The Dog Trainer's Quick and Dirty Tips for Teaching and Caring for Your Pet

217 TDT Cats, Partially Explained

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 17:45:15 -0500

Cats: Mysterious. Antisocial. Low-maintenance. Or none of the above? The Dog Trainer shares a few things you might not have known about that "other" animal living in your house. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1wT8neR

175 TDT Do You Need a Guard Dog?

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 06:30:30 +0000

Many people would like their dog to be protective. But is that such a good idea? Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1FpWH82

236 TDT 4 (Other) Best Things to Do for Your Dog

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:30:15 -0500

What is there besides socialization, housetraining, exercise, good food, and veterinary care? The Dog Trainer has 4 more important ways to look out for your dog’s well-being. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1Aj5bwM

235 TDT My Dog Is Totally Trained, Right?

Mon, 09 Feb 2015 17:45:15 -0500

Learn why training's never done, and why there's ... absolutely nothing wrong with that. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1MaFCUZ

234 TDT Fostering Dogs

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:00:15 -0500

Get 5 tips for deciding whether fostering dogs is right for you and your family. Plus, choosing a group to volunteer with. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1Dv0TCq

184 TDT How to Choose a Veterinarian

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 06:30:30 +0000

If you're not a veterinarian, how do you know which vets are good? 7 tips to help you find a vet who's right for your dog. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1Cgk8D6

185 TDT Chilly Dogs: Caring for Your Dog in Cold Weather

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 06:30:30 +0000

Just because your dog has a fur coat doesn't mean he's an all-weather animal. Get 6 tips to keep him safe and comfortable when the temperature drops. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1BcfFhM

192 TDT Teach Your Dog to Give or Drop an Item

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 06:30:30 +0000

Your dog's got something in his mouth, and you need to get it back. Learn how to teach your dog to give or drop items on cue - happily, and with no conflict. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1C5HERS

142 TDT Where Should Your Dog Sleep?

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 06:30:30 +0000

How to decide whether your dog should sleep in the bed with you, on his own bed, or in a crate. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1IstJ8f

135 TDT How to Keep Your Dog From Chasing Cats

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Keep trespassing cats safe from dogs. Teach your dog not to chase and kill outdoor cats. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1AxAa9j

176 TDT Help! My Dog Bit My Baby

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 06:30:30 +0000

What circumstances might lead a dog to bite a child? Learn what mistakes people often make, and what to do if your dog bites your child. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1HBkfci

174 TDT The "Humane Hierarchy" in Dog Training

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 06:30:30 +0000

What steps does your dog trainer recommend first? Which ones do ethical trainers use only as last resorts? Learn what an educated, honest trainer will and won't recommend. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1zxgLnp

173 TDT Aggression by a Disabled Dog

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 06:30:30 +0000

A dog who used to be in pain started behaving aggressively toward other dogs. Now she feels better, but she's still aggressive. How can she learn to have dog friends again? Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1yxhoPR

172 TDT How to Get Your Dog's Attention

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Learn how to teach your dog to look at you on cue, check in with you, and pay attention to you on walks. Turn attentiveness into a game, so your dog wants to focus on you. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1I5DewN

164 TDT Tripods: Three-Legged Dogs

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 06:30:30 +0000

What if your dog has to have a leg amputated, because of illness or accident? Learn how "tripod" dogs cope and what you can expect. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/11UfkTA

165 TDT Case Study: The Formerly Housetrained Dog

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Learn why housetraining may break down when you move, how to figure out what may be causing the problem, and what to do about it. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1vwAO6U

166 TDT When Dogs Don't Enjoy Attention

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Sometimes our attention can scare our dogs or even punish them. How to tell if that's happening, and what to do about it.

167 TDT Can Dogs Detect Generosity?

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Can dogs judge human beings' social behavior? What human social cues do dogs learn from? Scientists try to find out. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1twrZpw

120 TDT Behavioral Medication for Your Dog

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Learn how behavioral medications are used and how the right medication can help your dog. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1Dx2hDU

118 TDT How to Choose a Rescue Dog

Mon, 20 Oct 2014 06:30:30 +0000

How to figure out which shelter dogs are friendly and right for you. Learn how to find a dog you can enjoy living with. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/ZLKV8U

116 TDT Dog Myths About Rank and Dominance

Mon, 13 Oct 2014 06:30:30 +0000

If your dog walks ahead of you, is he dominant? Learn about this and other myths about rank and dominance in dogs.

117 TDT Case Study: The Child-Chasing Terrier

Mon, 06 Oct 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Excitable dogs may run after playing children. Teach your dog to stop the chase with these 5 tips. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1CSmXrw

226 TDT Taking Good Care of Your Old Dog

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:15:15 -0400

Old dogs can be happy dogs! 5 tips to help your dog age gracefully and stay healthy. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1qRBFGf

198 TDT Who's in Charge Here - and Why It Should Be Your Dog

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Dogs don't choose where they live, or who they live with, or when to go for a walk. But lack of control makes all kinds of animals more anxious. How can a good caretaker give her dog the control that builds confidence?

