Selecting the Right Canine for You…

It can be tough hunting for a new dog. Striking a balance between your way of life and a suitable breed can be like barking up the wrong tree. To help make your decision a little more focused, we have detailed the essential points to consider: How lively Breeds such as cocker and springer spaniels are famous for being high […] Continue Reading

Understanding your dog

It is incredible how dogs communicate with us, it is even more remarkable how few of us understand what they are telling us. Taking the time to learn what your dog is saying can improve the quality of your relationship and the mental health of your canine. A bark is not just a bark… You can learn a lot from […] Continue Reading

Perils of Guard Dog and Protection Training

One of the most common forms of dog training is to bulk up security around family, property and valuables. Many owners look to install a canine into their home that will be an obedient family pet but also an avid protector. Training to ensure this balance can be tough and should be handled with extreme care. We have gathered some […] Continue Reading

Top tips for ongoing training

It is a real temptation for dog owners to rest on their laurels once the initial training skills have been implemented. To avoid bad behaviour down the line, we have detailed important ongoing training tips: Reinforcement Once a skill has been learned, the dog or puppy must be continually tested to ensure full retention and obedience. For many skills, this […] Continue Reading

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie… Or Not

A quick internet search will reveal some incredible household locations that your canine will snooze. From under the fire, in your bed or even on top of high surfaces, there is no where they won’t try and make their own. It may seem like a comical topic but there are serious training and behaviour repercussions to dog sleeping patterns. One […] Continue Reading

Training Mature Dogs

Can you teach an old dog new tricks? It is completely different training puppies and adult canines. Youngsters enjoy the thrill of new things and have an active capacity to learn. Mature dogs on the other hand are often set in their ways and may rebel against attempts to install unwanted commands. When initiating training with an older canine, it […] Continue Reading

The Importance of Authority

No matter the breed of a canine, ensuring discipline from an early age is essential. It helps install valuable behaviours that will allow the dog to fit in with your family and society at large. In essence, they are like children and need sufficient development via strong commands to establish ground rules. This can often take the form of hand […] Continue Reading

Disobedience and your Dog…

One of the most delicate issues to deal with as a dog owner is bad behaviour. Many owners hate the thought of shouting or locking the dog away as they scratch for freedom. It is however an extremely necessary task. By disciplining your pet, it highlights appropriate behaviour and allows you to act as a pack leader. In the animal […] Continue Reading

The Benefits of Giving Your Dog a Hobby

In the bigger picture, dogs are very similar to children. They need to feel loved, occupied and avoid feeling bored. Many dog owners are now considering introducing activities to their pet’s routine to prevent bad behaviour in the home. We have gathered a list of the best clubs and hobbies for your canine to help you decide what might be […] Continue Reading

Human – Animal Bond

Occupational Therapy Interventions for Children with Autism Part 4 In order to delve into the significance of AAT, one must first attempt to understand the human-animal bond. It is often assumed that people who have pets are socially inept or that they are trying to replace an important human figure in their life (Walsh 2009). However, this assumption is opposed […] Continue Reading

Top Tips for Training at Home

Although it is always useful to seek training advice from the professionals, there are a number of concepts to consider for improving your canine’s behaviour. We examine the top tips: Listen to Your Dog Not everyone speaks ‘dog’ or can decode the tone of a canine ‘woof’. Learn to read the basic signs and work with your dog. If they […] Continue Reading

Protecting Your Dog at Night

As the winter nights set in and daylight walks come to an end, there are a number of important tips to adapting your canine to successful winter living. Consider some important training tips and get in a festive frame of thinking. Training Tips Winter is the best time to focus your dog on stopping at roadsides, crossing on command and […] Continue Reading

Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy – Autism

An Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy Part 2 Autism was first recognised by Kanner in 1943 and confirmed by Wing and Gould in 1979 (Volkmar & Pauls 2003). According to the Autism Society of America (2012), autism is a “complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and […] Continue Reading

An Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy

INTRODUCTION A recent discovery by archaeologists found the remains of a man buried with his dog (Walsh 2009). Throughout the ages pets have been a central part of human life in almost every culture, infusing literature, traditions and customs of both modern and ancient peoples alike. Modern day scientific methods provide us with a way to finally document the impact […] Continue Reading