Have any dog behavior questions? Ask our dog trainer!
Audrey A. Tucker was selected as the Ian Dunbar / APDT (Association of Pet
Dog Trainers) member of the year in 2003 from approximately 5,000 members
nationwide. She is also a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) through the
Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and a Certified Canine
Massage Therapist (CMT). She is a graduate of the American Institute for
Animal Science and a certified Canine Behavior Counselor (CBC).
Audrey is the owner of Pet Education and Therapy, LLC, providing behavior
modification, pet sitting, and training. She also provides all training
services for the Connecticut Humane Society. For group or private sessions or to schedule a seminar, contact Audrey at 860-667-2663 or
CreatureTeacher [at] PetEducationAndTherapy [dot] com
When I open the door, my dog Alana attacks her sisters. She had also had several accidents before, we have another yorkie too and 3 poodles. She doesn't mess with the poodles but likes to show them she commands and they must obey. She once left my other yorkie with blood and her collar in her mouth, what should I do about her? >> Read Answer
So, we took Matilda to training when we 1st got her ( she was almost 2) and was terrified of other dogs. And a couple months ago we started to take her to the dog park, she would just carefully sniff them and then chase them ( out of play) and now all she does is bark at them and try to attack them, but she seems fine with puppies ( even if it is like a puppy that is bigger then her, so it has nothing to do with size) she loves playing at the dog park but now we dont take her there anymore, is there anyway we can get her to stop doing this? >> Read Answer
Hi Katrina
I have a question about some weird behavior my dog has. He's a nice dog and behaves really nice; however he gets mad when he sees someone on a motorcycle! And two weeks ago he severely attacked my assistant. Since I have him, he knows her and they have a great relationship, but the other day while she was getting ready to leave on her bike, he got mad and started to bark a lot to the point of running towards her and bite her!.. it was really bad. He doesn't get like this around motorcycles but he does when people get on them. Why does he have such a weird behavior? And what can I do about it?? >> Read Answer
I can't take it anymore. I have a 12 week old pomeranian female that is a cujo. I got her at 7 weeks old and after one week with us and the other 3 dogs I have the devils child. She started out growling and tugging at our pants legs and biting our feet. Now she growls and bites when we pick her up, when she's in your arms, anytime. The only time she is nice is in the morning when we let her out of her crate or when we come home. I'm not talking a puppy playing and biting I'm talking mean mean. If my husband didn't just get layed off I would take her to puppy school but right now all I can do is get books and internet advice. I have tried positive training, trying to distract her when she is growling with toys, with giving kisses instead, and it doesn't stop. I have tried ignoring her and she doesn't care she just goes and bullies one of the other dogs. I have tried non positive training and it has made it worse. I put her on her back and held her til she calmed down, I tap her in the mouth and tell her no. All these methods have done is made her meaner. In the summer I will have kids in and out of my house and the last thing I need is a vicious dog. My 12 year old had a sleep over and the kids couldn't even play with her, she is only 12 weeks old and kids can't touch her. I'm affraid if I don't get this to stop I'll have to get rid of her and I really hate the thought of that. >> Read Answer
Hi Katrina I have a 3 year old GSD. He travels in a crate in a van. He accepts the crate very well. My problem is that when I close the door of the van he barks very loudly and has a look about him that he wants to "kill" that door! He is fine while we are travelling but as soon as we stop & I open the drivers door, he's at it again. Barking so loud that it's deafening. Apart from me wearing ear plugs is there anything that you can suggest.
