As the Scout motto tells us: ‘Be prepared’. Socialising puppies from an early age sets them up for success and prevents a multitude of potential issues as they get older. The more we learn about our canine companions, the clearer it has become that socialisation is an essential part of their development and one that…

You don't have to be very observant to realise that the most common problem owners experience outside the home, is their dog’s tendency to pull on the lead. Even many dogs that learn not to pull at a training class, tend to drag their owners from pillar to post once they escape the confines of…

Over 50% of dogs in the UK are overweight. Being overweight can lead to the following problems: Reduced life expectancy Chronic inflammation Cancer Metabolic and endocrine disorders Orthopaedic and joint diseases Skin diseases Respiratory disorders. Obesity is just a term given to individuals that are extremely overweight. But how do you know if your dog…

Sadly, a dog’s lifespan is relatively short compared to our own, and dogs are often referred to as “senior” after the tender age of seven! In very large breeds, such as Great Danes, it is even earlier. Many dogs will however still be perfectly sprightly until much later than this, even into their teens. The…

What is noise phobia? A phobia is the irrational fear of something. The word phobia suggests that the fear response is out of proportion to the source of the fear. This certainly can be the case for dogs who are frightened by noises – noise phobia. How and why does noise phobia develop? Fear of…

Dogs are descended from wolves… it’s TRUE! One thing is sure, our dogs of today are indeed descended from the grey wolf (Canis Lupus). Academics have long been arguing about the exact timeline and dates. Where and when did dogs split off from wolves? Some studies, all to do with studying genetic material, suggest that…

Gardening is a national pastime and most people who own dogs will also have a garden. Do you know just how many common garden plants can be toxic to dogs if eaten? Once you start to read the labels on plants, bulbs and seeds, it is amazing how many say “toxic if eaten”. However we…

You would not believe what damage a tiny little grass seed can do to your pet! Most varieties of meadow grass flower in the mid to late summer and this is when we see the most problems. The problem being that dogs love to run around in the grass and the grass seeds or awns…

The summer holiday season is upon us once again and lots of us are looking forward to getting out and about at the seaside with our dogs. There are however a few things to bear in mind when planning your day out at the beach, or organising your dream holiday by the sea. Not all…

The importance of socialisation in dogs What is socialisation? All animals, puppies included, have a special sensitive period at the start of their lives where socialisation takes place. This is the time when they learn to accept things and situations around them, so they are not afraid of them in later life. In dogs, this…

Developing a grooming routine with your dog early on is a great way to get to know your dog and check that he’s healthy at the same time. Grooming doesn’t just mean brushing All dogs benefit from a regular grooming session but how much your dog will require will depend on the breed and the…

Picture the familiar scene: The sound of “Alfie”…”Alfie”… come here!… drifts across the park, to the unconcerned dog busily investigating a lump of wet grass. He looks up lethargically and spots his frustrated owner. Safe in the knowledge that his owner is still there, Alfie continues to enjoy his sniffing. Does this sounds familiar? Being…