April 15, 2026
March 13, 2026
January 15, 2026
Bringing a puppy home is one of life’s great joys but after the first cuddles and puppy yawns, reality can hit. Chewed shoes, messy floors and zoomies through the living room are all part of puppyhood. That’s why
‘Good puppy training isn’t a luxury it’s a foundation for lifelong wellbeing.’
Not all puppy trainers are the same. Some will nurture confidence and resilience in your puppy, and some may rely on outdated or coercive methods that can harm emotional health and welfare. This post will help you choose a trainer who puts animal welfare first, builds trusting relationships, and creates a confident, happy dog.
November 14, 2025
Animals, including our companion dogs have evolved a handful of powerful survival strategies. When faced with threat, uncertainty, or internal conflict, they often shift into a “4-F” mode: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fiddle (also known as displacement behaviour). These responses aren’t just random quirks: they are deeply rooted in neurobiology.
These states are deeply rooted in evolution and governed by fast, powerful neurobiological circuits designed to keep an organism alive, not cooperative.
Understanding them helps explain why a dog in distress often CANNOT think, learn, or respond rationally and why displacement behaviour is more than a cute or annoying habit. When survival circuits activate, the thinking parts of the brain are essentially sidelined.
October 15, 2025
Resource guarding, the suite of behaviours a dog uses to retain access to valued items such as food, toys or resting places is a common, evolutionarily grounded response. Left unchecked, early possessive behaviours (for example, a puppy repeatedly stealing items and then guarding them) can crystallise into persistent adult guarding that risks welfare and safety for dog and household alike.
August 14, 2025
Think your dog is being stubborn? Science says otherwise. Many behaviours we label as “stubborn” are actually signs of confusion, frustration, pain, hormonal changes, or environmental distractions. Backed by veterinary insight and behavioural science, this article uncovers the real reasons dogs sometimes “ignore” commands and how you can respond with compassion, clarity, and effective, positive training techniques.
April 11, 2025
A flirt pole is essentially a giant cat teaser toy for dogs. It’s a long pole (usually made of PVC or lightweight plastic) with a rope or cord attached to one end. At the end of that cord is a lure, typically a tug toy or strip of fabric designed to simulate prey. You swing, drag, or flick the lure across the ground in unpredictable ways while your dog chases and pounces. You can add other types of lure to stimulate your dog if you have a flirt pole with the ability to detach and change them.
It’s part exercise, part training tool, and fully engaging for most dogs, especially those with a high prey drive.
March 14, 2025
When seeking professional assistance for animal behaviour and training, it is crucial to understand the distinctions between different roles and qualifications. Not all individuals offering services in this field are accredited or certified or adhere to ethical and scientifically backed methodologies.
January 28, 2025
The terms "reactive" and "aggressive" describe distinct behavioural patterns in dogs, each requiring unique management strategies. Reactive dogs display heightened emotional responses to specific stimuli, such as other dogs, people, or noises. These responses, which often include barking, lunging, or growling, are typically driven by fear, frustration, or over-arousal, rather than a direct intent to harm. In contrast, aggressive dogs exhibit behaviours intended to protect themselves or their resources, such as biting or snapping, often motivated by fear, pain, or learned responses to perceived threats (for example) (Horwitz & Mills, 2009).
January 14, 2025
It’s hard to believe that Pooch Paws is celebrating its 20th anniversary. When we started this journey two decades ago, it was driven by a simple but powerful dream: to help dogs and their families build stronger, happier relationships through training and understanding. Back then, it was just an idea, a leap of faith, and a whole lot of love for our furry companions combined with dog walking
December 7, 2024
Discover the fascinating world of dog vision! Learn how dogs see colours, navigate in low light, and why their eyes glow in the dark. Explore the science behind canine eyesight
Dogs have captivated humans for centuries, and one of their most fascinating traits is their ability to navigate the dark with ease. But how exactly do their eyes work, and how is their vision different from ours? In this blog post, we’ll explore the technical details of dog vision, including how they see colours, detect movement, and excel in low-light conditions.
November 10, 2024
The holiday season is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends, but for many dogs, the influx of guests and change in routine can be overwhelming. Ensuring a calm, safe environment for your dog during the festivities not only makes for a smoother gathering but also lets everyone, furry friends included, enjoy the holiday spirit. Here are some tips to help your dog feel relaxed and at ease around holiday guests this Christmas.
July 14, 2024
Dogs are known for their curiosity and love of exploring, often leading them to sniff, lick, or chew on things they shouldn't. While this is part of what makes them endearing, it can also be dangerous if they come into contact with toxic substances. As a responsible dog owner, it's crucial to be aware of these common hazards and take steps to protect your furry friend. This blog post will highlight some of the most common poisonous substances for dogs and provide tips and tricks to help avoid these dangers.
May 13, 2024
Assistance dogs play a vital role in the lives of many individuals across the United Kingdom, providing invaluable support and companionship to people with disabilities. In the UK, there are several types of assistance dogs that are recognised for their specific training and abilities. They are recognised under UK law including their rights and responsibilities of owners and the public. Let’s explore this and the different types of assistance dogs recognised in the UK along with the roles they play in improving the lives of their owners.
April 12, 2024
Dogs have long been regarded as man's best friend, cherished for their loyalty, companionship, and uncanny ability to understand us on a level that seems almost magical. From interpreting our body language to sensing our emotions, dogs possess an extraordinary capacity to connect with humans in ways that defy explanation. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of canine cognition, exploring how dogs perceive and respond to human body language and emotions.
March 11, 2024
Selecting the right food for your companion is a crucial aspect of responsible pet care. You will find when you go to look there are a multitude of options available on the market. The labels can include confusing jargon making an informed decision can be challenging. Understanding pet food labels is essential to ensure that your pet receives the nutrition they need to thrive. In this guide, we'll break down the key components of pet food labels in the UK to empower you to make the best choices for your beloved pets.
