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Mastering Skill Tracks with Your Dog
Advanced Obedience Training: The Continuing Education of You and Your Dog I. Introduction: Beyond Sit and Stay At first, obedience training feels like checking boxes. Sit? Check. Stay? Check. Walk nicely on a leash? Sort of. But once the basics are in place, something shifts. Your dog begins to ask a deeper question: What now?…
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How to Spot and Treat Cataracts in Big Dogs
Introduction It often starts with a glance—a flicker of something off in your dog’s eyes. A hint of cloudiness. A missed step on the stairs. A hesitation when retrieving a favorite toy. You chalk it up to age or a moment of distraction. But for many dog owners, this is the beginning of a new…
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How to Leash Train a Giant Breed Puppy
Introduction: The Leash Is a Lifeline, Not a Chain The leash is not a tool of control—it’s a conversation. For a giant breed dog, that conversation must begin early, with calm intention and mutual trust. This isn’t about domination or “showing who’s boss.” It’s about establishing safety, clarity, and presence in a world that often…
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Train a Giant Breed Dog to Love the Crate
First FIve – Crate Training Introduction: Not a Cage, But a Cave To the human eye, a crate may look like a box with bars—an enclosure meant to contain. But to a dog, especially a giant breed, a properly introduced crate can become something far more meaningful: a sanctuary. Crate training isn’t about restriction—it’s about…
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No More Mess: Potty Train Your Big Pup
First Five: House Training for Giant Breed Dogs Introduction: A Matter of Trust and Timing House training a giant breed dog isn’t just about preventing accidents—it’s about establishing a language of respect, timing, and trust. When a 150-pound dog has to go, it has to go, and if we haven’t built the structure, signals, and…
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How to Train a Giant Dog to Listen
First Five- Basic Obedience More Than Just Sit and Stay Owning a giant breed dog is like inviting a small bear into your living room—one that can learn, love, and lean with the full weight of a freight train. And while they may have the gentlest hearts and softest eyes, their sheer size and strength…
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The Truth About Breed-Specific Legislation
Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) remains a highly controversial topic in the world of dog ownership. While some people argue that restricting or banning certain breeds helps prevent attacks and promotes public safety, others believe that such laws unfairly punish responsible dog owners and fail to address the real issue: irresponsible ownership and lack…
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Why Dogs Lick, Stare, and Bow: Canine Communication Secrets
Understanding how dogs communicate is like learning a foreign language — one rooted in body language, vocalizations, and nuanced behavior. Dogs are constantly talking, both to each other and to us. Whether it’s the friendly bounce of a play bow or the subtle tension in a stiffened tail, every gesture tells a story. But how…