Doggy Dan Podcast Show

Mouthing in nature In nature it's so natural for puppies to mouth their siblings. They understand exactly what's acceptable and what's not. When they're living with us however we often struggle to come to terms with what is okay and what's not. I sometimes find myself working with people whose homes have been turned into fish bowls where their puppy is like a piranha fish trying to bite anything that moves. Listen to the podcast In this free podcast I cover off 3 key topics on How to stop puppy biting and mouthing.   1. How Biting & Mouthing works in nature Here we take a look at how it all works in nature and why we are making things hard for ourselves with some very old school training methods. If you have a young puppy then you may well discover that you have been told to set your puppy up to fail without even realising it. 2. Summary of the solution The thing about stopping puppies biting and mouthing is that it's actually very simple when you know how. There is no need for screaming and shouting and certainly no need for tapping or smacking your puppy. In fact these things will often only make things worth. A calm approach with a simple yet effective consequence if they continue is all you need. 3. Why things go wrong Here I cover off some of the most common reasons why things go wrong and explain exactly what to do to turn it around, including the missing piece of the jigsaw... The one thing that every puppy owner needs to do to put an end, quickly and easily, to all that biting and mouthing. Understand the real battle that's taking place As well as covering off all the practical steps we need to take, we also take a more in depth look at why we're really running into trouble. For example we look at how a mother dog works patiently with her pups, putting up with so much hassle, however when she draws the line in the sand and says that's enough, the pups will respect her and stop. So the question has to be asked “Why do our puppies fight back so hard?”, and the answer may surprise you! Q & A and more help if you need it At the end of the podcast I answer a selection of your questions and show you where you get a whole load more information on stopping this and many other issues if you want more help. Of course this puppy problem is completely covered off in my video training website, theonlinedogtrainer.com. If you’re struggling with puppy mouthing and biting or have an older puppy or dog and are in trouble then help is here, enjoy the podcast! Have a great training day, and as always, love your dog ☺ Thanks for Listening!  

If you have a new puppy or you’re struggling with an older puppy, run puppy training classes or you just love dogs, then you’ll love this podcast. It’s all about a refreshing new approach to puppy training. Taking a stand Now a little word of warning… I’ve decided to make a splash and be just a tad controversial, so please be open-minded as you listen. Hey, they say that in life you either fit into the current mold and go with the flow, or do something different and make a change. And I decided a long time ago that I could certainly improve the world of dog and puppy training. So this recording should shake up the ‘puppy-school’ industry a little (who knows… maybe a lot!). Why Puppy School needs to change As soon as I finished the podcast, two things happened that really made me smile. Firstly, I received a phone call from a lady enquiring about my puppy training consultations. She needed some way of controlling her new puppy and explained how she’d already attended 4 puppy classes for $120, however it hadn’t been very helpful. Well as you can imagine, I was intrigued. “What did you learn?” I asked her very innocently. There was a long pause, I could almost hear her thinking, then she replied (rather unsure)… “Well, they taught us about the importance of vaccinations, worming and flea treatments… Oh and we learnt how to do a sit.” I secretly smiled to myself. I’d heard this so many times before. Then within a couple of minutes I received an email from another lady. Here are her exact words.   “Hi Dan,We have two small dogs that we adopted from the pound 4 years ago (we think they are Powder Puffs crossed with Maltese). We’ve had problems from the start that puppy training school didn’t help with.” I stopped and thought “So this lady has endured 4 years of problems that should have been addressed when they were puppies. What are they teaching at these so-called puppy schools? More to the point, what aren’t they teaching?” So this issue is something I feel strongly about, and why I’ve taken a certain stance on it. As you can imagine, I was really pleased that I’d just completed this podcast; finally here’s something useful you can actually learn in your puppy training. So what’s covered off? Well without going into it too much, I’ve broken the podcast down into 4 topics: Topic 1 – The problem with most puppy classesTopic 2 – The “Secret to having an amazing puppy” training that should be taught but never isTopic 3 – The importance of socializing and optionsTopic 4 – A complete puppy training program that’s available to everyone Get started now Ok… so if you want to save heaps of money, stress and time then turn up the volume and get ready to find out how to get your puppy off to the perfect start. The alternative is to check out my puppy training program on The Online Dog Trainer where you get to watch everything I do on video. There’s also a weekly video diary of the raising of my puppy, Moses, so you get to see all the steps involved in how to bring up the dog you’ve always wanted. Check it out here: theonlinedogtrainer.com Have a great training day, and as always, love your dog 

