Practical steps for polite lead walking
Gently does it There’s no need for punishment or harsh equipment when training your dog to walk nicely on the lead. Prong collars and choke chains have no place in today’s training and can cause behavioural and physical injury. Let’s be more imaginative. Modern training techniques...
Pulling on a Lead – The Secret Your Dog Doesn’t Want You To Know
Want to know a dog-training secret? One that your dog would rather you didn't know? Shhhh! Dogs like pulling on the lead. There are lots of reasons for this. Some breeds are simply designed to pull: Staffies and Huskies spring to mind, but lots of other dogs...
Safety First
Ever heard something like this? “I don’t need to train my dog, he’s ….only tiny/is naturally obedient/is good with the family …” You can fill in the blanks… but what I always want to ask, is ‘what about in an emergency?’ Preparing your dog in advance for any...
Dog in the City
It’s tempting to think about the quintessential British dog out enjoying the beautiful UK countryside, with green-wellied owner in tow. Of course, many of our dogs do live the perfect country life, ‘hunting, shootin' and fishin’ (aka, sniffing for squirrels, running in the woods and...
Difficult breeds, special needs?
Do you own a Greyhound that sits on command, or a Beagle that comes when it’s called?! Well done! You have managed to put yourself in a class of your own! All too often we are given definitions and descriptions of breed characteristics which we...
Early days – why puppies can be fearful
Puppies should be bright, bouncy and into everything. They should be filled with natural curiosity and sociability. They should be friendly and have the confidence to approach and be handled. I have just returned from seeing a puppy as a behaviour case which was anything...
Question everything – especially dog behaviour advice!
Would you jump off a cliff if someone asked you? How about give your hard-earned money to strangers in the street, just because they told you you should? Simply acting on other people’s advice can be risky if you don’t know what that advice is...
The Truth About Cats & Dogs
Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting event for humans, but for cats it can seem as if their world has just been torn apart. Even if your cat has been used to living with a dog, the new puppy is nothing like their...
The Ten Commandments With a New Puppy
Getting a new puppy is an exciting event. There he is, all full of hope and promise. And there you stand, all omnipotent, thinking just how important it will be to teach him right from wrong. Well, I have news for you – it’s not...
Second Dog Rules
Your dog is now an adult, and he’s turned out to be the perfect pet. He’s sociable, well mannered and you love him to bits – so much so that you want more of the same! However, before you ring the breeder and book a...