Extended family members may not know your policy about letting pets in and out and they may be too busy to notice a pet slipping out.

If you have pets that tend to wander outside, warn family members in advance that they must be careful that nobody with four feet escapes. Holidays are notorious times for pets to go on unplanned walkabouts.

Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

Why they do this is another mystery of dog behavior called “caching,” which wolves also do, although no one is certain of the reason for this instinctual drive. It is quite curious that some dogs do it with whatever treat they get while others never bury anything.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

The leash and collar are not a grab bar or weapon for you to jerk, grab or to pull on. They are there for guidance, as gentle reminders to the dog of what you are asking him to do. Do NOT be influenced by trainers you see on television who use the leash in a punishing manner: this is frowned upon by the best trainers and can damage a dog neck.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

For some dogs, tail chasing becomes an obsession. This is often true in the Bull Terrier. Since Obsessive Compulsive Disorder comes out in other ways in this breed, such as playing with balls, it’s thought to be a genetic trait. These dogs will sometimes be so obsessed with their tail or ball, they won’t even stop for food. The human drug Prozac has proved to be helpful with this. Also, increasing exercise and eliminating anxiety-provoking events, such as confinement, may help.

But non-compulsive chasing can just be a cry for attention – my pit bull Hudson knows he gets applause for the goofball that he is if he chases his tail and stops after getting a treat for his performance.

Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

Thanks to the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program, good dogs everywhere (mixed breeds included) can try their paws at certification. After they pass, not only can they include the prestigious “CGC” after their name, but they may be able gain special access too. For example, a landlord may consider renting to a family with a certified Canine Good Citizen versus one without the certification.

The test is also a prerequisite for working and therapy dogs, and it’s simply a great foundation upon which to build upon. Learn all about it here.

Woof Report is a free weekday email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products & more! Sign up at www.woofreport.com or become a Facebook Fan.

As a dog owner, she’s curious to learn why dogs do the things they do and what they know, and as a cognitive scientist, she’s curious about understanding them on another level. Horowitz explores our understanding of the dog’s world view with practical application for the people who love them. Read a few excerpts from the book at the author’s site here.

Woof Report is a free weekday email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products & more! Sign up at www.woofreport.com or become a Facebook Fan.

Since good timing is at the heart of any training, check out this fun reflex tester to check your timing. Experiment with different colors and see if your speed improves.

Of course, the best way to practice your training skills is by clicking your dog for good behaviors! Happy clicking, Dogsters!

Casey Lomonaco is an accomplished dog trainer and the proprietor of Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training. She contributes to PetExpertise.com and Dog Star Daily and you can follow her on Twitter here.