When the walk becomes dangerous… Taking your dog for a walk is supposed to be one of those pleasant experiences; relaxing, enjoyable and memorable. However for many people it’s memorable for all the wrong reasons! Dragged down the street, pulled off your feet, arm yanked out of its socket, damaged wrists and a lot of stress. It can actually be quite frustrating to see other dog owners with their dogs walking nicely beside them off leash. One lady I worked with told me about her how she had just bought a coffee to enjoy whilst walking her two black Labradors, when they spotted another dog and charged towards it. She ended up clinging to a lamppost, arms and legs wrapped around it, coffee in one hand and two dogs in the other! That was the final straw… She called me for help as soon as she made it home. So how do you go from this crazy situation where your dog is out of control from the very start to having a nice calm walk? When it comes to leash training your dog when its too excited to walk, you have to start right at the beginning. A totally different approach In this podcast I explain a technique that I suggest only dog owners with the most energetic dogs need to apply. For most of us this method is not necessary. Becoming the pack leader and waiting for your dog to calm down at every stage of preparing for the walk will be enough to regain control as you leave the house.   Taking the top off the dog’s energy first In maybe 1-in-20 difficult dogs who pull on the lead, I will apply this method of draining some of the dog’s energy before attempting to get them under control. Many of these dogs have not been for a walk for a long time as it’s become too stressful and dangerous for the owners, the dog and the public. The approach I explain in the podcast is simple but it needs to be done correctly or you’ll get nowhere fast because it’s very subtle, and it’s easy to miss the whole point. Here’s the general idea of what we’re doing. The standard approach Let me first summarize the standard approach to calming your dog down before the walk. Usually when we’re training our dogs to stay calm and walk nicely on the leash, we only continue with the walk if your dog is calm. So we would only progress through the door if your dog has calmed down to a reasonable level. Then we would only progress down the garden path if your dog is still calm. Simple enough?   However with a very small number of dogs, this is never going to happen! Some dogs are just so super-charged up, due to their age, character, lack of exercise, breed, situation and many other factors, that it’s almost impossible for them to calm down before we take the top off their energy. Breaking old habits and creating new ones This approach looks at taking them for a good run at the park. The clever and very subtle part is how we take advantage of our tired out dog when we return home and immediately put in place some brand new habits! Breaking old habits and forming new ones, new associations and new ways of behaving is half the battle. Once you get started it’s so much easier to keep improving. If you love learning about dog training or you have a super-charged dog… enjoy the podcast ☺ To take a look at my complete dog training package click here. Have a great training day, and as always, love your dog.

In this FREE podcast we take a look at one of the most basic of all commands. Something that's surely so natural for a dog… but sadly for many people it isn't. So simple in theory The recall, as I like to call it, is all about getting your dog to return to your side. And in theory it's so simple. You call your dog and they come running towards you wagging their tail. Yet in reality so many people struggle with this. Unfortunately it results in dogs being walked only on by leash their entire lives, or worse still, they aren’t walked at all for fear of them never coming back. The Frustration You’ve probably seen it dozens of times. A frustrated dog owner slowly asking, then calling, then shouting for their dog to come as the dog carries on running around in circles having the time of their life. It can be amusing to watch but so annoying when its happening to you. Sometimes it can be far more subtle… your dog stands just out of reach, refusing to come, or running around just out of your grasp. It can all be so frustrating. Is recall really that hard? So is recall a tricky exercise to master? Something that only a few owners will be able to achieve at any high level? Or is there something that we're missing? The truth is recall is one of the most natural commands for almost any dog, and so simple to train when you know how. In this podcast I explain why it's such a natural action for dogs and why it actually works WITH their nature. 6 Keys to a successful recall Then I’ll walk you through 6 of the most powerful ways to turn your recall around, and get your dog running back to you every time you call them. We cover off… The Contract: This is where it all starts to go wrong. When you call your dog what do they think is going to happen? Most likely your dog is thinking “OK so they want to put me on the leash.” Rewards: Most people have either stopped rewarding their dog completely or are using rewards but not in a smart way. Understanding how to use the three types of rewards is key. Control of your environment: What do you do when your dog doesn’t come when called? And how to prevent it in the first place. Your body language: We take a look at how your body language, movement, stance and voice can all determine whether your dog comes or not when called. Pack Leader: Dogs will listen and follow the commands of pack leaders far more than those they see as below them in the pack. Frequency: The overuse of recall is one of the biggest reasons it fails. Knowing when and how often to call your dog is key. More recall training resources Often putting in place just a few of the suggestions in the podcast can turn around your recall. Sometimes in a very short time. For those of you who are looking to perfect your technique, take it to another level or have a particularly tricky dog, I also explain where you can get a heap more information including another audio from myself with loads more tips on this topic. For my complete dog training video program including audios and videos on the recall and how to train your dog to come every time, take a look at The Online Dog Trainer. What's your recall like? Tell me in the comments section below just how frustrating your recall is right now... I'd love to know, and offer some help! Have a great training day, and as always, love your dog.