The silly thing about it is he just loves to go out >> Read Answer
I have a problem with one of my dogs barking excessively. He is a very friendly and loving dog but is very needy when it comes to attention and he is very demanding when he wants something. Most of his barking is directed at me. He is very obedient when it comes to most other things and usually if I say NO that is all it takes for him to stop any unwanted behaviors. But with the barking he will just stop for a couple of seconds and start right back. His barking is very demanding. I'm sure my reaction doesn't help because I will either tell him to stop, which is giving him attention, or I will just try to figure out what he wants to make him stop. Also, my husband has been out of town for work a lot lately and this behavior seems to get much worse when his "Daddy" is gone. What advice do you have to stop this kind of behavior? Thank you! >> Read Answer
We recently moved into an apartment and we normally kennel her while we are away, our neighbor complain that she howls for an hour straight well we believe that we have corrected that problem our other concern is that every single noise she has to bark at rather its a bang from the neighbors, something out side like a car door shutting or someone throwing something in the dumpster or someone knocking on the door, my husband wants to get a no barking collar I oppose that and was wondering if there are any alternatives. thanks very much for any input. >> Read Answer
My friend is going to have a baby. For Christmas she wants to get a dog. I know some dogs are gentle but huge. She lives in an apartment. Is there really a best dog? >> Read Answer
If I get another puppy for my 1 year old will he be more focused on playing with the new puppy or will he still break things when I don't pay enough attention to him?
>> Read Answer
My dog hates cleaning. When we go to the cupboard to get out a rag or cleaning bottle, she barks, and attempts to take the stuff from us. In addition, she cannot stand vacuuming, sweeping, or using the swiffer! Our vacuum cleaner has numerous tooth marks in it. Other than this, she is a very good dog. She listens to everything, except when it comes to cleaning. I don't know what to do to make her stop attacking items associated with cleaning! Any suggestions? >> Read Answer
Hi Katrina,
Bubba, my 2-year old Chihuahua, is extremely scared of the vacuum. My husband says it's a natural because the hose of the vacuum is like a snake. He hides in another room or sits shaking in a corner, and won't go near any toys that are by the vacuum. We vacuum a lot, so I wish he wouldn't be so afraid. His little sister, BonBon, doesn't have this problem. Do you have any advice on how he can get better? Thank you! >> Read Answer
My Pup is quickly approaching adulthood and she is still a little afrad of meeting new dogs.
in particular, she gets tail-tucked around bigger dogs - nice and all.
she is fine chasing her adopted brother (a jack russell) around all day at the dog park we frequent.
what can i do to get her anxiety out? >> Read Answer
when ever they see a man they get scared. One will pittle right where she is and the other will get scared and try to walk away from me.
They are sweet dogs to me and everyone but I don't want them afraid ofsomeone who won't hurt them. >> Read Answer
I dont know what to do. My dog is afraid of the flash of the camera..and because it was one ONCE..she now always thinks its on. I am a huge photography fan and it gets really frustrating when she runs away or turns her head avoiding the camera! I cant get a good picture of her no matter how hard I try. Even with a treat above her head! >> Read Answer
My Dog Demon has a real problem with getting on the counter and pulling things off.. Now my female who knows better is doing it.. how do I stop this.?? They are also eating off my son's highchair tray .. real bad habits that need to stop. My female will only eat one certain kind of food. It has to be lil bits house from Purina I think.. but when we go somewhere else she is quick to eat the other dog's food no matter what the food is .. >> Read Answer
My dog Lucy is usually very sweet but when we try to take something away from her she growls and snaps. She is especially aggressive if it is a food item. Being a 4 month old puppy; she naturally wants to put her mouth on everything, but sometimes she gets ahold of something that could be potentially dangerous, like a chocolate candy wrapper. >> Read Answer
I have a nearly 6 month old Boston Terrier male pup that is totally crate
trained with no accidents, but when out of the cage stills have occasional
accidents- mostly poop. He is unpredictable about it and will wait until the moment you turn your head to do it. In a couple of months. we are moving to a brand new house we have built and I hope if we work really hard we can greatly reduce or eliminate these accidents. How can we get him to "tell"
if he needs to go out? Thanks!
