsible dog owners must take seriously. With the following dog bite advice, you can properly prevent and solve dog biting. One of the […]
Dog attacks are a serious issue, and the media often sensationalizes such tragedies by blaming the breed - "Alsatian Bites 5-Year-Old, Neighborhood Calls for Breed Ban" etc. What is often forgotten is that no breed of dog is 'naturally aggressive', or 'an instinctive killer', or any of the other bloodthirsty and dramatic phrases assigned to […]
If your dog is a serial biter, then a veterinarian is just the person to recommend possible dog bite solutions. But what happens when your trusty vet isn't available to help out with your dog bite dilemmas? Don't sweat it. You still have a way out of your dog bite problems. The following dog bite […]
Over the years, dogs have been considered as the best pet animal, companion and guardian a human being can have. A dog is known for its' faithfulness towards its owner. However, this is only the brighter side of the picture. The worst is yet to be heard and faced!! "Your best friend can become your […]
How dogs behave is primarily dependent on two things: the attention and training they receive as puppies,and their genetic history (the temperament of parents, the traits emphasized by the breeder, etc). There's not much we can do about the genetics; but, if we get our dogs while they are still young, we can influence them […]
Aggressive dogs are a danger to other people, animals, and even to themsleves. So how do we stop dog aggression without harming the dog and ourselves? There are several ways to minimize or curb aggressive behavior, and depending on the level of canine aggression and the breed of dog, the re-training can be relatively simple […]
Aggression in dogs is expressed in a variety of behaviors, from barking and biting to chewing and lunging. Aggression is a natural behavior of pack animals, and is used to develop both the hierarchy and pecking order of the pack, as well as to provide self-defense it time of danger. Naturally, of course, as dog […]
Puppies may seem cute and cuddly on the outside. However, that seemingly innocent puppy biting and chewing can mean serious danger to your yours friends, neighbors and visitors if they aren't dealth with at an early age. When it comes to aggressive puppy behavior, there are laws that state your dog can be put down […]
Do you have an aggressive dog? Common indications that a dog has aggression problems include snarling, growling, snapping, biting and teeth-baring. While this type of behavior is totally unacceptable to humans, it's quite normal for canines. If you think about it, sometimes, aggressive behavior represents one of the few communication tools available to dogs. Canines […]
Canine aggression isn't just a problem for you: it affects everyone your dog comes into contact with, including family, friends, and even strangers. You don't want to risk an expensive lawsuit because you did nothing to curb a solvable dog problem. Instead, follow the advice below for stopping dog aggression. Curb Canine Aggression - Here's […]
A lot of people have misconceptions when it comes to which dog breeds are most aggressive and which ones aren't. Aggressive dog breeds generally exhibit behavior that's meant to scare or intimidate other animals or people. You can tell if a particular breed has aggression issues by the way it acts. You should especially pay […]
John and Cathy adopted a 3-month-old mixed breed puppy about 2 weeks ago. Max, the puppy, is usually easy going but growls when John or Cathy try to pick up his toys, or when they attempt to pet him or get close to him when he is eating. Last week Max ran away into the […]
When dealing with aggressive behavior in a dog, it helps if the owner can pinpoint what the cause of the aggressive behavior is in order to deal with it most effectively. You may wish to consider getting professional help - you can speak to your vet about a referral to a canine behavioral modification specialist. […]
Why do dogs become aggressive? How can we stop otherwise lovable pets from becoming dangerous menaces? First, we must understand where their aggressive nature comes from. Following that, we can implement the necessary dog aggression training methods to put a stop to the problem. A Bit of History... The key to training your dog to […]
It can be quite amusing watching two dogs wrestle each other in good-natured fun. But when one dog gets vicious with another dog, watch out! Not only is your dog a threat to other canines and to itself, but it's also a threat to YOU. Sure, fighting is a natural instinct in canines that comes […]
It makes for a great scene in the movies, but when your dog jumps fences for real, its not quite so much fun. Especially if you live on a farm or in a very compact neighborhood, your neighbors will NOT appreciate your dog terrorizing other animals or children. Additionally, a car on the street can […]
Mike has a 1-year-old Labrador Retriever called Rocky. Like a lot of Labs, the dog is very friendly, and becomes excited whenever anyone in the family arrives home. Rocky demonstrated her excitement by leaping up and jumping on people. As Rocky grows bigger, this jumping becomes more and more of a problem; she's even knocked […]
Jumping up on people is pretty common behavior for most dogs. The usual reaction from owners is to think the dog is just happy to see them (which is usually part of the reason); however, it's also a classic demonstration of dog-over-owner dominance. Have you ever seen two dogs greeting each other? Well-behaved dogs don't […]
There are three main reasons why your dog jumps on people: To get attention and greet people.Dogs identify each other by smelling scent glands around their face, and so try to do the same with people. In order to assert dominance. When people immediately respond to the dogs jumping, it puts him in power. You MUST […]
