Training

Does your dog respond reliably to you at home, but starts ignoring you and focusing on distractions the moment you step out the door? Getting your dog to listen when distracted starts with training in a distraction free environment and slowly adding distractions.

A dog training clicker is a small low-tech device that makes a distinct and consistent clicking noise. If you consistently follow its use with a food treat (or other salient reward), the dog will quickly learn that the noise predicts a treat, and that he can make the noise and treat return by repeating whatever he was doing at the moment he heard the click.

If your dog will exhibit calm relaxed behavior when needed, it can help reduce stress and make everyone’s day smoother. When our dogs act calm, they will actually become calmer. Gradually, this state of relaxation will develop to match the outward behavior.

Many medications can be compounded into flavored chews or liquid suspensions, but others cannot. For these wrapping the pills in a treat or a pet piller that keeps your hands free of your dog's mouth provide an alternative.

The level of your children’s participation in your dog’s training program will vary based on the age and abilities of the children.

There are legitimate reasons why some dog lovers need their dogs to potty indoors. We looked at “dog indoor potty” products to help you determine which you might want to choose from if you are in the “indoor bathroom” club.

Any chance you’d like to transform your dog walks from frustrating leash-pulling contests of strength to enjoyable and cooperative outings?

While our dogs are born with all sorts of natural canine inclinations – like searching out food, investigating scents, romping with friends – “listen to words from humans” is not part of their default program. With the right kind of teaching, responding to your cues will become a dog’s go-to choice because it is the most reliable route to the things he wants.

Training a deaf dog requires patience and consistency, just as training a dog who can hear does. While replacing the verbal “sit” with a...

Solutions for a dog who nips, whether he’s nipping in fear, excitement, annoyance – or because it’s part of his genetic inheritance! (We’re looking at you, herding breeds!)

Clicker training, positive reinforcement training, balanced dog training. . . . What do these terms mean, and what’s the best way to train your dog?

Using indoor dog gates can quickly transform those chaotic moments when people come to your door into calm ones – and gates have many other dog-management uses, too.