>> Read Answer
My 6 yr. old pomeranian is fully housetrained and I am very grateful for that. However; I want to learn how I can train her to use the potty pad inside the house. She will be home alone for longer periods of time starting in a few months and I would hate for her to have to wait for me to return home to go outside. I have tried having her hold it in and persuade her to use the potty pad, but she has yet to use it. >> Read Answer
My 1yr. old dogs keep jumping on our kithcen counters...there is nothing on the counters!One day they jumped on the counter while I was makink dinner,they knocked all the glass dishes on the floor.It was a disater!!!!HELP!!! >> Read Answer
i have two male dogs..they are both very teritorial..if one pees somewhere in the house then the other one will right behind the first..or if they smell one dog then the other will pee there..is there anything i can do to stop this? please help! >> Read Answer
Hello Katrina
My dog was bit by other dog on his left paw a while ago, and even though he's already recovered, ever since that he seems to be kind of depressed, he seems to be "gone" most of the time. Is there any relation between these two? And what can I do? I'd love to get some tips. Thx in advance! >> Read Answer
I have always given my dog the once-a-month heartworm preventative pill. Is that ok? Should I keep doing it or what else do you recommend? >> Read Answer
I am getting a new puppy. I was thinking should I bring Cocoa, my other dog, with me when I go? I want to make sure they get along. The new pup will be a male Siberian Husky and Cocoa is a German Shepherd/Chow. >> Read Answer
I have got a question. My dog is sweet and well behaved but she will attack other dogs. When ever she sees a dog she will chase after it and start biting it.This is a big problem because my neighborhood is filled with dogs.What should I do. >> Read Answer
i dont kno if you can help me but i have this dog..when i got him i was told he was a rat terrior..i didnt think about what one really looked like until i started looking the breed up online..he doesnt look like one at all..he looks more like a yorkie or something but i dont kno..what should i do? do rat terriors have long hair?
shayelee >> Read Answer
i have a seven month old half malamute, half great pyrenees....he weighs 90 lbs. now & we've had a problem with him pawing, smacking us with his enormous paws. he's very friendly & lovable & he does this to get attention & to show affection. the problem is he's so big, & goin to get bigger, so this is a habit we need to get control of! can u please help!!! >> Read Answer
Hi Katrina Can you please give me some tips on how to cope with my dogs seperation anxiety? There are 5 other dogs along my dog but when we leave for extended periods of time we make sure those 5 dogs go into there cages or rooms, and since my dog is the newest to the house hold she really doesnt have a spot to relax in when we're gone so when we come back theres a mess; her toys everywhere, papers shreaded to pieces and stuff like that. I was just wondering if you could give me some tips?? >> Read Answer
My dog is almost 6 years old and still has a thing about chewing my bedsheets. Whenever she can she will bunch the sheets or comforter up in a ball & chew on them. I have holes in every set of sheets I own. Also every comforter has stuffing missing from it. How can I stop this behavior with her? >> Read Answer
My year old black lab is way too protective of her treats and on top of that she will steal the other dogs'. The other day she stole the chihuahuas treat so I grabbed her collar to put her in time out and she broke free and grabbed him by the neck and started shaking him. When I intervened she went for me. All over a treat. I debated taking her to the shelter, if she does it again she's gone. Is there anything I can do to prevent and fix this? It's ridiculous. >> Read Answer
Hi Audrey,
I have three small dogs: two Chihuahuas and one Xolo. When one of them does something naughty, I have been using Cesar Millan's "tsst" sound to get them to stop immediately, and so far this has been very helpful. But I am wondering what I am supposed to do if they are all together and only one of them is doing something naughty? I heard that it is bad to say "No" before the dog's name, but how can I make it clear to the dogs that only one of them is doing something naughty? Usually when they are up to no good, they are across the room and I cannot immediately address only one of them. Thank you for your help!
Amanda >> Read Answer
DISCAIMER
The advice offered by the Pikapet dog trainer is for
educational/entertainment purposes only and is not
intended as a substitute for the regular veterinary
care for your pet - provided only by a licensed
veterinarian through regular, routine office visits.
The Pikapet dog trainer does not provide advice or
consultation regarding immediate emergency attention.
If your pet has been in an accident, or is in
immediate medical need, you need to contact your
regular veterinarian or local animal hospital
immediately. All dogs with medical problems should be
seen in person by a veterinarian, as medical
conditions can only be diagnosed with a thorough
history, physical examination, and appropriate
diagnostic testing.
