Once your dog has accepted the Sit, Stay and Come commands, he is very likely ready to move on to Intermediate Training. At this stage, teaching him to Lie Down on command is probably your best option simply because he is already familiar with the Sit behavior. Continue reading →

Assuming that your little guy is familiar with the Sit command, he is now ready to move forward to the Lie Down command. This Intermediate Training behavior is simple to implement for most dogs and should be easily integrated into his routine. Continue reading →

How would you feel if you worked late night after night and received not even a pat on the back for a job well done? Well, your dog feels the same way. He needs to know he has your approval and one of the best ways to show him he is appreciated is to reward him with treats of his choice. Whether he chooses a rowdy playtime, a special tasty treat or just being hugged and petted, anything that pleases him is a reward. Continue reading →

The last thing you want when you bring your new dog home is to add stress to his new environment. Diet is paramount here. If you choose to change his food, please do so slowly. Continue to feed him as usual for the first week then gradually reduce his old food to 50 percent of the old content and add 50 percent of your choice to his diet. If he does well on this, then follow up the next week with a 75/25 percent ratio. Eventually, he will be able to tolerate the new diet with no complications. Check out ingredient labels prior to changing his diet — verify that he is receiving the needed nutrients. If questions arise, contact your veterinarian or breeder for verification. Wet food is an option but keep in mind that dry food does a better job of cleaning his teeth. Consider a mixture if this is what he prefers. Continue reading →

When your dog behaves in a manner that is not acceptable, it is time to diagnose the problem and deal with it in a calm and reassuring manner. Bad behavior will generally escalate over time and become extremely difficult to correct. The solution? Get to know your dog thoroughly and be aware. Remember that the completion of a bad behavior is in itself a reward. Why did your best friend relieve himself on your new carpet? Simple. It felt good. Why does your precious pet jump on all your friends? Because he wants to be a part of the party. Continue reading →