1. First, ask yourself what you want your dog to learn. Is your dog like one of the extreme cases on my show "Dog Whisperer"? Then learning “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “heel” is not necessarily the first lesson your dog needs. Some dog trainers d

on’t do rehabilitation, some don’t do obedience work, and some do both. Choose the right tool for the job you need done.

2. Think about your own philosophy and ethics. For example, some people are opposed to choke chains. I am not opposed to them and find them helpful in some cases, when used correctly. But I will not use a choke chain or any other tool an owner objects to, because if the owner feels badly about the tool, I guarantee you that the dog will have a bad experience with the tool. And there could be other reasons why I might not be the right trainer for you. You have a world of options when it comes to dog trainers, as I hope this book will show you. Make sure that the trainer you choose agrees with and supports your own values, because you are the one who is going to live with your dog and work with him every day.

3. Check out a trainer’s certification. There are many gifted dog professionals out there who aren’t certified (I used to be one of them!), and the truth is that there are no hard and-fast rules that necessarily mean a certified trainer is an expert. But having certification ensures that the person you hire has had to pass some minimum requirements, put in some hands-on hours with dogs, and do some studying. Certification also makes a trainer accountable to some basic standards and guidelines, which you can research.

4. Get referrals. This may sound obvious, but even if you find a trainer in a phone book, ask if you can talk to a couple of his or her previous clients. They can give you an idea of the trainer’s methods, “bedside manner,” reliability, and willingness to follow through.

5. Make sure the trainer includes you as part of the training process. There’s nothing wrong with a trainer who asks you to drop off your dog in order to work with him. I do that myself from time to time, because often an owner is the cause of the dog’s bad habits and he needs to be away from his owner in order to learn new ones. But I make it clear to my clients that I don’t “fix” broken dogs. I work closely with the owners on identifying their own issues and behaviors so that they are able to change as much as their dog changes. If you’ve watched my show, you already know that more often than not it’s the owner who needs the most “training.”

Excerpted from "Cesar’s Rules: Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog." Copyright @ 2010 by Cesar Millan.

What is your favorite Cesar Millan book and why? Share your opinion with us in the comments.

By Jon Bastian

Whether you’ve mastered the walk like Cesar or still have issues with your dog, there are certain do’s and don’ts that we should all follow to make for a more pleasant, safer walking experience.

It goes without saying that you should always pick up after your dog and never go on a walk without an adequate supply of pick-up bags on hand. But there are less obvious rules that, when followed, eliminate a lot of possible issues and problems with other people and dogs you may encounter along the way.

Do...

Know your dog: That is, you should know the sort of thing that might put your dog in an undesired state. Does she have issues with people in uniforms, like letter carriers or UPS drivers? Does she bark at or try to chase bicyclists or skateboarders? Does she go nuts on sight of a squirrel or other dog?

In an ideal world, of course, you will work with your dog to eventually eliminate those bad reactions, but in the meantime you can minimize them by calmly avoiding situations that could trigger your dog.

Note the key word “calmly.” If you become anxious about a person or animal approaching, your dog will sense this and possibly go into alert mode. You need to train yourself to spot the situation without reacting to it, and then change direction, move off of the sidewalk, or whatever else you need to do without making a big deal out of it.

This way, to your dog, you’re simply altering direction on the walk, nothing more nor less.

Be aware of what’s around you: Of course, in order to be prepared to avoid situations that might set your dog off, you need to be aware of them before your dog has noticed. Always walk with your head up and eyes forward, scanning the area.

Not only will this help you to spot any possible things to avoid, but this posture and alertness will help you to assume a calm assertive state naturally. Your confidence will help your dog stay calm and submissive.

Don’t forget that there are probably cars driving around near you — because your dog won’t be paying attention to them. Being aware and staying alert is the best way that you can avoid either of you being struck by a car that suddenly pulls into or out of a driveway, or that doesn’t fully stop at an intersection.

On a related note, it’s always a good idea to train your dogs to stop and wait at the curb until you tell them it’s all right to go; you “tell” them that when you step into the street yourself.

