10 Keys To Successfully Owning A Dog

What are the key ingredients necessary for you to successfully owning a dog? What kinds of preparations do you need to prevent dog ownership failure? 

Don't Be Soft On Animal Abusers

It is important for society, especially for the welfare of children and dogs, that convicted animal abusers are deal with severely. You need to understand that abusers like this continue to justify what they did even after going to jail, and that they have a high probability of reoffending.

Why Does My Dog Bite Me?

Why is your dog biting you? What are some examples of dogs biting their owners? What is the cause and what can be done about it?

Dog Barking Laws = Dog Ban Laws?

When government bans dog barking, they are banning dog ownership. When nasty neighbors use dog barking laws against you, what do you do?

10 Foolish Things People Do With Their Dogs

What are some of the most foolish things people do with dogs? Here's the top 10

What Is The Wrong Way To Socialize A Puppy?

What is the right and wrong way to socialize a dog? What about letting strangers pet my dog? What about meeting strange dogs? What if I have a protection bred puppy?

Sleeping In The Bedroom?

Is it OK to let a dog sleep in the bedroom? Will it make my dog more dominant aggressive? 

Bad Dog!

What do you do when your dog really makes you upset! "Bad Dog!" is an article describing the problem and what to do about it.

I Think My Dog Was Abused

When you have a fearful, aggressive, or defensively aggressive dog, how do you know if it was abused? And if your dog was abused, what should you do about it? 

Abnormal Dog Behaviors

What is the difference between abnormal and idiopathic dog behaviors? How do you diagnose "weird" behaviors? 

Emotionally And Physically Distancing From The Family Dog

What are the effects of someone being aloof to the family dog? 

Should You Ever... ?

Have you got a question, such as...

Hit a dog on the face?

Withhold food during training?

What the wrong reasons for getting a dog?

How do I repair my relationship with my dog?

Should I adopt an unsocialized dog?

Puppy (Or New Dog) Behavior Surprises

Many people are surprised when the new dog they adopted or purchased isn't behaving the way they thought the were going to. New dogs can bite, jump, chew, dig, bark, whine, cry, have potty problems, and more. There is a lot to consider before getting a dog. So it is time for you to educate yourself before you try to educate your dog.

Passive Dog Breeds


So, you are looking for a breed of dog that doesn't chase people, other animals, cars, bikes, etc. What breed is right for you? Here is a good guide

Dogs That Hate Leashes

Many dogs do NOT like being on a leash. Some panic. Some bite at the leash. Some bite at the owner. Some play tug of war with the leash, so you can't walk them at all. Some just won't budge. What is the answer? Because if you can't take your dog for walks, then your dog will develop more behavioral problems... 

My Puppy Bit Me While Trying To Take Away A Toy / Bone / Food / Rawhide

Some puppies will bite, growl, or threaten to bite when you take something away from them. Many people make the mistake of punishing their dog, which will only make the problem worse. What should you do?

My Puppy Resents Corrections

My Puppy Resents Corrections

What do you do with a puppy that resents corrections? What do you do with a puppy that growls, bites or attacks when you correct them? This is a serious issue that you need to sort out immediately.

How Do You Get A Dog To Not Listen To Strangers?

Many people are upset or annoyed that their dog will listen to, or react to, the words or gestures of strangers. What is the answer? What can be done to make your dog ignore strangers and only respond to your commands?

Why Does My Puppy Not Like Socializing?

What do you do with a puppy that doesn't like meeting strangers or strange dogs? What about a shy puppy? What about an aggressive puppy? What about an unruly puppy?

Are You Arguing Over The Dog?

People argue a lot when it comes to owning a dog. That is, they argue a lot when they haven't done enough pre-planning, or someone isn't taking responsibility, or someone isn't being reasonable. What do you do to stop the arguments? And what do you do about an unruly dog that won't listen? 

Not everyone has strife in their home regarding the dog. What are their secrets?

What Should We Dog With The Dog When We Are Away?

What should you do with a puppy or older dog when you have to be away from the home? What about vacations? What about when you are at work? What is best for puppies? What about dogs that have behavioral problems or sicknesses? What should you do with your dog when you are gone from the home? 

Who Should Walk The Dog?

Did you know that the average dog owner walks their dog 45 minutes, twice a day, for the life of the dog? Do you do that? And who should do the dog walking? You? Your spouse? The kids? Here is a serious look at this issue.

Should A Dog Be Allowed On A Bed Or Sofa?

What is a dog trainer's opinion on whether a dog should be allowed to be on  furniture, such as the bed or sofa? What kinds of behavioral problems are associated with a dog being up on furniture? What about the concerns and comfort of the people involved? What about dogs that get aggressive when on the couch, bed, or some other place in the home?

Where Should A Dog Be Allowed In The Home?

Should a dog be allowed upstairs? What about in the basement or attic? Garage? Kid's bedroom? What areas should always be off limits to your dog?

Who Should Clean Up The Dog Poop In The Yard?

Who should have the responsibility to clean up after a dog poops in the yard? What about if the dog creates a mess by destroying something, who should clean that up? And who should do the medical care for a sick dog? How do you decide these things in order to have a happy home?

Are You Being Too Harsh With Your Dog?

Harsh treatment isn't good dog training, it is abuse. Why would you let someone abuse your dog? And what should you do about it? 

Are You Spending Too Much On Your Dog?

How much is too much to spend on a dog? How much is too little? This article is a must read to help you make the right decision.

