Behaviour & Training

You may have noticed your dog's hair standing up on end from time to time. Maybe when they have been barking, or when they seem anxious. These hairs are called dog hackles and they run from your dog's head right to the bottom of their tail. Find out more about them, and why they present themselves.

There are many good reasons why you should crate train your puppy, from helping with toilet training – especially through the night - to keeping them safe at times when you can’t give them your undivided attention. But there are some essential pieces of information you need to know before starting from why you might find crate training your puppy useful, and how to crate train a puppy.

As a dog owner, you may have noticed that thunderstorms aren’t really your furry friend’s cup of tea. They certainly aren’t alone, in fact, many dogs experience noise phobia – an intense fear or anxiety triggered by loud or unexpected sounds – and in the case of storms, this trigger can be thunder but, in some cases, it can also be the noise of rain or wind. If your dog is scared of thunder or is worried about storms, there are steps you can take to help them feel more calm and secure during thunderstorms. From creating a cosy space to trying to keep them entertained and distracted, we put together a few ways in which you can be there for your dog during storm phobia episodes. Read on to learn why storms are unsettling for your furry friend and how to help them overcome these challenging situations.

Have you ever heard of meditation for dogs? Yes, you read that right – it seems that meditation isn’t just for people anymore! As a dog owner who wants only the best for their furry friends, you might want to give it a shot. Dog meditation – or at least teaching your dog to relax and chill - can be a great way of enriching the relationship you have with your furry friend and bring you closer together. Many dogs are never taught how to have an ‘off switch’ and are on the go all the time. This is stressful for them, it’s stressful for you, and this lack of canine down time can lead to behaviour issues. So it’s time for you both to learn to chill out a bit. If you feel like spending more time together with your dog and getting to know each other better, practicing mindfulness and inner peace can be a great option for you alongside all the other activities that you share together. But first, let’s find out what the so-called dog meditation is, how it works, and if it brings any benefits for both you and your pupper.

We all know that our dogs need exercise and often think of this just being their daily walks, but dogs need play and fun interactions with us as well. Some of these we can incorporate into our out and about time, but there are lots of other things you can do in the house. Some days, when the weather outside is less than perfect, or when you’d rather just not leave the house (or for some reason, can’t leave the house), it’s important to have plenty of indoor activities to keep your canine friend entertained and provide enrichment and bonding opportunities. That’s where indoor games for dogs come in, and while the sky is the limit when it comes to play opportunities – and it depends what your dog enjoys - we can think of quite a few fun ones to get you started. We put together a list of eight fun indoor games for dogs that you can both enjoy to help improve your dog’s focus on you and strengthen the bond between you. Check them out!

Helping your dog build confidence is key to them feeling more secure plus be comfortable in new situations. This in turn can make them more resilient to stress and improve their behaviour. If you’re wondering how to build confidence in a dog, you’ve come to the right place. Building confidence is something that takes time and effort as it hinges on your dog having a secure attachment to you and by using a few techniques, you can help give your furry friend the tools they need to feel more secure. So let’s dive in and explore ways you can help your dog be more confident in any situation, whether it’s at home, in a new environment, cope better with a crowded place, or be happy around new people and other dogs.

Teaching your canine pal some cool new tricks is a fantastic way to bond and have fun together. And what better trick to teach your pup than the impressive spin? Not only is this a fun party trick guaranteed to impress your friends, but it can also help improve your dog’s balance, agility, and coordination. It’s also a good exercise to raise your dog’s energy levels before strutting their stuff in the show ring. So, if you want to learn how to teach a dog to spin, we’ve got you covered!   Read on to find out how to turn your pup into a pro ‘spinner’ by following some simple tips and tricks. Just grab a few tasty treats, clear the space on a carpeted floor or on some grass, and get ready to have a bit of fun with your furry friend! 

Many people believe that dogs growl due to aggression, however there's so many different reasons why your dog may be growling. Read our guide to find out the different types and what they mean. Dogs try to communicate with people in different ways, one of which is growling. As pet owners, we often assume that dog growling is a signal of displeasure or aggression, but it isn’t always that simple. There are a range of things that your dog may be trying to convey when they make these growling noises, and if you listen closely, they may not all sound exactly the same. Read on for more information on the different types of dog growl and what they may be trying to tell you when they do so. Why do dogs growl? Dog growling is simply a method of communication – it’s your dog trying to tell you something. Dogs growl to communicate lots of different things, from fear and aggression to encouraging play. That’s why you need to understand the types of dog growl to interpret what the sound means. Always pay attention to the situation that your dog is in when they growl. You may find that your dog makes different types of growling sounds in different situations, and learning to recognise the circumstance of each dog growl will help you to identify what it is your dog is trying to say. Those sounds may seem similar to us, but it’s all about context! Where one growl may be saying: ‘I feel threatened’, another could be saying: ‘I’m having fun!’ Dog growling when playing You may have noticed your dog growling during play. It can seem strange when dogs do this – why would they suddenly make a sound of aggression when you’re having fun together? The simple answer is: they aren’t! This type of dog growling indicates that your pet is having fun; your dog might even be trying to tell you that they want to keep on playing! Although it’s hard for the human ear to pick up on subtle differences in dog growling, play growls can be distinguished from other more aggressive types of growl. Although every dog is different and has their own vocal range and individual ‘voice’, in general dog play growls will sound higher pitched than other kinds of growling. They will also often be shorter, and may be accompanied by body language like bounding motions, or your dog bending down onto their front legs, raising their rear-end in the air. Don’t be intimidated if a dog growls during play, with either a person or with another dog. Do keep an eye on the situation in case it escalates, but usually growling during play indicates that a dog is just having fun. Aggressive dog growling Aggressive dog growling is all about an expression of power. A dog might be trying to establish their position as the ‘alpha’ over another animal, or they may have spotted something that has triggered their natural hunting instinct. It’s important to not encourage this kind of dog growling, and to try to separate your pet from what is triggering their aggression. Always be cautious and take into account the situation your pet is in when dealing with aggressive dog growling.

