Ho, ho, ho! Let’s get a puppy…
Dogs of any age, including puppies, should never be given as presents. The idea of getting a dog should be a family affair – everyone should be involved, everyone should understand the commitment needed to live with a dog. If you then decide it is for you and your family – GO FOR IT – you will be in for an enjoyable ride. Just NOT at Xmas.
What is a canine behaviourist?
ANYONE can call themselves a canine behaviourist. This seems to be a growing trend with dog trainers (a different discipline) to also promote themselves as a canine behaviourist. To clarify, I am educated in canine behaviour to level 5 – a 2-year course of study resulting in a fully qualified canine behaviourist. A level 3, for example, studies some aspects of canine behaviour for, usually, around 6 months – this DOES NOT qualify them as a canine behaviourist.
A dogs life is valuable…
There is no doubt, in my mind, that we live in a world where life can be seen as cheap. I was minded to write this after reading a very sad case of a dog losing its life. Social media has driven the growth of the meme, likes, subscribers, Youtube ‘stars’ and the like. You […]
A sh*tty day!…
Sue (my better half) woke me yesterday morning with the immortal words ‘Ziggy’s had an accident.’ This actually meant she had messed all over the lounge, kitchen, hall and bathroom. There were significant poo deposits and pools of drool where she had become distressed by her ‘accident.’ The first thing to note is the drool. […]
Getting advice from the right person…
I was minded to write this because of recent experiences helping people with their dogs. There are many ‘experts’ out there to turn to with our dog questions or problems. So many, in fact, that it can be quite confusing for dog owners. Before I continue, let me ask a question. If you have a […]
Unhappy dogs – in plain sight…
I was minded to write this today after meeting a couple out with their two dogs while walking Ziggy. This couple had two dogs of the same breed; in fact, they were brother and sister around two years of age. The female was very thin and very nervous. She was also extremely quiet and withdrawn. […]
Failing our dogs – when advice is just wrong
Failing our dogs – when advice is just wrong I came across another case of a dog owner who had received very poor advice from so-called ‘dog professionals’ today. This owner had rescued his dog from the Dogs Trust, an organisation that should be advising owners before the rescue dog is rehomed. Clearly, the advice […]
Dogs and our mental health
Dogs and our mental health I was minded to write this after an encounter in the woods while out walking with Sue (firstintheq), my better half and Ziggy. We met a chap with his dogs who we have chatted with on numerous occasions. He fosters old dogs, you know the ones that are not really […]
When love it not enough
When love is not enough I know, it sounds like a song title ‘when love is not enough.’ However, I want to highlight some flawed thinking. I was prompted to write this after I saw a Facebook post about a frightened dog that needed rehoming. The pictures showed a very scared dog. It was hiding […]
Children and dogs
Children and interacting with dogs I came in for some flack when I posted the above picture, with a couple of observations, on Facebook. The picture featured in a Sunday paper (Times), shows the ‘school dog’ being taken to visit children during the Covid lockdown. The idea, an admirable one, was to cheer the children […]