Marthie has a 9 yr old Labrador that refuses to walk on his leash - can she still teach him to do so, or is it too late? Continue Reading

Today I’m focusing on the miracle Hearing Dogs for the Deaf  which many folks have heard of, but aren’t too sure what they actually do.

Seventeen years ago it was my goal to train hearing dogs for the deaf, but I was unable to source any information on how dogs were taught this phenomena. It was before personal computers, the internet and Google, and although I snail mailed begging overseas establishments for help, my requests were all ignored. Continue Reading

This little Yorkie keeps weeing in the house. How can his owner, Annette, put a stop to this bad behaviour? Continue Reading

Kath adopted a little puppy she found wandering the streets. From his behaviour, she feels as if he has been mistreated in the past, as he is terrified of loud noises and voices. How can she potty train her fearful puppy so that she does not have to raise her voice? Continue Reading

Every year hundreds of dogs lose their lives tragically by drowning, and more often than not,  in their own swimming pools or fish ponds. The most vulnerable are puppies and old dogs although many adult dogs also drown because they have never been taught pool sense. So here’s a lesson on how to pool proof your dog. Continue Reading

Hands up all those folks who have disobedient dogs?! I guess you’ll be looking for some help on how to train your naughty pooch, or maybe you’ve tried and he just doesn’t get it. Well, guess what, your dog does not understand a word you’re saying to him … unless of course you have a particularly dominant dog showing you the paw sign “Make me!”
And no, Poopsy doesn’t know he’s done wrong either. Oh yes, he always looks apologetic and very sorry for himself when you’re cross but he’s associating your response with unpleasant consequences. Continue Reading

So you have a dog which is no longer a pup? Well the good news is, yes, teaching an old dog new tricks is possible! For the school records, a pup is usually over 8 weeks and under seven months of age. Older dogs from 8 months to senior citizen will probably be placed in an Obedience Training program which is really not that much of a jump - it’s really because the Lighties can be intimidated by mature, uneducated dogs which are often boisterous and unruly. But as soon as these guys have learned a few new tricks and got the mothballs out of their ears, they are also allowed free-play which is always the highlight of the lesson. Continue Reading

Heres a story about Peanut the misbehaving sausage dog that proves behavioural therapy does work, even if it seems that mister dog is a lost cause:

“Please help me …” came the distraught voice over the phone “… the dog’s going in to be put down at 4pm this afternoon!’ I looked at my watch …3.30pm.
“Ok, Ma’am, just calm down and breathe … now slowly, tell me how I can help?”
Drowning in tears, the sainted lady told me that Peanut the dog had been evicted from three different homes because he was ’savaging’ people, dogs, cats and pet birds!  However, she felt he wasn’t really a bad dog but he’d just been dealt a bum hand.  “Oh, okay - what kind of dog is he?”
A sausage dog! Continue Reading

Alet needs some advice on controlling her new puppy’s unwanted behaviour - namely jumping up at visitors and “snacking” on the contents of the cat’s litter box. Continue Reading

I just got a dog for my son …  and I think it was a fair swop. Just joking! I wouldn’t swop my son for two German Shepherds, even if he would go, because he was the only kid on the block who could catch a ball in his mouth when he was three years old. But I must explain that before the authorities start jumping up and down and getting tense - it’s really nothing to worry about because my Border Collie at the time really wasn’t neglected … he also had a ball to play with. Seriously though, I happen to believe that there are many many similarities between raising children and raising pets. Continue Reading