Table of Contents

1- All Dogs (and Their Owners) Need Some Training

2- Teaching Your Dog Simply, Humanely and Effectively

3- Start Your Puppy Right

4- House-Training and Crate-Training

5- The Basic obedience Commands

6- It’s Your House, Not Your Dog’s

7- Does Your Dog Bark, Dig and Chew?

8- Games to Play With Your Dog

9- The Next Step In Training

10- Dogs and Sports Activities

11- Responsible Dog Ownership

Introduction to All Dogs Need Some Training

Dogs have been a part of my life as long as I remember, and according to some family photos, even before that. Because of my professions (dog trainer and writer) my dogs are with me almost 24 hours a day and we do a lot of things together. A dog (or two) goes for a walk with me every morning and trots along my bicycle each afternoon. When I buy mulch, potting soil, or a forty-pound bag of dog food, a dog pulls the wagon from my van to the back yard or house.

My dogs and I do therapy dog work, agility, play Frisbee and tennis ball games and much, much more. I want the dog owner to understand what his or her dog is, why the dog acts the way it does and that chewing up the couch was not a personal attack. When the owner understands his dog and learns how to teach the dog simply, humanely and effectively, both parties will succeed.

In my classes, I have a few simple goals. I want to teach the basic obedience commands, of course, but would also like to save some dogs from a life of boredom locked in the back yard. I would like to save the lives of some dogs who might otherwise be euthanized simply for lack of a time and training. I would like to prevent injuries to people because of ignorance on their part or from a lack of socialization and/or training on the dog’s part.

In short, I wish every dog owner could enjoy the same relationship with their dog that I have with mine!

Sincerely, Liz Palika and my constant companions, Ursa and Dax