I know of dog trainers that fake their credentials. There are crooks in every field of human endeavor

Even trained dogs need tune ups

I see way too many fat dogs doing hard hikes. Hey, its not safe to overwork an unfit dog!

Your emotional wellbeing directly affects your dog's behavior

A lot of the worst dog laws are the product of a bunch of attention seeking politicians.

If I can't get an owners thinking straight, I can't get their dog to behave them properly

Ever consider that the reason your dog doesn't obey is because YOU don't know what you are doing?

I was *accused* of being a bookworm today by a good friend. Maybe I am ;) its one reason I know so much about dogs & dog ownerw

Most dog breeds need genetic help, outcrossing to related breeds to freshen their gene pools. Check out the LUA Dalmatian

A Catahoula Leopard Dog is more complex than the average pet.

If your dog is a year or older and still peeing and/ or pooping in the house it is time to hire a professional dog trainer. your dog isn't trained!

There's something wrong in your beliefs if you believe that doing evil acts will earn you a place in heaven.

Just bcuz some people treat their religion like a cult doesn't mean there is no God or that He approves of their evil acts

Never forget 9/11 bcuz 20 yrs from now there will be people who will deny it ever happened

Most people don't know how to pet a dog

The longer you postpone dealing w your dogs serious behavior problems the more likely the remedy will be harsh for everyone

Can't tell you how many dog owners I meet w untrained dogs who also are devoted Cesar Millan fans. Watching isn't doing folks

I really get fed up with lazy dog owners, esp those who blame the dog for things that are really the fault of the owner being lazy

Its important to make your yard safe BEFORE you get a dog.

Nobody likes your bratty dog. Get off your lazy ass and do some training

All dogs can be house trained. Its no fun, I'm sure, to live in filth and your friends are grossed out by it too. Don't be lazy or cheap, get it done

Dog rescue is a great thing, helping many dogs. Downside is that there never seems to be enough homes for the dogs you help

I'm working today to find a home for a rescued pup found wandering the streets

Folks who complain about you always wanting to be right just want to justify why they can treat you or your dog wrong

If you've owned enough dogs over enough years, one of your dogs will get loose. Proper training might be the only way to call them home

I have hiked many miles with dogs. I pre-plan for their safety. I see way too many people hike unprepared w their dogs.

Here is an example of the abuse of police powers when it comes to your dog.http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/09/your_dogs_papers_and_your_mone.html

A dog trained primarily with treats will never be well trained

Just got another great referral from one of my dog training students. Gives meaning to what I do

You have accomplished a lot when a dog will precisely & happily obey commands just to get your affection

Have you ever noticed how pit bulls often have almost cat-like agility?

Ever consider building a lap / exercise pool for your dog? Here is where to find a contractor: http://www.poolinfosite.com

There are some important safety precautions you should take before going camping with your dog

Old dogs need diets high in anti- oxidants

Fall and winter holidays are here. Train your dogs to be well mannered so nothing tragic happens

Good dog training is an art, operant conditioning isn't (which is why it is a limited theory of behavior)

Iran is implementing a new crackdown on dog owners. Muslims aren't anti-dog, just the cultists in positions of police power

If you are a terrible driver don't put your dog in your car

You should get seat belts for your dog or they will die in an accident

How well a person cares for their do, or yours, says a lot about their character, so pay attention

ALL dogs need periodic dog training tune ups

It often seems logical to treat pets like children, except they aren't. They're dogs

Dog Bite Insurance?

Here is an excellent and perceptive analysis of the dog bite scam by insurance companies. Hat Tip: KC Dog Blog

Give your dog a command. If s/he does it well, give verbal praise. If your dog doesn't wag a happy tail, you don't have a trained dog yet

Some things in dog training require personal style and artistry - things that can't be taught, only coached

It looks effortless when I work with your dog because I train dogs all the time. Skill takes coaching, effort and time

I have a lot of "tools" in my dog training "toolbox". No one method is always the *best* in all circumstances

Going Nuts Over Barking Dogs

I have written of this before, neighbors who go absolute nuts when they hear a barking dog. I know of actual cases. In this case, the story says that this goofy neighbor PURPOSELY antagonized the dogs next door in order to get them barking and in trouble. Read the whole thing here

Every dog has a story

I hate it when people let their dogs drink out of the toilet. Isn't it obvious why?