Merry Christmas!!!

When Should You Seek Expert Advice?


What should you do when you can't find answers to your dog's behavior in your city or state? Sometimes it is best to do a phone consultation with an expert. 


Read This: What Do You Really Know About Dog Training And Behavior?

Thinking Of Getting A Second Dog?

Thinking Of Getting A Second Dog?

Here are my general recommendations when getting a second, third or fourth dog:

a.) Never get a new dog unless the dogs you already have are well trained and well mannered;

b.) Don't get a new dog if your current dog isn't good with other dogs;

c.) Don't get another dog if you aren't prepared for a LOT of work. You need to expect that the new dog will have a variety of new issues that you are unfamiliar with. House training, manners, supervision, containment, and supervision can all be harder with the new dog than it was with your current dogs;

d.) Always have a mix of males and females to limit the risk of dog fights. Ask a trainer for assistance picking the right dog for your "pack". It is best to have one female and one male, not of the same litter or age. 

e.) Prepare to spend the time and money and effort needed on the new dog

f.) Get dogs of similar size and activity level

g.) Make sure you really want to do this

h.) Study breeds and make sure you are getting the right dog for your home

i.) Make sure that everyone in the home is in agreement with getting the new dog, and in agreement that they will participate in the raising of the new dog.

Holiday Time

Well, the holidays are fast approaching. People are going to be getting new puppies. And people are going to be dealing with the risks of dog problems with guests coming over. Before you do any of this, you should consult with a good local dog trainer for advice so as to head off potential problems. Just sayin'

My Radio Interview

I was contacted by a local FM talk radio station, KTAR, to do an interview about pit bulls. Here is the article

Early Socialization Screw Ups

I have told people time and again that it is best to get a puppy that is around 8 to 9 weeks of age. That is the best age for a pup to be transferred from its litter to a human family. Any younger or older, and you risk that the pup will have more lifetime behavioral problems. What I hadn't considered was that getting a pup of any age, from a pet store, is the same as getting a puppy that is either too young or too old. Most pet stores are obtaining puppies that have been removed from the litter at about 4 to 5 weeks of age. It has been well known by dog trainers, for a very long time, that pet store puppies have more behavioral problems than those from a reputable breeder. We have normally chalked that up to the fact that so many of these pups come from puppy mills, and the abnormal environment of a retail store. What we haven't emphasized was the impact of leaving the litter so soon. Now a study has been done that shows some real, and disturbing, statistics based upon this phenomenon. Over at KC Dog Blog, you'll see this article, "Academic paper on behavioral challenges when dogs removed from litters too young", which lays out the gruesome facts. You can bet that if you tracked the different fates of dogs, those properly adopted vs. those adopted outside the recommended age range, you'd find a lot of those horrible stories we all hear about coming from the latter group. How many shelter dogs, and dog attacks, result from just this one factor? We don't know yet, but I bet there is a causal relationship. Bottom line: if you want a pup, find a reputable breeder and get an 8 to 9 week old puppy. If the breeder insists on selling you a young pup outside these ranges, then take a pass and go somewhere else. You're either dealing with an ignorant or greedy breeder.

Thinking In Advance

Many people don't plan long term when getting or owning a dog. I think years in advance when owning or training a dog. I choose English commands, so if the dog is lost someone else can command the dog, and if the dog is in rescue a trained dog is much more adoptable. I tell everyone to extensively socialize their dogs. If you were to pass away, a confident and happy dog is more adoptable; it is also more obedient and easier to live with. I recommend solving your dog's behavioral problems instead of putting up with them. It's safer for the dog and more pleasant for everyone. So, don't be lazy, think ahead.

Summer Dog Training

For many dogs, summer is the time they will spend the most time of the year outdoors and around other people and animals. For dogs that have been kept inside for months because of bad weather, that means a time of adjustment. What might not have been scary last summer now is a bit scary, so it takes a period of a few weeks to get them acclimated. I saw a man the other day walking his mixed bred dog on a harness. As he walked by, his dog started staring at the dog I was with, so the man did an Alpha Roll Over on his dog, scolding his dog in the process. Probably something he learned watching a particular dog show on TV. Corporal punishment such as this is ineffective, and all it did was worry the dog. It didn't do a thing for making his dog more sociable for its next encounter with another dog. What that dog needed was a tune up on its obedience training, plus more socialization in public.

WHAT MAKES A FAIR DOG BITE LAW?