Learn how to read other dog walkers: Not everyone out there is in full control of their dogs on the walk, and the walkers who aren’t in control are also the ones most likely to cause some sort of incident, whether it’s dogs barking at each other, jumping on or snapping at people, or getting loose.

It is an acquired skill, but with practice you can learn to tell whether an approaching walker is in control or not. Is their dog walking next to or just behind them, or is it lunging forward or pulling them off balance? Does their body language project confidence, or do they seem hunched inward and anxious or fearful?

How do they try to correct their dog? If they’re doing it very quietly or non-verbally, then they’re probably in control. If they’re shouting, “No!” at their dog constantly, then they aren’t in control but are very unstable energy approaching. If you can hear them coming before you can see them, then it’s probably best to cross the street or move up onto a lawn or driveway until they’ve passed.

Change course the right way: Having to avoid other dog walkers or pedestrians is not the ideal situation, but it can sometimes be necessary to avoid a confrontation. The important part is in how you do it.

As mentioned previously, the trick is to make it appear to be just a normal change in course on your walk. Do not abruptly stop and pull up on your dog’s leash, and do not yank your dog to try to change direction. If you’re going to cross the street, approach the curb normally, wait until it’s clear, and then calmly cross the street with your dog.

If you need to use sound or a verbal cue to redirect your dog, that’s fine. The important part is that you do so calmly and quietly. Remember: Dogs interpret loud human sounds as barking, and barking by one dog often induces excitement in another.

Redirect when necessary: If you absolutely cannot avoid the oncoming situation, then you need to redirect both your dog and the other party. Try to move off of the sidewalk as far as possible, using your body to turn your dog facing away, and allow your dog to lower her head; the grass may have enough interesting smells to keep her completely distracted.

At the same time, give a friendly warning to the other person. For example, if they’re walking a dog you can let them know your dog’s issue — “She can be a little leash-aggressive” or “He doesn’t like small dogs.”

If your dog might have an issue with a person, then something as simple as a friendly, “Hello!” can help mitigate any problems by letting your dog know that you aren’t threatened by that other person.

In this dog training video on dog feeding, I'll show you how to use dog food and dog water as a way to bond with your dog and strengthen your relationship with your dog.

By Cesar Millan

Many people don't take their dogs on as many dog walks as they should because they have problems keeping their dog under control. Whether it's the dog pulling, lunging, or other dog problems, there's hope! Here are my tips on how to walk your dog, stay in control, and make sure you have the right dog collar and leash. Please take time this month to work on the dog walk.

1. Be aware of your energy and body language while walking dog.

Make sure you are communicating a message that says, 'I am the pack leader!' Keep your head up and your shoulders back. Think positive thoughts and envision the dog walk going well. You might be surprised at the results.

2. Keep the dog leash short, but not tight.

You've heard me tell this to people on the show time and time again. This simple tip can save you a lot of headache. Flexi-leashes and other longer leashes make it harder for you to communicate with your dog and easier for her to go wherever she wants. But, don't forget, it's also important to keep the dog leash loose. If you make a correction following a problem behavior, it should be quick, and then the dog leash should be returned to the relaxed state.

3. Position the dog collar at the top of the neck.

If you've ever seen a sledding dog, you'll notice that the harness is around the lower part of the dog's neck, near the shoulders. Why? This is where the dog's pulling power is located. You're actually helping your dog to pull you around if you have the collar placed there. Instead, position it on the upper neck, which is the most sensitive area. If you're having trouble keeping the collar in the correct spot, check out my Illusion collar, which is designed to keep the collar from slipping.

4. Film the dog walk.

Ask a friend or family member to film you walking the dog. It may be easier to see your problem areas after the fact. What's your posture like? How do you react when your dog misbehaves? Are you putting tension on the dog leash? These are the types of things to look for while you watch. If you don't have access to a camera, ask someone to walk with you and then share what they noticed.

5. Enlist the help of balanced dogs.

If your dog barks or lunges at other dogs that you pass on the walk, take time to do just that activity with another dog you trust. That way, you can practice remaining calm and correcting your dog. Then, when the dog problem arises when you're not expecting it, you'll feel better able to handle it, and that confidence will be communicated to your dog.

