Training & Behaviour

Many dogs have an extreme fear of loud noises, a condition known as noise phobia — and it’s far more common than you might think. What triggers noise phobia? It can be triggered by thunderstorms, fireworks, loud parties, children playing, or even household sounds like vacuums and blenders. And for some breeds like Border Collies, Kelpies, and other herding or hunting dogs, it can be...

There can be a number of reasons for a dog not eating their food and it often it has to do with what we are doing. If your dog doesn’t seem to like a new food you are serving, or they are a fussy eater in general, you may find you are over-feeding them, giving them too many treats or encouraging them to become fussy...

All dogs have some level of prey drive, but it does manifest differently depending on the dog breed. What is prey drive in dogs Prey drive is an innate instinct in dogs, inherited from their ancestors, to hunt and capture prey. It's a powerful force that motivates dogs to chase, catch, and sometimes even retrieve objects. Being terrier crosses, both Darcy and Vindi have a...

Getting a new puppy can be both exciting and daunting. and can provide many challenges and a change of lifestyle for the whole family – which is where taking your puppy along to a reputable puppy school, with qualified trainers and small groups, can help. Ask any new puppy owner and there’s probably been a few sleepless nights, some toileting accidents, chewed up toys, socks...

Anxiety in dogs and cats is an increasingly common problem that both Veterinarians and animal behaviourists are treating these days, and can significantly impact their well-being if left unaddressed. That's why understanding the signs of anxiety in dogs and cats is essential for providing them with the care and support they need. It’s been estimated that over 40% of dogs and cats are now suffering...

Hands up if you have a dog who loves balls, sticks, squeaky toys and other innate objects to the point that it is now starting to drive you crazy? My hand is raised here and Darcy's ball obsession is something that I’ve been working on with him over the past few months. At first it’s all fun and games, but the impact that a ball...

Dogs with anxiety can suffer from chronic stress, which decreases their quality of life and leads to many common dog behaviour problems, so understanding anxiety in dogs, its causes and treatments is critical. Anxiety traits can include noise sensitivity and phobias, separation related behaviour, commonly known as separation anxiety, fear of different surfaces and heights, a lack of impulse control, compulsive disorders, car travel anxiety...

Ensuring your dog has good recall is one of the most important obedience exercises you can teach them. It can literally save their life, so if you are struggling, then seek the help of a qualified dog trainer. If your dog isn’t reliable with their recall, always take along some treats (or whatever they are most motivated by as a reward) and ensure they know...

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for our dogs.  You can help keep your dog’s brain stimulated with interactive toys, taking them on new routes or different dog parks when out walking, brain games and other playful activities. Many common dog behaviour problems such as chewing, digging, barking and other destructive behaviour can be managed, if their bodies and brains active during...

When a dog finds something valuable and fears that it is going to be taken away or they are invested in or possessive about it, they might stiffen, growl, lunge or even bite.  This is known as 'resource guarding' and often occurs around food or toys, but also items of clothing, certain chairs or places on the couch - anything that a dog values highly...