Want a cool giant dog? Check out the Leonberger

Not all dog foods are that good for your dog

Cats and dogs can live together peacefully, but normally only if they were introduced to living that way when very young. Sometimes it doesn't work out though

I'm not opposed to most dogs being allowed on furniture, but with some dogs it isn't a good idea

I always appreciate watching a well trained dog

If you are a dog hater, there's something wrong with you. Go get counseling

Lots of dogs die because they escape the premises. What have you done to prevent this happening to your dog?

One of the major reasons dogs end up in shelters is because of behavioral problems. Dog training is a life saver.

Every dog you see in any movie made at least 10 years ago is now dead. Dogs lives are very fragile, so treat them with respect and kindness

Question: did you make thos a good day for your dog?

Its a lot easier to prevent behavior problems in your dog than to fix them when they have become a long term habit; but you can

Family problems can often result in dog problems

There are good ways and bad ways to introduce a new dog into your home

A well trained dog doesn't look well trained in the hands of an untrained owner

Being a good dog owner is recognizing when you are in over your head. And then hiring a professional dog trainer

Akita Mauls Girl

Horrific. However, this goes to prove that ANY breed can attack, not just "pit bulls". Breed bans won't fix this. Sometimes animals act like animals.

Read My Favorite Dog Blog

I read a lot of dog news, pretty much on a daily basis. My favorite dog blog is KC Dog Blog. Check it out

Do You Read My Twitters?

I have a dog Twitter page. I often post to it more than once per day. You can check it out HERE.

Lame Excuses

There are a lot of (lame) excuses for not training your dog on a daily basis. C'mon guys, it's not fair to not train your dog and then expect your dog to be well mannered or obedient.

Have Some Fun With Your Dog!

As a professional dog trainer, I'm often suggesting ideas to my students. One of those suggestions regards fun things you can do with your dog.

A dog is more than a walking carpet that you feed a couple of times a day.

Discover what you can do with your dog, and do it!

Dog Food Recall

Dick Van Patten's "Natural Balanced" Dog food has recalled some of its product over concerns about salmonella.

Animal Cruelty Syndrome?

I'm wary of creating new psychological disorders since they can create new classes of those with legally protected "disabilities". That being said, is there a justification for defining "Animal Cruelty Syndrome"? I do know this: that people who will abuse animals have something seriously wrong going on in their heads, and can cause a whole lot harm to animals and people. It's something that has attracted the attention of law enforcement, animal welfare activists, and the psycholocial community.

Hard Decisions

A man died trying to save his dog from drowning in a canal. These situations are always hard, and it's easy to say what you would or wouldn't do if you were faced with the same crisis. My rule in advance is always people safety first, animal safety second. This man had a wife (no mention if he had kids). They were relying on him, too. Sometimes you have to do hard things in life. What would you do in this situation?

Sick Pets And No Money

When people have to choose between medical care for their pets and survival, then the pet is put down. That's the truth and tragedy of this ongoing recession.

Cesar Millan Getting Divorced

Not good news. I hate divorce, yet I've been divorced. It really sucks. I wish both of them well.

Fat Dog Seized By Government

Council officials have seized a morbidly obese Bull Terrier from its owner and sent it to a "fat camp".

I'm not sure how I feel about this, from a legal standpoint. In my opinion, overfeeding a dog to the point it is suffering like this is clearly abuse. I support using the law to save abused animals. On the other hand, does this kind of thing set a precedent for other seizures of animals for reasons that aren't so serious? I just don't know. So, I guess I'll just wait and see...

