Question ..
Frequently Asked Dog Training Questions
My dog respects me but not my wife and children. How can I make him listen to them?
With our methodology, you will learn how to elevate every human in the house above your dog in the pack structure, even the children.
Question ..
Will neutering my dog help him to calm down?
Neutering a male dog does not alter their drive, temperament or personality. If your dog is a fence jumper
and likes to wander the neighborhood and hit on the girls, neutering can help. There have also been studies that show an intact male may be more prone to aggressive behaviors. But neutering does not change
energy levels. If you have an overly energetic dog, we recommend exercise and activity. Neutering can
help prevent territorial marking and dominance mounting and we also recommend it to reduce the risk of
health problems for your dog later in life.
and likes to wander the neighborhood and hit on the girls, neutering can help. There have also been studies that show an intact male may be more prone to aggressive behaviors. But neutering does not change
energy levels. If you have an overly energetic dog, we recommend exercise and activity. Neutering can
help prevent territorial marking and dominance mounting and we also recommend it to reduce the risk of
health problems for your dog later in life.
Question ..
When walking my dog, he pulls uncontrollably on the leash. Looking on the web, I found that I am supposed to stop and just wait for the pulling to stop or just go the other way. These methods don't help at all. As a matter of fact, nothing seems to work.
Can you help?
Can you help?
Question ..
I have read that I should be rolling my dog onto his back and standing over him to establish my dominance. It makes him mad. Should I still do it?
Never, never, never roll your dog over and hold him down. It's called the "Alpha Rollover" and it was
sighted as a training method in a book called "How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend". The authors of the book,
The Monks Of New Skete, eventually took this method out of the book and stated that it was based on
flawed science. It can actually cause aggression and break down pack structure. Don't do it.
sighted as a training method in a book called "How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend". The authors of the book,
The Monks Of New Skete, eventually took this method out of the book and stated that it was based on
flawed science. It can actually cause aggression and break down pack structure. Don't do it.
In the wild, an adolescent wolf doesn't lead the walk,
it's the pack leader's walk. With our methodology, you
will learn to become the pack leader and we will teach
your dog to follow you rather than jerking you
around the neighborhood.
it's the pack leader's walk. With our methodology, you
will learn to become the pack leader and we will teach
your dog to follow you rather than jerking you
around the neighborhood.
Anyone who has spent time surfing the web for dog training
advice can tell you that there are many different, and conflicting,
opinions on the methods you should use to train your dog.
Stopping and waiting for your dog during a walk can be a tiresome
and tedious method. It can take the fun out of the walk for both
of you. It's not the method that we teach. Instead, we teach your
dog to focus on you during the walk and to
look to you for his cues on proper behavior.
advice can tell you that there are many different, and conflicting,
opinions on the methods you should use to train your dog.
Stopping and waiting for your dog during a walk can be a tiresome
and tedious method. It can take the fun out of the walk for both
of you. It's not the method that we teach. Instead, we teach your
dog to focus on you during the walk and to
look to you for his cues on proper behavior.
We can normally end leash pulling during the first session.
A walk is an exciting time for a dog. The outside world is filled with
sights, sounds and, especially, smells that over stimulate your
dog. Leash manners need to be taught to your dog or they will try
to take over and control the walk.
A walk is an exciting time for a dog. The outside world is filled with
sights, sounds and, especially, smells that over stimulate your
dog. Leash manners need to be taught to your dog or they will try
to take over and control the walk.
Question ..
I tried to take my dog's chewy away from him and he growled and nipped. How long will it take for him to grow out of this behavior?
This isn't a behavior that dogs will just "grow out of". Aggressive behaviors are self-reinforcing. If he gets
away with it once, the odds increase dramatically that he will do it again. You should always take any act of aggression seriously, including resource guarding. It's unacceptable for a family pet to exhibit this behavior. See our page on Dog Behaviors for more information on dog aggression.
away with it once, the odds increase dramatically that he will do it again. You should always take any act of aggression seriously, including resource guarding. It's unacceptable for a family pet to exhibit this behavior. See our page on Dog Behaviors for more information on dog aggression.
