Pet Training

As a poodle breeder, I'm no stranger to being surrounded by a pack of dogs gazing at me with that overwhelmingly adorable yet pathetic stare that pooches tend to display either at the dinner table or any time a morsel of food should appear. It's important to keep in mind that even if a dog is not jumping and whining, that loving stare is considered "begging."

Begging is a learned behavior which is usually unconsciously reinforced. Many of us see our pets as members of the family, so it's extremely natural for us to want to share with them. Although it gets annoying to have a pet begging at the dinner table, we have a tendency to block it out and let it continue. One minute we might yell, "Stop begging!" at the guilty dog, but the next minute we feel bad and feed him something. This is exactly where the problem begins.

The moment you give in and offer your pet even a morsel of food, you're reinforcing begging behavior by teaching the dog that if he hangs in there and has the patience to wait, he will be rewarded with a taste. Dogs can be very patient: some will jump and whine and carry on, but many will just sit, stare and wait.

Dogs are pack animals, and in their natural habitat the social order would be ranked in a hierarchy with the leader of the pack -- known as the "alpha dog" -- dominating. Pet owners should be aware that "the pack" instinct remains intact even in domesticated dogs, and that they must take on the alpha role in order to discipline their pets. Once you firmly establish that role, you can more easily take control of bad habits.

My wife Anna and I had no idea. Turns out that when we acquired our puppy, we also received a Hoover upright free of charge! Our canine vacuum will consume almost anything within reach, including food we've dropped on the floor, socks, underwear, snow and even part of our down comforter. Yesterday, inexplicably, she wolfed down a wad of paper towels. A few days before that, she chewed up my favorite wooden stirring spoon. Perhaps the worst offense was when Pippi obliterated one of Anna's notebooks. It had been full of information Anna needed at the office, and required her to explain to her boss that our dog literally ate her homework. "I felt like such a moron," she says.

Perhaps we should count our blessings. After all, since the great diarrhea incident of early February, Pippi hasn't consumed anything that has aggravated her stomach. Also, she tends to stay away from the furniture and, of course, hasn't nipped any people.

And yet it's expensive to replace and replenish household items and foodstuffs, and we worry about Pippi's well being. Surely bits of wood can't be particularly conducive to digestive-tract health. For this conundrum we turn to you readers. We've been doing our best to keep potentially edible items out of her reach, but beyond that, what can we do? How do we ensure that young Pippi doesn't find herself at the vet with, say, an eggbeater in her stomach?

Follow "The Doggie Diaries" on Twitter.

Cold weather often generates a strange phenomenon in well-trained dogs. Shredded toilet paper appears throughout the house, garbage cans are overturned and special "presents" are left for you to discover. Though there may be other factors contributing to your dog's destructive behavior, cabin fever is often at the root of the problem.

Snowstorms and freezing temperatures may keep you from taking your dog for long walks or trips to the dog park, but there are a variety of ways you can keep your canine physically and mentally active throughout the winter.

Provide Interactive Toys
Most dogs love to eat, so why not use food as a motivation to keep their minds busy? Michelle Douglas, President of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, recommends stuffing your dog's meal in a Kong. "This way, your dog will have to work at getting the food and will burn calories in the process." The Buster Cube and the Dog Tornado are other toys that offer your dog the opportunity to work for their meal.

But the toys don't have to feature food to be fun. The IQube challenges your dog to remove squeaky balls from within a plush puzzle-like cube, and comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate both small and large pooches. Babble Balls are another fun -- and noisy -- option. The balls entice your dog by producing realistic animal noises each time he passes by, tapping into his desire to hunt. If, however, your temples are throbbing at even the thought of wild animal calls, Fetch a Bubble may be a good alternative. This clever machine blows chicken-scented bubbles into the air, sending your dog into a frenzy to catch the delicious floating flavor.

Pippi's arrival in our home has been a lot of fun. Our new dog loves being near Anna and me and she loves meeting new people. The problem is that in her enthusiasm for children, friends, strange dogs and, well, anyone who happens to be passing by, Pippi often leaps on them to say hello. In the process, she has jumped onto some folks' bad side.

One early-morning, Pippi and Anna were exploring a yard when a small, middle-aged woman walked by on the sidewalk. With a hop, skip and a jump, Pippi reared up in front of her, placing her front paws on the lady's collarbone to say hello.

"Excuse me, ma'am!" the vexed woman yelped, looking at Anna sharply. Anna apologized, retracted Pippi's leash and tried to make her sit, but the damage was done.

Puppies are prone to hopping up, in an attempt to become face-to-face with their guardians and potential new friends. (It's a way for them to get closer to you, and, of course, makes it easier for them to lick your face.) The ever-curious Pippi seems especially prone to this behavior. It surely doesn't help that in our dog-friendly town, lots of people actually invite her to jump up and play with them.

What do you think, readers? Must we lay down the law and insist Pippi never jump up on anyone? And, if so, what's the best way to nip this jumping behavior in the bud?

How on earth do you stop your dog from digging holes in your garden, lawn and flower bed? The good news is that you don't have to live on a gopher hill. Use these tips to level the playing field!

Pay attention to the obvious. A bored dog will dig for the mere pleasure of expending energy. Exercise your dog, supply him with chew toys, and provide regular activities to deter him from digging. During warm weather, dogs dig for comfort. The earth is cool and they lie on it to reduce body heat. Make sure that your dog has fresh water and shaded rest area. By instinct, dogs will bury bones and treats. When you distribute these goodies, control the food supply and make sure that excess food items are not smuggled into the backyard.

Research the breed before you buy a dog. If you're looking to adopt a dog and you're worried about digger damage, the solution is simple: Do some research and steer clear of breeds that are predisposed to digging. To some degree, all dogs dig, but some breeds are designed for the task, such as Border collies, cairn terriers, dachshunds and basenjis. As a general rule, smart dogs dig out of boredom, rodent hunters dig out of instinct, and bird dogs dig to bury food.