161 TDT Teach Your Dog to Fetch

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 17:30:30 -0400

Plenty of dogs like to chase the ball, but then don't bring it back for you to throw again. How to teach a "keep-away" dog to play fetch instead.

221 TDT Case Study: When Separation Anxiety Collides with "Stay"

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:45:30 -0400

A dog has separation anxiety. He is taught to sit and stay on cue. But once his handler goes out of sight, he freaks. What next?

224 TDT The Case of the Treat-Grabbing Puppy

Mon, 01 Sep 2014 17:30:00 -0400

You're trying to teach your puppy to lie down on cue, but she bounces up, she nips at your hand for the treats, and in general she acts like a hooligan. What to do?

144 TDT How to Have a Calm, Relaxed Dog

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Teach your dog to get what she wants by acting low-key, and lower her stress levels by helping her feel safe. Have a low-key dog who's not under constant stress!

145 TDT Is Nonstop Play Okay?

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Constant play can be intense and annoying. Is it really play, and what should you do about it?

146 TDT Extending Leashes and Long Lines

Mon, 11 Aug 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Extending leashes teach dogs to pull and can endanger you and your dog. Learn how to use a long line instead.

160 TDT Is Reward-Based Training Too Permissive?

Mon, 04 Aug 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Are clicker training and other reward-based methods permissive? Is "dog-friendly" training just a bunch of cookie-pushing?

042 TDT Socialize Your Puppy

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 06:30:30 +0000

How and when to socialize your puppy so she grows into a friendly, confident dog. Visit the website to read the full transcript: http://bit.ly/1uHxBk4

150 TDT How to Choose a Groomer

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Learn how to find a groomer who will handle your dog gently, and what to look for in the grooming salon.

154 TDT The Advantages of Training with Food Treats

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Learn the 3 advantages of using treats and other rewards to train your dog. Learn how to avoid the disadvantages, and why generosity rules.

158 TDT Do Dogs Feel Empathy?

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 06:30:30 +0000

If you cry and your dog nuzzles you and licks your face, is she trying to comfort you? Researchers try to figure out whether dogs feel empathy.

170 TDT 4 Tips to Handle Your Lunging, Barking Dog

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Does your dog lunge and bark at skateboarders, bicyclists, or other dogs? Learn how to manage and improve his behavior, and maybe solve the problem.

171 TDT Service Dogs for Kids on the Autism Spectrum

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Some children with autism spectrum disorders can benefit from a service dog. Learn what an autism service dog does and how to find a dog.

178 TDT Dogs and Stairs

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Learn how to help a scaredy-dog get over fear of going up and down stairs. Encouragement and starting small are the keys.

177 TDT What to Look For in a Puppy Class

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Puppy classes can help you socialize your puppy and learn about how she communicates. You'll get puppy-rearing pointers as well. Learn what a good puppy class can do for you.

183 TDT Getting Ready for Your New Puppy or Dog

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Getting a new dog? You'll need a few things, and we're not just talking collars and leashes here. Find out what equipment and supplies - and what household negotiations - should precede the arrival of your dog.

130 TDT Tail Docking, Part 2

Mon, 26 May 2014 06:30:30 +0000

What are the arguments against tail docking?

129 TDT Tail Docking, Part 1

Tue, 20 May 2014 06:30:30 +0000

Why are some dogs' tails docked? What are the arguments for tail docking?

133 TDT Should You Punish Your Dog?

Mon, 12 May 2014 06:30:30 +0000

5 reasons why punishment isn't a good way to train your dog

040 TDT Reading Dogs' Faces

Mon, 05 May 2014 06:30:30 +0000

How dogs communicate with their eyes, mouths, and facial expressions.

208 TDT Taking Risks with Your Dog (Part 2)

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:00:45 -0400

We often think about the risks to our own dog -- but what risks might our dog pose to other dogs? What's the ethical and responsible thing to do if your dog fights with other dogs, even if he doesn't hurt them?

207 TDT Taking Risks with Your Dog (Part 1)

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 13:45:45 -0400

Every time you let your dog off leash, you’re taking a risk. Does that make off-leash play the wrong thing to do? What about other risks people take with their dogs? Is absolute safety the only good choice?

211 TDT Living with a Deaf Dog

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:30:15 -0400

You may have heard that deaf dogs are aggressive, or that they're impossible to train. Actually, deaf dogs learn just as well as hearing dogs do, and they can be wonderful companions.

212 TDT How to Raise a Problem Dog

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 16:30:30 -0400

Learn how to increase the income of your local dog behavior consultant by raising a dog who’s fearful, aggressive, and un-housetrained. Or do the opposite, and up the odds of having a friendly, confident pet.

216 TDT Are You Afraid of Dogs?

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:30:15 -0400

For people who are afraid of dogs, here are simple tips to avoid problems and read dog behavior so you can tell what a dog is likely to do. Remember, most dogs don’t want to hurt you!

