Journal Articles
FOOD - My Top Recommendations to Save Money AND improve your dogs nutrition!
I’ve been wanting to spend some time writing about dog food and nutrition for a while now, but with a new puppy in the home, and inflation pinching at my wallet, there has never been a better time to talk about how you can save money on your dog food, and significantly improve the quality of what you are feeding your dog.
What to look out for and avoid when finding a Dog Trainer or behaviourist… (written by a dog behaviourist).
There is a joke in my industry that the only thing which two dog trainers agree on is that the third dog trainer is wrong. And whilst it is certainly true that there is a great deal of variation in terms of tools, techniques and philosophy in the industry - I think its important to bring attention to some of the most common ‘poor’ experiences of dog training to look out for…
Cockerpoos, Aggression and Resource Guarding - why it’s so common and what to do about it.
If someone were to tell me that I have a resource guarding case, and I had to place a bet on what type of dog it would be, I would bet on a Cockerpoo. Whilst resource guarding can happen in any breed of dog, it’s Cockerpoo’s that I see cropping up time and time again, with issues beginning around 4 months old and becoming severe by about 6 to 8 months. So why is this supposedly perfect family pet so prone to this kind of issue? Why does it start so early, and what can you do about it?
"Should you pet your dog when they're eating?" and other food related questions
Resource guarding and food based aggression can be an incredibly serious issue in the home - it’s distressing for dogs and their owners when something as simple as feeding your dog becomes a major source of tension. In this blog post, I’m going to discuss some of the key suggestions for prevention and resolution that are common in the industry - and what the best option for you is.
Popular Problems - How do I stop my puppy biting?
One of the most common questions I hear from new puppy owners, and a very common question in the community is about puppy biting. I have people get in contact who are worried their new puppy might be a genetic bad apple of the littler, aggressive and dangerous, physiologically damaged, dominant - you name it, i’ve probably heard it!
The weirdest and worst dog training 'advice' I've ever heard!
I’ve worked with a lot of clients who come to me after 2, 3 or more other trainers and find themselves no further forwards. The more advice they get, the harder it is to filter out the good from the bad - and it can end up really confusing and stressful for you and your dog! So this post is dedicated to some of the weirdest and worst suggestions I’ve ever heard - and of course the correct approach you should be taking instead:
Over excited dog? Hyperactive human
In the dog world, hyperactivity and overexcitement is a big problem. It’s not a natural way for a dog to behave. It normally perceived as disrespectful to other dogs - particularly jumping on other dogs, repeatedly nudging their undersides, or not respecting their space and warning signals. It’s not actually enjoyable for hyperactive dogs either. It’s a bit like living off energy drinks all day every day.