1. Clarifies definitions. Terms like “potentially dangerous,” “dangerous,” “bite,” “serious injury,” and “provocation” must be clearly defined, based on objective, observable behaviors, not subjective perceptions. In the case of “potentially dangerous” and “dangerous,” definitions must clearly distinguish between normal dog behaviors and abnormally aggressive behaviors. Laws should also be uniform throughout the country.
2. Specifies exceptions. References to bites should clarify situations in which a dog may reasonably be expected to bite (for example, defending itself or its pack; when it has been injured, if it is being teased or tormented, etc.). The model dog bite law adopted by the American Veterinary Medical Association does an excellent job of defining such exceptions. Its provisions should be incorporated into all dog bite laws.
3. Distinguishes between mouthing/nipping, bites, and life-endangering attacks. Mouthing or nipping is not the same as a bite, which is not the same as an attack that kills or seriously maims. A dog that nips someone may need training, but does not deserve the same punishment as a dog that kills or severely maims a person.
4. Targets deeds, not breeds. Breed-specific legislation doesn’t get at the root of the prob lem: the need for proper training and supervision. Any breed is safe when properly trained and supervised; any breed can have abnormal specimens; and any breed can be modified to make it more aggressive. Banning some breeds just encourages people to switch to others.
5. Requires sworn affidavits. A fair law requires complainants to submit sworn affidavits and allows the dog's owner to confront the accuser and obtain reasonable proof of the claims. It is unjust to allow anyone who has a gripe against someone to "get even" by anonymously reporting that person's dog.
6. Establishes an impartial appeal process. A fair law specifies a process for appealing the case to an impartial third party (not the enforcement agency). If you’re unjustly arrested for a crime, you don’t present your case to the chief of police; you have a hearing in court. The same separation of powers should apply to dog law.
7. Protects owners’ rights in confiscations. A fair law requires a warrant and hearing before a dog can be seized.
8. Provides for rehabilitation. A fair law allows for rehabilitation when appropriate, expunging a dog’s record if the dog has completed training and there are no repeat incidents.
9. Establishes burden of proof. A fair law clearly delineates who has the burden of proof and what standard of proof applies.
10. Matches penalties to the seriousness of the behavior. Penalties should distinguish between threats to people and threats to other animals. These two types of threats are not of equal seriousness—and penalties should reflect this difference.
11. Provides options other than euthanasia. A fair law reserves euthanasia or exile for only the most serious cases—dogs that kill or severely maim.  In other cases, owners who are willing to take reasonable protection measures (e.g., keeping the dog in a secure kennel, using a leash and muzzle), should be able to keep the dog.
12. Solicits public input. To ensure that a law will address all relevant concerns, lawmakers should hold public hearings before the law is passed, soliciting testimony from dog owners, professional dog trainers, behaviorists, veterinarians, groomers, and breeders. Any time a law is changed, it’s an opportunity to look at all parts of the law to see what else could benefit from a change—and the testimony of those who will be most affected by the law is critical to create a law that’s fair to all parties.

Arizona's Horrible New Dog Bite Law

Arizona just passed a well meaning, but horrible, dog bite law. There are a number of serious defects... For example:

My concern would be, for example, what about a dog at a daycare that gets in a fight with another dog. Or what about a dog at an off leash park. It is hard to determine which dog provoked the attack. There is a lot of grey area. What about a little fluffy 5 lb dog that has a fit when on a leash, barking and growling. It gets loose and charges at a big Great Dane and nips it on the heel causing no injury. The owner of the fluffy dog is now guilty of a felony? Seriously?

Or, if a dog is off the owner's property, and at a daycare, veterinarian's office, or in training, bites another dog, the person responsible for supervising is personally responsible the way I read this. Even if it is another dog owned by the same person. Now it is legally an "aggressive dog".

Imagine this, two dogs fight in the home and there are injuries. That makes one or both dogs "aggressive dogs" the way I read this. ""Aggressive dog" means any dog that has bitten a person or domestic animal without provocation or that has a known history of attacking persons or domestic animals without provocation".

So, if that dog bites a person or another animal off the owner's property, then it is a felony. I think that you'd have to make sure your dog wasn't the one formally blamed for any unprovoked bite. I think this is a serious can of worms for rescue, vets, trainers, kennels, daycares, friends who house sit your dog, and those who go to off leash parks. I know it is supposed to deal with dogs that get loose but this defines a seriously low threshold for defining "attacking". If a dog scuffles with another dog, no bruises, lacerations, broken bones or internal injuries result. That dog is technically now forever an "aggressive dog" the way I read this.


I oppose criminalizing normal dog behavior. Adolescent dogs will go on power trips and fight other dogs, normally it is just a lot of noise and saliva. Owners need to work these issues through. But, if you criminalize dogs from being dogs, then they will isolate these dogs, or give them away to shelters. Isolated dogs then become dangerous dogs. Shelter dogs will become dead dogs. 


Dogs also do lots of posturing. Two dogs will stand side by side, stiff, sniffing butts, sometimes hair up along the back. One dog makes a wrong move and the dogs will get in a scuffle. Which dog caused the fight? Who is to say? 


Based on the definition in this law, every healthy wolf in a wolf pack would be considered vicious, because they scuffle to establish rank. Dogs do the same thing, regardless of size. 


The only way to deal with this is to define the severity of the attack, define what is considered provocation, define what is allowed when it comes to fighting, assess damages related to the severity of the attack, and then provide ways for people to remedy the situation in ways that won't pour more dogs into shelters or isolate them at home to brew into truly dangerous dogs. I think you also have to exempt dogs that are in a vet's office, training class, off leash park (people need to accept risk, not try to legislate it away), kennels, daycares, dog show / obedience events, and grooming facilities.


I'm making the point that anyone's dogs could be labeled as "aggressive". Let's say your dog gets in a fight at your home with a friend's dog that comes to visit. The friend takes her dog to the vet because it had a puncture wound on an ear. Vet says it is fine, gives the dog an antibiotic, and all is well. But a record is now on file about your dog. Technically your dog is now an "aggressive" dog. From that point, all it takes is one scuffle off the premises and then you can be accused of a felony. So, this first fight happened in the home, and you haven't had a chance to even write down your side of the story. So, the first threshold is crossed regarding this law. Now, the dog, 5 years later, is off your premises at the vets office, it slips away from the vet tech, and gets in a fight with a dog there. It results in a minor puncture wound on the other dog, but the owner of that dog is angry about it and complains to animal control. Now, the veterinarian is charged with a felony. Is that the format for a good dog law?

