Whatever the weather, your dog needs exercise. So, come rain or shine, you need to make sure that your dog gets some mental and physical stimulation. However, there will be some weather, days or circumstances when you just cannot give your dog a good long walk. On days like these, it can be useful to have some ideas up your sleeve to help keep your dog amused and entertained when indoors. You may even enjoy them too!

Classic games such as fetch or tug with your dog’s favourite chewy toy are well worn games but still entertaining for your pet – and they do not require much room in the house to play. Get into your hallway if you have (more…)

Most dogs are not great fans of going to the vet, in some cases it can be a real problem but that behaviour can be changed.

Make time for some fake trips to the vet. Drive some way towards the vets and park the car, get out and put the dog a lead. Now go for a walk rewarding your dog for good behaviour, do this several times.

After a few walks, extend the route so you go past the vet’s surgery, again rewarding (more…)

Before deciding to buy a dog, you should really think about what it means to be a responsible dog owner. Owning a dog is a big commitment and should be thought of as such – which means seeing past the cute face of a puppy and carefully considering what you are taking on when you buy a dog.

The average dog could live between ten and fifteen years, so this is a big commitment in terms of changing your life for the foreseeable future. Your dog will need your time and lots of your attention, so it could mean a real lifestyle (more…)

When you go along to a dog training class, check a few details beforehand of what the trainer might need to see. A reputable organisation will want to see your vaccination certificates; some will also request that your puppy has been wormed. You may want to bring a few things along with you such as titbits for rewards, poop bags, toys, a collar and lead and a water bowl with a supply of water. A full list should be provided when you enrol.

Your puppy’s training class should offer a fun and friendly atmosphere in a comfortable venue. The whole family can go and everybody can learn together the signals and commands for the pup.

Remember, your puppy has a lot to learn, it will be a lot easier if he or she is happy and stress free. Don’t worry if he or she (more…)

Your new puppy is bound to be adorable and seemingly beyond reprimand – until you see the mess that he or she has made on the floor in your home. This can send even the most patient new dog owner into despair when they become caught in a constant pattern of cleaning their floor. Bad habits such as this can be hard to break and this is why, no matter how cute you find your puppy, it is never too early to avoid them developing bad habits by starting your potty training regime as soon as you bring the puppy home.

Much like a child, your new puppy will need some incentives to learn to do the right thing and there are various ways that you can encourage your puppy to learn not to make a mess in your home. Dog treats are highly effective when combined with encouraging words such as “good boy” or “good girl”. Offering a treat will mean that the dog will associate their (more…)

So you have taken the plunge and decided to give one of the UK’s numerous homeless dogs a new start. If you are worried about taking on a rescue dog read on:

Just because a dog is in a rescue shelter doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she is a problem dog, dogs are taken to shelters for any number of reasons, often to do with family breakdown, financial pressures, or death of the owner.

Rescue dogs in most cases, are used to being pets and know how to interact within the family.

Talk to the staff at the dog’s home, sometimes they will have some knowledge of the dog’s (more…)

Dog hygiene is important for your pet as basic hygiene can keep your pet healthy and avoid most little problems developing into anything more serious.

Although it is important to give your dog a regular bath, do not think that a quick splash is enough to maintain your pet. Although your dog will smell nicer and their coat will be shinier, bathtime is a good time to check that your dog is healthy in other ways as it’s a good chance for you to give him a quick once over.

Clean your dog’s ears. There are special solutions to do this, which you may (more…)

Putting a dog inside a crate or cage can seem cruel to some, but when used in the right way, a crate can be a really useful tool to keep your dog safe, help train him and also be used as a safe means of transportation.

The cage or crate should never be positioned as a punishment to the dog or else he will not accept the crate. Getting a dog to accept the crate whilst he is a puppy will also be easier, although not impossible, than teaching an adult dog who has never seen one. Entice the dog into the crate using a treat and encouraging words – repeating a phrase that you will later (more…)