Training & Behaviour

Not all dogs are gluttonous machines that eat too fast, but there are plenty that are. There can be some risks when a dog eats its food too fast, particularly if they swallow too much air. 

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, which can be noisy or too difficult, so a snuffle mat can be an...

Brain Games are a great way to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated,  helping to keep some of the most common dog behaviour issues that I deal with as a dog trainer at bay. Why brain games are important When dogs are left alone all day in their backyards, or while their owners go out to work with nothing to do they get bored...

There are many dogs that chew just about anything – sticks, rocks, socks, underpants, shoes, bones and whatever else they can find in your home and garden. They may enjoy the texture, taste or just the fact that it smells like you but if the chewing turns into swallowing then you can have a pooch with a much-unwanted indigestible object stuck in their throat, stomach...

As we start the new year, I am already starting to receive calls from desperate pandemic puppy and rescue dog owners struggling with some of the most common dog behaviour problems including toileting inside, being destructive as well as reacting aggressively towards other dogs and people. Most of these dog behaviour problems can be attributed to COVID-19 lockdowns and a lack of proper socialisation, anxiety...

Independence training is important at all stages of a dog’s life to help build their confidence and comfort in being left alone. As people start to return to work in the new year, this is more important than ever. As a dog behaviourist, I am seeing many owners that are having problems with their puppies and even older dogs due to anxiety and a lack...

There can be a number of reasons for a dog not eating their food and, as much as you may not like me saying it, it often it has to do with what we owners 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,...

Ensuring your dog has good recall is one of the most important obedience exercises you can teach them. If you have not done any obedience training and understand the process behind recall training, then I suggest you attend an obedience class or seek the help of a qualified dog trainer as I will just generally summarise the process and provide some tips on where people...

Many dog owners complain about their dog pulling on the lead and want to know what to do about it. Even as a dog trainer I find myself challenged by this now and then, particularly for excitable dogs that may not be getting the daily exercise and other environmental enrichment they need to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. The other common factor I have...

Bringing a puppy home for the first time can be exciting for everyone. It’s important to remember though that their early experiences in those first few months form life-long memories, helping to either create a confident and well-adjusted adult dog or potentially create phobias and anxiety, so prepare your puppy for car travel from day one. Whilst pups are adaptable, we still need to consider...