Question ..
I took my dog to group lessons. I thought it would be good for his socialization. He didn't really learn anything and we were scolded for unruliness.
Group lessons can be stressful for a dog and they are full of distractions (like other dogs!). A dog learns
better in their own environment and they will build a stronger bond with their owner when they are trained in the home. Socialization should be addressed in a controlled atmosphere where the interaction is under the right circumstances.
better in their own environment and they will build a stronger bond with their owner when they are trained in the home. Socialization should be addressed in a controlled atmosphere where the interaction is under the right circumstances.
Question ..
My dog is not taking to housebreaking very well. When I find an accident, I show it to him, I put
his nose in it and then I send him outside. What else should I be doing to get him to go in the
right place?
his nose in it and then I send him outside. What else should I be doing to get him to go in the
right place?
Putting your dog's nose in an accident actually works against you. He doesn't understand why you are doing it and if he starts to associate his mess with punishment, he may start to think that it is better to get rid of the mess by eating it. Going outside to eliminate is not a natural behavior for a dog. It must be taught. Teaching them by using proper methods and techniques is the key to having a reliably housebroken dog. Dogs do not eliminate in the house out of spite, anger or boredom. They eliminate in the house because they have not been properly trained.
Question ..
I've taught my dog the sit and lay down commands but getting him to perform them is a challenge. I know he knows the words. It's very frustrating.
Basic obedience commands are the foundation for teaching your dog to strengthen his willpower. A dog has
to fight against his energy level and natural behaviors to perform for you. Our methods will teach you how
to help your dog build his willpower to a level where he is performing commands even in situations where
he is dealing with heavy distractions.
to fight against his energy level and natural behaviors to perform for you. Our methods will teach you how
to help your dog build his willpower to a level where he is performing commands even in situations where
he is dealing with heavy distractions.
When your dog learns and performs basic obedience commands, you will find that he is generally much
more calm. He will learn to look to you for instruction and leadership. This naturally makes them a more
secure, confident dog.
more calm. He will learn to look to you for instruction and leadership. This naturally makes them a more
secure, confident dog.
Question ..
I bought my dog to be a watchdog, but he barks all the time.
Barking to alert is a normal behavior for most
dogs. We want our dogs to bark under the right
circumstances, but they should obey our command
when we tell them that enough is enough. As
the pack leader it is your job to determine
whether an intruder is welcome or not.
Once you've made that decision and
communicated it to your dog, they
should respect your command.
dogs. We want our dogs to bark under the right
circumstances, but they should obey our command
when we tell them that enough is enough. As
the pack leader it is your job to determine
whether an intruder is welcome or not.
Once you've made that decision and
communicated it to your dog, they
should respect your command.
Question ..
I can't take my puppy's
biting anymore. Can I
smack him on the nose?
biting anymore. Can I
smack him on the nose?
Never hit your dog. If a dog learns that
physical violence is acceptable
within the pack, you can experience
a trickle-down effect where your
dog is using violent behaviors
against pack members that
he perceives as having
lesser status than him
or outsiders. We can
show you how to
control any dog or
puppy behavior with positive methods.
physical violence is acceptable
within the pack, you can experience
a trickle-down effect where your
dog is using violent behaviors
against pack members that
he perceives as having
lesser status than him
or outsiders. We can
show you how to
control any dog or
puppy behavior with positive methods.
Question ..
We rescued an older dog from our local shelter. I've heard the old saying that "you can't teach an
old dog new tricks". Does that mean that we are stuck with his problems and poor behaviors?
old dog new tricks". Does that mean that we are stuck with his problems and poor behaviors?