Here is Ian Dunbar's web page, just a sample article... or this...

"Perhaps the surest bet in dog behavior is that adolescent dogs, especially males, will get into scraps. Prediction approximates a 100% certainty and prevention requires non-stop classical conditioning from puppyhood, throughout adolescence until the dog’s sunset years".

Why didn't we have any public hearings? I see no evidence that vets, rescue groups, breeders, groomers, animal control officers, trainers, kennel operators, or the general public were invited in any meaningful way to give input.

House Sitting

Never assume, if you are house sitting someone else's dog, that the dog will be fine without direct supervision. You don't know the dog well enough, it's habits, or even the hazards about your friend's home. If something looks unsafe, then it probably is a risk to the dog.

Not All Breeds Are Pets


Not all dog breeds are pet material. Many dog breeds are still being bred to perform services for man. They are specialists. If you get one of these breeds, you will be very unhappy unless you accept your dog's propensities and find appropriate outlets for your dog's temperament. This is where a good dog trainer can help you, from choosing the right breed for you, to helping you work with the dog you have successfully.

Unfair Training Method?

Unfair Training Method?

I recently attended a dog event along with some other dog trainers. One was, what I call, an "electric collar" trainer. This person brought along a dog they had trained. It had the collar on, and the handler had the remote control in hand. I saw that every time the dog strayed more than a few feet from the handler, the dog got a zap. The dog looked very insecure, tail tucked. I've seen a lot of well trained dogs over the years. This wasn't, in my opinion, one of them. The obedience wasn't precise, and the dog looked distressed, and I believe the corrections were unfairly applied. I am not a fan of the method that dogs are forced to stay within a few feet of the handler otherwise they are given a shock. This is a popular method with a lot of electric collar trainers. I think it is garbage. Judge for yourself sometime. Watch truly obedient dogs at an AKC obedience or hunt test trial. Then watch a dog "trained" this other way. I'll let you make your own conclusion. You already know mine. 

New Dog Safety Blog

I have created a new Dog Safety blog. Go take a look. I'd like your feedback.

Dog Safety Experts

Pet Store Training?

Are you considering hiring a pet store dog trainer, or an inexperienced Cesar Millan wannabe? Then you should read this article. I've seen a lot of new so-called dog trainers enter the marketplace over the past couple of years, and keep hearing horror stories.

Read this email and see what I mean

Do It Yourself Dog Training

What can and can’t you do when it comes to “do it yourself” (DIY) dog training? With the economy still being in the Great Recession, people are looking for ways of saving money when it comes to managing their dog’s behavior. There are many options, but not a lot of good choices.

Popular Dog Breed Reviews

What are the most popular purebred dog breeds? Here is a comparison of the breed lists from Britain and the USA.

Dog Training Goals

I believe it is important to set training goals for every dog. Too many dogs are adopted or on purchased without any consideration as to what is going to be expected in terms of behavior over time. I’ve met tons of people who expected 9 week old puppies to obey like adult dogs; rescue dogs with unresolved past issues; and adult dogs with little to no training and miserable to live with. Here are the goals I expect for most dogs

As I've Warned Before...

Some people go absolutely nuts in reaction to a barking dog. I don't get it, but I do accept it and warn dog owners to muffle their dogs barking as much as possible. This appears to me to be one of those cases...

A Ft. Pierce man has been charged with animal cruelty after he reportedly killed his dog by stabbing it more than two dozen times. The sheriff’s office said Barker, who is currently jailed without bail, told investigators he did it because he was tired of the dog’s incessant barking.

Why Do Isolated Dogs Attack?

Why is it dangerous to leave dogs isolated and neglected in a back yard? Why do dogs kept in kennels for day after day eventually resort to aggression? Why do these types of dogs escape and then attack?

The Most Annoying Dog In The World

I’ve never watched “Marley and Me”, nor read the book, but I’ve met many Marley’s over the years. I’ve even owned a “Marley”. If you have one of those very difficult dogs to manage and love, this is the article for you.

Here's A Testimonial From Yesterday

Dear Sam, THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH. IT ALL MAKES PERFECT SENSE. I AM TRYING IT IMMEDIATELY TO TUNE UP OUR DOGS. JACK COMES TO ME IN 2-3 WEEKS. I WILL HAVE EVERYTHING READY AND REPORT BACK TO YOU. YOU ARE A GENIUS WITH DOGS. IT ALL WORKED WITH GRETL AND LIESL. I TRIED AND TRIED ALL THE DOG WHISPERER STUFF. HE IS SHARP ON TV. BUT IN REAL LIFE....IN MY CASE...IT JUST DOES NOT WORK. I AGREE: HE TALKS IN NEBULOUS NON-CONCRETE TERMS....LIKE "ENERGY", ETC. HE'S HOLLYWOOD I GUESS. THANK YOU. YOU ARE THE GREATEST. I AM WORKING NOW. Very Sincerely Grateful, Linda, Gordy, Gretl, Liesl, and now Jack

What Is The Right Way To Train A Dog?

When I’m interacting with a dog, I always filter my behaviors by asking myself, “what is going to be the effect of what I’m doing on this dog?” Whether I’m just visiting a friend and her dog comes over to be petted, or I’m walking past a dog in public, I am aware of what I’m doing and how that might affect that dog. Of course, I’m a dog trainer, so that kind of thinking comes more naturally to me than most other people. I’m aware of the cause and effects of human behaviors on dog behaviors.

