Tom you are amazing ! I listen to your podcast everyday and have learned so much as I prepare for my new puppy. I share your name with everyone I know with dogs and your knowledge has helped me teach others that are struggling. Thank you!!!

I started listening about 2 weeks ago and I have been through countless episodes trying to learn as much as I can. Thank you for all the knowledge and experience you share with your listeners! My boyfriend and I recently adopted a mixed breed shelter puppy and we are working diligently on training. We both work for small family businesses and work very long hours 5-6 days a week so we alternate who takes the puppy. My parents bring their dogs to work as well but we have had to rotate which days they come because of the puppy. They are pit bulls which they got because I have one that they fell in love with. They are both around 95-110lbs. One of their dogs gets along really well with the puppy and they play all day. We introduced the other one to the puppy and it went horribly. Their dog is very reactive and honestly aggressive towards the puppy. He has met other dogs in the past and has done okay with them but hasn’t been SUPER socialized because of his reactivity and their lack of control over him. I don’t know why but with the puppy he immediately went after him and submitted him to the ground. The puppy got scared and helped and that sent him off the cliff. I was afraid that if we didn’t pull him off he would’ve killed the puppy. I don’t know what to do whether it’s hopeless and they’ll never be able to be in the same room or if scheduling a consultation with you would provide more information and what we could do. I’ve gone through so many episodes trying to find a similar situation and I haven’t heard one yet. Please help!!

Dear Tom, I would like to get straight to my question which is, how would you correct a dog for jumping up and trying to bite the leash while on walks? Our 6 month old Australian cattle dog, husky and German shepherd mix has a very strong herding instinct, and though doesn’t try to bite me, he tries to bite the leash. I try to pop the leash, though never quite time it right. Thank you for all the free advice you give, and have already found use through it even as an 11 year old. Hope you have a nice day, sir.

Hi Tom, your podcast episodes and YouTube videos have been amazing for our new Toller pup. I have two questions: Is there ever such a thing as starting too early with basic obedience for a puppy? I get a lot of comments from people saying we are being too “strict”. My parents have a German Shepherd that has reactivity issues. He loves and would absolutely not hurt for sure 5 people in his life (including me) but others can be questionable. Bit my sister for trying to pet him and bit my husband for trying to correct him during a fetch session. He also has issues with other dogs. Some are okay and others he wants to dominate. My question is, should I allow the dogs to meet at all? If so should the shepherd have a muzzle at all times? I really worry about my pup having a bad interaction and it changing the way he behaves around dogs because of it. Thank you so much!