Be Wise When Pooping Your Pup

Here's another story of someone who allegedly went bonkers and shot someone because they let their pup poop on their prized lawn. First off, if you have a dog, be as inconspicuous as possible when pottying your dog, and pick up after your dog. Second, if you are a nut about your yard and you don't want people pooping their pets in your yard, instead of packing a pistol, why not just build a fence? We all have to get along in this world, and nothing was worth the death of a human being over this kind of thing.

Marmaduke Movie

Here we go again. The new Marmaduke Movie comes out in theaters on June 4th. And once again, you can bet that people will go out and buy Great Danes without thinking about what they are getting into. Great Danes are a LOT of dog, not only in size but in cost and in terms of behavior. These were dogs designed to tackle big game. A number of years ago, I heard of two Great Danes attacking and mauling a black bear... Think about that some time. Danes aren't always good with other dogs, and you definitely don't want to get two of the same sex in the same home. Further, you MUST go to a reputable breeder, not a pet store or backyard breeder. With health problems galore, there are also dangerous behavioral instabilities that come along with certain colors, especially the merles.

That being said, I like the breed and have trained a number of them. But, they are not for the casual, impulse buyer. I already anticipate hearing stories of these dogs filling the shelters in about a year from now.

New Dog Web Page

I have been working for months on a new dog training web page. It features a lot of new content, a more user friendly look and navigation profile, and a new shopping cart. You can now order online lessons, dog food, and a variety of dog supplies. And there is a ton of other new stuff coming.

Check it out: Sam The Dog Trainer.com

Don't Feed Dogs Bones!

I've told numerous people that it is a mistake to give dogs bones from your dinner plate. They aren't the same as the ones you get from a pet store, nor are they similar to the bones a wolf would gnaw on in the wild. And sure enough, here is a warning from no less than the FDA confirming the same.'

Hat Tip: Dogster.com

City Bans Dogs From Park = Bans Dogs From City

A city in Britain has banned all dogs from all parks. At the same time, there are animal welfare laws in Britain making it mandatory for dogs to get walks. Isn't socialism wonderful? Isn't it time to just leave people alone?

Stress Negatively Affects Your Dog

Many people don't factor in household stress when considering why their dogs are misbehaving. Divorce, strife, overly busy families, overly stretched finances, irregular hours, kids going every which way, noise, and so forth don't contribute to a happy dog.

Is This What Government Is For?

Now the Government wants competence tests before you can be a dog owner.

When is this going to STOP?!!! Government like this is tyranny.

Operant Conditioning Fails Again

A lot of dog trainers have been watching the SeaWorld story (killer whale kills trainer) with interest. There has been a raging argument within the training world regarding the efficacy of so-called "purely positive", "cruelty free", training, focusing on operant conditioning and clickers. I have stated again and again that the theory of operant conditioning is obsolete, a truncated, limited, myopic view of behavior. And this incident proves it once again. Training animals is more than something as simple as putting a quarter in the machine and getting your candy bar.

I work with dangerous dogs on a regular basis. Many are treated quite well, and still end up dangerous. Why is that? I know, and so do a lot of more common sense trainers.

New Breeds Joining AKC

They are the Leonberger, the Boykin spaniel, Icelandic sheepdog, Redbone and Blue Tick coonhounds and the Cane Corso.

Cool stuff. Except for the Leonberger, these aren't "new" breeds at all... some are pretty well established, just not very well known.

Ban Dogs Or Banish Criminals?

Gang members 'used ferocious dogs to attack four teenagers before stabbing a boy to death'.

Gang members used dogs and weapons to kill. They wouldn't be having these kinds of problems if they'd legalize guns and self defense in Britain, and start putting these losers away for life instead of cushy prison sentences. You can bet the dogs will be sentenced to death and the criminals will be out in a couple of years to kill again. This was animal abuse by these thugs.

