Dogcharmer: A four-legged sentry
Dear Dogcharmer,
We have a 7-year-old toy poodle named Andy. We've had him since he was a puppy. He sleeps with us, and is a sweetheart in every way, except when he's eating. It started...
Dogcharmer: Four-legged poachers
Dear Dog Charmer,
My eight year old daughter Cloe and I got home from her soccer game where she scored two goals. As a celebration we came home with her favorite, bagels and cream cheese....
Dogcharmer: George won’t come when called
Dear Dogcharmer,
We have the cutest little Westy imaginable. His name is George. We got him when he was 3 months old. He's now 4½ months old, and hasn't come to us once when he's...
Dogcharmer: Is it just loud noises?
Dear Dogcharmer,
We recently adopted a mix named Sheila. She's about 2 years old, and acts normal most of the time. However, sometimes she just shuts down all of a sudden. She'll hide under a...
Dogcharmer: Conan’s not calm
Dear Dog Charmer,
Our dog Conan is a one-year-old German Shepherd who is very friendly with people and impossibly aggressive when it comes to other dogs. At 90 pounds, I can't hold him back any...
Dogcharmer: Potcake is great
Dear Dogcharmer,
We adopted a Lab mix named Potcake six months ago. She's now 9 months old, and fine in every way, except for her constant chewing on furniture — wood and cloth. Her favorites...
Dogcharmer: ‘Go find!’
Dear Dogcharmer,
If I wanted to get a puppy into search and rescue, how would I start? And how great are their noses, really? Your answer to my questions will really be appreciated!
Martin
Dear Martin,
As to...
Dogcharmer: Learn to use your retractable leash
Dear Dogcharmer,
What are your thoughts about retractable leashes? I keep getting rope burns!
Scalded Hand
Dear Scalded Hand,
I've been asked your question many times. First things first — a retractable leash is a one-hand device. Period....
Dogcharmer: The Sheltie puppy and the cats
Dear Dogcharmer:
We have a new 3-month-old Sheltie, Michael, we rescued, and while he's a sweet boy, our two cats haven't warmed up to him yet. He seems to think they make great toys, but...
Dogcharmer: He hates the car
Dear Dogcharmer,
Our dog Carlos absolutely hates to go anywhere in the car. He paces, whines, and barks continuously, whether it's a five-minute or two-hour ride. It's really put a constraint on our lives. Any...
Dogcharmer: A traumatic search
Dear Dogcharmer,
I would love to hear about a K-9 search and rescue experience.
Arnold
Dear Arnold,
My wife often tells me to relate this story, because of the role she played in this one. It was late...
Dogcharmer: Barking Bessie
Dear Dogcharmer,
When we have visitors over, Bessie, our Aussie, barks incessantly, and follows them barking if they move about. She's not aggressive, but nonetheless her constant barking makes it virtually impossible to have company...
Dogcharmer: Meeting the cousins
Trainer Tom,
Our female 4-month-old puppy toy poodle, Cutie, is soon to meet our daughter's 4-year-old male Doberman, named Spoiler. My daughter says he's friendly with other dogs. How would you suggest we introduce them?
Judy
Dear...
Dogcharmer: Tricks and costumes?
To my readers,
When people find out I'm a dog trainer, many of them will invariably throw in a couple of questions in the course of our conversation. "Is it OK to teach my dogs...
Dogcharmer: Kisses don’t cause bleeding
Dear Dogcharmer,
Mona is our 3-year-old Boston terrier, and jumps on people to try to kiss them, which often results in them getting slightly nipped. (She uses her teeth when she kisses.) She’s also ripped...
Dogcharmer: Cosmo in the car
Dear Tom,
I have a question for you regarding my dog, Cosmo. He is a 1½ year old German shepherd. I have been working on getting him socialized, and taking him into town for walks....
Dogcharmer: New pup in an old pack
Dear Tom,
Jeanette and I were hoping that you could help us. We are very much in need of assistance in integrating our new 5-month-old puppy, Baxter, a male bassett-beagle mix, with our existing 4-year-old...
Dogcharmer: Anxious and aggressive?
Dear Tom,
Our sweet furry family member, Bruno, is a 6-year-old French bulldog. He is a loving and beloved member of our family, and great with kids. However, he is anxious, and at times aggressive...
Dogcharmer: The nose knows
Dear Readers,
I was at a dinner the other night, and one of the guests evidently heard that I'm a dog trainer, and did K-9 SAR (search and rescue) for many years. She has a...
Dogcharmer: No touching?
Hello Tom,
Here is a question from my mother’s dog, Penny. Penny was retired from having puppies in August 2021, and seemed to knew nothing about the loving care humans can provide. Penny didn’t know...