Ask A Dog Trainer: What do I do if my dog is afraid of thunderstorms?

Q: What do I do if my dog is afraid of thunderstorms?

A: Dogs are understandably afraid of thunderstorms. Their survival instinct kicks in and they often go looking for the safest place they can find to wait the storm out. However, many times our interaction with the dog during their psychological process of waiting the storm out can have a traumatic impact on their future behavior.

Here's the biggest takeaway from this video: every time you give your dog affection, you are reinforcing their current state of mind. So if your dog is displaying anxiety or fear and at the same time you're consoling them, basically what you're saying is, "yes, this is the right time to freak out. Keep it up!"

What I recommend doing instead is first: remain calm. They will look to you and feed off of your energy for how they should be feeling in the moment. You may need to leash your dog up, have them lay down at your heel, and simply sit there and remain calm the entire time.

This informs them that nothing bad is going to happen, you're near them and they are therefore safe, and that this is not something that they need to freak out about.

Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I help my rescue dog come out of their shell?

Q: How do I help my rescue dog come out of their shell?

A: Our natural tendency is to first feel really sorry for the rescue dog and for their past.

Discipline vs Punishment

Have you ever come home to the terrible stench of the potty mess your dog made? Were you tempted to lead them over the the scene of the crime and give them a finger pointing pep talk on why they were a very bad dog? Did you later realize that all this seems to do is make your dog feel guilty and not know why? You're not alone!

Ask A Dog Trainer: What do I do if my dog growls at visitors?

Q: What do I do if my dog growls at visitors?

A: There are many reasons why a dog would growl, but most likely, it's because they're unsure of the situation or the person and they're vocalizing their discomfort and disapproval.

Your Dog Can Read Your Mind

Dogs have some amazing capabilities. Between being man's best friend and fulfilling numerous life defying jobs such as search and rescue, arsenal and bomb detection, seizure alert and assisting the handicapped, they truly are remarkable animals. It's little wonder why we feel like they can read our minds or understand the entire language we speak.

Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I teach my puppy what they can and can't chew on?

Q: How do I teach my puppy what they can and can't chew on?

A: Teaching a puppy what they can and can't chew on is simple: always reward them with, "yes!" or, "good choice!" when they choose the correct toy to chew on, and always correct them with, "no!" or, "ehp!" when they choose the wrong toy to chew on.

Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I stop food possession?

Q: How do I stop food possession?

A: Food is a ritualistic experience for dogs, they're driven by their stomachs, and food is a very strong influence over their psychology. Therefore, it's very important that we control the process of how and when they eat.

Your Dog Is Waiting On You For Their Job Description

"What are you thinking?" you wonder, while those big brown eyes are looking up at you, furry tail thumping against your ankle. It seems that dogs can hold all kinds of commands and memories in their heads, so what are they asking for when they look up to us with those eager eyes? They are asking for a job description.

Ask A Dog Trainer: How do I know if my dog is getting enough exercise?

Q: How do I know if my dog is getting enough exercise?

A: You will know when your dog is getting enough exercise when they voluntarily chill themselves out after a long walk. Depending on how long it takes them to recover from the walk, you'll know how many more walks they can handle per day. In my experience, every single dog needs at least one hour of exercise per day.

Ask A Dog Trainer: Should I allow my dog to sleep in my bed with me?

Q: Should I allow my dog to sleep in my bed with me?

A: In my experience, allowing your dog to sleep in your bed with you is a very unwise decision if you want your dog to be psychologically healthy. Dogs are, to varying degrees, dominant or submissive but anytime you allow your dog to sleep in your bed with you, they instantly view themselves either as equal or as more dominant than you.

Ask A Dog Trainer: What does a healthy schedule for my dog consist of?

Q: What does a healthy schedule for my dog consist of?

A: In my experience, a healthy schedule for your dog consists of daily exercise, discipline and affection in that order.

The Case For And Against The Wolf

Dogs have a very beautiful history. Originally descending from the wolf, today’s modern dog looks in a myriad of ways very like and very unlike their ancestors. We see their survival instincts kick in during moments of need, their pack pecking order instincts being asserted and reasserted on a daily basis, and the strikingly beautiful features carried down through the generations.