Bringing home your new dog, whether this is a puppy or a rescue dog, is an exciting time. There are lots of ways in which you can make the settling in process easy for both of you, and your dog will be delighted to have the comfort, care and affection tha... read more
Do you know what a hip or rear-end nudge from your dog means? No, it’s not a sign of ‘dominance’ as old school trainers may have us believe, it is probably the very opposite. It’s a sign of friendliness and showing peaceful intentions. “Dog owne... read more
As the weather gets warmer and our dogs play rivers or pools, they are in possible danger not of drowning but of ingesting too much water. JoAnna Lou in thebark.com tells of a Border Collie who was playing in a river and emerged staggering and vomitin... read more
Imagine how you would feel if you were trying to figure out how to carry out a new task and no-one was telling you whether you were getting it right or wrong. You may feel anxious, confused, frustrated – or all three. We can ask questions and (hopefully... read more
Our relationships with dogs can be greatly enhanced if we take a little time to understand them. Because many people would like to know more about dog behaviour without having to study long-term, write essays or gain a qualification, Dale McLelland and ... read more
Why did the chicken cross the road? Because she wanted to get to the other side, silly. Why does the dog bark at the postman walking up the path? Because he turns around and goes back the way he came. Why does the dog lunge, chase and bark at cars? Becaus... read more
A very interesting discussion took place between several friends recently, about what approach to take when asking people to step away from reactive dogs, or when asking them to call away a dog who is giving unwanted attention. This is something t... read more
Imagine how you would feel if a stranger came rushing over to you and grabbed you or started stroking your face or your hair. You’d be startled, shocked and most likely very uncomfortable. You would probably try to move away, and if that person persists... read more
According to Defra’s latest figures 93,424 dogs were imported to the UK in 2015. Of this staggering number, many were street dogs and feral dogs who were taken from their previous free-ranging lives and transplanted into home environments. Fear issu... read more
This heartfelt piece was sent to me today by ISCP tutor Dale, whose beloved Theo’s sudden passing came as a terrible shock. The loss of a best friend So, life is going along as it should, a mixture of small irritations and moments of pleasure and ex... read more
