Bringing Home Your New Puppy…
Getting a new puppy is exciting and daunting in equal measure – for both you and for the puppy. To make the start of your
Your Dog’s Food: The Ugly Truth
I meet lots of caring, committed dog owners … who unwittingly feed their dogs or puppies dreadful food. Crafty manufacturers do not make
Ouch! My Puppy’s Biting Me
There are usually 2 reasons why puppies get ‘a bit bitey’: Over Touching Over Playing Over Touching Humans LOVE stroking dogs, especially puppies; they look
Toilet Training Your Puppy (or Dog)
Please don’t rub your puppy’s face in anything! That’s gross and grossly unfair. Plus, it may mean your pup associates your presence with ‘scary’ and
Be Your Dog’s “Choice Architect”
Training your dog is really about teaching him or her to make the ‘right’ choices in life. The term ‘Choice Architect’ was coined by Behavioural
Dinner Time = Training Time!
Fitting in time to train your dog or puppy can be challenging – we all have busy lives. So here’s a tip to save you
From Separation Anxiety To Happy Home Alone …
How does your dog cope being left alone? Canine separation anxiety is now widely recognised. If you’ve had an anxious dog or know someone who
A”Long Line” – The Best Tool In Your Training Kit!
The humble Long Line – not to be confused with a Flexi-Lead or Retractable Lead – is one of the most useful tools in your
Loose Lead Walking
How do you get your dog to walk nicely on lead, without pulling? Honest answer: It takes practise; like any skill. And, lead walking can
The Perils of ‘Puppy Socialisation’
Ask just about anyone and they’ll tell you to “socialise” your puppy.” But what does that mean? Socialisation is a deceptively simple concept and it
How’d You Choose The Right Dog Walker?
Letting someone into your home and sending your precious pup out with them can be daunting, right?! Don’t be afraid to ask about the nitty
Stop Jumping Up!
If your dog is an ‘eager greeter’ and jumps all over people, here are some tactics to help Fido learn to keep paws firmly on
Dog Games: Be A Play Master!
What games do you play with your dog when you’re in the park or on a walk? If a tennis ball and chukka is getting a
The Problem With “NO!”
Humans are verbal beings; we use words to communicate our thoughts. And we use the word “NO!” to indicate we want a behaviour to stop.
How’s Your Dog’s “Bounce” Action?
Do certain things in your dog’s environment cause him to become over-excited, frustrated or anxious? Do you struggle to get Fido’s attention? Teaching your dog
Recall Is About Giving Up!
Most people think that recall training their dog is about getting ‘Rover’ to run to you when you call … its NOT! Your dog already
Arrgh! My Dog Keeps ‘Stealing’ Things …
Does Rover run off with the TV remote or your slippers?! Do you wonder why? And do you wish you could get Fido to give
Luck? Or When Opportunity Meets Preparation!
I was watching Graham Norton the other week and delighted that Will Smith was on (love that man!) Mr Smith told various anecdotes, in his
My Dog Wont Listen!
Have you ever watched a dog owner in the park saying to her dog (with increasing angst): “Fido Sit; Sit Fido; SIT … SIT …
Training With Distractions?
“When we are training our dogs we can often stay in our comfort zone, doing the things our dogs are already good at. Sometimes this
Dog Training: It’s All About Timing & Placement ….
Training your dog is a bit like learning a musical instrument. Your timing needs to be good and how and where you place your hands is
Treats, Rewards & Reinforcement: What’s The Difference?
Lots of people now train their dog or puppy using positive reinforcement – hurrah! – and food tends to be our go-to item. However, there
7 Things To Know About Your Dog’s Nose …
Dogs put their noses to work every second of the day but this can be troubling to humans – particularly when dogs sniff places and
S-L-O-W Is Beautiful
Are you finding training your dog or puppy challenging?! Here are two words to make things easier for you… S-L-O-W D-O-W-N And I mean slow
Belly Rubs: Do Dogs Really Like ‘Em?
I was working with a lovely client and her 10 week puppy when she asked: “Do dogs like belly rubs? Because when I take my
Get Your Dog Focussed on YOU!
