Many dog owners eventually find themselves repeating the same command over and over. “Sit.” “Sit.” “Sit.” “Come.” “Come here.” “Come on.” The dog eventually responds, but only after several requests. This can become frustrating because the dog clearly seems to know...
For many dogs, other dogs are one of the strongest distractions they will ever face. A dog may walk beautifully through the neighborhood until another dog appears. Then the leash tightens. The staring begins. The dog pulls, whines, barks, lunges, freezes, or becomes...
Some dogs seem unable to fully relax unless someone is interacting with them. They follow family members from room to room, bring toys repeatedly, paw at legs, stare, whine, bark, or get up every time someone moves. Even when they are tired, they may remain alert to...
Many dog owners experience the same frustrating pattern. At home, the dog listens. They sit when asked. Go to place. Come when called. Wait at the door. Everything seems to work. Then the family leaves the house. Suddenly, the dog pulls on the leash, ignores familiar...
A dog may look completely reliable until something exciting or difficult gets too close. Another dog appears on the sidewalk. A jogger passes. A delivery driver walks toward the house. A child runs by. A bicycle moves past. Suddenly, the dog stops listening, pulls...
Most dog owners want to give their dog as much freedom as possible. More room in the house. More time off place. More access around visitors. More freedom in the yard. Longer leash privileges. Greater independence during the day. The challenge is knowing when the dog...
A dog can look perfectly trained in one place and surprisingly unreliable somewhere else. At home, they sit quickly, come when called, stay on place, and follow familiar routines. Take that same dog into a driveway, a busy neighborhood, a friend’s house, a parking...
Many dogs have a recall that looks reliable until something more interesting shows up. At home, they come when called. In the yard, they respond quickly. On a quiet walk, they turn and return. Then another dog appears. A squirrel runs across the grass. A strong scent...
Some dogs seem determined to stay within a few feet of their owners at all times. They follow into the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, garage, and every other part of the home. The moment someone stands up, the dog stands too. If the owner walks across the room, the dog...
Many families notice the same frustrating pattern. A dog may walk calmly with one person but pull with another. They may stay on place for one family member but get up repeatedly when someone else gives the command. They may wait at the door for one person, jump on...
Many dog owners try to improve behavior by adding more difficult distractions too soon. The dog learns to sit in the living room, so the next step becomes sitting near other dogs. Recall works in the yard, so the family tests it at the park. Leash walking improves on...
A barking dog can quickly change the entire mood of a walk. Your dog may be moving calmly one moment, then suddenly hear another dog barking behind a fence, from a yard, through a window, or across the street. The reaction can happen fast. The head turns. The body...