Ken asks…

How should I train my dog/puppy?

We have a Corgi mixed (german shepard/golden retrever) dog who is around 6 months old.
He can sit and kinda stay but he has a problem with chewing things out of spite. (If we tell him no or bop his nose he will pick something of that persons and chew it up) Plus we cant get him from whining all the time. He isnt much of a barker but the whining drives us crazy!!!
He’s a smart dog but just dosent get it.
He also likes to run off. We cant trust him not to run away. Im 6 months pregnant and cant chase after him.
What do you all think I should do training-wise?

Anna Walker answers:

Try spraying bitter apple on it. You can get it from most any pet store. The dog won’t like the taste and will remember the next time he goes to chew on it. If that doesn’t work, you can rub Tabasco sauce on the object he is chewing on. I know it sounds kinda mean but my vet told me to do it with my puppy, cause he chews on us. I’ve been told that you can mix Texas Pete with non toxic Elmer’s glue and put that on the object that he’s chewing. It will easily peel back off. Hope one of these help. Good luck!

Donald asks…

How do I train my 8 month old dog to sit?

How do I get my 8 month old Newfoundland to sit? She is not interested in treats or toys during training…?

I have been trying to get her to Sit, by having her on a leash, taking a treat, and running my hand palm up with the treat just over the top of her head. She glances up, but won’t follow it to where I can get her to “sit.” I also have tried a toy instead, but she just looks up for a half-second and then just looks ahead. I’ve also tried being in front of her and on her side (in the “heal” position). In addition, I’ve tried backing her against the wall. We would have done it sooner – but we just got her three weeks ago.

In short, I can’t get her to sit unless I give her a push on her legs from behind basically (I can’t push on her back because she is a giant breed). :(

Also – She can do the down command. And, sometimes, she’ll just go right to the “lay down.”

Any other ideas?

Anna Walker answers:

Hello,

First, i wouldnt recommend pushing her butt down/back/hips down!!!. You could definitely injure her growing bones as a puppy. I know it’s tempting when they don’t listen though.
I know you mentioned she isn’t enticed with treats or anything.
You definitely need to find something that she likes, some suggestions: boiled chicken/turkey. I wouldnt use sausage or greasy things, they will tend to upset the belly.
I ve found the best way to teach the sit is to make sure you have her full attention, not when she’s hyper cause then she wont listen well. Maybe after a short walk/nap.
Sit down with her, hold the chicken/turkey over her head. Literally right above her head, she she can’t move except to go down in a sit and of course say the word sit, so she can associate the word with the action. It may take time, but work with her every day 5 minutes a day..2 times a day. She’ll get the hang of it.

Good luck.

Lisa asks…

How do you train dogs and birds to get along?

I have a 1 year old dog (yorkie) and two parakeets (3 years old). I want them to get along. My mother had a dog and parakeet growing up and the parakeet would actually sit on the dogs head!
If I take the birds out the dog is in attack mode. Even if I am holding the dog she is trying to nip at the birds.
I just want everyone to get along!

Anna Walker answers:

In order to introduce your animals to each other you must put in a little forward planning, but its okay you have already done it just start again. This guide is a step by step easy to follow write up so make sure you know what you are doing before beginning.
Try http://www.teachingpuppies.com/how-to-introduce-a-new-puppy-to-your-other-pets

You should also teach your puppy the ‘leave it’ command this is not only for objects but also helps them control their bite inhibition (become more aware of how people and other animals like to be interacted with). This will show you how (its really easy) http://www.teachingpuppies.com/how-to-teach-my-puppy-to-leave-it

Susan asks…

HoW dO I TrAiN My 2 yEaR olD DoG?

i got my dog (mini shuazher) when she was just a puppy! and she did not go potty in the house. then when we a another dog she went in the house? (why) my other question is how would i train her to stop her going in the house. i was also woundering about how long will it take? and how do you train your dog tricks. (she knows the basic sit, laydown, and stand up)

(sorry if i spelled something wrong and thanks if you answer! it will HELP!)

Anna Walker answers:

Your dog is probably stressed with a new dog in the house and because of this has changed her behaviour which probably gets your attention, so she continues to do it.

To get her to stop, when she starts going inside, take her outside. Do not yell at her, she doesn’t know what this means, and it will either scare her and make her do it more, or it will be giving her attention which will also encourage the behaviour. When she goes inside, do not make a fuss, just let her out to go outside and when she goes to the washroom outside praise her. Also praise her and your puppy for now every time they go to the washroom outside. This will help reinforce the behaviour for a while. If she is going to the bathroom while you are not home, keep her in a single room until you get home so that the mess is easy to find and clean. Do not get mad at her when you find it, she doesn’t know what she did wrong since too much time has passed. This will take a little while, but it depends on your dog (probably a month) and you will have to be consistent or it will take longer.

Different tricks are taught differently. You may be interested in taking your dog to a tricks class at a local dog training school. They will teach you lots of fun ones there.

Good luck!

David asks…

Any advice on how to train a dog to “heel” that you have to almost pull to walk?

Toby is a 5 month old Sheltie. I also just asked a question about him being afraid of large dogs. He is a quick learner. He learned sit, down, come, and stay after only a couple of times showing him! I plan on doing obedience with him. The big problem is “heeling”. He walks well on long walks. I use a harness since he tends to pull. Unfortunately, you can’t use a harness when doing competitibe obedience. I need to get him used to heeling on a collar. He just sits there and I have to tug him to move even a bit. I reassure him and encourage him with treats and a friendly tone. He’ll move a bit and then stop. He refuses to walk at my side. I never had this problem with training any dog to heel. He is weary of alot of things. Should I try a choker or would that just scare him more? Any ideas on methods of getting him to heel nicely at my side would be greatly appreciated! I don’t want to give up because he is a very smart dog! He also is used to walking (continued)
with my older Sheltie puppy, Emma. He tends to mimic everything Emma does. Could he be refusing to “heel” because Emma isn’t with?

Anna Walker answers:

A lot of dogs go through a skittish phase during adolescence. He needs reassurance that you are in control so he does not have to be afraid. That is why he probably acts more confident with emma there, because he knows she will protect him and he sees her as the leader. He needs to feel the same comfort from you , but not by talking to him in a baby voice . You need to be calm and assertive. Start at a heal position . Keep the collar at the top of his neck under his jaw and behind his ears. It does not matter what kind you use as long as it is snug enough not to come off and in the right place. Then in a firm but calm voice say come and start walking. IF he shows resistance by pulling or not moving don’t stop just keep going , don’t even look back . He will start walking once he knows you are not going to stop. You can use treats but only when he has behaved well. It is so much easier to watch Ceaser Milan ( the Dog Whisperer) He is amazing. But I wish you luck.

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