Behaviour & Training

For those of us having to spend an extended period at home, the extra time we get to spend with our dogs is great of course – but, it’s a reality that we’ll likely have to return to work at home point which will be a huge change for your dog. Learn how to ease your dog into being left home alone with our guide. Finding yourself at home for an extended period of time can bring mixed emotions. Whether you’re unwell, taking a career break, on maternity/paternity leave or locked down due to a global pandemic, the change to your routine will impact you and your dog in different ways. While time with your dog is always a good thing, they will be affected by your emotions as you navigate your new situation and there are inevitable changes in your behaviour. You might notice changes in your dog’s behaviour too; are they following you around the house, becoming anxious when you leave to go shopping or finding places to hide around the house? It’s your responsibility to make sure that their world doesn’t come crashing down around them when your routine changes again. But before we get to the most effective ways to establish a routine for your pet, here are some of the most common symptoms for a dog struggling with change.

There is no denying that one of your dog’s most defining traits is their loyalty. This loyalty can be overwhelming and humbling, and has often been cited as an example of what human beings can learn from dogs. But life lessons aside, where does your dog’s loyalty come from? Yes, you feed them and play with them and have your own deep sense of love for them, but does that fully explain the depth of emotion they hold for you? In this article, we explore loyal dogs, why dogs are loyal and when that loyalty may need to be contained.

There’s no need for your dog to stay at home if you’re going on holiday – in fact, your dog can make a great travel companion. With so many dog friendly hotels and holidays anywhere in the world, check out the basics of travelling with dogs and the world is your oyster. Travelling with dogs is easiest if you prepare everything well in advance – accommodation, travel arrangements, and paperwork can all be organised months before you go, which means less stress and more fun for both of you. Of course, you might not be planning on travelling abroad with your dog, but staying somewhere close to home, in which case things are even easier. Just keeping a few simple things in mind will really increase the ease of taking dogs on holiday. Get your pen ready and make sure you’ve thought about everything in the list below – and when you’ve done all that, the only thing left is to get excited about your trip.

If you find yourself working a lot or going on a trip where you can’t take your pup with you, you might be wondering about what dog sitting and daycare services are available. Maybe they can’t come on a short holiday with you, or perhaps your working arrangements mean you need regular dog or puppy daycare. Your dog is lucky (and probably very happy!) if you have the freedom to work from home, or if you’re allowed to take them into the workplace. However, it’s completely normal for people who work to need extra help to give their dogs a happy and sociable life. Most healthy, mentally active dogs will be able to amuse themselves for a short while on their own, and if you have two or more pets, they can usually keep each other occupied for longer. But pets need human interaction, and on the occasions when you need to leave your dog alone for longer than four hours at a time (unless they have access to a secure garden via a dog flap or outdoor kennelling to relieve themselves), you should look at puppy or dog sitting services and arrange for someone to take care of them. Some owners rely on the help of a family member or friend when it comes to dog sitting, but of course not everyone has this option! If you need extra help, there is a growing industry of professional carers, including dog and puppy daycare and sitting services. Keep reading to find out what is dog sitting and boarding exactly and the average boarding and dog sitting rates you can expect to pay.

Taking your dog abroad can be fun for everyone - after all, things wouldn’t be the same without the whole family there! Whether you’re heading off to the beach or travelling to chillier climes, your dog will have a whale of a time exploring new environments and seeing new sights with you. Of course, sometimes going on holiday involves getting on a plane. That doesn’t mean your canine friend can’t join you - dogs can be international jet-setters too! However, it does mean that you’ll have to plan a lot of things in advance to make sure travelling with your dog runs smoothly. Before taking your dog on a plane, there are several things that need to be organised before you even get to the airport. Luckily, most of the things necessary when flying with a dog can be addressed a long time in advance; it’s best to get preparations underway seven to eight months before you go. In all cases, even if your dog is healthy, contact the vet before you go – some countries require vaccinations, health checks or certificates before your dog can come in!

A lot of us travel by train these days, purely because it’s quick and convenient, and means we don’t have to battle to find somewhere to park but what may seem like a breeze for you can present additional challenges for our four-legged companions. Read this article to find out our top tips for taking dogs on the train. Travelling around by train or underground can be quick and convenient, but what about when you want to bring your dog? Here’s how to make the train journeys stress-free and enjoyable for you both.