6. Practice the walk!

You and your dog won't get better if you don't go out there and do it! Celebrate every success along the way. Learn from the bad days, but don't dwell on them. And then one day, you'll find you've done it! You've mastered the walk!

Have you mastered the walk? Or maybe you're still having problems you'd like to share? Tell us about your walk in the comments below.

Has the domestication of dogs also changed their ability to learn froMesserli Research Institute at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria, seems to indicate that this is the case.

m each other? A recent study performed by the

In a simple experiment, the researchers determined that wolves have the ability to learn by observing a dog carrying out an action, while most dogs in the study did not. In the set-up, both wolves and dogs observed a trained dog using a lever to open a box and receive a treat.

Throughout the trials, all of the wolves succeeded on their first try at copying the actions of the trained dog to open the box. Only four of the dogs were able to do so and, out of these, only two of the dogs succeeded multiple times. The wolves and dogs had all been raised together since they were pups, and had been given equal socialization among other wolves, dogs, and humans.

The initial studies took place when the wolves and dogs were six months old. However, to rule out the idea that the results were due to the wolves’ earlier cognitive development, the study was repeated nine months later, when all of the animals were adults, with the same results.

The study concluded that wolves are capable of imitation, and so “are likely to pay closer attention to the actions of social partners and thus may have a higher tendency to socially learn from or even imitate each other’s actions.”

In the context of a wolf pack, this behavior makes sense. But domestic dogs are descended from wolves, so why the difference? Researchers still aren’t sure, but they propose that “dog-human cooperation has likely originated from wolf-wolf cooperation, potentially by (dogs) becoming able to easily accept humans as social partners and thus, extending their relevant social skills to interactions with them.”

This is yet another reason that we need to remember to be the Pack Leader. Our dogs are watching us and looking for clues on how to behave. We have to make sure that we are sending them the right message.

Can your dog learn by imitating other dogs or people? Let us know in the comments!

By Nicole Pajer

All across the world, animal shelters are overflowing with dogs that are in need of good homes. But how did so many get there? It can be hard for us dedicated pet lovers to understand how someone could just surrender his or her companion. When a dog ends up in a shelter, it is not their fault. Most behavioral issues, for instance, can typically be traced back to the way in which their former caretakers handled them.

Here are the top ten most common reasons dogs end up in shelters:

1. Lack of training: Many people get a dog without realizing how much training is involved. Dogs do not come trained. They need diligent leaders who are willing to put in the hours setting rules, boundaries, and limitations, and spending time teaching them commands. Puppies do not come housebroken and must be taught to go to the bathroom outside. People fail to take this into account when bringing home a dog and ignore problems, which often lead to behavioral issues. Shelters are filled with dogs that have potty training, socialization, and obedience issues, all of which could have been prevented through proper training.

2. Lifestyle changes: People losing their job, getting a divorce, having a new baby, or encountering difficulties with their health are also common reasons that dogs end up in shelters. A person may become overwhelmed by a dog when they have a new baby, may be unable to attend to them if they are unhealthy themselves, or find themselves too stressed to pay attention to a dog because of a demanding new job.

3. Moving: Sometimes people move and cannot take their dog with them. The home that they relocate to might not allow dogs. They may be moving in with a roommate who is allergic to a dog or simply doesn’t want them in his or her place. There are also cases of people moving into a new house and not wanting to bring their dog along with them so as to keep it clean.

4. Not enough time for a pet: Our lives are busy, and having a dog requires making time to properly care for it. One of the main reasons that dogs end up in shelters is that their people get busy and start to prioritize other things above the dog, thus neglecting its needs. Often, children who pushed their parents to get them a dog by promising to take care of it become interested in other things, thus leaving the responsibility of the dog to their overwhelmed parents.

5. Cost of dog ownership: Between vet bills, boarding, buying food, toys, and grooming, pets can be expensive. Many people underestimate the amount of money that owning a dog will involve, especially if there are special needs or health issues involved.

6. Health issues: Old dogs and dogs with injuries and other health-related issues require more money, time, patience, and attention than healthy dogs. Some people make the decision to get rid of the dog versus continue to care for them once an illness or ailment arises.

