Thoughts of a Professional Dog Trainer

Feeling frustrated with your dog? Give him more time and exercise.

2008-12-01T02:07:00Z

I just returned from a trip out of town to visit my wife's family for Thanksgiving. Fortunately our friends and family that we stay with allow us to bring our dogs with us when we spend the night. We also spent the last night in a hotel that allows dogs. We even brought our three dogs to Thanksgiving dinner. Their behavior always makes me very proud. They were gentle with the kids, they did not try and steal food and they played appropriately with my brother-in-law's puppy. What is the secret...(read more)

Your dog refuses to walk? Try this.

2008-11-15T12:54:00Z

It is not uncommon for dogs to refuse to walk sometimes when they are outside. They might just "put the brakes on", or they might sit or lie down. If your dog is a really young puppy, you might want to just take a break and let them take the world in. You do not have to worry about your dog becoming lazy. This is not a sign of a personality trait that leads to a lazy older dog. Often it revolves around a puppy being ever overstimulated or tired. A puppy's energy level moves up and down...(read more)

Dog training tip - what does your dog's name mean to him?

2008-11-12T03:37:00Z

"Jake!, Jake!, Jake!" I was in the park with my client and we were working on off leash control strategies with his rambunctious one-year-old Border Collie mix. Jake was not too interested in anything at the moment besides the squirrel jumping from branch to branch in a big oak tree. My client was calling Jake repeatedly before I asked him what he wanted Jake to do when he called his name. My client told me that he wanted Jake to come to him when he called. I then asked him if he wanted...(read more)

How to interview a dog walker

2008-11-04T17:55:00Z

I am constantly amazed at how many new dog walking services pop up all over Chicago. I would imagine this is consistent with other big cities. With downsizing and people's desires to run their own business, dog walking is often a natural fit for the dog lovers of the world. But, like any other business, there are better options than others. How do you sift through all of the dog walkers to choose the best one for your dog? Here are some questions and strategies that I recommend that you take...(read more)

Overwhelmed by one puppy? How would you like sixteen puppies?

2008-11-03T01:48:00Z

Retro the Golden Retriever in Rowley, MA recently had a litter of 16 puppies. Dogs usually are full term at 9 weeks, but Retro had a c-section at 7 weeks due to the size of the litter. Indya, Sheehan, Retro's owner, talks about the 24-hour task of feeding and care for the unusually large litter. See the video of the litter and happy Mom....(read more)

Easy way to train your dog to drop things

2008-11-01T15:44:00Z

This is a quick and easy training exercise for dogs of all ages. 7-week-old puppies can learn this as easily as older dogs. This is also one of the most important behaviors your dog can learn. Why is this so important? For one, it can potentially save your dog's life. Dogs investigate the world with their mouths. This often results in them grabbing anything and everything that they can. If they eat the wrong thing (like Halloween candy !) it can prove fatal. One of my Collies, Ranger, grabbed...(read more)

Halloween dog training tips

2008-10-30T16:09:00Z

Halloween is a great opportunity for dog training. The uniqueness of the holiday provides some dog training experiences that you can take advantage of to help your dog get to the next level in his socialization and guest manners skills. Socialize Your Puppy Halloween is a prime opportunity to expose your puppy to new and interesting sights and sounds. Bring treats with you on every walk and say, "Yes!" or 'Click and Treat' every time your puppy sees halloween decorations, hears...(read more)

Dogs of war have new hospital

2008-10-27T12:55:00Z

A new $15 million hospital opened in San Antonio, Texas to care for dogs wounded in combat. "We act as the Walter Reed of the veterinary world," said Army Col. Bob Vogelsang, hospital director, referring to the Washington military medical center that treats severely wounded troops. Before the new facility opened, dogs were previously treated in a facility that opened in 1968. Since Sept. 11, 2001, demand for combat-ready dogs has increased dramatically. They currently also train dogs at...(read more)

Should you choose private or group dog training?

2008-10-23T02:37:00Z

I taught hundreds of dog training classes for two years before switching to all private sessions five years ago. I enjoyed teaching classes but enjoy the flexibility and autonomy of private sessions more. But, I still see value in group classes and often refer clients to other group classes in Chicago. Are you currently deciding between group and private classes and don't know which option to choose? Here are my thoughts on both options. Socialization Whether you choose private training or group...(read more)

Looking for a dog trainer? Do your homework.

2008-10-20T13:52:00Z

Everyone is a critic. If you have a job specialty I am sure that you look at others performing your job with a critical eye. Maybe they are less efficient, charge too much or have a questionable work ethic. I am the same way. I am always critical of other dog trainers and enjoy watching other trainers work to hone my skills of assessing a situation and formulating a strategy that I might do differently. I first put my criticism into two categories: humane and non-humane, and then I filter through...(read more)

Improve your dog training skills - have someone watch you train

2008-10-17T14:29:00Z

Want to take your dog training skills to the next level? Enlist the help of someone to watch you train and give you constructive help based on the following criteria: Consistency Make sure you are clear and consistent with your verbal cues or hand signals. Did you say, "Come" or "Come here"? For a "Stand" cue, is your palm facing your dog or away from him? Say It Once Repeating cues is the fastest way to dog training frustration. If you want reliability (who doesn't...(read more)

Can doggie daycare cause dog aggression and behavior problems?

2008-10-12T23:36:00Z

Dog daycares are quite common in Chicago. Especially these days with the economy in shambles, people have a tendency to work longer hours and might even need to take on a second job to make ends meet. It is easy to feel guilty about dogs not getting enough exercise or attention. So many people look into dog daycare to provide their dogs with necessary exercise and social interactions. But, can these trips to daycare cause more problems than they help? In a short answer, I would say, yes. Don't...(read more)

Assess a dog’s anxiety to treat dog to dog aggression

2008-10-08T02:12:00Z

Dogs exhibit specific signs of stress when they are under duress. If you know what to look for in your dog aggressive dog, you can help him remain calm around dogs. To do this, you need to learn his specific signals and then move him away when stress occurs. If day in and day out your dog is kept comfortable around other dogs, he will learn that he doesn’t need to be “on guard” when dogs around. This will lower his anxiety. If you also pair all meetings with FANTASTIC treats, your...(read more)

Puppy housetraining troubleshooting tips

2008-10-03T11:41:00Z

Housetraining a dog can be a very frustrating experience. Especially if you had a dog in the past that was unusually easy to housetrain, your current dog might seem "flawed" or you might be at your wits end. Here are some general tips to keep in mind and some ideas to try if you are frustrated with your puppy. Physical Abilities Puppies can hold their bladders approximately one hour per month of age. However, they can usually hold it much longer at night, so you need to pay attention to...(read more)

Ways to keep dog training sessions interesting

2008-10-03T05:08:00Z

Have you ever gotten bored working on "Sit, Down and Stay?" Sometimes it helps to have some suggestions for ways to make training a bit more interesting. Here are some simple ways to keep it fun for you and your dog. Reserve top tier chew toys, bones or treats for a point in the training session when your dog improves his performance. For instance, when he holds a Stay for a longer time than the last session, give him his chew toy as a reward. Hide Kongs or other stuffable toys around the...(read more)