Susan recently obtained a 2-year-old mixed breed dog from a friend that is moving and cannot take the dog. It is a terrier mix, and the dog was always very friendly and well behaved when Susan observed it at the friend's house. The dog, Tippy, was used to a large family with children. Since arriving […]
If you are having issues with your dog whining, it may be a behavior issue that needs to be evaluated. In some cases, certain breeds are more likely to complain if they don't get their way, as well. You see, some types of dogs, particularly dogs bred for companionship - such as 'lap dogs' and […]
If theres one thing that dogs and babies have in common, its that when they want something, they let you know about it! And just like a baby cries to get attention, so does a dog or puppy whine to get its masters attention. Its a natural mechanism for dogs, and one that we dog […]
The American Bulldog (commonly mistaken for the American Pit Bull Terrier) is a stocky, muscular dog with a short easy-care coat and large, block-shaped head. The dogs were originally bred for catching livestock and protecting property, and thus have a strong genetic predisposition towards protectiveness and loyalty. Strong working dogs, the American Bulldog is not […]
Toy poodles are exceptionally bright, sensitive, agile creatures. The most amenable to training of all the toy breeds, toy poodles often take top honors in obedience and agility shows. They don't react well to stress, which can make them literally sick to their stomachs, but are generally peaceful with other pets. If you've got a […]
Because of their instinctive characteristics of aggression, territoriality, and intelligence, it is absolutely vital that you train your Akita when he is still a small and relatively helpless puppy. It will be a lot easier than training a fully-grown, headstrong Akita weighing in at 130-150 pounds -! Initial puppy training should include: The Akita, or […]
Dobermans were originally developed in the late 19th century by a German tax collector called Louis Doberman. He developed them from a range of other dog breeds, such as Rottweilers, German Pinschers and German Shepherds. What he wanted to create was the ultimate watchdog, and he succeeded. Doberman Pinschers are very intelligent, strong and lean. […]
German Shepherds are strong, athletic dogs whose intelligence has ensured them a perennial role as police dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, drug- and bomb-detection dogs, and military dogs. They also make excellent pets, provided that their owners know what they're doing and are experienced with powerful breeds like the German Shepherd. Sadly, a lot of […]
Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds for people to choose as a household pet. If you have one, then you would have been expecting him to be very gentle mannered and a great pet. While that is true, Retrievers arent always so gentle mannered when they are young. They can be very […]
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, agile, and highly energetic working dog. Bred in their native California as a herding dog, the instinct to work and to perform difficult tasks is strongly present in their genetic makeup. Australian Shepherds suit active, energetic owners who will take a firm hand with them; they're not recommended for […]
Jack Russell terriers are the personification of the typical terrier temperament: feisty, scrappy, intelligent, independent, bossy, and energetic. Although well-bred and -trained Jack Russells are dependably friendly around most people, they can be aggressively hot-headed around strange dogs and will take on a Pit Bull if in the mood for a scrap. What Problems Might […]
Weimaraners (pronounced WHY-ma-rah-ners) are active, athletic hunting dogs with distinctive grey/blue coats that have earned them the nickname of 'gray ghost'. The breed was originally developed in England for hunting bear, deer, and boar, and also for guarding property and downed game. Although most Weimaraners make outstanding family pets, personality disorders are not infrequent in […]
When considering adopting a dog, there are several aspects of ownership that you'll need to bear in mind: what kind of lifestyle do you have? How much spare time do you have? Are you an active person or a couch potato? Do you have a garden? Are there small children in your household? ..... and […]
Sit. Stay. Fetch. Of all these commands, perhaps the "sit" command is the most important one. A dog owner who can train his dog to regularly sit on command gains the respect of his dog, and paves the way for your dog to learn further commands, such as "stay," "heel," and "leave". Stage 1 Try […]
A dog that poops in your car is an embarrassing and revolting problem that some owners have to deal with on a fairly regular basis. You take your dog with you for a quick car ride, thinking that a change of scene will do him some good. Then when you park the car, you open […]
The type of dog training equipment you will need will depend slightly on the training method you undertake. But in general, even though most people think a collar is just a collar and a lead is just a lead (or a rope, belt, or shoelace as it may be), this is not always the case. […]
Dogs are driven by instincts and learned behavior, not by the same complex reasons that humans behave. Chewing is actually perfectly natural for them, so unlike aggression and biting, the problem can be a bit more difficult to stop completely. They don't chew to get even with you, although often the items they chew are […]
Territorial marking and submissive urination are two common house training problems with clear cut solutions. Dog owners, however, often fail to recognize these behavioral issues or fail to address them properly. What is Territorial Marking Although territorial instincts vary from breed to breed, and from dog to dog, in general we can say that 1) […]
