I went through some of my old posts and decided to highlight some of my favorite dog training blog posts.

Best dog training blog posts

1. Kennel train your dog to prevent behavioral issues

2. How to teach your dog the touch command

3. How to stop your dog from barking in the car

4. Stop your dog from barking at bikes

5. How to stop your dog from barking at the door

6. How to teach your dog to heel

7. Teach your dog to stay for long periods

8. Train your dog not to rush through doors

9. Teach your dog in small steps

10. Reasons to take your dog to obedience classes

(The top image is of my parents’ English springer spaniel named Sophie)

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Your dog can walk nicely on a loose leash. Your dog can be friendly with other dogs. Your dog does not have to cry, bark or destroy furniture every time you leave. Your dog can leave the garbage alone. Your dog can stop obsessing over bikes and squirrels. Your dog can learn not to jump on people.

Your dog can be calm. Your dog can be under control. Your dog can sit when told and stay when asked. Your dog is capable of running to you every time you call her name.

You can take your dog anywhere. She can attend softball games or visit outdoor cafes. She can go to the grooming shop and the vet without making a scene. She can visit nursing homes, schools and hospitals.

Your dog can have a cat as a friend. She can take food gently and be trusted around children. She can learn to roll over, shake and speak.

Take the first steps today and you can make all the difference for your dog. It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks.

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One thing Scout and Beamer have taught me is patience. They will scratch my couch. They will walk on my counters. They will climb on everything. They will leave cat hair on my bed and clothes. I can train or at least manipulate dogs to do whatever I want. With cats, it’s another story.

More importantly, my cats have taught me that you don’t have to be the loudest, strongest or heaviest to be the one in control. They prove that every time I bring a new dog into our townhome. The cats will always dominate the dogs almost immediately.

Dogs and cats can get along

Cats and dogs are very different, which is why dog training techniques never work on cats. But all animals show dominance by claiming their space. Even people do this by taking over a favorite table at a coffee shop or bar.

My cat Beamer (right) is the most laid back, confident cat I know. I learn so much about a dog by its reaction to Beamer and Beamer’s reaction to the dog.

Most dogs will immediately submit to Beamer as he casually claims his space on the couch or floor. He doesn’t make direct eye contact because that would be a threat. Instead, he just moves in and takes over.

Beamer understands in ways I can’t which dogs are bluffing and which dogs are truly a threat to him and Scout. If Beamer is at all stressed or agitated by a dog, I know right away that the dog can’t be trusted around cats and needs some serious exercise and structure.

Nine times out of 10, however, the growling or barking dog is just bluffing and Beamer literally steps in and the dog retreats. Other times, when the dog is extra insecure, Beamer will show no response to the dog at all. He will actually yawn or turn his back as if to say, “This dog is not worth my time.” This is most common with smaller dogs, young dogs and older dogs.

The way this 15-pound cat can silently walk into a room and calmly uses his energy to make 60-pound dogs submit to him amazes me. These dogs could take one lunge at Beamer and it would all be over. Instead, Beamer is the one in control. He proves to me monthly that dogs and cats can get along.

Beamer’s control is similar to myself when I’m out walking two or three dogs at once. The dogs’ combined weight is greater than my own and they are probably stronger. But the dogs respect that I am the one in control. If not, I’d be in big trouble.

Dominant dogs

A dominant animal will take possession of space, objects, food and other animals.

When I have a foster dog living with us, sometimes the dog will become possessive over me. I will be working at my computer and I’ll look down and see the dog lying at my feet, silently guarding me from Ace. Since my dog is submissive, he will be lying 10 feet away with his back to us.

Possessiveness over a human is dangerous because the dog can become protective and aggressive to dogs, cats or people.

When I’m working with more dominant dogs, I have to be aware of my actions at all times. I might step over the dog instead of around it, showing that I own whatever space I want. I walk through doorways first and step into any dog that is leaning or jumping on me. Backing away would only give that dog more power. Before feeding a dog, I set the bowl down and pause a few moments asking for a few feet of space before the dog can approach the food.

All of theses subtle actions are very clear messages to a dog about who’s in charge. It has to be done with confidence and consistency or the dog will not take me seriously.