Man Fed Kittens To Pit Bull & Filmed It

A man has been jailed for tearing the head off a kitten in front of his family. Te Ahu Aaron Mankelow, 31, pleaded guilty to five charges of wilful cruelty to animals after he recorded himself on a cellphone tipping out five kittens from a box for his dog, and urging his dog to eat them.

Go To Jail, you bastard

One More Reason To Hate Venezuela

They have banned pit bulls. The new law excluded banning animal sacrifice for religious purposes; there has been a huge increase in animal sacrifice because of religions such as Santeria.

Dog Bans Don't Work, But Politicians Keep Trying

Vicious dog breeds could be subject to an import ban and neutering policy in order to wipe them out in Denmark. The fourteen breeds considered dangerous by the committee include: Pit Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentine, Tosa Inu, Boerboel, Kangal, the Central Asian, Caucaisna and South Russian varieties of Ovcharka, Tornjak and Sarplaninac.

There is a reason why there is a Bill of Rights amending the US Constitution... because government always keeps trying to accumulate more power over individuals over time. The Soviet Union had laws against pretty much everything. Same with North Korea today. Would you want to live in a place like that? More laws don't make a better society. Dog breed bans do not make the public safer, just like gun bans don't make the public safer. They have dangerous dog bans and gun bans in England. Has that made England safer? No. London is a mad house these days. It is illegal to defend yourself, and you are more likely to end up dead or in prison if you do defend yourself or someone else there. They've turned into a country of pussies.

You Can't Train A Dog By Watching TV

I have had to tell a number of students to STOP WATCHING THE DOG WHISPERER, Cesar Millan. They are trying to do what he does and are messing up their dogs and worsening their dog's problems.

You can't become a dog trainer or behaviorist just by watching his show.

Weird Dog Behaviors

I've been aware, from the beginning, that many strange dog behaviors have a genetic component. I find it sad that there are quick buck artists out there that claim they can fix any dog's behavioral problems. They can't. Maybe you can manage the problems, but you can't "cure" what can't be cured. I saw a dog trainer's vehicle recently with a sign that said they "guaranteed" they could solve any behavioral problem... what does that say about either their "expertise" or their ethics?

Here's a good example:

Dogs suffering under canine compulsive disorders have issues with common behaviors such as grooming, tail chasing, blanket sucking or pacing and circling... scientists discovered that the canine chromosome 7 location within the neural cadherin-2 gene, or CDH2, confers a high risk of susceptibility to the disorder.

Read an excerpt of the actual study results.

So, what do you do if your dog does some strange stuff? Ask an expert... but be sure to ask the right person, otherwise your dog will suffer and so will your wallet.

Start Training!

You ARE planning on training that new pup of yours, right? Delaying the training of a pup just gives the dog more time to develop bad habits and behaviors, and increases the chances the dog will be given away to a shelter.

Some Benchmarks:

You should start house training and puppy manners lessons from 8 weeks of age.
Socialization should start the day you bring your puppy home... with other animals and with a variety of people and situations.
By 4 months of age, the pup should be already on track with the house training.
No later than 4 months of age, you should enroll your dog in obedience classes.
By 6 months of age, your dog should not be peeing or pooping in the home, and should go potty on command. Your pup should be pretty well mannered, and good with guests. Your pup should be regularly playing with other friendly dogs on a weekly basis. Your dog should know how to walk on a leash without pulling. Your dog should be able to Sit Stay, Down Stay, Come when called, and Heel... on and off leash in moderately distracting environments.
By 2 years of age, your dog should be able to obey you within 100 yards, off leash, with distractions, be good with other dogs and people, completely trustworthy in the home (no accidents and no destructive behaviors).

Is your pup on track?

Nanny State Strikes Back

Dogs that "without provocation" chase any animal — be it a rat, squirrel, seagull, bear or cougar — would violate a dog licensing and control amendment bylaw that passed three readings at the Dec. 16 council meeting.

Isn't this absolutely RIDICULOUS? This is why I'm for limited government and citizen legislators. Government has NO BUSINESS meddling in our lives to this degree.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone (including your dogs)! Please, have a ton of fun today, be careful with your pets, and get ready for the coming New Year!