No dog is too old to learn new things. It is true that changing a behavior is more difficult than teaching them proper manners from the start, but any dog of any age can learn. With our system, we tailor our lessons to your dog's needs. Don't let your dog's age, breed or specific problem stop you from taking control. We can show you how.
"The pleasure was all ours.
You have made a tremendous
difference in our home. We had
a loving, but unruly, dog before
we met you. Moose is now truly
a fantastic member of our family
(pack) and Tracy has taken to
him like I never thought
imaginable. She was sick of his
poor behavior and now she
spends a ton of time with him.
We are working hard at using
the right commands and WE
are coming along good. Moose
is behaving very well and has
taken us as leaders without any
argument at all. Thanks to your
teachings, we are better
owners and appreciate our
Moose more than we could
have ever thought possible.
Thank you! And we look forward
to seeing you whenever you
may be in the area with other
clients. And we'll be in touch
along the way to keep you
apprised of Moose's progress.
With our warmest appreciation,
THANK YOU!"
You have made a tremendous
difference in our home. We had
a loving, but unruly, dog before
we met you. Moose is now truly
a fantastic member of our family
(pack) and Tracy has taken to
him like I never thought
imaginable. She was sick of his
poor behavior and now she
spends a ton of time with him.
We are working hard at using
the right commands and WE
are coming along good. Moose
is behaving very well and has
taken us as leaders without any
argument at all. Thanks to your
teachings, we are better
owners and appreciate our
Moose more than we could
have ever thought possible.
Thank you! And we look forward
to seeing you whenever you
may be in the area with other
clients. And we'll be in touch
along the way to keep you
apprised of Moose's progress.
With our warmest appreciation,
THANK YOU!"
Neil, Tracy & Moose
Queen Creek .. Arizona
Queen Creek .. Arizona
"Hey there Steve, wanted to
give you an update on our
Zachariah. We are very well
pleased with Zach’s progress.
He now has freedom to roam
around our home and he and
Martin are best buds. Quite
amazing to see him content to
sit on Martin’s lap and take a
snooze, from when we first got
him, Zach turned his head away
and wouldn’t sit still on Martin.
Thank you for your wisdom and
knowledge - we now believe
God had this precious little guy
made just for us - it took a few
months of diligence but it has all
paid off and we have a peaceful
family. Thanks ever so much."
give you an update on our
Zachariah. We are very well
pleased with Zach’s progress.
He now has freedom to roam
around our home and he and
Martin are best buds. Quite
amazing to see him content to
sit on Martin’s lap and take a
snooze, from when we first got
him, Zach turned his head away
and wouldn’t sit still on Martin.
Thank you for your wisdom and
knowledge - we now believe
God had this precious little guy
made just for us - it took a few
months of diligence but it has all
paid off and we have a peaceful
family. Thanks ever so much."
Martin, Linda & Zach
Surprise .. Arizona
Surprise .. Arizona
"Thanks for checking in and for
the great re-cap you emailed us,
it was very helpful! Things are
going much better with Ranger.
We have had many moments
over the last two weeks when
we have said “Steve is a
genius!!!!” We’ve definitely
made progress with the
things we’ve talked about.
We’ve been pretty good about
all the techniques you taught us
regarding pack structure. We
have even gotten to the point
where he will remain in a “Stay”
with treats on his paws and not
move till we say (even if
we are out of sight)!
Thank you so much!"
the great re-cap you emailed us,
it was very helpful! Things are
going much better with Ranger.
We have had many moments
over the last two weeks when
we have said “Steve is a
genius!!!!” We’ve definitely
made progress with the
things we’ve talked about.
We’ve been pretty good about
all the techniques you taught us
regarding pack structure. We
have even gotten to the point
where he will remain in a “Stay”
with treats on his paws and not
move till we say (even if
we are out of sight)!
Thank you so much!"
Kirsten & Ranger
Paradise Valley .. Arizona
Paradise Valley .. Arizona