Cat in control

My gray tabby cat Scout loves to sleep in my boyfriend’s lap. He loves to cuddle with Josh, follow Josh around and watch Josh. I’m not sure what it is, but Scout has always liked Josh better than me. Scout and I actually have a silent competition for Josh’s attention.

One thing Scout will do is take over the space around Josh. This nine-pound cat will come up between Josh and I and put his little body in between us. Then he will turn his back to me and focus intently on Josh. He will even drool a little. Not only that, but he will slowly inch himself back into me as though to push me away. He also looks for ways to elevate his body higher than mine, truly putting himself above me.

Sometimes, just to mess with my cat, I will slowly get closer and closer to Josh or try to squeeze myself in between him and Scout. It takes a few minutes before Scout jumps off the couch and walks away. It gives me a little bit of pride every time I defeat this silent warrior.

When this happens, Scout turns his back to me and intensely starts bathing himself.

“It wasn’t all that important. I have better things to do.”

Cats really do have a lot more dignity than dogs.

Scout will turn 4 next week. Happy birthday, buddy!

Here are some photos from Scout’s birthday photo caption contest last year.

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Bubba & Company in Fargo is having its open house all day Saturday June 27th. There will be a cookout and a drawing for prizes with donations going to 4 Luv of Dog Rescue.

If you haven’t checked out Bubba & Company, tomorrow would be a good day to do it! Bubba’s offers dog daycare in Fargo, dog grooming and boarding. It is located at 1345 University Dr. S. in Fargo.

Bring your dog and check out Bubba & Company!

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I get a lot of flak for this in the dog training community, but I am not a fan of the Halti, Gentle Leader and No-Pull Harnesses. I am currently raging a war of one against these training tools and am losing ground quickly. No worries, though. Like the captain that goes down with the ship, I’ll continue my fight until the bitter end.

In my battle on these training tools I come fully armed with ammunition.

My war on the Halti/Gentle Leader

1. I see these tools as a gimmick.

They rarely teach the concept of proper leash walking. Rather, they tend to teach the dog not to pull while the gimmick is on. There is very little technique used with these tools. For that reason I think of them as a band-aid. They cover up the problem but do very little to fix it.

When I am helping a client teach his or her dog to walk on a loose leash, I use training tools such as a pinch collar, flat collar or slip collar. With those collars, though, I teach my clients a great deal of technique. Technique is what teaches the concept of how to walk properly on a leash and what allows that owner to eventually wean the dog off the training collar. When someone depends on a harness or head collar to walk properly, then the owner is forever tied to that implement and the dog has essentially never learned to walk on a loose leash.

I’m sure there are those who have weaned their dogs off the head halter but they certainly did so using a great deal of technique. Most people will find themselves forever attached to a tool.

2. Haltis and Gentle Leaders are often very uncomfortable and distract the dog from the task at hand: walking!

If I had a nickel for every time a client complained that her dog wouldn’t stop itching at his face and head, scraping his face against the ground or going into a death roll to try to get the material off his head I’d have enough for a meal at McDonald’s - supersized!

A training tool should be like an accessory. It should be a normal thing to which the dog doesn’t pay attention. Many dogs find it hard to ignore a mesh of nylon all over their faces.

3. Head harnesses can worsen aggression issues.

Dogs create associations with the actions they are currently involved in and what they are currently focused on. Dogs that have aggression issues are prone to lunge at the objects of their aggression. In the act of lunging it can be very difficult to control a dog if they are on a head or body harness. Not only that, but picture what the dog is experiencing. All of his focus is placed on the target of his aggression when suddenly his neck gets twisted from the lunge. Many dogs are prone to associate that pain in their neck with the object of their aggression and therefore the aggression becomes worse. Many dogs will feel that the object of the aggression caused their pain and therefore they end up having worse feelings for the other dog, person, etc.

I have given several reasons why I am battling these harness style collars. I’m sure there are those who are able to avoid these pitfalls with their training techniques. My experience shows, however, there is a much better way.

Whichever training tools you use with your dog, make sure that you are using them in a humane fashion and ensure they are used as teaching tools rather than punishment tools.

