Here is how I handle resource guarding. Make a list of the items (or people) your dog guards. "The Motivator" Figure out what motivates your dog to comply. This can be a ball, a toy or a really yummy treat. (Boiled chicken can get a dog to give up most anything.) Ask yourself some hard questions […]

Is your dog pushy? If he wants something, will he stop at nothing to get it? Then you may want to try the Nothing in Life Is Free (NILIF) protocol with your dog. This is a very simple protocol that essentially means your dog needs to work for things of value in his life. Through […]

Ask AKC  Dear AKC: I have two Siberian Huskies. We got our female at 14-weeks-old about a year ago and recently we added a 3-year-old male. We would like to have her in the house more but she absolutely will not settle down even with toys and our undivided attention. Outside, she digs, chews, and […]

Resource guarding is a challenging behavior to combat for new and experienced owners. Guarding possessions or food can occur between dogs in a household and/or between dogs and humans.  Early training is the best method to preventing resource guarding. It is important for puppies to learn at an early age that people touching their food […]

Chew on This Anyone who has ever cared for a puppy knows and expects chewing; it goes hand in hand with puppyhood. But chewing can be a challenge for owners with adult dogs, too. Here are some tips on how to stop unwanted chewing: Dog-proof your house by putting away anything that your dog can […]

It's one of the most commonly reported behavioral concerns of CGC and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy dog owners. The complaint is that the dog is "hyper" or "too active." In most cases, the problem is really that the dog owner needs some education and the dog may need a more suitable daily schedule and exercise plan. […]

The key to controlling separation anxiety in your Flat-Coated Retriever or any dog is to always leave the dog calmly, with a biscuit and a toy or something to do, and always return with calm control. Some dogs are very prone to separation anxiety. Whining, barking, or destructiveness in the absence of the owner are signs of […]

Ask AKC  Dear AKC: I recently adopted a seven-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog. He is approximately 64 pounds. He knows sit and down but he tends to jump up a lot and also I have no control when he is on a leash. I would like to be able to take him for walks instead of the […]

Embarrassing For Owners, But Not for Dogs – How to Deal with MountingIt's an embarrassing behavior...for the owner. Humping is a commonly seen response when dogs play together. Humping, or mounting, is typically seen when a dog is over excited, hence why it happens frequently when groups of dogs are playing. It's not an aberrant […]

Going for a walk with your dog is one of the great pleasures of owning a canine friend. Getting outside in the fresh air, getting some exercise, and greeting neighbors and their dogs are all fun parts of taking a stroll. But if your dog gets very excited and starts lunging and/or barking every time […]