Animal Behaviour

November 10, 2024

Preparing Your Dog for Holiday Guests: Tips for a Calm Christmas

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.
May 13, 2024

Unleashing Freedom: Exploring the World of Assistance Dogs

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

The Canine Connection: How Dogs Understand Human Body Language and Emotions

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

Navigating Pet Food Labels: A Guide for UK Pet Owners

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

The Mysteries of Canine Dreams

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

Toilet Training Puppies: A Step-by-Step Guide

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 XL Bully Breed Ban: Making some sense of it?

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

A Dog’s Sense of Smell: Unravelling the Canine Olfactory Marvel

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

Navigating the Challenges of Adolescent Dogs

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 and Separation Anxiety

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.
August 10, 2020

Animal Intelligence

All species display intelligence, but humans tend to place themselves as superior over other species. One of the reasons for this is the way intelligence is tested and a lack of agreement between professionals as to what intelligence is. It is topic that has interested researchers for many, many years. Though there is a lack of agreement on the topic there are some common themes including; types, how many types there are, what they mean, how it is represented in the brain and the role of nature versus nurture.