When we go on holiday, it’s only natural that we want to bring our four-legged friends along with us to enjoy every moment, but finding suitable accommodation can sometimes take some planning and of course depending on where you are staying, it’s likely there will be rules present too. Read our guide and discover our top tips for staying in a dog friendly hotel. As a nation of dog lovers, we want to spend every possible moment with our four-legged friends – and our holiday time is no exception. So, it’s only natural that when we go on a trip, we want to find somewhere that will let us bring them along for the ride and experience everything right alongside us. In recent years, taking your dog on holiday has become more popular, and an array of dog-friendly locations have appeared to make it easy, including everything from restaurants and pubs to dog-friendly hotels or holiday lets. If you’re looking to take your first trip with your canine companion, or you just want some luxury, you may be wondering what a dog-friendly hotel is and what rules they might have? We’ve put together this handy guide so you can get to grips with the usual pet friendly hotel requirements, so both you and your dog can have a stress-free trip.

A holiday isn't a holiday without all the family, and that includes your dog too! We've created a list of our top 9 pet-friendly holiday homes in the UK that welcome the entire family so you don't have to leave anyone behind. Escape the hustle and bustle and set off for the lovely countryside with your dog. We’ve put together some of the most glorious pet-friendly holiday homes the UK has to offer so you won’t have to leave any important family members behind just because they’re walking around on all fours. With expansive views of the coast, miles of walks starting right from the doorstep, cosy cottages tucked away in mesmerising landscapes and dog-friendly pubs virtually next door, here are the pet-friendly holiday homes ready to welcome you and your dog with open arms.

It's becoming more and more common for dogs to live in urban areas and of course, this presents its own unique challenges. Find out how to help dogs in the city feel happy and comfortable with our guide. With the pandemic behind us, people’s working lives have changed – sometimes beyond measure. Hybrid working or working from home is far more common now and this means that more people are able to take a dog into their lives as they are no longer working full time out of the home. This includes those who live in the city or more built-up urban areas. Caring for a dog in the city – whether you live there or are just visiting – presents its own unique challenges. We all love our dogs and want them to be as happy and comfortable as possible when we’re exploring the urban landscape. Read on to find out our tips for making sure you and your pup are feeling on tip top form when you’re out walking through the city. It is important to choose your breed carefully. Not all dogs – no matter how well socialised – can live in a city. For some, the constant stimulation of an urban environment will always be stressful – no matter how much we wish that were different. Not only did humans create different breeds to do certain jobs but they also developed them to be perfectly suited to the environment they did them in. These instincts and hard-wired behaviour patterns continue in today’s dogs. Those bred to react to movement or other external stimuli will be constantly triggered and on alert (think about the herding breeds such as Border Collies etc) and will never be able to relax enough to be happy and content. Those who guard or alert (big or small) will feel the need to announce loudly every passer-by or novel sound (which will not thrill your neighbours – who in a city, are likely to be much closer). And those who need lots of off lead exercise - exploring, sniffing, digging, or rampaging across the countryside – are very unlikely to get what they need in an urban setting. Once you have selected your perfect city dog, it will give them and you a huge head start, if you can find a breeder who rears their puppies in the city or at least in a bustling town. This means that from the moment they are born, the puppies will look on this environment as ‘normal’ – especially as their mum will be relaxed and comfortable with all this external stimulation. If your ideal new canine family member is an older dog from rescue, it will be important that the dog of your choice has experience of city living and is happy there, if you want them to be content and able to cope with an urban life.

Is your puppy biting or nipping you? There is no doubt that puppy teeth hurt! They are like sharp needles and if they catch your skin while you are playing or interacting with them, it can be really painful!

Whether they're digging in the sand or splashing in the salty waters, it's clear that most of our dogs love the beach. But, it can be difficult to find beaches that allow our four-legged friends to accompany us. Keep reading to find out our top dog-friendly beaches in the UK. All dog owners know that for truly memorable holiday moments the entire family has to join in on the fun, including the four-legged members. If you’ve got your heart set on a seaside vacation - or just a day out - but dread the thought of having to leave your dog behind, no worries. There are plenty of sandy shores that welcome pets running free onto their golden sands or dipping a toe in their tempting waters. When it comes to dog-friendly beaches, the UK has some award-winning gems you can share with your favourite pet all year round. These are some of the most impressive holiday destinations for dogs and their human families.

Christmastime is an occasion for fun and merriment for all the family – including your dog! But unfortunately, there are lots of potential dangers and stressors during your dog at this time. If you want to make sure your dog’s happy and safe this Christmas, read our guide. The Christmas period is a time of great fun for all the family and that (usually) includes your dog too! There are many dogs who love to celebrate the holidays with us and spend all the time getting up to mischief – like sneaking your Christmas treats or collapsing the tree – and while this may all seem like good fun, the festive season can also bring a wealth of potential hazards that you’ll need to be on the lookout for. With Christmas on the way, you may be wondering how to ensure your dog’s Christmas is just as merry as your own, which is why we’ve created this guide on keeping your dog safe and happy this holiday.