Best Friend Dog Training

03/05/2026

Skepticism Debunked

In the past thirty-eight years I’ve had many conversations about how exactly obedience training helps a dog understand good behavior.

One family came to class with a rather wild four-month -old Siberian Husky. She was cute, energetic, and dominant. The woman was distraught and hopeful class would help. The man doubted. He told me this class was the biggest waste of his money ever and that nothing was going to help that pup behave.

I began class telling them we were going to teach the dog to ‘sit’ and not get up even if we bounced a tennis ball, and we would have it accomplished by the end of that first class. He shook his head. Then he crossed his arms, got this resolute look on his face, and said, “I tell you what, if you can make that dog sit in the middle of the room and not get up even when you go outside and walk the whole way around this building, I won’t ever complain again about how much I paid for class.”

I did and he didn’t. :)

As for my clients’ questions, they are right. Teaching a dog to sit for a treat does NOT teach him good manners or behavior. I am actually not a fan of treat training. I suggest giving treats whenever you wish and do make your dog sit before giving the treat. But do NOT give him a treat each time he sits.

Obedience training not applied into everyday life is about as useful as a gas grill on your porch that has no propane.

It is not in teaching your dog the commands that he learns to behave, it is in applying them. He should always SIT when you give him a treat. But go much further than that. If the only commands your dog ever learned were ‘sit’ and ‘done’ you could have a well-mannered pet. (I feel you would be doing your dog’s intelligence and abilities a disservice if that was all you taught him.) But I digress. When you tell him to ‘sit’ he should do so immediately and not stop until you release him saying ‘okay you’re done.’ Once he understands the command, then apply it.

Make him ‘sit’: when company comes in, when company leaves, before he goes outside, before he comes inside, before he eats, while you eat, when he needs to calm down, to place him in a ‘timeout’ for punishment, at the veterinarian’s, at street corners, when you meet other people or dogs on walks, while you wipe muddy feet off, when he is right under your feet as you do housework, when he is begging, and so on.

And, that’s just the short list! Add a few more basic commands like down, heel, come, stay, stand, leave it, drop it, turn away, and back it up to his repertoire. Then you have a wealth of options to use in teaching your dog proper behavior. Those are only the basic obedience commands. Our dogs can easily learn 100 or more commands.

Give it a try. Teach your dog the commands, and use them in your regular routine with him. In the end you, like my client, will not complain again and your best friend will be even better!

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01/10/2026

From my future manuscript titles Life in the Doghouse:

New Year’s Resolutions for Dogs and Their Masters

Many of us made resolutions which we know we’ll never keep. I sat down with my dog, Cyndy and discussed resolutions. What follows are the suggestions we came up with to all dogs and their owners.

Top Ten Owner Resolutions:
10. I will remember he’s a dog, celebrate that fact, and never treat him like a human. While he is considered a part of the household, he is not my child, my baby, or my almost human. He is my pet.
9. I will not feel guilty when I leave to go to work each day and earn money to supply his food and toys.
8. I will never excuse, accept, or minimize bad behavior.
7. I will always correct bad behavior.
6. I will use the obedience commands within my daily routine with my dog.
5. I will not repeat commands. I will not beg for obedience. I will give the command once and if the dog doesn’t obey . . . refer to #4.
4. I will correct disobedience the first time it happens.
3. I will lavish praise both-voice and touch- upon my dog for obedience.
2. I will teach my dog the rules and expect him to be disciplined enough to keep them. If he does not . . . refer to #7.
1. I will be my dog’s best friend and start that by making sure he is well exercised every day. Even in bad weather we will play indoor games.

Top Ten Dog Resolutions:
(Keep in mind my dogs came up with these. Yep, even the trainer’s dogs are not perfect.)

10. I will stay out of the trash, off the counters, and certainly never steal the granddaughter’s snacks from her hands.
9, I will not run away. I will not run away. I will not run away.
8. I will come when I am called. Every time. Without delay . . . Refer to #9.
7. I will leave the squirrels, deer, rabbits alone . . .wait, look . . .SQUIRREL!.
6. I will not bark at or otherwise show bad manners to my master’s clients, friends, family, or well, pretty much anyone.
5. If allowed on the bed I won’t sprawl and crowd my humans. And if I do, I’ll accept banishment from the bed with nary a grumble.
4. I will leave the deer droppings alone.
3. I will stop thinking that because no one told me to stay in the yard it means I can roam the property, and the neighbors, and the county . . . Refer to #9
2. I will not jump on company, even if everything about them screams invitation.
1. I will be my humans’ best friend.

