Q: Our 1.5-year-old lab mix is hyper and driving us nuts. He chases and nips at the kids and can't seem to settle down. EVER. We exercise him twice a day — a 30-minute jog AND a 45-minute walk in the evening. We've had a couple sessions with a trainer, and he suggested we look at his diet as a possible contributor to his crazy behavior. I'm skeptical. Does it really matter what kind of dog food we feed him? We use a popular brand from the pet store, medium price range. And NO table scraps or people food. A: Great question! Quick answer: I believe, YES, it matters what food your dog eats. We trainers are excited about the relatively new research taking place in the realm of canine nutrit

Q: We just got a dog and we’re on the fence about using a crate. The staff at the shelter said we should, but the dog is housebroken, so is a crate really necessary? A: Necessary, maybe not. Strongly recommended? Absolutely! The crate is one of those dog management tools that most trainers consider essential because of the many purposes it serves. If used correctly, the crate represents a haven for your dog, a place where he feels secure to relax and rest. Dogs have a den instinct, and the crate is the perfect place for a dog to settle for the night, a nap, or just for some recreational chew-toy time. Some other crate benefits: --Starting in puppyhood, the crate is an excellent housebre

Last month the Ask the Trainer column gave advice on what to consider before adopting a dog, such as what energy level and exercise requirements would best suit your family’s lifestyle. Assuming you have honestly appraised the resources and time you have to give a dog, and you have identified your ideal physical characteristics (big or small, short hair or long, slobbery or not) and compatibility requirements (cat/kid/dog-friendly), then you’re ready to begin the search! Whether you’re seeking a mixed breed or a purebred (according to the ASPCA, approximately 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds), you’re sure to find your ideal canine companion at a shelter or rescue organization.

Q: My husband and I think we’re ready to get a family dog. We want to adopt from a shelter or rescue and we have two young kids. Any advice? A: The decision to adopt a dog, if given the consideration due, is a weighty one. It sounds like you’ve done the due diligence – an honest appraisal of the time, money and energy required to properly care for and train your dog – and you’re ready to roll. Great! Now what? First, thank you for taking the socially responsible (and extremely gratifying!) route of saving a dog from a shelter or rescue organization. Before you begin your search, do some soul searching and a gut check with the following in mind: Accept and embrace who’s really going to b

Q: I have a 9 month old Lab-Pit mix I adopted three months ago from the shelter. He’s a really sweet dog and plays well with my neighbor’s dog, also a lab mix. We live near a fenced-in dog park and I’d really love to take him so he can socialize with more dogs, but a couple friends have had really bad experiences at dog parks and I’m nervous about going. Any advice? A: Great question! Dog professionals are all over the place on the question of dog parks. Depending on whom you ask, dog parks are the highlight of your dog’s day or the ideal setting for trauma, injury and lawsuits. I personally enjoy exercising and socializing my clients’ and my own dogs at the dog park, but I also know it’s