Question: A Timid German Shepherd “I have an 11-month-old German Shepherd. We got him from a private breeder at the age of 8 weeks. He was a very happy puppy, and to this day he has never been beaten (at least that I know of). But now, he’s such an introvert that it’s pitiful! He’s…
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Question: Mixed Obedience Behavior After Training “My two-year-old male mixed breed is enrolled in an obedience training class. As far as I’m concerned, my dog is learning just fine, because, at home, he goes through all of the exercises perfectly. He knows how to heel, sit, stay, and lay down on command, but when I…
Question: Scared Of Thunder Storms “My friend recently gave me her six-year-old German Shepherd male. She wanted to get rid of him because he is so terrified of thunderstorms that he tears down the door of the house to get in. She says that she has replaced three doors because of him. He seems to…
Question: Too Old For Training? “My dog is thirteen years old, quite healthy, with no obvious physical defects. I was refused enrollment in an obedience class by a woman trainer who said that a thirteen-year-old dog couldn’t be trained. This trainer is quite well known and has authored several books. I simply cannot accept the…
Question: Obedience Through Hot Sauce? “I’ve heard that pouring hot sauce on a piece of meat will teach a dog to ignore any food found lying on the ground. Is this practice of obedience acceptable? And is it safe?” Answer: No! and No! Any trainer advocating that method had better go back to school. It…