When a working-breed dog ignores calls while sniffing or playing, is the real issue obedience — or that the reward simply isn’t worth it? The problem seems simple enough. They want to be able to get Working Cocker Milo’s focus and attention on them when the are out. When the Read more
Why do unwanted behaviours like jumping up become habits—and how can they be replaced with better ones? Anything repeated often enough can become a habit. I totally fell in love with scruffy ten-month-old Jack Russell mix Max yesterday. I had the perfect evening with him and his humans. It began with just Read more
Why would a much-loved Border Terrier panic when left alone, despite living in such a devoted home?
Why aren’t puppies, right from the start, taught to be independent – to be alone for short periods?
This seems a no-brainer considering the statistics. The TV series Dogs, Their Secret Lives on Channel 4 in 2013, discovered that a huge 85% of dogs show signs of not coping to some extent when left alone. In many cases their owners aren’t even aware of it.
Why isn’t independence given the same priority in preparing puppy for the world as socialisation and toilet training? (more…)
Why do friendly dogs keep jumping up when we’re constantly trying to stop them? Yesterday I visited a young couple with three dogs. All three were rescued from Bosnia and have come here from Italy where the couple used to live. One had been dumped from a car and the Read more
Why did Stella bark constantly at home for attention but stay calm and quiet at work? Barking for attention is ultimately guaranteed to succeed. What constitutes attention to Stella? Anything involving a human looking at her, talking to her or touching her – or all three at once which is usually the Read more
If a dog won’t come to us from the other side of the room when called, he’s unlikely to do so when out and chasing off after another dog! They call him. Little Chihuahua Rocky may just stand and look. If he does come he will stop short by several Read more
This little genius got the hang of earning clicks (hence food) in no time at all. He was lying down/getting up/lying down repeatedly, really chuffed with himself. The couple also caught on very quickly and soon the lady was teaching him to touch her hand (‘touch’) and to look into her eyes (‘watch me’). The options are endless.
Orca is a three-year-old Husky who has been living with her new family for three months now. She is proving to be a wonderful, loving and gentle addition to the family and has helped their 8-year-old daughter to get over a previous bad experience with a dog. The gentleman frequently Read more
People hold the trump cards but don’t use them. They give them away for free when they can be earned. Food. Attention. Play. Walks.
Cocker Spaniel Buddy wants attention all the time. When they take no notice of him he jumps the stair-gate, rushes upstairs and raids the bedrooms for something to parade. It always ends in a chase with Buddy hiding gleefully under the daughter’s bed, ‘Catch me if you can!’ I asked Read more