I have been asked frequently why I do not recommend slip leads and why I will not allow them (along with semi chokes and full choke collars) in my classes so I thought this would be a good topic to cover this month. Lets start off with what is a slip lead? This is a lead that can fully tighten around your dogs neck. This is commonly used for working dogs as a collar could get stuck whilst working or performing agility. These leads were simply invented for the ease of carrying and putting on your dog after its been working to keep them safe. When using them correctly they should form a 'P' sha ..read more

Following on from so called ‘dominance’ I had a client who came to me for some neutering advice after a dog sitter related their dog’s behaviour to male dominance and advised that the dog was neutered. Unfortunately there is a strong myth surrounding canine behaviour of dominance- this is purely a myth with no scientific evidence and there is mounting scientific evidence against this idea of dominance. Click Here to read more about dog dominance Pros With neutering a male dog there is of course the benefit of population control which is a very important benefit with considering how many dogs ..read more

I met somebody recently on a walk with my two dogs, we got talking and said she has to make sure that her dog is not 'top dog' as all dogs want to be top dog and humping dogs are trying to establish dominance and was shocked to hear that dominance is a myth with no scientific basis- especially because a rescue centre she obtained the dog from used the term dominance. It is very surprising to me that this myth is still strong despite mounting evidence that is it at best unhelpful and worst highly detrimental to the human-animal bond. It is easy to see why people still believe in this idea, aft ..read more

I believe it is safe to say that Christmas can be a wonderful yet stressful time of year for us, let alone for our dogs. Therefore, I thought I would share my tips to take some stress out of the festive period! 1. A SAFE PLACE - so all dogs need a safe place within your home, this may be a crate or simply a room where they can retreat to and not be disturbed - or you may create this area by using a pen, or opening it up to act more like a room divider. This is even more important around the festive season as you may have guests, young children visiting, or tempting but toxic food. Giving them ..read more

First it is really important that the dog and cat are introduced slowly and positively to limit any distress or excitement. This process can be done if your dog does already chase the cat- whether you are introducing for the first time, or trying to stop the dog chasing the cat, it is very important you do NOT allow the dog to EVER chase the cat- prevention is key in changing behaviour. A game of chase is rewarding for the dog and terrifying for the cat. When you are not able to supervise and control the situation- the dog and cat must be separated. Scent First it is important to introduce the ..read more

When I say extendible leads, I am referring to those which have a mechanism inside the handle that can extend and retract the lead. Also known as retractable/ flexi leads. They are a very popular and convenient way to allow your dog some extra freedom on your walks. However, many dog trainers do not tend to recommend them and leave you wondering why? Therefore, I thought I would share my view on them and why I do not usually recommend them so you can decide whether they are appropriate for you and your dog. 1 – They Encourage Pulling Firstly, your dog needs to pull against the friction caused ..read more

They are of particular importance when we use them to ascribe meaning to certain events. In the case of dogs, the words we use to ascribe meaning to their behaviour can give us a clearer picture of their interests and needs, or they can muddy the waters of our understanding of the species we share our lives with. We humans have brought dogs into our lives. Their “problem” behaviours may be problems for us, but they are perfectly normal behaviours for dogs. Therefore, it is our responsibility to understand what truly drives their behaviour and to help them fit perfectly into this bizarre human ..read more

Food: Keep your dog’s treats as healthy as you can. Chicken and real meat is a great idea, however other treats can be tiny bits of cheese and hot dogs. I recommend all my clients to experiment with different dog-safe food to see what REALLY gets those tails wagging. We reserve high value food for very important behaviours like recall, new cues and counter conditioning work! It is important to remember this is all to be INCLUDED in your dog's daily food allowance. If you are stuck for ideas, you could try: fish, left over meat, apples, liver cake/ paste, carrots, peas, egg whites etc. Scrumpy ..read more

All dogs need a variety of different types of walks and enrichment. If your dog is bored and you're looking for new and fun ways to burn off some of their excess energy, I recommend all of my clients to add sniffaris into their walk routinues! Your dog will enjoy the freedom of getting to explore at their own pace and sniff all the wonderful smells they encounter. These walks also give you a chance to decompress and take in nature. And luckily, going on a sniffari can give you a way to get outside and still socially distance during the Covid-19 pandemic. Using their sense of smell is incredibl ..read more

If you have met me you will notice that all the things we teach our dogs are called “cues” rather than a "commands". This might sound insignificant HOWEVER the words we use shape our perception and this has become more apparent to me in my current studies (a Masters in Anthrozoology). Animal training was approached with a very different mindset than we use today. Humans had dominion over all other species and could use them for sport, assistance and entertainment. The animals rarely had choice in their involvement- often it being obey or face the consequences. And there were consequences. Imag ..read more