For All Those Unbelievers

For All Those Unbelievers

It's become the fashionable thing these days to say there's no such thing as pack order with wolves. It's mostly promoted by folks that have an agenda. Fanatics always have an agenda of some sort. So, it was quite enlightening to read this article: I lived with wolves'I ate what they ate, mostly raw deer and elk, which they would often bring back for me, or fruit and berries'

"when all the wolves were feeding, I ate the wrong piece of meat – there is a strict hierarchy of who eats what part of an animal – and one of the wolves leapt on me in seconds because of my mistake. He took my entire face in his mouth and started to squeeze hard"

Yes, there is a pack order. Don't believe the fanatics.

New Dog Video

Check out my new dog training video. This was created for my new web page: http://www.samthedogtrainer.com

What Is The Best Way To Get A Dog To Obey?

Good dog training is about your relationship with your dog, not the clickers, electric collars, treats, toys, or special methods you use.

What Training Should You Do With A New Puppy?

There are several things you should consider doing with a new puppy.

This article describes them all

Abuse Of The Family Dog

I tell people: you can’t fool the dog trainer. When you’ve been around dogs and people for as many years as I have, I will eventually figure out what’s been going on with the dog. Dogs will “tell” me of the abuse because the signs become increasingly clear as I work with the dog. I’ve been with numerous people who tried to deceive me regarding what was going on in their homes, trying to hide that someone hasn’t been nice to the dog. Once I figure it out, I don’t pussyfoot around. As a professional, I confront it.

Experience Counts

How much experience should a dog trainer have before you hire them? It takes 3 weeks to become a dog trainer at most pet stores. Compare that to this study: Gladwell repeatedly mentions the "10,000-Hour Rule", claiming that the key to success in any field is, to a large extent, a matter of practicing a specific task for a total of around 10,000 hours. That's 5 years full time work. I've been at it full time, professionally, since the beginning of 1997. And I was studying it as an amateur since 1986.

I've learned through the school of experience. There is no school for dog trainers that can teach this stuff to you. So, if you want to become a dog trainer, consider the investment of time and effort before you take someone's innocent dog and practice on it. If you don't know what you are doing, then don't go pro.

Christmas Gifts For Dogs And Dog Owners

Not sure what to buy for Christmas? Here are some unique ideas. Instead of the typical toys basket, try some of these fun and practical ideas.

Training Your Dog - The Answers

* I am embarrassed by my dog. My husband won't work with the dog. My son can't even come in the house. My neighbors are complaining. I have to walk my dog at odd hours of the day and night. My dog is too friendly and jumps all over my guests.
* What’s it going to take to get my dog to stop jumping, pulling me on a walk, stop biting, stop chewing and destroying my furniture, to stop being afraid and anxious, stop running away, and to listen to me when I’m around distractions and come when called?
* What does it take to take an untrained dog and turn it into a trained dog?
* What are the steps involved?
* Are there any secrets to training a dog?
* How do I get a good dog trainer and avoid being ripped off by a bad dog trainer?

This article explains what you need to know

HSUS and Michael Vick... Which Is Worse?

To all you rescue volunteers... Know who you support. I am not a fan of the HSUS at all... and here's a good example: the strange connection between HSUS and Michael Vick

Hat Tip: KC Dog Blog

Are You Afraid Of Your Dog?

What do you do if you are afraid of being bitten by your own dog? This article explains the situation, and includes a case example.

Dog Problem or People Problem?

Not all dog problems are solved by just working with the dog. Good dog training involves teaching the owner.

Don't Play Rough With Your Dog!

A 15-year-old boy was taken to Enloe Medical Center Sunday morning after he was bitten in the neck by his dog and fainted. Porter Duggins was "rough-housing" face-to-face with the family dog, Bubba, a half-Labrador, half-pit bull mixed breed, when the dog nipped at the boy's neck, said his father, Jeremy Duggins

I tell people all the time to not play rough with their dogs. The dog doesn't see it oftentimes as a game, and at some point the dog might bite you to tell you it doesn't like what you are doing. It's unbelievable that this owner is now thinking of putting this dog down! The dog is innocent.

Dog Attacks House Sitters

Some people and some dogs don't mix. Also, it's never wise to give a correction to a dog you don't know and haven't worked with. I have seen this kind of thing before with house sitters, they try to discipline the dog and it attacks... they didn't earn the right to be the leader just by moving in for a day or two. Did this happen here? Pitbull attacks caretakers, is killed by deputy

Hectic Owner / Hectic Dog

Does your dog suffer from AD/HD (Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder)? Then this is the article for you

Who Is Burning The Dogs Of Arizona?

A friend of mine is tracking a new and horrific set of crimes... someone, or a group of someones, is burning dogs in Arizona. Serial killer? Cult? Terrorist groups? I have no idea. Check her out on Facebook:

Who is burning the dogs of Arizona? My dear friends/animal lovers ... When I created this page, I was prompted by 3 dogs that showed up in the Phoenix area shelters with the same injuries. Since bringing awareness to this, cases have been showing up ALL OVER THE COUNTRY! At this point, we have no idea how or why ... Just know, that this has to be prevented! Thank you for joining this page and sharing ideas and information! ♥ Kat

Handler Skills Training

Dog training is more about training the owner than it is about training the dog. This article explains the principles behind Handler Skills Training. If you don't have good skills, no matter how well the dog is trained, it won't behave well around you or listen to your commands.