February 17, 2024
Dogs, our faithful companions, often leave us in awe with their fascinating behaviours. From playful antics to heartfelt snuggles, they never fail to bring joy to our lives. But have you ever wondered what goes on in their minds while they sleep? The answer lies in the realm of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep – a phase of slumber that holds the key to understanding the captivating world of canine dreams.
January 10, 2024
Welcoming a furry bundle of joy into your home is an exciting experience, but it comes with its share of challenges, especially when it comes to toilet training. Puppies, like toddlers, need guidance and patience to learn where and when it's appropriate to do their business. With a bit of consistency, positive reinforcement, and understanding, you and your pup can navigate this stage successfully. Every puppy is different, the length of time it takes to train varies from pup to pup.
November 15, 2023
The news that all responsible, dog lovers have been dreading is in and the Government published guidance on the 31st October 2023 regarding the upcoming XL Bully dog ban. Let’s see if we can make sense of the main points of a document that lacks clarity with a sense of purposeful ambiguity.
November 2, 2023
Dogs possess a superpower that leaves our human senses in the dust - an extraordinary sense of smell. If you've ever marvelled at your dog's ability to track a scent for miles, detect a hidden treat, or even sense your emotions, it's all thanks to their remarkable olfactory system. Let's dive into the science and wonder of a dog's sense of smell.
October 14, 2023
Adolescence is a challenging time for humans, and it's no different for dogs. If you've ever raised a puppy, you know that the early stages are filled with cute moments, cuddles, and lots of training. However, as your puppy grows, they enter their teenage years, and just like human teenagers, they start to be challenging, exhibit new behaviours, and push your patience to the limit. Adolescent dogs are more likely to end up in rescue than any other age bracket. In this blog post, we'll explore the challenges that adolescent dogs can present and provide some tips on how to deal with them.
October 7, 2023
Dogs are known for their loyalty, affection, and unwavering companionship. However, this loyalty can sometimes result in separation anxiety when they are left alone. Separation anxiety is a common behavioural issue in dogs, characterised by distress and destructive behaviour when they are separated from their owners. This condition not only affects the dog's well-being but can also be challenging for the pet owner. Fortunately, there are various strategies and techniques that can help alleviate separation anxiety in dogs, promoting a happier and healthier relationship between pets and their human companions.
September 12, 2023
A question I often get asked is ‘can dogs see colour?’. The short answer is yes but not quite the way humans do. Dogs' vision is a fascinating topic that has long intrigued pet owners and researchers alike. The question of whether dogs can see in colour has been a subject of study and discussion for quite some time.
April 15, 2023
Does your dog bark at the door?
This is a very common issue for many dog loving households. Barking at the door means that a dog is trying to create distance between them (or their house) and whoever it is at the door. This is their first warning that they might escalate their behaviour further if the intruder does not back off. This might be triggered when hearing a car door close, footsteps outside, seeing someone approaching through a window, on hearing the letter box, doorbell or knocking.
February 16, 2023
Engagement with your dog is one of the most useful tools you need for any aspect of the dog-owner relationship. It is the base for everything that follows, bond, trust and achieving those training goals. The training goals you have will vary hugely depending on your level of requirement from pet owner to training enthusiast, working dog owner or dog professional. Everyone needs engagement to get to where they need to be.
January 17, 2023
We’ve all heard the news, right? 😬 Dog attacks and fatalities seem to be on the rise.
Medical data looking at human mortality rates between 2001 - 2021 averaged a death rate of 3.3 dog-related deaths per year, which meant less than 0.6 deaths per 10 million population. Unfortunately, there have been no 'official stats' announced for the year 2022 but the media have reported 9 fatalities (this doesn't include non-fatal dog bites). This indicates that dog attacks rose significantly last year. Breaking news this week is that a dog walker has been mauled by the dogs that were being walked. Though we don't know all the details so we can't speculate, the outcome never less is devastating.
November 8, 2022
New pet owners must understand that caring for a pet comes with challenges. Sometimes your pet may become sick or ill; unlike humans, they cannot tell us what is wrong.
Pets also sometimes suffer from allergies, which can stem from multiple sources. An allergy occurs when there is exposure to a foreign substance. A few different types of allergies can occur in cats and dogs.
Some questions you might ask yourself if you’re concerned about allergies may be:
What types of allergies do cats and dogs suffer from?
Why do some pets have allergies while others don’t?
How do I treat my dog or cat suffering from allergies?
Here are the answers to some of those questions. It will help you be more equipped and understand what to expect and how to help combat allergies in your pet.
September 30, 2022
What Is PICA?
PICA refers to when an animal starts consuming non-edible foods that bring no nutritional substance to them. This can be on a very large scale, from harmful consumption to less dangerous consumption. PICA has many forms, and one of the most common in dogs is called Coprophagy. This is when dogs engage in eating feces.
May 11, 2022
DOGS MOST AT RISK
Any curious dog but puppies or young dogs may be more at risk. Dogs with a strong hunting/scenting instinct and ability as they tend to be in the undergrowth more. At certain times of day Adders might be basking in the sun, for example, on a cool morning they may be out in the sun to warm up. Risk of a bite is also increased when Adders are first coming out of hibernation.
March 10, 2021
Your dog is probably relishing the extra time with you at the moment now you are at home, it probably goes both ways, I know my dogs are providing me with some sanity right now. However, looking into the future, when lock down is over our dogs are likely to suffer. You see, the more time you spend with your dog the stronger the bond becomes which is generally great! This closeness can be an issue for a dog once the owner needs to go out.