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This week’s breed in focus is the Dachshund. Bred in Germany hundreds of years ago to hunt badgers and affectionately known as the daxie, wiener dog, hotdog, or sausage dog, this breed of short stature leaves a lasting impression. Temperament The Dachshund is a brave, lively and loving companion. They are devoted to their family but may not be the ideal breed to have around...

Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time for everyone. It’s also a crucial time for puppy socialisation activities to help ensure it can overcome the instinctive fear that dogs have of humans and many other things in our world. The reason why we need focus on puppy socialisation as early and as positively as possible, is that because everything that a dog learns...

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes from the Staffordshire region of England. They were originally bred from crossing Bulldogs and other terrier breeds for bull and bear baiting, until the practice was banned in the UK in the 1830s. Affectionally known as the English Staffy, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is one of Australia’s most popular breeds. Temperament The Staffordshire Bull Terrier shares its lineage with the...

When training a puppy or dog new skills, using positive reinforcement (ie: rewarding the desired behaviour) works best. It is also important to know how to use a ‘Schedule of Reinforcement’ correctly during the different stages of training a puppy or dog with the aim of strengthening the behaviour you are after. Firstly, find what motivates them When training a puppy or dog you need...

A snuffle mat is an enrichment activity designed to tap into your dog's sense of smell, providing mental and physical stimulation. The action of sniffing out a treat is hugely satisfying and self-rewarding for your dog (just like barking, but not as noisy). Some dogs just can’t get into interactive toys so a snuffle mat can be an alternative. Teach your dog to use a...

We often think of a Border Collie as the quintessential Australian working dog, but the breed actually originated on the border of Scotland and England and is arguably considered the world’s best herding dog. This smart, highly energetic and trainable breed has great stamina and a need for order and a job to do above anything else. Temperament Border Collie’s are very people-oriented and are...

As we see an increase in dogs suffering from separation anxiety it can be a very tough issue to deal with and there is no one simple solution to solve this for every dog. There are many reasons why dogs become anxious when left alone, and it is important that you understand the underlying reasons for this ie: Are they left alone too long each...

Over the past few months I have been worried about the rise in opportunistic pet adoptions and ill-prepared owners getting new puppies during lockdown, potentially leading to many pets becoming a dog pound and shelter statistic. Don't get me wrong, I am over the moon so many dogs and cats have been fostered and adopted and our out of the dog pound and shelter environment....

During the COVID-19 restrictions many pets enjoyed more attention and company from their human family than ever before. However, as people return to work and school, we are likely to see a big rise in separation anxiety and other separation related behaviours in our dogs, so it is important you prepare your dog for your return to work as soon as possible. To help reduce...

Anxiety in dogs is very complex topic to both understand and address and is recognised as a cause of many behaviour and physical problems. With around 20% of dogs suffering from anxiety, it is a major mental health issue, just as it is for us humans. From fear-based aggression to Separation Related Behaviours (also commonly known as Separation Anxiety), phobias and compulsive behaviour; anxiety can...