In life you can accept what the norm is and go with the flow, or you can decide to do things differently. I feel that the dog and puppy training world needs a real shake up. There are so many accepted practices and beliefs that don’t really make any sense and need to be put into perspective. All of this is based on my experience of working with thousands of dogs… and this is what I’ve learnt from them. This is what I’ve seen and what they’ve shown me. Myth No.1: Dog training takes lots of time - Sadly some people spend years trying to get their dogs under control. However when you know what to do, dog training is simple, fun, straight forward and you can have a different dog often in just a matter of days… Myth No.2: Dogs will only have one pack leader in the home - Wrong. Dogs are happy to have more than one pack leader. If you are a family with many people in the home you really want your dog to respect everyone, not just one person. Myth No.3 Attending puppy school is imperative - Not so. There are thousands of people who attend puppy school and end up with serious behavioral issues. Many puppy schools do not provide the important information owners need such as how to establish yourself as the pack leader. Too much focus is put on learning a ‘sit’ and a ‘down!’ Socializing is an important aspect of puppy training however it can be achieved in many different ways for free. Myth No.4: Quality dog training is expensive - Not so. Most dog and puppy training is expensive for what you actually get. At the end of the training people seem to have learnt very little. When you know where to go you can get excellent information at a fraction of the cost. For a complete solution to puppy training and dog training have a look at my Online Dog Training resource. Myth No.5: You can train a dog using only positive reinforcement - No, but it sounds good. Very few dogs are just so perfectly behaved from puppy through to being an adult dog that they only need positive encouragement. Like children, most dogs also need to be guided, redirected, stopped, and sometimes shown that some behaviors are unacceptable. Myth No.6: You should never use food treats - Nope. Food treats have their place in dog training and great dog trainers know when and how to use them. Using food treats with a dog or puppy is just like rewarding your children for excellent behavior and it goes a long way to reinforcing that behavior. Myth No.7: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks - Oh yes you can! Many of the dogs that I work with are around a year old. A smaller percentage of them are much older, around 10 years old, and they can all change their behavior. Of course prevention is better than cure, but it’s never too late when you understand what’s going on. Myth No.8: Hard work and practice is all you need - Nope. Sometimes hard work and lots of practice is not enough. You need to actually change what you’re doing and try something else. The definition of insanity is to do the same thing and expect a different result. If it’s not working, you have to try a different approach. Myth No.9: Little dogs are easier to train than big dogs - Not always! Sometimes bigger dogs are calmer and easier, and sometimes little dogs are incredibly difficult. Of course the opposite can also be true. Just like with people, you can’t generalize all big people as being a certain way and all little people being another! Myth No.10: Most dogs causing trouble are stupid - Oh no they are not! In fact very often the dogs that cause trouble are the really clever, intelligent dogs who would naturally become the pack leaders in the wild. Dogs who challenge you are usually not that impressed with your performance and actions and are looking for you to step up to the mark! To step up to the mark and become the amazing pack leader that your dog is waiting for join my Online Dog Training program. Have a great training day, and as always, love your dog