How Do You Introduce A New Or Strange Dog?

When getting a new dog, there are safe ways, and unsafe ways, of introducing them. This article explains my procedure and gives you direction as to how to proceed.

Free Tips On Getting A New Dog

Are you researching whether it is a good idea to get a new dog? Thinking of adopting or buying a dog? What about choosing a breeder, or picking the right breed? What about getting a dog from rescue, or a mixed bred dog? Who shouldn't own a dog? All these questions are answered.

Will Getting A Dog Help My Child's Behavior?

What are good reasons for getting a dog for a child? This article discusses things to consider

Dogs Maul Kid, Dogs Are Innocent

A 10 year old boy climbed into a neighbor's yard and was mauled by 3 bull mastiffs. He was badly hurt. Seattle police reported: "This is a learning situation for everyone," Witt said. "You just don't go into other people's yards, especially when there are dogs."

Exactly. A tragedy for sure. But, not the dog's fault. Not the owner of the dog's fault. It doesn't matter that it was a kid, he was intruding and that provoked the attack. This is ultimately the fault of the adults responsible for supervising that kidk, and the fault of the kid for doing something stupid.

Prevention is Training

Preventing dog problems is better than fixing them. This article describes my philosophy on using prevention in your dog training program.

Wrong Dog?

Police dog chasing suspect is killed after he throws it into the middle of oncoming traffic.

Looking at the pictures of this dog, it appears to be a pretty small dog. There has been a tendency to use Malinois as police dogs for quite a while, but a lot of these dogs aren't very big, and the cops have always preferred a bigger dog. This appears to be a German Shepherd, but a small one. If this had been a Rottweiler, this probably wouldn't have happened.

Do You Have A Stupid Dog?

I have encountered and trained a lot of dogs over the past decade and a half. I’ve trained some extremely intelligent dogs, and I’ve trained some that were just not very intelligent.

The smartest dog I ever encountered was a female Border Collie I worked with in 2007. It only took a couple of repetitions of showing her something, and she not only understood, but retained what I had shown her on the next lesson. She also would look to see what new thing I was going to show her after I taught her something; she was curious and liked to work. Yet, she was a very sensitive dog and was easily worried by people and dogs she didn’t know, so she didn’t adapt well to some social situations in public. The dumbest dog I ever encountered was a 1 year old, 100 pound, yellow Labrador Retriever I trained back around 2002. Nothing went into that thick skull of his, and we had to go over and over the same things for him to get what I was teaching. The training took forever, he also was defiant, and really only cared to look around at things in his environment. He also wasn’t all that personable.

I do remember, however, a dog that a customer had given up on. They said he was stupid, so they put him in the back yard and neglected him. And got another dog. I trained the second dog first. When I was almost finished with the second dog, I noticed they had a small dog in the back yard, and asked what was up with that dog. So, I asked permission to train him and see if I could fix what was wrong. The dog wasn’t stupid at all. He just was defiant, and needed patience and proper training. I remember demonstrating him to them when I was finished. They were shocked that it was the same dog. He actually was better behaved when I was finished with him than their first dog. The problem was... they still viewed him as a throw away dog, and eventually they started neglecting him again, started just leaving him in the back yard unattended, and he reverted back to the way he was.

It’s pretty rare that I run across a stupid dog. It’s usually a dog that is untrained and an owner that hasn’t put in the necessary time to get to know their dog. It’s really the owner who is stupid. They’ve concluded something based on faulty reasoning, emotions, and the result of bad training or no training at all. These so-called stupid dogs suffer as a result.

If you think you have a stupid dog, you probably don’t have a stupid dog. It’s probably that you are doing stupid training, or no training at all, and not giving your dog a chance to show you what s/he is capable of.

How Many Dogs Is Too Many?

I know of a woman who is a hoarder. She hoards garbage, and has done so for several decades, much to the dismay of her family. People hoard a wide variety of things, including animals such as dogs and cats. So, how many dogs is too many? I really don’t have a definitive answer.

I know of a puppy mill where 250 dogs were discovered, found in filth, and half of the dogs in such bad shape that they had to be euthanized. I used to know of a Doberman breeder who had 25 adult breeding dogs, with only 2 of those dogs living in the home and the rest living in kennels. I know of a show dog breeder who had so many dogs that they nearly wrecked the entire breed, their dogs were pretty but with poor temperament (stupid, defiant, aggressive, and not very trainable). I know of a past customer who had 8 dogs, ranging from Chihuahuas to French Bulldogs, to an English Bulldog. I know of rescue volunteers who take in way too many dogs for them to handle properly. For me, the most dogs I’ve ever had in my home was two. Some cities ban owners from having more than 3 dogs at a time. Landlords and homeowners associations regularly limit how many dogs a person can own.

In nature, most wolf packs have 6 to 7 members, with a single breeding pair (male and female), however it’s not unusual for packs to be more than double that amount.

The more dogs you own, the more potential you are going to have of dog fights, urination problems, unmannerly dogs, disobedient dogs, clean up problems, and smell. On the other hand, I’m more and more convinced, if you are equipped to handle it, dogs are better off if there are at least two dogs in the home than being an only dog, since dogs are social animals.

I really don’t like the government telling business people or individuals how many dogs they can own. However, we all know that too many dogs in one place eventually means that there are probably going to be problems.

