Picture the last time you asked for directions.  After providing your destination (say, a new restaurant), the helpful person started to describe the route using words and gestures (“Go straight and turn left at . . .”). More than likely, a question or two was needed before verifying the directions (“Did

You’ve seen it.  Some owners call their dogs and they come a-running.  On the other hand, some owners call and it is as if the dog is uninterested or deaf.  If you want your dog to come when called, read on. Eliminate the Confusion Calling a dog by name for multiple purposes is

General Rules 1. Exercise, Discipline then Affection.  Run or walk off the excess energy before training. A dog cannot concentrate if he is pent up.  Use discipline to ask your dog to “earn” his affection and rewards.  Receiving random affection without some structure confuses the mind and creates frustration.  Be as clear as possible with what the

The question that often comes to mind is, “What caused the dog to act like this?” In the case of an adoption the reason will probably never be known.  It could be a breed characteristic, a traumatic event or abuse.  Whatever the cause, it is something that needs to be

Now that you are the new owner of a dog – what’s next? Here are some tips that will help settle your dog and help her find her place in the family.  Stay Calm As exciting as it is to have your new dog at home, stay calm. Let the

The oldest book Amazon.com has on human body language is the 1970s book  Body Language by Julius Fast.  That was when we humans became conscious of body language.  While we’re relatively new to its existence (40 years), your dog is a veteran master.  Other than the occasional throaty sound, body language is the primary resource

There are two sides to having a great relationship with a dog. You have to be happy and the dog has to be happy. Dogs, though, are not born civilized. So the first task of every owner is training his dog to be friendly, cooperative and well mannered. Using both

My Dog Doesn’t Listen to Me This is the number-one complaint about the family dog. There are several reasons why she doesn’t listen.  Whatever your dog is doing is more interesting or has a greater payoff than what you are offering. Dogs don’t respond to guilt, emotional pressure or duty.  It is much,