Real-world solutions from puppies to seniors
2+2=7-Trigger Stacking All dogs require a balance between stimulation and exercise and getting the balance right can mean the difference between frustration and success in training. It can be particularly important when training young working breed dogs that have a lot of drive and energy: they need a lot of mental stimulation but also need […]
The Cat Sat On The – Lawn… …and the little dog barked to see such fun. Yes, Travis has discovered cats, and like many things while he is going through Second Fear Period, they are to be barked at. We had already started the day with a classic when we came across a child’s potty […]
He Stoops To Conker Dogs are natural scavengers which, combined with puppies’ exploration of everything using their mouths can add up to nuisance and potential danger. Much of the problem lies with human behaviour – dropping litter – and low levels of refuse collection. However, some of the hazards really are natural, albeit with human […]
Bully For Him – Travis’ XL Girlfriend Travis has a robust natural play style. Whilst he’s quite good at adjusting and reading emotional signals from other dogs, he is still an adolescent dog with a tendency to go barrelling in, all guns blazing. As his recall is still a work in progress, I am careful […]
Hair Of The Dog – Double Trouble The national treasure and poet Pam Ayres cited her neighbour once in an interview: “In our house”, said the neighbour, “dog hair is a condiment”. Mine too. It’s also a substitute carpet and doubles as insulation. I had a Siberian Husky, so Travis’ shedding does not phase me. […]
Third Time Lucky – a tail of 3 spaniels. This morning while walking to the park, Travis and I encountered two red cocker spaniels in quick succession. I don’t know, you wait for ages and then two come along together… The first lunged and snapped. Travis looked momentarily non-plussed and then walked on without reacting. […]
Getting A Pasting – More About Teeth Once Travis had his full set of adult teeth, it was time to get him used to having them cleaned. A recent survey by the Co-Operative Insurance company found that 40% of dog and cat owners claimed that dental problems were one of the top reasons for visiting […]
Second (In)Sight – the Second Fear Period – is here and Travis needs help to get through it. 3-4 week old puppies have an extreme startle response as their eyes and ears open and they experience their first sights and sounds. This is known as the First Fear Period. Dogs develop a second insight into […]
King Kong – Safely Occupied I would like to meet Joe Markham and shake him warmly by the hand. “Joe whom?” I hear you ask. Joe Markham was no ordinary Joe. He ran a Volkswagen repair shop in Denver, Colorado. He also had a German Shepherd called Fritz. Fritz had a penchant for chewing dangerous […]
Travis is finally learning the three Rs of recall. Reliable recall is one of the most important things that you can train. Dogs need the freedom to run, play and sniff. Research shows that dogs are more relaxed when their lead is longer, but that being off lead is best of all. That said, there […]