7. Biting: Dogs are often hauled off to shelters because they have bitten a member of the family. If a dog exhibits aggressive behavior, it must be dealt with immediately. Biting can be avoided if a dog is properly trained and socialized, and if behavioral issues are addressed before they worsen.

8. Too many animals in the home: Pets are cute and can adopt them impulsively. However, when there are too many animals in the home, it can become a problem. People that fail to spayor neuter their pets may end up with a whole litter and find themselves with nowhere to place the puppies. A dog may be fighting with a cat in the house or may not be getting along with the other dogs in the pack, thus resulting in it being sent to a shelter.

9. Allergies within family household: If someone in the household develops an allergy to a dog, it may wind up in a shelter. People may have developed an allergy to the dog, might have a significant other move in who is allergic, or may have a child that is born with or develops a dog allergy.

10. Strays and rescues: People who find dogs on the street often take them in on a temporary basis while searching for its family. If the dog’s people are not found, these dogs are often given to a local shelter in the hopes that they will be placed in a home.

Ways you can prevent dogs from ending up in shelters

Think before you get a dog

Cesar urges potential dog adopters to carefully decide before doing so whether or not to bring a dog home. Do your research and factor in whether or not you’ll be able to afford the dog, spend the necessary amount of time with them, and meet their mental and physical needs before agreeing to get one. Make sure nobody in the household is allergic before you bring it home, and be responsible and get your new pet spayed or neutered.

Dogs are cute and are often purchased or adopted on impulse without much thought going into what is involved as far as training and care. Those who get dogs without realizing what they are committing to are the first to abandon them.

Consider other alternatives to surrendering your dog to a shelter

If you have a dog and experience a lifestyle change, try your best to work through it without leaving your dog at a shelter. If you find yourself with less time on your hands, consider putting your dog into daycare or hiring a dog walker to give it some exercise and attention during the day. If you move and are unable to take the dog with you or cannot afford the costs anymore, seek out responsible new caretakers for your pet. If you develop an allergy, try bathing the dog in hypoallergenic shampoos to alleviate your condition. If you find a stray on the street, foster it until you are able to secure a reliable home.

By doing your part, you will help to ensure that fewer dogs end up confused, abandoned, and facing destruction in overcrowded animal shelters.

By Nicole Pajer

Making your own homemade dog treats can be a fun reward for

you dog. There are many benefits to making your own dog treats at home.

• Control what goes into the recipe. You can ensure that your pet is getting a nutritious and wholesome snack. You can also tailor your dog treat recipes to your dog’s taste preferences as well as cater to any dietary restrictions.
• Prevent unhealthy additives. Many brands of commercial dog treats are filled with preservatives, which help to extend their shelf life. In addition, store bought treats are often made from fillers and byproducts as opposed to natural and high quality ingredients. By creating your own treats at home, you will be able to provide your dog with a healthy snack that is not only nutritious but is also free of unhealthy additives.
• Tasty alternative. Making your own dog treats allows you to provide your pet with a tasty alternative to his usual doggie biscuit.

Quick Dog Treat Recipe Ideas

Here are a few quick and easy recipes for healthy and nutritious dog treats that you can make in the comfort of your home. Your dog will thank you for reading this!

Leftovers Dog Mix 

Frozen Peanut Butter Yogurt Dog Treats

Basic Dog Biscuits

Healthy Pumpkin Balls

Apple Crunch Pupcakes

Leftovers Trail Mix

Combine any of the following leftovers from your refrigerator to create a flavorful trail mix, which you can pack for a hike or after dog park snack

Ingredients
• Pieces of meat (if seasoned, make sure to rinse off any flavoring)
• Potatoes
• Vegetables (no onions)
• Fruit (no grapes or raisins)

Directions
1. Cut ingredients into ½ inch thick pieces
2. Spray lightly with cooking spray
3. Place in a food dehydrator or into a 200 degree preheated oven until dried
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Frozen Peanut Butter Yogurt Dog Treats