There you have it, human and canine top ten New Year’s resolutions. Here’s to hoping they don’t get broken!

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11/15/2025

Clearing the Fog About Breeds, Part One

I am often asked something like this: I love dogs, but I am afraid of Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds. Are my fears founded? If not, can you help me overcome them?

The next few weeks let’s re-look at AKC groups, pure breeds, mixed and designer breeds. In the question above the person listed four breeds; one from the terrier group, two from the working group, and one from herding. So, let’s have a look at terriers first.

There are twenty-seven breeds in the AKC Terriers Group. All terriers are tenacious, energetic, focused dogs. They originally were bred for some form of hunting, usually rodent, and also for bating bulls and bear. The dogs are staunchly loyal and some are used for protection or guarding. They are high energy dogs and require much exercise and discipline.

Since you mentioned pit bulls, let’s start there. Pit Bull is really not an AKC breed. True Pit Bulls will not ever be pets. Why? Because a true pit bull is bred for one purpose; disgusting, illegal dog fighting in 12’ X12’ pits. Thus, the source of the name.

There is a breed called the American Pit Bull Terrier, which, interestingly, is recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), but not the Americn Kennel Club (AKC). Thus, the name. Recently, the tendency is to place American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, Cane Corsas, American Bulldogs, and Presa Canarios all into one lump category and call them pit bulls. Then, the tendency is to condemn the ‘breed’ instead of the humans who are really the ones at fault and should be condemned. Any of the ‘bull’ breeds are strong, stubborn, tactile, and loyal. They are protective of their humans and good judges of the character of strangers they meet.

Anyone who owns a terrier, any terrier, has a huge responsibility. They are wonderful pets and fun to own because of their energy. But they can also be terrors if their owners do not take the role of leader seriously. Terriers are usually NOT lap dogs.

I wish I could teach you how to not fear these dogs, or maybe have what I would call a reasonable fear. EVERY dog has the potential to bite. And EVERY bite has the potential to be bad. In most every case of dogs behaving badly there is an IRRESPONSIBLE HUMAN involved. Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, states, “In the 70’s they blamed the Dobermans, in the 80’s they blamed German Shepherds, in the 90’s they blamed Rottweilers. Now they blame the Pit Bull. When will they blame the humans?”

People tend to expect retrievers to be good dogs and bull breeds to be mean. Stereotyping is a bad thing. Each dog, given bad circumstances, has the potential to be dangerous. Each dog, given the right circumstances, has the potential to be the best dog ever.

Come back next week for the next part of this series. And, as always if you have any question, private message me.

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11/04/2025

Cyndy says the best part of Mommy being being being a dog trainer is playtime with her clients at the end of the training day!

10/11/2025

Three times this week my Cyndy has shown me her protectiveness of me. Folks this is not something I trained in her. Protectiveness of your pack is instinctive. Each of those times something startled me enough my heart was pounding and I squealed and jumped. Cyndy placed herself in front of me and blocked ‘the danger’ from me!

10/10/2025

Obedience School Delinquent, part two

Last week I shared how to refresh your dog’s obedience by spending a week focusing on the SIT command. By now, he should be sitting much better for you and not jumping up the moment you say “good dog.” This week we add two commands to Obedience Remedial Training. Please keep in mind this series is written for dog owners who already know the commands but haven’t been using them. Future columns will address the how of these commands for new trainers.

Week two focuses on HEEL and STAY. Remember how nice it was in the weeks following your classes when your dog walked smartly at your side? Does he still do that or does he inch ahead of you until he is the clear leader of the walk? While I do not think it necessary to heel a dog at all times and never allow him the freedom to run, I do believe the owner must be in control of all walks. If you walk on a road, in a neighborhood, or a crowd it is imperative you dog walk in HEEL.

When your dog heels, he walks on your left side, his head beside your leg, watches you, walks your pace, turns when you turn, and sits beside you when you stop. He does not sniff, or watch other people or animals, and he never goes to the bathroom while heeling. This week you need to take your dog for a daily fifteen minute heel walk, as much as time and weather permits. Longer than fifteen minutes is great. And, be sure your dog relieves himself before the walk so he will not need to during it. Within one week of heel-walking you will enjoy the time together much more. An added benefit is heel walks tire him more because he gets physical and mental exercise. He will be more settled in the house on the days you take a nice heel walk.

STAY is probably the most misused and under-corrected of the obedience commands. You never use it alone, but as more of a clarification. When he is in a sit or down he should remain there until given another command, despite praise and distraction. Do not get in the habit of saying ‘stay’ every time you use one of the other commands. Use stay to inform him to get comfortable he will be there a while. When I say stay to my dogs, they usually sigh because it means they’re not getting up soon. I recommend using the word ‘stay’ when he will remain there over five minutes.