You can stop your dog pulling on the leash relatively easily by teaching your dog a simple 3-step "Heel" command. This simple command works wonders for both puppies and full-grown dogs alike. The Heel Command The first stage of teaching your dog to heel is to prevent him from pulling on the leash at all. […]
Another common house training problem is submissive urination. In some ways submissive urination can be thought of as an opposite to territorial marking, because it occurs out of fear and submissiveness rather than aggressiveness and dominance. What is Submissive Urination Submissive urination is an issue that can affect any dog regardless or age, breed, or […]
It's not a matter of SHOULD I train my dog; it's a matter of HOW do I go about doing it in a such a way that I maximize the results and minimize the cost. No one wants a dog that that barks excessively, acts aggressively, jumps up on people, chews the house to bits, […]
Humans and dogs have been coexisting for tens of thousands of years - archaeologists have found proof of dogs sharing habitation with humans as early as the Neolithic age (8500 BC). During our long history with domesticated dogs, one characteristic has remained a constant for all dogs: they are instinctively clean animals, and will avoid […]
Why do dogs dig? Do they all dig? Can it be prevented? Can you teach them not to? This article deals with the common reasons that dogs dig, and supplies effective solutions to both prevent and deal with the issue. Breed Predisposition What breed is your dog?. Smart breeds (for example, Border Collies, Yorkshire terriers, […]
There are a number of things you need to consider if your dog is displaying chewing behaviors in order to effectively combat this destructive habit. The best way to learn how to stop a dog from chewing is to examine several factors: First, what is he chewing? Cushions, shoes, his own feet? Some objects may […]
If you want to prevent and stop your dog biting, then the best time thing you can do is start training your dog when it is a puppy. Puppies naturally love to play, and enjoy interacting with people. But they are also impressionable, so if you teach them right from wrong early on and enforce […]
Vital information that all dog owners must be aware of. It's common knowledge that some dog breeds get a bad wrap, they generally have a reputation for being 'bad' pets or particularly volatile. This may be loosely true in a few cases, but is in no way a reliable gauge of whether your dog has […]
It can be a shocking, even frightful, situation: Your dog jumps on a family member, a visitor, even you. And when you want it to go down, it just won't. What's a dog owner to do? Fortunately, it's not too difficult to stop your dog from jumping. With the proper amount of consistent training and […]
There is something about the sound of a dog whining that irritates most people. Whining is a natural behavior that dogs use to whining to communicate that there is something that they want. Puppies whine for the mother when they are hungry, and she returns to the litter to allow them to nurse. Mature dogs, […]
There are literally thousands of dog training books on offer, a great way to effectively train your dog while building your relationship. There are books by professional trainers, dog behavioral experts, veterinarians, and breeders. In addition, there is a growing market for online resources, both in the form of basic information offered at no cost […]
You may have noticed that throughout DogObedienceAdvice.com I often refer to Daniel Stevens, a fellow dog training author and his training guide 'Secrets To Dog Training'. Read on to find out why I and many others consider his guide to be the most comprehensive guide to dog training, why it is is used by thousands […]
House training your new puppy is a challenge, especially for a new owner. And despite what anyone tells you, the length of time required to housetrain a puppy doesn't rely entirely on the breed: your efforts will have a significant impact on the outcome of the training. The important thing to be aware of is […]
Shih Tzu are an intelligent dog which takes reasonably well to training. The typical nature of the Shih Tzu is friendly, playful, and animated. Not overly 'yappy' dogs, most are very alert and will sound the alarm readily, making them reliable watchdogs. Although small, they seem to have no concept of their own size - […]
The Australian Cattle Dog is a serious working dog, bred to herd dangerous livestock without the benefit of human instruction. A cross between the Scottish Highland Collie, the Dalmatian, Kelpie, Bull Terrier and wild Dingo, the ACD is a intelligent dog used to acting first and asking questions later. The breed is not an ideal […]
When considering adopting a dog, there are several aspects of ownership that you'll need to bear in mind: what kind of lifestyle do you have? How much spare time do you have? Are you an active person or a couch potato? Do you have a garden? Are there small children in your household? ..... and […]
Beagles are one of the most popular of all dog breeds. They were traditionally used for hunting hares and other game due to their well-developed sense of smell (Beagle hunting, or 'beagling', used to be called 'the poor man's hunt' as a Beagle pack is followed on foot, not mounted on horseback). Nowadays they make […]
How dogs behave is primarily dependent on two things: the attention and training they receive as puppies,and their genetic history (the temperament of parents, the traits emphasized by the breeder, etc). There's not much we can do about the genetics; but, if we get our dogs while they are still young, we can influence them […]
Barking is a natural behavior for dogs. But when the barking becomes incessant, this typically signals that something is wrong and needs to be corrected, either in the dog's development of a bad habit, or in the environment that is contributing to the barking. But you don't want to stop dog barking altogether, as this […]
