1)  

You have never had a dog before! If you have never raised a dog, you should immediately seek out the help of a trained professional. Most behavior problems in dogs are "owner induced," and with good advice, you and your dog can avoid many of the most common behavior issues.

2)  

Your puppy is now six months old and is still peeing and pooping in the house three or four times a week! Housetraining is a simple and straightforward process. If your dog is not completely housetrained, or at least making huge improvements in its housetraining after being in your home for a month, you likely can benefit from a trainer's assistance.

3)  

Your endearing little Fido is dragging you down the street to the point of complete frustration and discomfort! Teaching your dog to walk nicely on the leash can be quite a task. First you must know what your goals are, and how to convey that to the dog. If you are unclear and inconsistent, you get a dog that doesn't walk well on leash.

4)  

You are afraid to come home because you are unsure if your apartment will be in the condition you left it in! Chewing problems can be resolved. If you are coming home day after day to destroyed items, you need a better plan. It could be something as simple as more chew bones and exercise, or maybe it's a more serious issue of anxiety. Chewing might be a sign your dog is not happy, and we all want our dogs to be happy!

5)  

When friends and family stop visiting you because Fluffy is so annoying, and won't stop jumping on them! Jumping up is one of those behaviors that is cute for about a minute, and then can be annoying for a lifetime! If you want your dog to stop jumping up, you need to teach him/her an alternate behavior.

6)  

Your daily trip to the dog run lasts much longer than you planned because Max won't come to you, and you have to enlist fellow dog people to help catch him! Teaching your dog to "Come" is straight forward, but you DO have to teach the command. Consider taking a basic obedience class so you can work around other dogs as distraction. Giving your dog treats alone is not the answer. You CAN teach your dog to come no matter what!

7)  

Your beloved cat Seymour has not come out from under the bed ever since you brought Jojo the dog home, and that was two months ago. Dogs and cats can be fast friends, but it can also be a disaster. A few simple exercises can give you the information you need to determine if this relationship will work. Better safe than sorry at Seymour's expense!

8)  

Your neighbors are leaving nasty notes on your front door because Spunky is barking and whining all day! You need to work with someone who specializes in separation anxiety. Separation anxiety often is misunderstood by people thinking their dog is barking and whining for no particular reason. They are not aware that the dog actually is suffering from an anxiety disorder. Confidence building and exit setups can resolve this problem.

9)  

You're being asked to leave the dog park because your dog King is claiming ownership of every stick, ball, and person in the dog run! If your dog is having fights of any kind in the dog park on a regular basis, you need to work with a behavior consultant who specializes in aggression, and not just a dog trainer. Much can be done to modify your dog's behavior. But you need to make sure the plan is safe and well-thought-out.

10)  

Your two dogs keep getting into real squabbles so often that you have to keep them separated most of the time! If you are experiencing inter-dog aggression, again, you need to get advice from someone experienced in behavior, and not just training. Inter-dog aggression can become very serious, but know that it is usually fixable. Most inter-dog aggression is a result of the owner's miscommunication.

11)  

You're expecting a baby! Too many dogs lose their homes when their owners bring home a baby. Dogs and babies can live peacefully and happily in the same home. Get sound advice, so everyone can stay together.