Happy training!

Check out my interview with Ty on protection dogs and his post for That Mutt on the rottweiler.

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The following are some of my favorite dog behavior blog posts over the last year or so.

Best dog behavior blog posts

1. How to deal with a dominant dog

2. How to help dogs and cats get along

3. Tips for moving when you have a dog

4. Dogs with fixations

5. Dealing with a hyper dog

6. Dogs need more exercise

7. How to introduce dogs

8. Dog behavior issues are never the dog’s fault

9. Don’t let your dog make mistakes

10. How to prepare for a second dog

What are some of your favorite dog behavior posts on this blog or other dog blogs?

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Oh the joys of living near the Red River.

So much for this bridge …

Thanks a lot, Wahpeton, for sending us all your rain.

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People are so used to seeing overweight dogs that they tell me my dog is underweight. It’s no wonder so many of us have fat pets. We don’t even realize they’re fat!

Hide a dog’s obesity under a thick coat of fur, and it’s even easier to overfeed her. Try shaving your dog or giving her a haircut to see what she really looks like under all that fur.

Ace’s weight is one piece of his overall health that I have complete control over. He will become fat if I let him, and he will starve if I let him. I want my dog to be around as long as possible. And while he’s here, I want him to be healthy. One of the easiest ways to be healthy is to eat a proper diet and exercise regularly (in case you haven’t heard).

Eat less. Exercise more. What a concept.

If only it were as easy as it sounds. Then we wouldn’t have such a problem with our own waistlines. But whether you are fat or not, why on earth would you allow your dog to become fat?

It sounds so easy to keep a pet at a healthy weight, but obviously it’s not easy or more people would have thin pets.

Tips for helping your dog lose weight

1. Don’t feed based on what the package says.

Dog food companies want you to feed your dog too much so you will buy more food. Ace is 65 pounds, and he eats 3-4 cups of dry dog food per day. Keep in mind my dog also goes for walks and runs every day. On days we do longer workouts, I might give him an extra half cup. If your dog is not getting as much exercise as Ace, he should be eating nowhere near the same amount of food. It also depends a lot on the quality of food you are using.

2. Stop feeding table scraps and human food.

Every time you give your dog a potato chip or a piece of bread or a bit of your cheese, he is getting extra calories. Your dog is most likely a lot smaller than you. One potato chip for your dog is not the same as one potato chip for you. Instead of giving your dog “just a taste” or “just one piece,” become more disciplined and stop feeding him your food all together. Trust me, he will forgive you.

I’m not saying that human-quality food is bad for dogs. I’m saying, stop feeding your dog extras.

3. Train your dog to stay on his bed or in his kennel while you eat.

If your dog is not begging, you will be less likely to offer handouts.

My dog is always hungry. At least he thinks he is. Ace begs if I don’t stop him. He also begs from everyone else he knows. However, if we’re at home and I tell him to go to his bed, he goes in the other room and lies on his bed. Or, if I put him in a down-stay position anywhere else, he will stay until I release him. That doesn’t mean he won’t stare at me with pleading eyes from a distance, but at least he’s not begging right in front of me. I even taught him the word “out” which means, “Get your butt out of the kitchen!”

You can always put your dog in his kennel or in a separate room during your meals. This is a good time to feed him his own food. That way begging at the table will not become a habit and he will associate his kennel with food. At the very least, get him to lie down and stay at your feet rather than shove his nose in your crotch.

4. Cut out treats completely.

I don’t understand people who buy several bags of dog treats of all different kinds for their dogs. I barely buy any treats for Ace at all. All I use are jerky treats which can be torn into tiny pieces the sizes of M&Ms for training. A small bag might last me two months. I also use Ace’s actual dog food or my cat’s food for training. I see no reason to offer my dog treats throughout the day just for existing.

5. Go for a hike once a week.

Lately I’ve been giving myself permission in my busy schedule to take one morning a week to go on a long, relaxing run or walk with my dog. I really look forward to these walks. We drive to a park rather than walk through our boring neighborhood, and I give myself at least one hour. Make this a habit and you could be walking 12 or more extra miles per month.

