My Quick Start Guide comes with the purchase of all complete Perfect Dog systems and provides – amongst many other topics – a detailed explanation of when to use my training tools and what to watch out for. However, if you’ve lost your Quick Start Guide and can’t remember my advice – or you didn’t get a chance to read it before the guide went missing, you can read my following summary.

When training, you’ll need to operate the Command Collar in different directions depending on the situation.

QUESTION:

Does whining while in a particular command position cause for correction? I know from “Crazy in the Crate” and “Crazy in the Car” on your DVDs that whining should be corrected. But if my dog is in, say, the down position yet still whining, should I correct him?

News story:

A seven-year-old girl was fighting for her life Friday but was expected to survive after she was attacked by dogs that her family rescued from an animal shelter where they’d faced being euthanized, police said.

QUESTION:

In your book, you mentioned about Judah’s confrontation with a dominant Boxer in a dog park which is just super amazing on Judah’s part, to be so well balanced. How do I teach Max to be submissive in these situations? Do I ask him to “Down, Stay” right away? Also, how do I deal with the other dog and its owner?

QUESTION:

We’re getting ready to start your Perfect Dog system and we’re excited. My only concern is the play time. My dogs don’t play with toys at all. They will wrestle with each other occasionally, but not very often. What can I do to give them enough exercise?

QUESTION:

Hello Don. I have used your training program and it works wonderfully well. But my question has to do with why my 3-year-old Lab Shepherd mix has, in the last few weeks, chosen a neighbor to live with!

NOTE: The following training advice is relevant to all loud noise phobias such as thunderstorms, fireworks, vacuum cleaners, large crowds, etc.

NOTE: The following training advice is relevant to all loud noise phobias such as thunderstorms, fireworks, vacuum cleaners, large crowds, etc.

QUESTION:

Could you help me clarify some techniques when it comes to non- stationary commands? How do I correct a “Stick around” command when my dog breaks the allowed perimeter when we are out walking when he has the shortest Freedom Training Line attached to him?

QUESTION:

Hi Don! I’m loving your Perfect Dog system so much! However, I’m still struggling with my dog’s energy levels in some situations. How do I handle an over excited/stressed out 6-month-old hunting line Labrador?

QUESTION:

I have hunting dogs and I’m wondering if your Nature-Based Discipline, Praise & Play Method style of training will make my dogs want to stay with me all of the time and not go hunting. I don’t want them to lose their prey drive.

QUESTION:

I was just wondering… Is there a “between” word to use when your dog is about to do something wrong? I was watching my dog’s body language and I knew he was about to get up. I was wanting to say something to warn him, to kind of remind him what he should be doing. But, I remembered in your DVDs that you say to never repeat commands. What could I have said or done in this situation?

QUESTION:

I have purchased your Perfect Dog system and was wondering about the use of a clicker in conjunction with your training techniques. I have heard that, for instance, you can click the clicker when the dog’s elbows hit the ground during a down command, to let him know what he’s doing is right.

In response to the following quote that was posted on one of my social media pages, someone asked the following question. You can read my reply below.

Quote: “I yearn to see the day when off-leash training is an everyday reality among dog owners.” – Don Sullivan, “The DogFather”

QUESTION:

Hi Don. We bought your Perfect Dog training system for our Doxie/Beagle mix, Annie, a couple of years ago when she was just a puppy. Annie walks like a dream on leash and does well off leash. I need advice, though…

QUESTION:

My dog does the Down command really well. However, when I clap and say ok to release him, he sometimes refuses to get up. He just stays laying down even though I’ve told him he can get up. Should I give him a Come command when he does this? Is he getting his way, saying “No, I’m good!”? What should I do?

QUESTION:

Hello Don. I just adopted a pet from a couple that had to make the difficult decision to let him go. I’d like to know if your Perfect Dog system would help my new boy. As of a week ago, he was terribly shy and clung to me. Now, at least, he likes my kids. That being said, he seems to have a separation anxiety problem. Even if I’m outside in the yard, he has to look for me and whine and cry. What can I do?

QUESTION:

Can you help me? I purchased a muzzle – as you recommended in your DVDs for those with particularly challenging dogs, but the medium size was too small. It was right at the tip of his nose and it just looked too tight. I then tried the next size up, but that was too big – it hit up under his eyes. I also tried a different brand of muzzle in medium. The basket part seemed fine, but the strap wouldn’t reach around to close. I’m frustrated that I can’t find a muzzle that will fit my dog properly. I’d really appreciate any suggestions.

QUESTION:

Don, I’ve successfully used your Perfect Dog system with my dog and now I’m trying to train my mom’s dog. But, I’ve come across a problem. My mom’s dog jumps on my mom’s bed when no one is in the room, and as soon as I open the door she jumps off. So, it’s really difficult to catch her when she’s on the bed. How should I correct her?