Ever wondered why on earth a dog would bite their owner? Or maybe your question is even closer to home such as “why did my dog bite ME?” Why did they do it? Was it random? Have they tasted blood? Is this the end? Can anyone help now? Is it too late? When dogs bite it can all be extremely stressful for all involved. The good news is that there is a solution and it’s not rocket science. When Dogs Bite Their Owners... That’s what this podcast is all about. By the end you will have a completely different understanding of what is going on. Your dog’s behavior will make so much more sense to you and you’ll see that they’re not being completely random. They are simply following the rules of being a dog. Winning is easy The great news is that there’s actually so much that we can do to help set them up to win. Then there’s far less chance of any accidents ever occurring again. There’s nothing worse than living in fear of your dog. Worried that they may bite you or a family member. If you have young children and a dog then understanding what is going on is crucial if you are wanting to avoid the unthinkable from happening. Sadly when dogs do bite, everyone suffers. The person or child who was bitten suffers pain, your dogs life often takes a turn for the worse without them really understanding why and the relationship that you have with your dog takes a dive… The crazy thing is that it does not have to be this way. In fact dogs biting owners is one of the easiest problems to solve, or even better, avoid! A summary of what we cover off in the podcast 1. Firstly we look at the most common reasons that dogs bite owners: Food, and the danger of not understanding it Unhappy with your behavior. When you misbehave in your dog's eyes! Deflected aggression. Why getting involved when your dog is stressed can result in you getting bitten Space invading. What it means when you invade your dog's space 2. Secondly we take a look at how dogs behave in the wild regarding these topics as it helps us understand how they naturally behave. 3. Thirdly I explain why we need to avoid the lethal combination of mixing children, food and dogs together and why it so often results in accidents. 4. Fourthly we go through one life saving rule. It's very simple and if it's put into place your chances of not being bitten increase dramatically. I call this Part One of the solution. 5. And then lastly I explain how the real solution lies in understanding how to make your dog more tolerant. As with people, the more relaxed, calm and tolerant they are the less chance there is of them snapping. So there you go, get stuck into it and enjoy the podcast. To say thanks for for your time, click here to get five of my free dog training videos. If you enjoyed this session… Please share it! All you have to do is click one of the social sharing buttons on the left. Thank you so much for your support! Oh, and don’t forget to leave a rating or review in iTunes! It just takes a second and you can help the show increase its rankings on iTunes just by this simple gesture. Have a great day and as always, love your dog

In this podcast we look at the amazing topic of how to use food correctly when training your dog. If you have ever wondered whether or not you are using it correctly and making the most out of it, then this podcast will answer all those questions. Many people are using food when there’s absolutely no need for it, others are making things more complicated by using it, and some are not using it when it could really help with their training. It’s important to note that things in the dog training world have changed over time. Years ago, the use of food in training was absolutely unheard of. Now you will find some dog trainers shoving food into their dog’s mouths for doing virtually nothing. So if you find yourself confused, hoping that maybe there’s a middle ground that would make sense to you that has been overlooked then I think you will enjoy what I have to say. Here is a summary of what we go through in the podcast: How To Use Food In Your Dog Training 1. Why you should use food Food is like money to a dog… for many dogs it’s their training currency. There are some behavioral issues that can be fixed in an instant with food. I answer some of the key questions such as shouldn’t dogs just do as you say without having to use food? 2. What are the exercises where we seriously consider using food? The use of food during the puppy training phase. How food can be used to help stop some behavioral issues. How to use food as a powerful distraction. 3. When not to use food Why using food treats will never replace dog psychology. Why using food treats is only a part of the solution. The danger of not using treats wisely (when your dog outwits you!). How treats can actually encourage the behavioral issues you are trying to extinguish when they are used at the wrong time. 4. Seeing food through your dogs eyes Not all food is created equal. The $1 million pay cheque. My dog’s absolute top shelf favorite treat. I answer the question “What is more appealing to a food orientated dog than a sausage”. We finish of the podcast with whole bunch of tips and tricks all related to the use of food, that will help you and your dog get the most out of every little morsel that they eat! By the end of the podcast you will see food in a completely different light and understand what great dog trainers have learnt. That food used correctly is a very powerful tool. Simply throwing a bowl of food down in front of your dog each morning without a second thought will become a thing of the past! So enjoy the podcast, and let me know what you think. Thanks for reading, have a great day and as always, love your dog.