Get your dog used to spending some alone time without ruining furniture or crying help the minute you leave the house. Try these effective dog separation anxiety solutions. You’re no doubt proud of the unbreakable connection between you and your dog. You’re used to them frantically waggling their tail just because they’re happy to see you. You notice them dutifully following everywhere as if knowing you’re safe is their only life mission. But this close bond needs to be loosened from time to time. You know this. Your dog likely does not. This is why a very mundane night out with friends for you can turn into a dramatic few hours for your dog who doesn’t understand where you’ve gone or whether you will ever come back. Separation anxiety in dogs is a common problem many dog owners have to learn how to solve. Find out what are the symptoms and how you can help your dog keep calm when you’re not there. What is separation anxiety in dogs? Dog separation anxiety is a condition in which dogs show signs of distress when they are left alone. It can affect dogs of all ages and breeds. What are the symptoms of dog separation anxiety? You are likely to find out the hard way that your dog is anxious being left alone - damaged carpets, claw marks on your favourite couch and neighbours telling you about the endless howling sounds your dog subjected them to in your absence. Unfortunately, some owners think these are just signs of a mischievous dog when in reality their pet is in distress, not knowing how to cope with an empty house. These are some common signs of separation anxiety in dogs: • Panting. • Pacing. • Attempts to escape the house. • Damaged furniture. • Relieving themselves inside the house. • Barking or howling. • Extreme excitement when the owners are back. Why do some dogs experience separation anxiety? Before we get to the solutions, it’s useful to look at the causes for this distress. These can vary, from early abandonment to genetics.

Our dogs have always been our most loyal companions, so it's only natural that we want to know as much as we can about them. Keep reading for our top 15 dog facts that you won't believe! Our dogs have always been our best friends, our loyal companions and most importantly, our family. So it’s only natural that we are completely fascinated by dog facts and information. We’re utterly besotted with our four-pawed friends and want to discover absolutely everything possible about them, so when we hear a dog fact it fills us with a sense of joy and wonder. From why dog’s noses are wet, to the tallest dog in the world, prepare to have your mind blown with these amazing dog facts. Fun facts about dogs 1. Dogs noses are wet to help absorb scent chemicals This amazing dog fact might answer a long-standing question that dog owners have. Why are dogs noses wet? Vetstreet says that the answer is that dog’s noses are wet to help them absorb scent chemicals! Their nose secretes a special mucus that helps to absorb these chemicals, and then they lick their noses to sample them, helping them understand what the smell is.

If you’re a dog owner you’re probably familiar with the constant stopping so they can sniff and you’ll likely respond to this by nudging them along – but did you know that sniffing is really important for them? Your dog’s sense of smell is pretty much a super power and their daily sniff routine can help them identify what’s happening in their environment as well as lower their stress levels. Getting out for a walk is one of life’s joys and it gives us a chance to experience all the sights and sounds of the great outdoors - whether on our regular walks or exploring new places. As we soak up these sensory experiences, we often forget that our dogs see the world very differently to us - and while we are looking at the sights, our dog is discovering far more about the area by its smells. So often owners get irritated that while they want to stride off across the countryside or have an active walk around the park to make sure their dog gets their daily exercise, their dog pretty much ignores them while he puts his nose down and ‘just’ sniffs. It’s easy to drag them away thinking they are wasting precious exercise time but that’s purely because we do not have anything even close to a dogs sense of smell, and we don’t understand just how fabulous our dog’s nose is - or that this incredible ability means that unlike us, they see the world in smell-o-vision. While they are sniffing, they are finding out about the area, who lives there, who has passed by recently, and even what kind of mood they are in. All the time they are sniffing, they are processing information about the environment and who and what is in it.

Attention-seeking dog behaviour is common – and normal – in puppies. After all, they’ll want their mother to dote on them, will love playing with their littermates and will still be learning their rights from wrongs! Attention-seeking dog behaviour is common – and is a totally normal survival mechanism in puppies who rely totally on the care of their mother but as adult dogs, excessive jumping, pawing or barking is difficult to live with and can become annoying. What counts as attention-seeking dog behaviour? It’s quite normal for your new puppy to jump up at you when you greet them or feed them, or whine when you leave them alone but continuing excessive begging, nudging, whining, barking, jumping on furniture and bringing you toys as they get older may well be examples of attention-seeking. This may all seem harmless enough – and some dogs and breeds can be ‘needier’ than others - but excessive attention-seeking tends to be indicative of deeper problems.