181 TDT The Trouble with Bulldogs

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 06:30:30 +0000

English Bulldogs may suffer from more health problems, and more severe health problems, than any other breed. That's no accident - it's the result of the way they're bred.

233 TDT Doggy Intelligence

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:45:45 -0500

Are some breeds smarter than others? Do doggy IQ tests really measure intelligence? The Dog Trainer delves into the smart dog fray.

232 TDT Muzzles: The Why, the How, and the Why Not

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:15:15 -0500

Here’s how to teach your dog to enjoy wearing a muzzle – and why to teach him! Also: When should your dog absolutely, positively not be muzzled?

231 TDT Puppy Mill Rescue Dogs

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 17:45:30 -0500

A puppy mill dog may have spent her entire life in a cage before being rescued. In a frightening new world, how can you help her adjust and learn to feel safe?

230 TDT Detection Dogs: Are Dogs and Handlers Biased? (Part 2)

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 17:15:00 -0500

Dogs can detect incredibly faint odors. But what if their human handlers give them the wrong cues? The Dog Trainer explores the complexities in the work of detection dogs.

229 TDT Detection Dogs (Part 1)

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 17:00:45 -0500

Dogs can detect incredibly faint odors. But what if their human handlers give them the wrong cues?

228 TDT Cool Off Resource-Guarding Fever

Mon, 13 Jan 2014 17:30:15 -0500

Learn 3 tips to help your dog relax around stuff he guards -- even before you start a behavior program.

227 TDT Why Ask Why?

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:45:45 -0500

If your dog has a behavior problem, you're probably wondering and speculating on what caused it. Did something happen way back in your dog's puppyhood, before you adopted him, to cause the issue? Turns out, it doesn't matter. And here's why...

104 TDT Service Dogs

Tue, 31 Dec 2013 06:30:30 +0000

Service dogs - how to have good manners around them, what they do, what rights disabled people have when using service dogs.

180 TDT New Year's Resolutions for Dogs

Mon, 30 Dec 2013 16:30:30 -0500

As long as you're making New Year's resolutions, make some for your dog! 6 ways to make your dog happier and better behaved, this year and every year.

225 TDT Dog, the Hunter: Predatory Behavior

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 17:45:15 -0500

Domestic dogs don't hunt in family groups the way their wolf ancestors did (and do!). But they're still predators -- sometimes in unexpected ways.

223 TDT “The Bite Came Out of Nowhere!” – Or Did It?

Mon, 02 Dec 2013 17:15:30 -0500

You'll often hear that a previously friendly dog suddenly bit a person "out of nowhere." But did she really? Or did stressors pile up till the dog just broke?

222 TDT Calling Your Dog Away from Play with Other Dogs

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:00:00 -0500

You've taught your dog to come when called -- congratulations! Except ... forget about it when she's playing with other dogs. How can you get her to pay attention to you then?

220 TDT Cats and Litter Boxes (Part 2)

Mon, 04 Nov 2013 17:45:30 -0500

More reasons why your cat may be avoiding the litter box -- and how to get her back into good habits once you've resolved those problems.

219 TDT Cats and Litter Boxes (Part 1)

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:00:45 -0400

Cats don't usually need to be "litter box trained" the way dogs need to be housetrained. But if the litter box doesn't match your cat's preferences for a comfy toilet, she may find somewhere else to go. In Part 1 of this series, the Dog Trainer explains what makes an attractive litter box, and what doesn't.

218 TDT Independent Car Harness Safety Tests - Finally!

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 17:15:00 -0400

Until recently, there's been no independent safety testing of car harnesses for dogs -- only manufacturers' claims in ads. Now the Center for Pet Safety, an independent nonprofit, reports and names names. Hang on to your seatbelts; it's going to be a bumpy ride.

215 TDT Does Soothing Your Dog “Reward Fear”?

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 17:15:30 -0400

It’s often said that when we comfort a frightened dog, we’re rewarding fear. Learn whether that’s true, and how best to help out your worried, startled, or frightened dog.

162 TDT Guests Who Don't Love Dogs

Mon, 23 Sep 2013 17:30:30 -0400

Learn what to do if your dog is super-friendly, but your guests aren't happy to have him greet them.

213 TDT Why Do Dogs Interrupt Sex?

Mon, 16 Sep 2013 17:15:15 -0400

Why do some dogs interfere when people are kissing, necking, or having sex? And what should you do about it? Find out

213 TDT How to Find a Great Dog Walker

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 17:30:30 -0400

There’s more to good dog-walking than just holding one end of the leash. Here’s what to look for in the person you trust to take your dog out – and what to avoid.

210 TDT Teach Your Dog to "Go to Bed"

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 18:00:30 -0400

Learn how to teach your dog to go to her bed on cue, and to park herself there voluntarily. So handy when you can’t bring her to the right spot yourself and when you don’t want to crate her!