After last week’s concentration on the sit command and this week with stay and heel, your dog should be well on the way to returning to his obedience glory days. Be sure to use these commands. Incorporate them into your daily routine so you will never again need a refresher. Stay tuned next week for reviews of the DOWN and COME commands.

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09/25/2025

Because some days you just need to celebrate you dear friend’s newest book!!! If you love clean romantic suspense give Patricia Bradley a try! Especially if you love series, she has several awesome series!

09/24/2025

Obedience School Delinquent, part one

I often have clients say something like this: “I took my cocker spaniel to obedience class when he was a puppy. I guess you could say he flunked because he doesn’t remember any of the commands we taught him and he has no manners. Is there anything we can do to fix our obedience school delinquent?”

And my response is something like this: “Kudos to you for taking your dog to obedience school. You are already a step ahead of many owners of unruly dogs. I do not believe you or your dog flunked. What you missed is the follow up.”

Now, for a life analogy. I took calculus in college. I guess since my major was animal science, and I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, the study of calculus was considered necessary. But, I worked with a veterinarian for eight years and I am not sure we ever used calculus. I certainly don’t use it as a dog trainer. And, you know what? I cannot do it now. Skills remain skills and improve with time only when they are used. This is true in any endeavor including dog training.

There is hope for your obedience school delinquent. He has not forgotten what the commands mean, he just doesn’t obey them because you don’t use them.

You can take another class if you wish and refresh both your memory and his. Or you can get the leash back out and take about four weeks to work on specific commands, polish his response, and apply them into your routine. This column begins a rough outline of your refresher course. The next three columns will continue. And, seek your trainer for additional help as needed.

WEEK ONE you concentrate on the SIT command. Remind him what it means, praise him when he obeys and give those leash corrections you learned when he disobeys. Then apply it by making him sit before he goes out, before he eats, when company comes in, when he needs to calm down. Remember he can only get up when you release him. And, provide him with many distractions while he sits; bounce balls, leave the room, make intriguing noises, pet him, talk to him, etc.

Use his leash. He got lazy since your original classes ended. If you do this with no means of correction, he has no consequence for disobedience. Correct him for not obeying on the first command, and for not remaining in his SIT until released. The leash comes off after the polish weeks.

Do NOT use treats during this refresher. Give him treats as treats and make him sit when you do. But do not get into the habit of treating him for obedience. In the long run, it will hinder your work because when you stop using the treats he may stop obeying again. All he needs as a reward for obedience is praise, spoken and touch.

Take heart and follow these guidelines this week and look for next week’s additions. Your obedient class graduate is still in there and will come forth.

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09/10/2025

Mother Really Does Know Best

I love the show Too Cute! Each episode follows two or three litters of puppies from birth to weaning and going to their forever homes. I guarantee it will make you smile. And, if you’re like me it will make you want one of each of the puppies on the show! But, I digress.

If a mother dog observed the humans after they adopted her pups, she would most likely shake her head in exasperation. Grudge holding, withholding praise, lack of discipline, not teaching who is in charge, and reactions inconsistent with our body language make no sense to her. Long before you met your puppy she taught it pretty much everything he needed to know to be a good dog.

If it was possible to get advice from your puppy-mom before you bring it home, she might say something like this:

“I hope you will be the best owner for this little guy. He is quite a handful, I hope you know. Provide for his physical, mental, and emotional health, please. Always treat him like a dog and not a human. He is my child, your pet. He must have exercise and play, frequently. When he disobeys or behaves in any way unsatisfactorily, he must receive quick, efficient discipline.

Honest. This puppy does not understand slow correction. He learned very early with me that I will nudge, shove, or grab his neck and give a quick jerk to correct him. He also knows for total disrespect of authority, I will grab him by the throat, roll him over and pin him on his back until he submits. Now, maybe you don’t have to grab him by his throat, but you do have to establish your dominance and his submission. Now. Don’t wait until he becomes a brat.

Grudges are confusing to us. Once you correct him and he comes to you to make up, please do. He will not remember why you are still mad at him even a few minutes after the infraction. Quick discipline and quick return to normal are equally important. Praise him every time he obeys.

Oh, and be consistent. No must mean no. Don’t tell him “it’s okay” unless it is. If he is growling, even in fear, and you say “it’s okay,” you might as well praise him for growling. He’s also expert at reading body language. Long before you give a command or do almost anything, he already has an idea what’s about to happen. Use that to your benefit and be sure your actions match your words. Teach him the rules, insist on obedience, and you will be pleased. This guy wants to be your best friend. And he will succeed as long as you work at being his best friend, too.”

