So it’s firework season. For many dog owners, it’s a dreaded time of year. For every firework that lights up the sky, their dog is rocketed into panic and fear. Maybe you thought ahead this year and started preparing your dog a few months ago, building up to a fear-free firework season, but I would … Continue reading Let the Fireworks Begin…
Category: Dog Training
Puppy Biting: The Why’s, What’s, What-Nots and How’s
Puppies are adorable. They’re cute, silly, mischievous and endless fun, but it’s not long before those little needle-sharp teeth start to really irritate you. It’s the painful side of puppyhood which we often forget about ... puppies BITE. Your puppy is not being ‘aggressive’, he does not need to ‘learn who’s boss’ and he is … Continue reading Puppy Biting: The Why’s, What’s, What-Nots and How’s
The Canine Ladder of Communication
Many of us will confidently say our dog would NEVER bite. Even people who own reactive dogs will still claim their dog would never bite. They might bark and lunge around but they would never bite. How can you be so sure? Every dog can be classed as a ‘bite risk’, they all have teeth … Continue reading The Canine Ladder of Communication
Communication and Reactivity
Being aware of the Ladder of Aggression and dog communication is vital for every dog owner, but it’s even more crucial if you live with a dog who struggles to cope with stress or displays reactive behaviours. Whether your dog struggles with frustration-based reactivity or fear-based behaviours, identifying the signals is the first step of … Continue reading Communication and Reactivity
The Residential Debate
The phrase ‘residential training’ comes with a stigma attached. A quick Google search brings up numerous articles stating all the disadvantages and the ‘why-nots’. I’ll be the first to admit residential training isn’t suitable for every dog or every owner. It does have pros and cons, and it’s by no means a ‘quick fix’, nor … Continue reading The Residential Debate
Jumping Up: Are you rewarding bad behaviours?
Owning a dog who jumps up at people can be one of the most embarrassing and frustrating challenges in dog ownership. It's such a common behaviour, but it can seem impossible to change. Sometimes it feels like you’ve tried everything, maybe you’ve started out by gently saying ‘get down’ or ‘off’ but unfortunately dogs don’t … Continue reading Jumping Up: Are you rewarding bad behaviours?
Does Your Dog REALLY Need Dog Friends?
What’s more important to your dog ... You? Or other dogs? People get so caught up on the idea that their dog needs lots of ‘dog friends’ in order to be happy and have a fulfilling social life. While this may work out just fine for some dogs, for many others it creates lifelong problems. … Continue reading Does Your Dog REALLY Need Dog Friends?
Breeder Beware: Choosing a Good Breeder
Finding a puppy from a good breeder is no easy task. Earlier this year the Government passed new legislation regarding the sale of puppies and kittens. Breeders are now required to be licenced and follow tighter regulations which make them accountable for the puppies they breed. Despite this we’re still seeing news reports of poorly … Continue reading Breeder Beware: Choosing a Good Breeder
Lure? Bribe? Reward?
What are we really teaching our dogs? Do you ever feel like all you do is bribe your dog with food? You want him to come to you so you grab a tasty treat and wave it around until he notices and comes running for it? You want him to drop the sock in his … Continue reading Lure? Bribe? Reward?
Enrich Your Dog’s Life
Enrichment has become a bit of a buzz word in the dog world. It has been a big topic for years but it has been discussed more than ever while we’ve been at home with our dogs in recent weeks. ‘Enrichment’ can seem daunting, there are so many activities, games and ideas to choose from. … Continue reading Enrich Your Dog’s Life
