Dog fights are scary! There's no getting away from it, dog fights get the heart pumping! Luckily when my own dogs, Max and Ernie, had a very firm disagreement the other night, they did what most dogs do and chose to make a lot of noise rather than [...]
What is scentwork for dogs? You can't get very far working with or living with dogs without coming across the hype about scentwork for dogs. Scentwork can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. Essentially it is any activity where your dog is [...]
Down Stay vs. Settle - what's the difference and why does it matter? The main difference is the underlying emotional state for the dog, which can also impact their responses. This can be important for anxious dogs, and separation anxiety dogs, when we are trying to train them [...]
Dogs and nail clipping - a tricky combo? Lots of dogs are very sensitive about having their feet touched, let alone being held to have their nails clipped. Reactions might range from vocalisations, hiding at the very sight of the clippers, or even lashing out aggressively. When it [...]
Why is my dog anxious? We need to be empathetic and patient if when training an anxious dog. Just like people, dogs can be anxious for lots of reasons. Some dogs have had bad experiences with certain things which make them worry about experiencing that again. For example, [...]
How to muzzle a dog Dogs may be muzzled for a variety of reasons. They might eat non-edible items that are dangerous for them. They may eat disgusting things that give them upset tummies! Some dogs may get very anxious and snappy at the vets but need treatment. [...]
Why do I use harnesses for dogs? My preference is a Y shaped harness I use harnesses in many of my behaviour cases, and use them with my own dogs. I opt for Y shaped harnesses, which means that they form a Y shape at the front of [...]
What counts as a safe space for dogs? When people talk about creating a den or safe space for their dogs, most people picture a crate. If your dog is anxious, then it is better to give your dog lots of options, and let them choose! This way you [...]
What is Free Work for dogs? The term Free Work is associated with Sarah Fisher and her Animal Centred Education approach to dog training and behaviour. Loosely, Free Work for dogs involves setting out different types of dog-safe objects in an appropriate space, whether that's a small kitchen floor, [...]
I have updated my case stats to show the breeds and types of behaviour cases I saw in 2019! See below. Breeds I've seen in 2019: The behaviour problems from 2019: However, there are more details that are interesting to see. The case stats show that the top breeds [...]
