Normal dog training requires patience that is greater nowhere else but childrearing. Training rescued dogs takes even more. Though sterilizing dogs – spaying (removing female organs) and neutering (removing male organs) – has been common practice for decades, birth rates continue to outpace ownership. Add to that a percentage who are lost or wander away [...]

Whether through an intention to breed or other motive, many individuals leave their companions intact (spay or neuter procedure). Left with a full complement of nature’s hormones, these dogs can react differently than their surgically altered counterparts. Male dogs with the normal amounts of testosterone tend to seek alpha (leader) status, and when exposed to [...]

Nothing is more essential for good dog training than good dog health. And the foundation of good health is a good diet. Depending on your budget you may or may not be able to feed your dog a larger proportion of fresh meat, but at least be prepared to spend enough for a good dry [...]

Descendants from wolf packs, dogs seek a natural hierarchy in which some are dominant (alphas) and others tend to follow. Struggles start in young pups to sort out who is which early on, in some cases three weeks after birth. Apart from human society, wild dogs will fight – sometimes to the death – to [...]

An average-sized Golden Retriever can untie a knot in a rawhide bone in minutes. If only they’d stick to those most times it ends up your furniture, shoes and everything else they can get their teeth into! The tendency to chew will vary from one breed – and one individual – to another. But most [...]

Dogs have a significant capacity for training their trainers. Apart from making us wave our hands and bark odd words, we regularly fetch treats and run after tennis balls. Not useful to us, but the dog enjoys it. To put things back the way they’re meant to be, assert your alpha status. One of the [...]