Training & Behaviour

Anxiety in dogs is very complex topic to both understand and address and is recognised as a cause of many behaviour and physical problems. It is a major mental health issue, just as it is for us humans and is not to be dismissed as something "they will just have to get over." From fear-based aggression to Separation Related Behaviours (also commonly known as Separation...

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...

Dogs have evolved with humans over hundreds of thousands of years.  And, as pack animals, it is not natural for a dog to be left home alone all day with no mental or physical stimulation, or to be kept exclusively outdoors with little family play time. Environmental enrichment is vital. Of course it is not always possible to avoid leaving your dog at home alone...

Anxiety is VERY common in our beloved dogs yet many people miss many signs of anxiety in dogs and truly don't understand why or how it occurs. In fact, according to a recent large-scale study, up to 70% of dogs are showing signs of anxiety. Anxiety happens when your dog experiences fearful thoughts and feelings which then trigger or cause a state of physiological arousal...

Puppies are one big bundle of fun and energy with their happy smiles and wagging tails, but they also like to use their mouth - a LOT!, so knowing how to stop a puppy biting and mouthing everything and everyone can be tough. Unfortunately, owners tend to reinforce the behaviour that we think is “fun” by playing with them, even a puppy biting as they...

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...

Much like puberty in humans, there is also an adolescence period in dogs. This is when they develop rapidly and experience significant hormonal changes that makes dealing with an adolescent dog a challenge for even the most patient of owners. When adolescence typically begins Adolescence in dogs typically occurs between 6 and 18 months, depending on the breed and individual dog, for most dogs though...

If you have an anxious dog that suffers from mild separation anxiety or noise phobia, such as reacting to loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms, there are some products I often recommend to owners that may assist and that are available from PETstock, as well as a couple of other key things to do. Of course, if you have a very anxious dog, or a...

Separation anxiety in dogs can be a very tough issue to deal with and, unfortunately, there is often no one simple solution to help. It is becoming even more common since the pandemic, where many dogs got used to having their family at home all the time.  Even for dogs that have not shown any pre-existing signs of anxiety, going from having someone at home...

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...