I have generally found that homes with 4 or more dogs to be more chaotic, and the dogs not very well behaved. Usually because of the cost and effort it takes to supervise, feed, train, and entertain that many dogs, things start getting where the controlling factor is how well the dogs mix with one another, not how well the owner is with dogs. If the mix works, then everyone is happy. If the mix doesn’t work, then the whole thing becomes a mess.

I can’t really understand the idea of bringing more dogs into your home than you can personally attend to, train, feed, exercise, etc. Maybe when it gets past that point, we have to start wondering if the owner has personal issues. Maybe we are wrong about that, but it starts looking that way. We start to wonder if we are looking at a compulsive hoarder. If it’s a breeder, we start wondering about the quality of their breeding program, and whether they are just in it for the money. Really good breeders can manage a lot of dogs, but they also will either have a family operation or hired staff to ensure things are done humanely and professionally. The good ones that do volume also are doing sport related things with the dogs, not just pumping dogs out the door to just anyone who will send them some money.

I guess my viewpoint would be: if you are going to add additional dogs to your home or breeding operation, are all the dogs you own and breed going to be better off because of that decision or not? If not, then you already have enough dogs... and it’s time to stop acquiring more.

Sick

When I die, so does my dog: Some pet owners take animals to their graves. Some simply don't want to be buried alone, while others fear no one will take care of the critters

Happy Thanksgiving! Watch your dog today with guests. Domestic violence is higher on holidays because of alcohol consumption, dogs get in the way and get abused

Three significant factors contributing to dog attacks: lack of prudent management of a dog; substance abuse; & dogs with underlying unresolved medical problems

I'm at a public event today. Saw WAY too many untrained dogs dragging their owners along. They need training: http://www.samthedogtrainer.com

Hero Dog, Target, Killed By Animal Control

A dog, named Target, credited with saving the lives of 50 US soldiers in Iraq has been killed by a Pinal County, AZ employee. The employee has been put on administrative leave.

I am no fan of animal control. I have seen plenty of abuses over the years. Animal Control is the rump end of the police force of a city, with all the police powers of a cop but without the training, skills, aptitude or organization in place to ensure the Constitutional rights of dog owner. I've seen animal control fight for inhumane dog laws, such as in Seattle, causing the deaths of untold dogs for frivilous reasons, just to raise more funds for the city in terms of fees and increasing the power base of petty city managers and increasing the number of employees who are now beholden to the city for their jobs. I've seen animal control fight in the courts to put a dog to death, even after the dog's owner was deemed innocent of any legal violation, just to prove a point that animal control should have the right to do whatever they damn well please with the dogs they seize. I've seen dogs seized off owner's property without a warrant, to be put down for doing nothing that would cause any harm to anyone. I've seen dogs in animal control left to lay in their own feces, and covered in flies. And you can bet this isn't the only dog that has been "accidentally" put to death like this at an animal control facility.

There are some accidents that are the result of the randomness of nature. Those are forgiveable. Then there are accidents that are the result of people doing things they know, or should know, they shouldn't be doing. Those second kind are what I feel happened here, by all accounts I've read over the past day. In my opinion, in private industry, that kind of foolishness should be a firing offense, both for the employees who did it, and for the head of animal control. But, this isn't private industry. There should be an investigation. Procedures should be rewritten. A board of outside supervisors should be established to prevent this kind of thing from happening. Employees re-evaluated for competence and training. And heads should roll. I'm pissed.

Pulling On A Leash?

If your dog pulls so hard on a leash that it continually coughs... YOUR DOG IS NOT TRAINED! Go get some lessons from a good dog trainer. I just hate seeing this kind of thing. And there's no need for it. And it isn't good for the dog's neck.

Border Collie

I'm currently training a Border Collie in Advanced Obedience. It's really quite enjoyable working with this breed and seeing them just "get" what you are teaching. It's a no brainer. That doesn't mean this is the ideal breed for everyone, and you really need to get to know this breed before you get one to be sure this is what you want. Every breed has strengths and weaknesses, and that's true of Border Collies.

How To Spoil A Dog

Read my latest article on this common dog behavior problem: Spoiling

Dog Training In Phoenix, AZ

Here are the locations in which I do most of my dog training. It has been quite a switch, moving from Seattle several years ago to here. I love training dogs here, but there are some significant differences in how I now operate. Take a look at the following articles:

Locations Serviced: Ahwatukee, Anthem, Avondale, Buckeye, Cave Creek, Chandler, Chandler Heights, DC Ranch, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Laveen, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun City, Sun Lakes, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson

