It has been a very hectic couple of months for one-to-one sessions and behaviour consultations. Demand is still high, which means we cannot take on any more behaviour or one-to-one clients until mid-January 2024. We do offer online consults but still require a veterinary referral for these. We have some availability in December for online consults.     ..read more

I’m so proud to be a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors member. Membership is renewed annually, and we must submit our CPD for the preceding year. Currently, there is no legislation or regulations covering dog training and behaviour services, so anyone (even someone with no knowledge of dogs) can call themselves a dog trainer, instructor or behaviourist. This can do more harm than good, and there are plenty of individuals happy to jump on the “master trainer” or “skilled behaviourist” bandwagon. To ensure that our clients get the best and most appropriate advice, we a ..read more

Learning doesn’t stop, and continued professional development for clinical animal behaviourists is essential.   So for her latest CPD, Vicky wanted to focus on a subject that seemed to factor in a significant number of her behaviour cases, and something she has had first-hand experience with her own dogs.   In 2022, 39% of her dog behaviour cases were diagnosed with a musculoskeletal condition (and likely chronic pain) by a vet. The diagnosis was made just before the referral or during the behaviour treatment programme.   Vicky embarked upon, and has completed, Canine Arthritis ..read more

You have gone to the Rainbow Bridge and left us brokenhearted. You were a one-in-a-million dog who lived life to the full, wagging your tail until the end. Life will never be the same without you ..read more

It has been a while since we ran one of our popular activity workshops, but we are delighted to announce that we have another one scehduled for this November. These worskhops are suitable for friendly and sociable dogs who already have a good level of basic training under their canine belts! Places are strictly limited to six dogs and handlers ..read more

The weather next week is predicted to be very warm, so it’s important to keep your dogs cool to prevent heatstroke. Here at Have a Good Dog, we avoid walking our dogs during the day when temperatures are at their highest. Elderly dogs, pups, and brachycephalic dogs, or flat-faced dogs, are more susceptible to heatstroke. Keep them safe and cool ..read more

As restrictions continue to ease, we are gradually resuming our services. Classes are resuming, and face to face appointments can begin too.   This is great news; however, we are now in a position where we have three months worth of postponed classes and appointments to catch up with in addition to an influx of new enquiries.   If you are interested in booking an appointment, we will endeavour to get you booked with the minimal waiting time. As of the middle of April 2021, the waiting list is six weeks, and that’s with a seven-day working week.   Do not let that put you off con ..read more

Lofty has had a few sessions of learning to chin target. This is his fourth. In the first few sessions, he was lured with the food until his chin touched my hand. Now he can do the behaviour without luring. This will be developed until he can sustain the behaviour for longer. It is a great exercise for husbandry.   ..read more

We have a vacancy for a part-time trainer (8 hours over Saturdays and Sundays) A position has arisen for a dog trainer to deliver and assist in weekend dog training classes in County Durham. As a trainer for Have a Good Dog, we seek someone who can lead classes, support the head trainer, and help clients and their dogs in a course. The link will take you to the job specification: Job Specification   ..read more

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry (and healthy) Christmas and New Year. We aim to respond to all e-mails and phone queries throughout the holiday within forty-eight hours, so please do not hesitate to leave a message    ..read more