6. Get help from your veterinarian.

Veterinarians are there to help. Your vet should be able to recommend the proper diet and activity level for your particular dog based on his age, breed, health issues and weight. It’s possible your dog is not losing weight because of a thyroid issue or another medical problem. If you think this is a possibility, then talk to your vet about it.

7. Measure your dog’s food.

Know exactly how much food your dog is getting. Never allow an overweight dog to self feed from a bowl that is always full. Control his portions by measuring his food and giving him access to eat for limited periods. That way you can decrease his portions by a little at a time and know exactly how much your dog is eating.

8. Give your dog a bone once a week.

Dogs love bones! Sometimes I give my dog an actual bone, and sometimes I give him a raw hide. Either way, they last him a week or so for some good chewing sessions and not a lot of calories. There’s no reason to give a dog a new bone every single day, but bones for dogs are healthy for their gums and teeth.

Whatever it is that your dog likes such as pigs’ ears, knuckle bones or raw hides should be given sparingly. I allow Ace to chew on his bone for 20-30 minutes every day or two. That way he’s still getting the benefits but not too many extra calories. The bone also lasts longer and he values it more. If you’re concerned about bacteria growing on the bone, then throw leftovers away each time and give him a new one at his next chewing session.

9. Feed your dog high-quality dog food.

You wouldn’t want to eat McDonald’s every day, so why feed lower-quality food to your dog? If it’s too expensive, one trick I use is to mix two kinds of food or alternate between the two. Just be careful not to suddenly introduce new food to your dog or he could get an upset stomach.

10. Walk for 30 minutes every single day.

Now’s the time to make this a habit. You and your dog will benefit. For some, that time should be 60 minutes per day. If walks are no fun because your dog pulls, then get a Halti or a Gentle Leader for dogs.

11. Visit the dog park.

This is a good way for you to be lazy, but at least your dog will be getting some more activity. I recommend walking your dog before you go to the dog park to burn off some energy and get some exercise. Then, visit the dog park right afterward as a reward and added activity.

12. Hire a dog walker or dog runner.

Not having enough time is probably the number one excuse not to exercise other than pure laziness. If you can afford a dog walker or dog runner to take your dog out even once a week for some extra exercise, it will pay off. Running is ideal because a quicker pace will help speed up your dog’s metabolism.

13. Take your dog to dog daycare.

Dog daycare usually is not as structured as a walk or a run, but it’s better than your dog sleeping on the couch all day. At least he’s being active, and he’ll probably have a great time playing and socializing with other dogs.

14. Give your dog enough water.

The kibble most of our dogs eat does not contain much water. Allow your dog to have as much water as he wants. It’s a good way to temporarily feel full.

15. Play with and train your dog more often.

Even little things like a 10-minute game of fetch or a quick training session in the backyard help you and your dog become a little more active.

What do you do to make sure your dog is a healthy weight?

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Too many people buy dogs and then refuse to spend any money on training. There are two reasons for this. Either the person truly can’t afford the $50 for a basic obedience class, or the person already spent hundreds on the dog so another $50 on training is “not worth it.” Both are huge mistakes and show a misunderstanding about dogs. Anyone unwilling to train a dog is lazy, unmotivated and should not have a dog.

Of course, some people are totally capable and willing to train their dogs. They train their dogs on their own or find help if they need it. This group understands the importance of commands in addition to exercise and socialization. Taking a group obedience class or working with a trainer is an option, but so is training your dog yourself. The information is out there.

Whether you intend to train your dog on your own, attend obedience classes, read books or read a dog training blog, remember the importance of socializing your dog.

How to socialize a dog

Socializing a dog is very simple. Just take your dog to as many places as you possibly can. A dog that experiences as much as possible will be comfortable in most environments. Children will not be a big deal, other dogs will not be a big deal. Your dog will be less likely to act aggressive, hyper or fearful. Your dog will not freak out when she sees bikes, Rollerblades, cats or squirrels.

A socialized dog can be trusted and easy to control in almost any situation.

