This is an archive of previous posts.
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Raw pet food and superbugs
Raw pet food and superbugs I have written about raw food diets in the past raw meat and your dog. This is often met with derision on social media, delirious owners opining how wonderful the raw diet is for their dogs – shiny noses, coats, etc. Any suggestion that the raw diet is not to […]
Dogs need responsible owners…
Dogs need responsible owners… I was minded again today while talking with some dog owners of the need for owners to take responsibility for their dogs seriously. Two, very similar, cases were brought to my attention. The first was a family with a number of dogs, a small pack, basically. These dogs had been gathered […]
Humans and dog companionship
Humans and dog companionship I was reminded of the impact dogs can have on our lives recently. Nearing the end of a walk in one off Ziggys’ (my rescued companion) favourite places and heading back to the car we met a lady with a rather nervous dog. We stopped to chat. As we talked Sue, […]
Understanding dogs…
Understanding dogs – misconceptions I was prompted to write this post after making a few comments on a piece in a local paper – https://www.edp24.co.uk/features/dogs-should-be-kept-on-leads-letter-1-6284729#comment-4626941131 I was disappointed to note some of the responses and the apparent, lack of understanding relating to dogs and their owners. The thrust of the reader’s letter was to demand […]
We should NEVER hit our dogs
We should NEVER hit our dogs This is a subject, I find myself having to return too, all too frequently. Should we hit our dogs? The simple, unequivocal, answer is no. I have now met a chap with his two dogs on a number of occasions while out with Ziggy. One dog is off the […]
Positive action, not evasive action helps our dogs
Positive action, not evasive action helps our dogs When out walking with my dog (Ziggy), I meet many people with their dogs. I am struck by how many of these dogs display some type of behavioural issue, or other. Many of these owners are not, really, helping their dogs overcome their problems. Most of these […]
Parallels between helping dogs and humans
Parallels between helping dogs and humans Following on from my last post about traumatised dogs; my, much better half, Sue ( www.firstintheq.co.uk ) and I, often discuss the parallels that exist between her work, dealing with people with complex mental health issues and, mine – dealing with dogs, often, exhibiting difficult behavioural issues. Sue has […]
Reactive dogs are traumatised dogs
Reactive dogs are traumatised dogs Throughout the dog community you will see references to ‘reactive dogs.’ Indeed, there are quite a few courses, that offer to help these ‘reactive dogs’ in group sessions. The other, common sight, is a dog wearing a coat that signals it is ‘reactive’ or, has some other problem. For me, […]
Canicross – fun for you and your dog – I think not…
I get regular dog information updates emailed to me. The most recent, prompted me to write, again, about attaching dogs to humans and then running with them. Canicross is a ‘sport’ where dogs, of any breed, are harnessed to idiot humans, who then run in competition with them. This ignores what is good for your […]
Dogs and horses
It was hot today, so Ziggy, Sue (my long suffering wife) and I went to a favourite river walk for some fun this morning. We had spent some time walking along and playing in the river, when we returned to a spot for one last session in the water. By now, there were quite a […]
Shouting at your dog is unhelpful…
Shouting at your dog is unhelpful I was out with Ziggy today at a local park. As usual there were quite a few dogs out and about with their owners, having fun. We were approaching a lady who was shouting, angrily and aggressively at her dog. The dog was paying no attention whatsoever. I observed […]
Reward or bribery?
Using rewards in dog training is an established and effective method for training dogs. However, if used incorrectly it can be counter-productive. I am seeing an increasing number of videos on Facebook and Youtube showing treats being used in the wrong way by ‘dog trainers.’ These videos show the trainer, or handler, constantly feeding treats […]