This post will give you an overview of what’s included in this episode: Barking When Left Alone. If you have a dog that's barking and barking every time you leave the house, then this is for you… But if your pooch is calm when you're out, then please, in the comment section below, tell me what issues you’d like me to cover in future episodes. Alternatively if you have a dog or puppy and want help with other problems or you need some dog training, then go straight to my video website and watch over 250 of my training videos at The Online Dog Trainer - try it all for just a $1! Helping dogs who bark when they are left at home alone. So what’s in this podcast? Well let me explain: Understanding the cause The first thing that I help explain is the reason behind why most dogs are barking when they are left. Very often we assume or think that it is our dogs way of showing us that they are bored, or just being naughty however this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact a good way to test out the bored theory is to ask yourself if your dog is bored when you are at home… If they are calm and relaxed most of the day then the chances are that your dog is not simply bored! (And dogs are not naughty for the fun of it – so that rules that out). The two main causes In fact the two main scenarios that cause your dog to bark are trigger barking and separation anxiety. They are very different scenarios. Trigger barking is where something sets your dog off and your dog simply does not stop. They are stressed and just keep on going. Whereas separation anxiety doesn’t need a trigger to get your dog barking, they simply become stressed when you leave and bark continuously. Inside the podcast I help explain fully what is going on in these two situations and explain what the solution is. Other techniques There are so many approaches to solving barking but most of them do not go to the root cause of the problem. In some situations they can certainly help and are worth trying however I would recommend only in conjunction with the basic solution that I have put together. On their own they are very unlikely to work. We cover all the home alone barking issues Here is a short list of some of the other things that we also discuss which impact your dog's barking when they're alone… Exercise – does it help, is it the solution? The Environment – the impact that making your dog comfortable can have Herbal remedies vs drugs – would I recommend them? Music, TV – whether it can help your dog Inside vs outside – where is best for your dog Large area or small – what will work best Why harsh methods that just try to “stop the barking” are missing the point As you can see it is an action packed podcast. At the end of it you will see barking dogs in a fresh new light and you will see that stopping barking dogs even when you are not at home is not complicated – you just need to know how :) and hopefully your neighbours will love you even more! Dogs are beautiful and amazing creatures. They deserve to be treated and understood for what they are. This podcast is all committed to us understanding them and helping them better. Getting it right So if you are wondering how to stop your dogs barking when they are left at home alone then you have found the right place. First listen to my free podcast and if you enjoy it and it all makes sense then I’d suggest you get straight onto solving the cause of the problem by checking out my video website The Online Dog Trainer - there's a whole section on Barking with loads of videos of me dealing with the problem in other people's homes, and specifically, videos on Barking When Left Alone.  Join here: The Online Dog Trainer (for over 300+ detailed, step-by-step videos covering every issue of dog training, including The 5 Golden Rules of being the Pack Leader)

