DOG TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR

Welsh Corgi Pembroke dog

Dear Doctor: A look that can’t be denied

Q. My dog has a way of looking at me ever so sweetly — kind of intensely and warmly, and perhaps slightly pleadingly —...
Some dogs would rather do a trick in exchange for a toy rather than a treat.

Won’t Perform For Food

If you have a Labrador retriever you can skip this article. There is nothing a Lab won’t do for a morsel of food. That’s...
A dog who can’t stop licking her toes may be suffering from an allergy and need medical treatment.

When the Licking Won’t Stop

You can’t get your dog to stop licking herself. Or perhaps she can’t stop licking you, or inanimate surfaces such as the floor or...
Not the harmless activity it may seem.

Why Chewing Sticks Is a Bad Idea

We’ve all seen dogs who are perennial stick chewers. No sooner do they get outside than they pick up a stick and start chomping...
Chihuahua shaking itself

Dear Doctor: Shake-Out

Q. My dog does a full-body shake-out several times throughout the day. Could it be a sign of a neurological problem? Maye Oliver Los Gatos, California A....
Some dogs keep going after their own tails to the point of utter exhaustion — yet they can’t stop.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

For some dogs it’s tail chasing to the point of exhaustion. For others, it’s continuous licking of the lower legs and feet — so...
Who’s walking whom?

Stopping an Undesirable Behavior

Has your dog ever gone faster than you wanted, tugging vigorously enough on the leash that it’s annoying — or even a bit dangerous?...
This whale scat detection dog has helped in the effort to save marine life.

Help Wanted: Whale Poop Sniffers (Will Train)

You already know that dogs have an amazing ability to sniff out everything from explosives to an oncoming seizure in a human companion. But...

Dear Doctor: Lip Licking

Q. I’ve noticed my dog licks his lips whenever a stranger walks nearby. Is there a connection, or is it just a coincidence? Bunky Le...
Vacuum cleaners can be very scary for dogs, but you can help them get past their fear.

Fear of Inanimate Things

We have good news for you. If your dog is afraid of something — the vacuum cleaner, slippery floors, car rides — you do...

Is “Bad Dog!” Ever the Right Thing to Say?

We often hear people use the phrase “Bad Dog!” when their pet is doing something they don’t want him to do. We think the...
Well, maybe one slipper at a time.

Bring Me My Slippers

How is it that some people are able to train their dogs to perform complicated tricks, like rolling over and playing dead — or...