Teaching your dog to focus on you is the mother of all behaviours. You need that before you can teach anything else, otherwise your words
So, What Are The 3D’s Of Dog Training?
If you want your dog’s training to really improve, think about how you use “The 3Ds” – Distance, Duration, Distraction. The 3 D’s come into
What Treats Are Best For Your Dog?
Fresh, whole foods – provide valuable nutrition to your pet and serve as a tasty snack/treat. Small bites of cheese, ham, chicken work well. As
Speak Less … Let Your BODY Do The Talking
Humans LOVE talking to their dogs! But are words the most effective way to communicate? It may seem a glib point but your dog doesn’t
5 Myths About Dog Training – Busted!
Some Dogs Are Incapable Of Learning. What twaddle! If a dog isn’t learning a behaviour the likelihood is we haven’t communicated the task effectively. As
Confessions Of A Dog Trainer
It’s fair to say I’m addicted to dog training. But that doesn’t mean I always get it right with my own dog! Like you, I’ve
Wag-ipedia: What’s In A Tail Wag?
Question: When a dog wags its tail, does it mean the dog is: Happy? Anxious? Ready to attack? On the alert? Answer: It depends! It
It’s Not You, It’s Me!
Let’s talk about dogs, humans & emotional baggage … Picture the scene: You’ve dashed from work, braved rush hour traffic and arrived – a little
What’s Your Cat Telling You?
You might be wondering why Joyful DOGS has a blog on Cats?! Well, many of our dog behaviour clients also have felines in the household
Why Do Dogs… ‘Curve’ When They Approach Another Dog?
If you watch two dogs meet for the first time, you’ll often see them walk towards each other in a slight arc, curving towards each
A Dog’s View?
Ever wondered how your dog sees life? We tried to imagine – anthropomorphism warning! Here’s what our resident ‘expert’ told us on why maybe it’s
“Bowl & Recall”
Bowl & Recall is the perfect way to train your dog to come racing back when you call! It taps into your dog’s natural chase-drive
Get Better Focus From Your Dog
But how? As a Trainer, I often get asked for help to improve a dog’s behaviour. Whatever you’re trying to teach your dog – from
Can Your Dog Tell The Time?
How is it that dogs just seem to ‘know’ when their human is returning? Is it a sixth sense? In her brilliant book “Being A
The High & Woes Of Puppy Parenting: What They Don’t Tell You!
So you’re getting a new puppy! More exciting than all your birthdays put together; such cuteness that your insides turn to warm caramel; a huggable, kissable,
The Secret To Training Your Dog?
Have you ever moved house and found yourself opening the (new) kitchen cupboard only to remember the plates (or whatever you’re looking for) don’t ‘live’
Why Do Dogs Scratch The Ground After Pooping?
Picture the scene: your dog has just ‘performed’ but before you’ve been able to grab a poop bag, Fido is furiously scratching long, deep rivulets
Festive Food Do’s (and Dont’s) For Your Dog
Does your pooch have a tendency to snaffle Christmas goodies? This handy little chart – courtesy of www.dfordog.co.uk – tells you what festive foods are
Adolescent Dog?
Welcome To The Age Of Objection! As adolescence hits and hormones take hold, your adorable pup begins to morph into the hound from hell! Recall
“Calming Signals” – What Is Your Dog Really Telling You?
Turid Rugaas, a Norwegian Dog Trainer and Behaviour expert studied dog body language and noted that dogs often display ‘calming signals’ to deal with situations
All Dogs Can Bite …
But they’d rather avoid it … Here are 10 tips to help prevent you or your children being bitten by a dog. Read the signs.
Why Do Dogs… Love Sniffing Bottoms?!
Well, it’s all about how dogs take in their environment. As humans we see the world through our eyes… but our dogs ‘see’ the world in
Keep Ticks At Bay The NATURAL way!
If you’re concerned about the chemicals in conventional ticks, flea and worming treatments then here are 2 NATURAL remedies that work! Billy No Mates –