Listen to the Doggy Dan Podcast Show No.5 by using the player above, or subscribing to iTunes and listening on your mobile device. This post will give you an overview of what’s included in this episode: Socializing a new puppy. If you have a new puppy and want to understand what socializing is all about and why it’s so important then you’ve come to the right place… If you don’t have a puppy, or yours is already socialized properly, then please, in the comment section below, tell me what issues you’d like me to cover in future episodes. Alternatively if you have a puppy and want help with other puppy problems or dog training you can go straight to my video website for help and watch my training videos at The Online Dog Trainer - over 300 videos for just a $1 trial! Why, when, where and how should we socialize your puppy? Inside the podcast I cover off these important questions:  Why Socializing your puppy is one of the most important activities that you can do. It allows them to experience a whole variety of different dogs at an age where they are most tolerant and submissive. Inside the podcast I help you see the whole experience through your dogs eyes so that they have the best experience possible when socializing. Think of it like taking a child to childcare when they are young. It is important that they learn how to behave around many children. This is not to say that they have to be best mates with everyone!  When Timing is crucial when it comes to socializing. If you leave it too late then you can really run into trouble. Often you will find yourself balancing advice from your vets that you need to wait for more vaccinations before you socialize your puppy. Inside the podcast I talk through how I would weigh up these two important pieces of information and come to a decision.  Where There are many different ways to socialize your puppy, one solution does not suit everyone. You can take your puppy to pre-puppy training, puppy training, doggy day care, the vet, or the park. Many people choose to do the socialization themselves and do a great job. Inside the podcast I point out the benefits and downsides of each option and leave you to decide what suits you best since there is no one way to go about socializing. Do-it-yourself is a perfectly good option when you do it correctly. How The most important part is knowing how to actually socialize your puppy in a way that will ensure that they have a good experience and can take that into the next doggy meet and greet. Knowing when and how to step-in to stop overly excited play and when to leave your puppy is crucial to helping set boundaries for your new puppy. Getting this wrong can make the situation worse and create a mountain out of a mole-hill! The three C’s to socializing  I also cover off three important aspects to socializing: Calm – how to maintain a calm situation and how it affects your puppies experience. Control – why you need to be in control of your puppy and a simple way to achieve this Choose – the importance of selecting the right dogs or puppies to socialize with and why older dogs are so important. As you can see there is a massive amount of tips and advice inside the podcast helping you to get this crucial aspect of your puppy training right, first time.  Some classics mistakes to avoid  To ensure your success I have decided it makes sense to alert you to some of the biggest mistakes that people make when socializing their puppy and how to avoid them. So often people only find out about these things when the opportunity has passed them by. Sometimes just a little bit of knowledge can make a big difference. So if you really want to end up with a dog friendly, well behaved, dog-sociable-dog then make sure you are aware of:  The most common error that people make when socializing their puppy The biggest reason that socializing goes wrong and does not work What you need to do to ensure that your puppy stays friendly with dogs as they grow up. There you go! If you have a new puppy then I suggest that you listen to the podcast and enjoy learning about why, when, where and how to socialize your puppy and the mistakes to avoid so that you end up with the dog of your dreams. And remember, for those of you after immediate help with your puppy training, check out my video website The Online Dog Trainer – you’ll also get access to Project Moses, the 8 week–1 year video diary of me raising my puppy, Moses (over 30 videos). And to say thanks for reading this post, I'm giving you free access to 5 videos from my training website. Grab them now: Get your free videos. All the best, and enjoy the socializing - it's so much fun!

The Doggy Dan Podcast Show No.4 is available now. This blog will give you an overview of what is included in the podcast: Excited and aggressive dog greetings. (If you are not needing help with this topic then don’t worry, the topic you want is coming soon… just leave me a comment and let me know what you'd like me to cover, OK? Alternatively you can go straight to my video website to watch ALL my training videos, over 300, at The Online Dog Trainer - all for just $1!) So what's in this podcast… This podcast looks at the very common issue of dogs meeting other dogs on the walk and being so excited barking, pulling and jumping that their behaviour looks anything but friendly. Very often there has been no aggression but your gut instinct tells you that all is not well and it would be wise to nip the behaviour in the bud. I couldn’t agree more. Prevention is better than cure and that's what this podcast is all about. But first to that question… Excitement or Aggression? “So is my dog being aggressive or are they just excited?” This is the big question that many people are asking themselves, (and often me) as their dogs race up bounding and barking at dogs that they meet. The answer is not simply one or the other, and in most cases I would suggest it is a bit of both. As I explain in the podcast the more excited your dog is the more chance that their behaviour may be interpreted at aggressive or threatening and so the calmer your dog is the better your chances of a calm encounter. What should I do when my dog is pulling and lunging Inside the podcast I go through in detail your three options... Walk away – if your dog is way too excited Let them meet – if your dog is calmer than usual Calming your dog down, then make a decision – this is where the training comes in It may sound a bit obvious but having those three options clear in your mind will give you some immediate direction as you approach a dog. Knowing what your options are helps you to select the right one which in turn will help you to achieve your goal. An amazing journey for answers I also look at one lady's quest to solve her dog's over-excited barking towards other dogs and how 4 different trainers had given 4 completely different solutions to this issue, none of which have brought her any joy. We look briefly at some of the unsuccessful approaches she has tried, what she has learnt from the 35 dog training books she has read and the fascinating insights that she has gained. This podcast is dedicated to her commitment to finding an answer! Calming your dog down The real key to success is understanding how to calm your dog down. Inside the podcast I explain how the following areas will help you achieve this. Practical tools and techniques – some of the methods that I use everyday for calming your dog down that are especially useful on the walk and at the park How being the pack leader at home will result in a completely different dog at the park (calmer!) The trick of calming an over excited dog and what you are trying to achieve when you are training them to be calm. (this is a very subtle point but is crucial for success and often overlooked.) So if you are are wondering how to interpret and alter your dogs behavior as they approach other dogs then you have found the place. First listen to my free podcast and if you enjoy it and it all makes sense then I’d suggest you get straight onto solving the cause of the problem by checking out my video website theonlinedogtrainer.com All the best, and enjoy your walks!

