Puppies can't guess the difference between good behaviour and their not-so-good ways, so if you want a well-trained dog, you had better get moving! And since Spot didn't come with instructions, we've consulted the experts and compiled our four best articles on dealing with dog troubles. Find everything you need to turn your puppy into a healthy, happy and obedient dog below.

Did you know that a fun game of catch with your canine companion can help lay the groundwork for a respectful relationships with your dog? The key lies in having a pup that wants to bring you a treasured toy, rope or ball. Does your dog put up a fight when asked to give up a toy? Find out below how to train your dog to fetch, and discover how it can help with general obedience.

Your pet dog is supposed to be your best friend, but what do you do when that friend talks back and doesn't listen? The first thing to know is who's in charge in the relationship. (Hint: the answer should be you!) Not sure how to tell? Find specific advice and real-life examples from expert Cesar Millan to get your pooch on the path to success.

Maybe the most annoying thing about your pet dog isn't what he does (or doesn't do), but is more of a hygiene-based issue. We've asked Dr. Walt Ingwerson for advice about stinky dogs, and were surprised by the answers. Learn why your smelly dog could need more than just a dip in the tub, and find out how to determine if it needs a trip to the vet.

How to teach your dog to fetch
Tricks to teaching your puppy to chase, catch and bring back objects to you.

One of the things I like to teach early in training is the fetch. I don't see this as formal training but as a fun game to play during the day. The fetch has immense value in training, however. Dogs will naturally chase any attractive object or small creature, and even large ones. But bringing a captured prize back to us involves an act of willing service. This is an attitude we want in the dog.

Here is how to teach the fetch to a young puppy
• Crumple up a sheet of paper to use as a ball. I sit down with a pad of paper so that I can crumple up a fresh sheet into a ball whenever I need one.

Who's in charge: you or your dog?
Are you the pack leader in your home, or does your dog run the show? Read Cesar Millan's tips for making sure your dog knows who's boss.

The rules you make for the dogs in your household are completely up to you. But there are some overall rules that I strongly recommend you follow in order to keep you pack leader status intact.

• Wake up on your terms, not his. Your dog is not your alarm clock. If your dog sleeps in your bed, condition him to get quietly off the bed if he wakes before you do and needs water or to stretch his legs. Then he needs to wait calmly for you to get up and start the structure of his day.

9 pet problems and how to fix them
Read on for tips on dealing with sticky pet situations.

I'll never forget my first "petiquette" nightmare. I'd invited five friends over for a dinner party, and as we stood in the kitchen chatting, my mutt, Artie, bobbed into the room, dragging his enormous stuffed dog. My friend David said something charming about how sweet Artie was. Then, silence. Everyone stared, mouths agape. Artie was... well... romancing... his stuffed dog. In the middle of my circle of dinner guests. With his typical goofy half-Rottweiler grin pasted across his face. "Oh, my," said David.

It took me a minute to disengage Artie from his amorous activities and heave the stuffed dog into a closet. It took 30 minutes for everyone to stop laughing. I made a mental note to never, ever leave that stuffed dog out when guests are over. Artie's romantic proclivities might not bother me, but my friends were invited simply for dinner – not dinner and a show.

Why your stinky pet could be sick
Find out why your smelly pet could have a serious health problem.

Whether it's the time of the year or simply a very common (and annoying) problem, questions pertaining to the odours that our pets sometimes emit have dominated my e-mail lately. Here's a sampling, along with some tips on common odour sources and their control.

Q: We have a beautiful Canadian Eskimo/German shepherd dog mix who is male and 3 years old. Until now, he has always had a wonderful coat and never a bad smell. Recently, he has developed a ‘poop' odour that is with him all the time. He is otherwise clean, healthy, and happy. Can you suggest what the source of this odour problem may be?


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