Well, I’d say she covered it pretty well and I don’t need to add anything.

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09/03/2025

AS promised here is part two on separation anxiety:

Dealing With Separation Anxiety: Part Two
Some behaviors I could write column after column about and still not give full coverage. Separation anxiety is one of them. There is no one-size-fits-all answer for separation anxiety. The suggestions from last week and this work for some dogs and require modifications for others.

Sometimes, separation anxiety is severe enough owners must counter condition their dogs. First of all, try to avoid overexcited arrivals or departures. While you may think it soothing to your dog to have you cuddle him when you leave and get crazy happy when you return, it is a bad idea. Parents know playing rowdy with a toddler before a nap will get him too fired up and unsettled. Exuberant greetings do the same thing with dogs and increase this behavior issue.

Use a specific phrase with your dog when you leave. Say, “I’ll be back soon.” Do not make a big deal about your exit. Place him in his crate or his room with one goodbye hug, but don’t get all mushy at that point. If you over cuddle him, he will sense your anxiety and become more agitated himself. He has no understanding your stress is from worry over his behavior. But he does know you are upset when you leave. Thus, he gets more anxious.

Similarly, when you arrive home, remain calm. It is best when you first walk in to either quietly say “I came back soon,”(which repeats your departure phrase), or say nothing at all. Enter the house, put your keys away, hang your coat up, be very calm and non-plussed. Over time, he will recognize your actions and words indicate all is well, thus reducing his anxiety.

It is best to begin this process is on a weekend. Start your day like a regular work day. However, when you leave, only drive around the block or take a short walk. Listen for his anxiety when you return. Come home as if it is the end of the day. But, since it is a day off, you can do this several times each day. He might surprise you and do much better by Monday. It is more likely you will work on this a few weeks before you see too much improvement, but it will come.

You may also take an old shirt that you wore for a while before you left and drape it on the doorknob to the room he’s in, or in the crate with him. Some dogs take comfort in smelling your scent on the clothing article during the day. However, be aware your dog may also tear the shirt in his anxiety. Be sure the shirt is old!

Obedience training will NOT solve the problem but does help with his insecurities. A dog that is not insecure is usually not anxious when we go away. Patience, time, perseverance, and assuring he is safe when you go away will prevail. One day he will be fine when you leave.

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09/01/2025

Dealing With Separation Anxiety: Part One

The question I received went something like this: “We have a 7-year -old lab that scratches the carpet when we are gone. We don't want to barricade him into one room during the day but we cannot trust him. When we get home and point to it, he runs away. But he doesn't stop doing it! It’s not every day, but it’s definitely an issue.”

Your dog suffers from separation anxiety. In order to give this subject full coverage, I shall break it into two entries.

I am not sure anyone knows what causes some dogs to struggle with this while others do not. And, contrary to how the destruction may appear, your dog is not getting revenge for being left home alone. The carpet scratching, any type of destruction or soiling is an insecure panic response at being alone. While, you may not be able to completely reverse this behavior, you can make improvements.

As with any behavior problem, a well-exercised dog is always a better adjusted dog. Your dog needs a long walk as close to daily as possible. (I know on hot days or in bitter cold this is difficult, but a game of indoor fetch and hide-and-seek-come helps on inclement days.) This will not solve the separation anxiety, but it lowers on your dog’s nervous energy level.

Confinement will minimize the mess you must clean up when you get home. It will also prevent injury. However, it is not a cure. If your dog used a crate as a puppy, he will remember that and most likely handle it well. If he was never crated, he may urinate, defecate, or even injure himself in attempts to escape. It is advisable to confine him to a smaller area in the house, and a room with a window he can look out may help distract him from his anxiety. Leave ‘busy’ toys around for him. Some of those Kong toys that you place treats or peanut butter in might help.

I know this is difficult, but, when you walk in the house and see the mess is not the time for punishment. Your dog knows he made the mess and shouldn’t have. Greet him calmly when you enter. Then walk to the mess and clean it up. He will probably watch from the other side of the room. You may tell him you are not happy, but yelling, hitting, venting your fury will probably increase his anxiety when you go away rather than improve it.

Sometimes a radio playing in the background cuts down on noises that make the dog bark. But remember your dog’s anxiety comes from being separated from you. It will take some time to address.

Speak with the veterinarian about his or her opinion of over-the-counter or herbal medications that may reduce your dog’s anxiety as you work through this behavior. And stay tuned in a few days for part two.

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