Dogs fighting in the same house One of the strangest things about this topic from our human point of view is that it often seems to be for absolutely no reason at all. Your dogs may have lived together for many years, happy and content. Then over a period that could be days or months, the aggression has begun. Very often it seems to be started by one dog more than the other. It can be extremely confusing why it is happening which is why stopping it can be virtually impossible unless you really understand what is going on. One thing is for sure. All the training in the world is not going to stop your dogs fighting. No amount of puppy training, dog obedience or advanced dog obedience is going to prepare you for what you need in this situation…very likely your dogs attended and passed all these classes. What is required is a certain amount of dog psychology. And that is where I can help. The real cause of the problem Dogs are pack animals, with leaders and followers. Fighting between dogs is almost always very closely if not completely linked to a fight to become the pack leader. In my experience the overwhelming factor in stopping dogs from attacking each other is implementing a clear leadership program. This is where both dogs are shown that they are the followers and that you as the human shall decide who does what, where and when. This may sound tough but in fact it is a very gentle approach to calming dogs down. Once your dogs know that they are not in charge many will simply calm down and live harmoniously with the other dogs in the house. Inside my video website I show you a comprehensive program to becoming the pack leader, just like I would show you during a consultation. This is the key to your solution. Managing your dogs and their needs As well as becoming the pack leader to your dogs it is important that you cover off a number of other important aspects when bringing them back together. Managing the environment is key especially in the early stages this could mean keeping your dogs apart when you are not around and using a crate or a baby gate to manage the introductions. Monitoring your dogs’ energy is crucial to succeeding. Sometimes they will be more relaxed and ready to be together than others. It is up to you to use common sense and pick suitable times to put your dogs together. Exercise will tire your dogs out and generally calm them down. If you have high energy dogs especially you will need to put in place a structured exercise plan so that your dogs energy does not build up leading to frustration and then aggression. Built up energy has to go somewhere. Understanding how everyone’s actions that live in the house have a huge impact on how the dogs will behave. Inside the podcast I have included lots of tips and helpful advice inside the podcast about helping dogs fighting in the same house. Here are a just a few of the topics I have covered off Understanding why it happens from your dogs’ point of view! The importance of staying calm yourself Keeping control of your environment Removing all the triggers and learning to recognise what they are The use of muzzles Why your dog being the pack leader can cause fights If you are stuck in a situation where your dogs are fighting then rest assured that this method works. So enjoy the podcast, and congratulations on finding the answer to your problem. And remember, for those of you after immediate help with your dog training, check out my video website theonlinedogtrainer.com All the best, and happy Holidays!

Traditional toilet training Toilet training is a funny thing in that there are two completely different issues to understand. Firstly there are those puppies (and sometimes dogs) who simply need some help in the area of being reminded where we would like them to go pee pee and poo poo, (this is what we commonly know as toilet training). Read more about it and watch the videos on this free Video Course here: Puppy Potty Training. This issue is usually quite straightforward to solve, however there is often a lot of patience involved. But it has very little, if anything, to do with being the pack leader. Toilet training as a behavioural issue Dogs are pack animals and when a dog believes that they are the pack leader a whole host of issues can arise surrounding the area of toileting. Often a dog will have been toileting very happily for several years when suddenly you return to a very large poo in the middle of the carpet and it is completely out of character. This is what I would call a behavioural issue surrounding mixed messages about being the pack leader. Here is a list of just a few of the signs that suggests that your dog is in need of something other than more basic toilet training: Toileting in the house when you leave (even if it is for a short period) Marking your possessions such as shoes, bed, the children’s clothes Urinating outside then coming inside and finishing off Finding poo or wee right in the middle of the room, almost like your dog is trying to tell you something When you get these sorts of issues, no amount of training is going to sort things out. Rather you need to understand where your dog is coming from and why they are doing what they are doing. It’s about understanding what your dog is thinking and why. Then the solution will become obvious. Inside the podcast I have included lots of tips and help and advice about training puppies. Here are just a few of the topics I have touched on… Crate training Setting your puppy up to succeed Breaking old habits The feeding and watering routine The power of rewarding What to do if your puppy makes a mistake I think what I have to say will fascinate you even if you don’t have a dog or puppy with these issues. So enjoy the podcast and love your dog. And remember, for those of you after immediate help with your dog training, check out my video website www.theonlinedogtrainer.com. Good luck! Comment below and let me know how you get on.

