Dogs will naturally roll over to clean themselves or satisfy an itch. Teaching your dog to roll over on command is a simple task any dog can learn. Is it really necessary though? Does it have any practical benefit to your dog or to you, except to amuse your family and friends? Is entertainment a good enough reason? I confess… read more →
If dogs run free, then why not we Across the swooping plain? If humans never interfered, dogs would run free. It’s their instinct. It is a higher need. We prevent dogs from running free. It would be a messier and more dangerous world for humans, if we suddenly let all dogs run free. So, we’ve bred them over centuries to… read more →
Nobody knows when the domestication of gray wolves began. The contributions of these proto-dogs to human survival is clear though. Their tracking skills helped hunters, while their ability to sense predators alerted the community to nearby dangers. Native Americans even used dogs as pack animals before the introduction of horses. Through selective breeding, special skills like herding and pointing enhanced… read more →
In my book The Heart of Your Dog I have a chapter about housebreaking. I mention that I prefer the crate method. After Chimo was housebroken the crate has remained as a permanent fixture in our house. It is out of the way and kind of hidden. The purpose isn’t to confine her. It’s always left open. It’s there as… read more →
Dogs love to curl up and nap by your feet. Awww. It warms your heart that it wants to be so close to you. That’s probably true. But another reason your dog has for such proximity is that when you move, it will be alerted that something might be happening. Dog’s love to be underfoot for that reason. Too often… read more →
When your dog reaches its senior years and has been an ideal companion, faithful in every way, show it some extra consideration. Like older humans your dog is apt to have good days and bad days. Some days your dog will be ready to romp. You might even see glimpses of its former puppyhood. On other days your dog will… read more →
For as long as there have been people “training” dogs, the dog treat has been a tool box staple. Most dog’s will eagerly comply to earn the reward. Like mice in a lab experiment their behavior can be manipulated with a simple reward for the forced behavioral scheme. In the mind of the dog it is a simple transaction –… read more →
There’s lots of advice about walking your dog on a leash. If you use the “training” method to extreme, you can make your dog walk obediently by your right side and then immediately sit when you stop. All the while your dog will ignore every distraction. If that is what you want, go for it! To me it smacks of… read more →
One of the most effective techniques for connecting with your dog is getting close and going eye-to-eye. When you have your dog’s complete attention with this technique your dog has no choice but to listen. Your dog looks (stares) into your face and eyes to interpret your thoughts. I’ve found this to be the best way to reach your dog’s… read more →
Teaching your dog to be a good car rider is important. You don’t want your dog to associate rides only with trips to the vet. On the other hand they shouldn’t be only play adventures. It’s fun to speculate about what your dog is thinking. Dogs that only travel to the vet can have extreme reactions to climbing aboard a… read more →