Dogs are going to become more politicized in the future. Dogs are now targets of the socialists. Dogs are targets of the Nanny State because they seem to represent the "rich", they represent "carbon pollution"... since they eat and they have gas and they poop, and everyone needs to be protected from being a human being and from nature. But, let's not sweat that stuff today. We'll fight that after the holidays, OK?

Adopt A Dog For Christmas

The shelters are full of adoptable dogs this Christmas season. I have recently reversed my position on getting a dog for Christmas... I now believe it is better to get a dog and save a life, and enrich your home, than to be overly concerned about yourself. In fact, get 2 dogs. Dogs are happiest in groups, and even though it is a bit more work owning 2 dogs vs. 1, your dogs will appreciate the fun and companionship.

So, you don't know what to get the family for Christmas? Get a dog.

Here are some things to consider regarding what to look for in the dog, purebred or mixed, you are considering.

Thanks For Nothing, Paris Hilton

California has more Chihuahuas than it can handle, and experts say Hollywood is to blame. Chihuahuas make up 30 percent - or more - of the dog populations at many California animal shelters. There's suspicion that fans took to the tiny breed to imitate Chihuahua-toting celebrities like Paris Hilton and Miley Cyrus. People then apparently change their minds.

I'm always against "fad" dogs. I was very concerned that the Puggle would end up swamping shelters. It could still happen.

Why I Don't Believe In Clicker Training (Updated)

Clicker Training is based upon an OBSOLETE theory of behavior called “operant conditioning”. This might sound controversial, since clicker training is promoted as a “new” way to train dogs. However, operant conditioning is based upon the concept that all that matters is what an organism does in response to certain stimuli, primarily discrete consequences that happen outside in the animal’s environment. It ignores other valid research regarding the internal motivations, feelings and conscious experiences of the subject, in this case, the dog.

I periodically update my articles. This is the latest version on this topic.

Fire These Busybodies

PET owners could be punished for not walking their dogs... Under the legislation, they would have to regularly exercise dogs, ensure animals are not kept chained up and give their pets adequate food and water. If the proposal becomes law, dog and cat owners across Australia would face prosecution, fines of up to $12,000 fines for animal cruelty and magistrates could consider jail in extreme circumstances.

Is this what we hire politicians to do? Does the state have the right to tell you what to do in every way, down to the smallest detail? This is tyranny. It is obscene.

Pet Friendly Landlords Make More Money!

How to attract good tenants?

Allow pets. Many property management companies will no longer permit pets. Being pet-friendly can set you apart and attract more potential tenants to you. (Hat Tip: Trump Blog).

I'm surprised at the number of landlords that refuse pets. It's stupid. Pet owners will pay extra to have a place that is pet friendly. Pet owners typically average higher incomes than those without pets. Pet owners have more of a stake in where they live than those who don't (and can therefore more easily pack up and leave). The same is true for hotels, by the way. Hotels could make a lot more money if they allowed pets. Many hotels have become pet friendly, but many are not. In this economy, I can't imagine turning away good money.

Dogs & Fitness

Dog owners get more exercise walking their pet than someone with a gym membership, researchers have found. On average they exercise the animal twice a day for 24 minutes each time - a total of five hours and 38 minutes a week, a study for the pet healthcare experts Bob Martin found. On top of that, the average owner takes their dog out on three long walks each week, adding a further two hours and 33 minutes to the total. Those without a dog spend an average of just one hour and 20 minutes a week exercising by going to the gym or heading out for a stroll or jog. Worse still, almost half - 47 per cent - of non-pet owners admit they do absolutely no exercise whatsoever.

One of the original reasons I got my first dog was the idea that having a dog would keep me in shape. With my first dog, I walked at least a mile a day for nearly 10 years, most of that on some pretty steep hills in the suburbs of Seattle, WA. I never wanted to be out of shape. I have worked hard to stay fit. Blame it on the dogs!