Here are some tips for socializing a dog:

1. Start socializing your puppy immediately.

Your dog should experience something new every day, especially if you have a new dog or a puppy. Be careful not to scare your dog by throwing her into a new situation too quickly. At the same time, don’t shower an unsure dog with treats. This only rewards her for acting shy. The most important thing for you to do is act like the new experience is no big deal. Your dog will pick up on that. Cars, other dogs, bikes, kids and water are nothing to get excited about.

Last month I brought my mutt Ace through a car wash for the first time. Ace was not concerned when we drove through that dark tunnel and our car was mauled by noisy scrub brushes and sprayers. I knew it was because Josh and I showed no response. We did not talk to Ace or get him excited by saying things like “Are we in a car wash? Huh? Huh?” And we did not reassure him by saying, “It’s OK.” We simply did nothing.

2. Walk your dog every day.

There is no excuse not to do this. This is the easiest way to get your dog used to the world around her. On walks, she will experience different sounds and smells. She will meet people and other dogs. She will see bikes, Rollerbladers and children. She will be used to cars, sirens, horns, buses and trucks.

3. Visit as many new areas as possible.

About a year ago I did a 30-day challenge where I took my dog somewhere new every day for 30 days. Good places to visit include the dog park, the vet’s lobby (even if you don’t have an appointment), grooming shops and pet stores. Even if you don’t have an exact location to visit, just walking on a different street, visiting a new park or a new neighborhood is beneficial to your dog. The best dog training collar for controlling your dog in new situations is the pinch collar or the dog Halti.

4. Meet as many dogs, other animals and people as possible.

This can be done on walks, by visiting new places and by inviting people over. Set up play dates with all your friends’ and family members’ dogs. Introduce your dog to cats and children, maybe even small animals. Make sure to do it safely of course.

5. Desensitize your dog to loud noises.

Examples of noises that can scare dogs include the vacuum, traffic, motorcycles, children playing, sirens, whistles, thunder, fireworks or guns. The more noises your dog experiences, the better. Remember not to make a big deal out of these noises. It’s important to be calm and act like you don’t hear anything. If your dog is unsure, then don’t push it. Try again another day.

6. Enroll in an obedience class.

I took Ace to a basic obedience class to get him used to walking close to other dogs. I knew how to teach him commands, but walking in a small area with 10 other dogs was something I couldn’t create on my own easily. Obedience classes are not necessary, but they are very valuable for socializing your dog. Don’t overlook them.

7. Take your dog to dog daycare.

If you can afford to send your dog to dog daycare, it’s a great way for your dog to interact with other dogs. Just make sure you tour the daycare first so you know it is a clean, safe place. Watch how the workers interact with the dogs. You don’t want your dog to be in a place where it’s pure chaos or he will be learning bad behavior.

8. Get your dog used to bikes and Rollerblades.

It’s no fun if your dog is aggressive around bikes. To prevent this, ask friends to bike, Rollerblade or push strollers by you while you’re out with your dog. You can even walk your dog on one side while wheeling your bike on the other.

9. Invite people and dogs to your house.

You don’t always have to go somewhere to socialize your dog. Invite people over, and ask them to bring their pets.

10. Work to obtain the Canine Good Citizen Test.

Dogs that pass the Canine Good Citizen Test must prove they can be calm in various situations. Dogs are tested on how they respond to strangers, other dogs, walking through a crowd, sudden noises and more. Passing this test is a good goal for dog owners.

What are some ways you socialize your dog?

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To see your outdoor dog photos published on That Mutt, send an email to Lindsay@thatmutt.com with Outdoor Dog Photos as the subject.

Thanks to everyone who has submitted photos! Above is a photo I took of my parents’ golden retriever Elsie in Wisconsin.

The following are the most recent outdoor dog photo submissions:

Emma the black lab

Emma (9) lives in Washington with her owner Tawna.

Coco the chocolate lab mix

Coco (1) is up for adoption with 4 Luv of Dog Rescue in Fargo. She is very friendly and gets along well with other animals and kids.

Denver the Doberman mix

Denver (6 months) lives with his owner Eddie in Memphis.

Fresca the English setter

This photo was taken of Fresca (1) when she traveled with her owner Stephanie to a lodge off the Gunflint Trail in northern Minnesota. Fresca has her own dog blog

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