1. Who is Doggy Dan? Who am I, what do I do, where have I come from and why am I so passionate about sharing my knowledge! If you have just stumbled across me then feel free to check out my other websites www.doggydan.co.nz (my New Zealand dog consult site) and www.theonlinedogtrainer.com (my international online dog training website). 2. So what’s so special about my method? When you understand how different this method is and how it approaches dog training from such a different angle compared to conventional “dog training” you will start to see why I love it so much. 3. The fun and games of a professional dog trainer So what do I really get up to on a day-to-day basis? What do I actually do during a consult and how does it work? I’ll cover that off so you know how and why I get to deal with so many dog owners with so many problematic dogs of all breeds and sizes. 4. This method can help YOU today Whatever your situation I believe that you will find a way to help your dog and improve your situation. I have worked with many people who were about to give up, having tried what they thought was everything. Hope is a good thing… possibly the best of things. 5. The future of dog training is here… When you see how powerful some of the basic principles are in my method you really begin to wonder how long will it be before everyone starts to implement it under some version or another! My promise to you This method uses what I call the Laws of the Universe. So many of the teachings and basic learnings that have proven to be so powerful (such as how to diffuse potentially explosive situations with my two children!) that I have employed many of them in more than just my dog training. As a parent I have found much of this dog training method invaluable in becoming a calm, gentle pack leader for my children. On the 3rd May 2013 the largest book publisher in the world will publish my first book called “What The Dogs Taught Me About Being A Parent”, so look out for that. I’ll be in touch with links on where to get it, for the best price. When you put in place some of the principles that this method is based on, your life will change forever. This podcast is only the beginning. Questions or Feedback? Leave Me a Message! If you have a question you’d potentially like answered on the show, or just feedback in general (constructive criticism and praise is absolutely welcome!), feel free to quickly and easily leave a comment below. And, please Thank you again for your support, and I wish you all the best!

This first show is about something that many of you (and a number of parenting organizations) have requested information about. Bringing home a new baby is a wonderful experience although it can also be a stressful and testing time as you juggle to make everything flow smoothly for everyone in the family. This podcast provides you firstly with some solid advice in key areas to help you make the initial transition of a baby coming into the home a simple and relaxing experience. Then we look at how to ensure that long term your family unit includes your dog rather than pushing them away. Here are some of the things I’ve covered off… How to introduce your baby to your dog Some simple pieces of advice to ensure your baby's safety, Why taking your dog for a walk beforehand can make all the difference Understanding how you create the energy of the room Safety of babies around dogs Two of the most common reasons a dog will snap Why babies, food and dogs can be a dangerous combination Space invading toddlers and the importance of a doggy safe place Establishing rules Establish rules and boundaries for both your children and your dogs A few simple rules that will have a profound effect on your dog How you can use your pram or baby buggy to get your dog to heel :) Helping to establish a bond between your baby and dog How feeding time for your baby can become a time for you to relax with your dog The importance of staying calm when your baby is screaming Training your dog how to behave around a baby mat or blanket If you enjoy the podcast please point your friends, baby organizations and parenting classes this way… there are a lot of doggy-baby relationships that could benefit with some of this help. There's also more on the blog about this topic: Managing your dog with a new baby at home.

You'll discover: Why you need to become the Pack Leader Why you think you may be the Pack Leader but in your dog's eyes you are not. Who needs to become the Pack Leader How becoming the Pack Leader is going to help you Simple psychology To understand a dog you really need to know where they're coming from. Learning the 5 Golden Rules will teach you the psychology of dogs. What they think, what they see, and how you fit into their lives – which is very different to how we think we fit into theirs. Listen now I encourage everyone to listen to this podcast first, either here on this page by clicking the little play button above, or subscribing to iTunes and using your favourite podcasting app. If you already know the basics behind the Pack Leader mentality, then you can move on to Golden Rule No.1 and the rest which you'll find inside my membership website, theonlinedogtrainer.com. There you'll find videos and more audios covering every aspect of becoming the Pack Leader. I strongly encourage every dog owner, all over the world, to learn the Five Golden Rules.