10 Foolish Things People Do With Dogs

1.) Foolish Training: Wrong trainer, wrong class, unscientific training, no reasonable goals, no maintenance training, not training at all, method bias, not taking obedience to off leash control.
2.) Foolish Dog Selection: Wrong breed, not considering all the factors of ownership, not enough research, purchase more on looks than traits, wrong pup from litter or shelter or breeder.
3.) Foolish Feeding: table scraps, obesity, fad diets, improper puppy feeding, improper elderly feeding, not using medical diets when prescribed by vet, let dog eat garbage, give chocolate (poisonous) to dog, allowing dog to eat or lick things off the ground.
4.) Foolish Situations: bought a dog, but should own a dog; kids don’t treat dog properly, bought dog as a gift for someone else; don’t have enough time for the dog; got a dog just before having a baby and don’t have time for dog; not physically capable of managing dog; dog doesn’t match your living situation (your apartment doesn’t allow dog ownership); person you live with doesn’t like dogs; marry someone who doesn’t like dogs; dog can’t act mannerly in situation so gets in trouble or bites someone
5.) Foolish Leadership: bought a dog for a kid (kids are not mature enough to manage a dog); “master” isn’t the master; different commands for every person; unfair demands of dog; no set rules for household; dog doesn’t have a master at all
6.) Foolish Supervision: peeing and pooping problems in the home; chewing problems; not on lead in public; not having a fenced yard; not in crate when not supervised as a pup; dog overheats in summer and freezes in winter because of inadequate housing and supervision; not being careful of goofy neighbors.
7.) Foolish Breeder/ Breeding: stupid place to buy your dog (pet store, puppy mill breeder, backyard breeder); breed own dog when you don’t know what you are doing (and produce unwanted, unhealthy or unstable dogs); no reasonable health care of pups and parents; breeding just for looks and not working ability and stability as a pet; no temperament testing of breeding stock; breeding younger dogs instead of older dogs (should collect semen and breed dogs if still healthy after 10 years old to eliminate many genetic diseases)
8.) Foolish Safety: dog in back of pickup truck; play with children unsupervised; tied out to pole; not vaccinated; let run loose in neighborhood; rough play; letting strangers hurt your dog; tying dog outside of store unsupervised; not knowing natural hazards around you
9.) Foolish Aggression: no proper training and supervision; not knowing what causes dogs to bite; not knowing the law; not knowing enough about the breed you own; not knowing enough about other dogs you meet; teasing a dog; messing with a dog you don’t know; rough play; rough treatment; bad breeding.
10.) Foolish Politics: animal rights folks want to ban domesticated dog ownership; “claw and bite” laws; unfair “menacing” laws; opposing tail docking and ear cropping in some breeds; breed bans; pit bull and other breed biases; poorly written “vicious dog” ordinances and insurance prohibitions; hiking bans; travel bans; unfair self protection laws for humans and dogs; overly restrictive leash laws; uninformed candidates running for office or in office; unreasonable animal control policies; not caring when you see an injustice concerning dogs; reactionary laws and actions after dog biting incidents that don’t relate to the average dog owner; being uninvolved in dog issues

UPDATED: Buying A Dog / Choosing A Breeder

Every once in a while, I do an update on one of my articles. If you are looking to buy or adopt a dog, you should read this first.

Today is a good day to train your dog!

Training Owners to Train Dogs

If I can't understand a dog owner's personal situation, and get to know them, I can't get their dogs to behave them properly.

Animal Neglect

Case study of two dogs that are neglected by their owners... and there's nothing we can do about it.

Anger Has No Place In Dog Training

This article is a case study regarding anger. Dog training doesn't go so well if you get angry with your dog.

Another Dog Attack That Didn't Have To Happen

A man was handing out fliers, door to door, for a restaurant. Instead of leaving them at the gate of one house, he entered the gate and was attacked by the owner's pit bulls and severely injured. The owner had a Beware of Dog sign, which the man couldn't read. Here's my opinion...

Look, I hate it that this man was injured. I'm not a violent person. I don't ever want someone to be hurt. But, it's just stupid to enter into someone's property, past a gate, without permission. You can be shot. You can be attacked by their dogs. That's life. It sucks, but people and dogs do things to protect themselves from intruders, such as install gates, post warning signs, and getting dogs. Everyone knows this. Thus, this guy did something stupid and paid the price of his stupidity. And so did the owner since one of the attacking dogs died in the custody of animal control.

My only suggestions for the owner in the future would be to put a lock on your gate (though I've posted stories of people climbing fences and being attacked by dogs, so even that isn't fool proof), and posting a No Trespassing sign, to increase the legal cost to the intruder for entering without permission. My suggestions to those who would pass out fliers... stay on public property, and don't enter private property without permission. Sorry this guy got hurt, but there's no way to legislate IQ or wisdom. Do stupid things, pay the price.

Antisocial Dogs

Not all dogs are safe to pet. I am amazed at the number of people who get bitten when petting dogs they don't know. I never do this. I take time to get to know a dog, and for the dog to get to know me, before I start petting any dog. Dogs don't just bite out of fear. Some are socially aggressive. Here are more thoughts on this topic.

Do You Need A Personal Protection Or Guard Dog?

Are you buying a dog to protect you from criminals? Better read this article!

So, You Want To Be A Dog Whisperer?

A lot of people want to know what a "dog whisperer" is, and how you become one. This article explains what it means and what it takes.

Cancer Propensity By Breed Of Dog

Is your dog at high risk for getting cancer? Trupanion pet insurance released a study today that might help answer that question. Cancer-related pet insurance claims were most common in German shepherds, golden retrievers, rottweilers and doberman pinschers

Strange. There doesn't seem to be a common thread here regarding which dogs get cancer and which ones don't, except maybe based on the past popularity of the breed.

I ALWAYS recommend putting dogs away when having a large party at your home. Too much risk the dogs will get in trouble or guest do something stupid

If you haven't trained your dog in a while, I'm sure you & your dog need a tune up. If you live in the Phoenix / Scottsdale AZ area give me a call

Its important to be able to keep your cool and stay positive and clear headed when trainin or handling a dog

I'm more determined than even the most willful and stubborn dog

A dog is a daily obligation. If you are responsible don't get a dog

These upcoming elections on the local level will directly affect your dog. Vote Pro Dog! (Pro-dog activists listed on sidebar)