The perfect snack to cool your pet down after a vigorous play session

Ingredients
• 32 ounces vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup peanut butter
Directions
1. Melt the peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl
2. Combine the yogurt and melted peanut butter
3. Pour the mixture into cupcake papers
4. Place in the freezer
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Basic Dog Biscuits
These basic biscuits can be customized to cater to your canine’s palette
Ingredients
• 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour (substitute regular flour or oats if your dog is sensitive to wheat)
• 1 tsp. salt (or less)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. Beef or chicken Bouillon granules (can substitute beef or chicken broth/stock)
• ½ cup hot water
Optional Add ins
• Bacon or chicken broth, eggs, oats, liver powder, wheat germ, shredded cheese, bacon bits
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Dissolve bouillon in hot water
3. Add remaining ingredients
4. Knead dough until it forms a ball (approximately 3 minutes)
5. Roll dough until ½ inch thick
6. Cut into slices or bone shapes (you can purchase a bone shaped cookie cutter to make shapes with)
7. Place dough pieces on lightly greased cookie sheet
8. Cook for 30 minutes
Back to Top
Healthy Pumpkin Balls
This snack is not only delicious but is also filled with fiber, vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, and iron.
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 4 tbsp molasses
• 4 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix pumpkin, molasses, vegetable oil, and water together in a bowl
3. Add the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon to the mixture and stir until dough softens
4. Scoop out small spoonfuls of dough and roll into balls on your hands (wet hands work best)
5. Set the balls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork
6. Bake approximately 25 minutes until dough is hardened
Back to Top
Apple Crunch Pupcakes
A fruity treat your dog will adore
Ingredients
• 2 ¾ cups water
• ¼ cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/8 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 medium egg
• 4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup dried apple chips (unsweetened)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix water, applesauce, honey, egg, and vanilla together in a bowl
3. Add remaining ingredients and mix until well blended
4. Pour into lightly greased muffin pans
5. Bake 1 ¼ hours
Some Things to Watch Out For
When preparing homemade dog treats, make sure you take into account any allergies that your pet has to specific ingredients. You will want to avoid adding any ingredient that you know that your pet has reacted poorly to in the past. If you are experimenting with new flavors, feed the treat to your dog in a small amount to see how he reacts to it before distributing an entire treat. Store your homemade dog treats in an airtight container and place them in the freezer. Allow the treat to thaw for 10 – 20 minutes prior to serving to your dog. Treats can last for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Hi Cesar,

My boyfriend and I have three dogs. Two are Rottweilers (three years old and one year old) and one is a Labrador retriever (nine months old). Our dogs love to dig and now our backyard is in shambles. We tri

ed burying their poop in the holes so they would not dig anymore, but that didn't stop them.

We are moving to a new house and want to break them of that habit. Is there something else we can do to stop the digging?

Please help!

Sincerely,

Cindy Kozma

Cesar's Advice:

Dear Cindy,

We know that digging can be harmful to people’s environments, but, at the same time, digging for some dogs is an activity that keeps them balanced. Digging is a form of exercise and distraction, and, for a dog, it can be simply a matter of being bored and having nothing else to do. It’s especially common if it’s in their breed to be diggers; when it’s part of their nature, they’ll often drain some of that extra energy by doing something that they are instinctually familiar with.

Human parents will bring their child to the playground and let them play in the sandbox, because digging is part of our nature as well.  Today, we don’t use that ability often, but deep in our genes, we still crave it. So we have a specific place we allow kids to dig. That can be one option for you – to make a specific place in your yard where your dogs are allowed to do their digging.  If that is still not acceptable to you, you need to find a way to drain the energy they release by digging.  Exercise is always the best way to drain any dog’s pent-up energy. Running with your dog, swimming with your dog, hiking with your dog – there are so many options.

So my question to you would be: do you know the energy levels of your dogs and are you challenging them enough physically so that they don’t feel the need to dig, bark, jump, or chew? Are they exercising, and for how long? If it isn’t long enough, then I would recommend intensifying that exercise. If you don’t have enough time, that’s when I would recommend puttingbackpacks on them, which can help by turning 30 minutes of actual exercise into an hour.

Stay calm and assertive,

Cesar Millan