As an animal behaviourist I am often asked which is the best way to train a dog? My reply is simple if you were learning a new behaviour would you want to be punished for getting it wrong or rewarded for getting it right? There are many different tools used by dog trainers to change […]
Advice
Fights between cats living in the same household
Members of the “Association for Pet Behavioural Counsellors” see more behavioural cases of familiar cats fighting than between unfamiliar ones. This tension within the home may also lead to urine spraying, inappropriate toileting and increased furniture scratching. Some cats may spend their lives hiding away from the other cat and some even leave home. So […]
Acquiring a new Pet and how to introduce them to children and other pets.
Acquiring your pet can be a daunting and often confusing experience. You will come across a great deal of conflicting advice in books, on TV, via the Internet and from friends. It may that seem that the whole world and his wife will have an opinion on what you should and shouldn’t do. So it’s […]
Companion Animal Myths
Did you know? 1) That dogs do not try and dominate you to become leader of the pack? 2) That rabbits are not happy being held upside down and “hypnotised”? 3) That horses do not “join up” out of respect for their trainer? If you didn’t then read on. Dominating dogs. The theory that […]
Safety around dogs for deliverymen.
The image of a postman running out of a garden gate with a dog hanging on to the seat of his pants has been the inspiration for many cartoons and jokes over the years. However, in the cold light of day being confronted by an aggressive looking dog is not a joke and causes huge […]
Is your dog trying to dominate your world?
Have you ever been told that your dog’s behavioural problem behaviour is due to it trying to “dominate “you? Have you read or seen on television that your dog is behaving badly because it wants to take over as “Alpha “male? Or told that your dog is defying you to become “leader of the pack”? […]
Why does my dog pull on the lead and how can I stop this?
Owners are often pulled along at great speed at the end of a lead when out walking resulting in a miserable and frustrating experience. A pulling dog and a cross owner also increases tension and may cause the dog to become overly reactive towards other dogs and their owners. Why do dogs pull on the […]
Parents – Kids and Dogs
Important points on how to keep dogs and kids safe around each other Does your dog enjoy being around children? In their presence does it wiggle its bottom, have a loose smiley mouth, lollopy tongue, does it run up to and happily interact with and more importantly does it go back for more? If so […]