Behaviour & Training

Cartoon dogs were a huge part of many TV shows from our childhood. From Pluto to Scooby-Doo, there is bound to be a dog from a TV show or movie you couldn’t wait to see on the screen. We’ve made the ultimate list of legendary cartoon dogs from a variety of eras, so no matter your age, you can find your favourites below. Take a look!

It’s the moment you've been waiting for. Your adorable puppy has now had their vaccinations, is fully protected, and is ready to venture out into the world. And of course, you are a responsible owner who knows dogs need a good walk or two every day so you can’t wait to get out there and show your puppy off to everyone you meet. But hang on a moment, there’s a few more things you need to consider here. Your puppy is very young and even though you have been carrying them around, taking them to see the world in your arms, taking them out in the car for a drive, they still haven’t seen very much and they’re still tiny babies (no matter how big a breed you have!). So, see our guide on taking a puppy for their first walk – we have all the training tips you need, along with an equipment list!

One of the reasons many dogs don’t get the exercise they need to stay happy and healthy is because owners are unable to let them off the lead. Actually, they can let them off the lead with no trouble at all, but it is when they need to catch them again that the problems start!

Every dog will change your life and will need your input – dog exercise, training your pooch,indoor games,outdoor games, grooming at home or a salon, and, of course, your company and love. Some, however, take high maintenance to a whole new level! Whether it’s due to their coat, behaviour, or both, see our list of the most high maintenance dog breeds below.

One of the first things most people think about teaching their puppy or dog to do is to sit when they are asked. This is an easy first training exercise for owners to teach and for most dogs to learn, and it is one that has plenty of real life uses.

Whether you’re looking to add another cool party trick to your pup’s collection or just strengthen your bond, learning how to teach a dog to give paw is a great way to achieve both. For most dogs is also an easy trick for them to learn so you’re sure to have a great time doing it, all while your pup gets to show off his ‘pawesome’ skills! In this article, we’re going to go through the process of teaching your dog how to give you their paw, and help you teach your pup how to master it in no time. Read on to find out all there is to know about this cool party trick.

If you find your dog is regularly losing their cool when seeing other pups, it’s time to look at this behaviour and work to make some changes. In this article, we’re going to go over some quick tips and advice on how to teach your dog to be able to ignore other canines so that you can both enjoy your walks together. Having a social butterfly as a furry companion can be great and all but what happens if your pup is overly social, perhaps going off the rails with excitement whenever they see another dog? Or if they are fearful and so reactive to canines they meet when out and about? Those occurrences can definitely put a dampener on a nice walk in the park, not to mention your dog’s safety. To learn how to teach your dog to be able to ignore other dogs, it’s important to understand the reasons that might be motivating their behaviour. With dog ownership numbers increasing, your dog is bound to meet other dogs when out and about, so it is more important than ever to teach them how to navigate these social encounters appropriately – and this starts right back at puppyhood.

Teaching your dog new behaviours and tricks is a good way to keep them active and mentally stimulated, as well as a great bonding opportunity for the two of you. If your dog has already mastered ‘sit’ and ‘down’, you can teach them how to roll over. Regardless of whether they’re pups or adult dogs, rolling over or at least lying on their side is a fun and easy trick for them to learn and can be extra helpful in certain situations likevet examinations. Not to mention the cuteness of it all! So, are you ready to learn how to teach a dog to roll over? Check out these easy and straightforward steps that you can follow to teach your little (or big) goofball some rolling skills!

While taking any dog into your life will probably boost your fitness levels as you get out and about on your daily dog walks, there are definitely some energetic dog breeds that will really fit into the life of serious fitness fanatics and those who are looking for a dog as an exercise partner (as well as a beloved companion.) Many of the most energetic dogs are bred to work, or do an active job (i.e., gundogs, pastoral breeds, some of the working breeds, and some terriers) will best suit an active owner but also some have specialist skills you might not have thought about. Whether you need the best dog breeds for active/busy families, or for yourself, see our list of the best dog breeds for active lifestyles:

When it comes to training dogs, the mantra always is ‘any behaviour that is reinforced will be repeated’. In other words if you are training your dog to sit, and when they do, you give them a yummy treat, they are more likely to sit when you ask in the future. Giving a treat as a reward for doing something you want is called positive reinforcement – and it is how we can train our dogs to do all the behaviours, exercises and tricks that we want to teach them. It’s also a great way to build a strong bond with your dog while you are working together. Training however is far easier if the dog knows exactly what bit of what they did you are so happy about and are rewarding – as by the time you get a treat out and given it to your dog, they have probably forgotten what it was they did that made you so happy. You can use a ‘marker word’ (like “good”) to pinpoint the specific thing you want them to repeat – or you can use a specific sound, such as a clicker.

Good music can improve anyone’s mood, our canine friends included! Some tunes might encourage us to put on our dancing shoes, while others have the calming abilities to put us to sleep - that’s just the magic of it. But there can be more to music than this — if your pup often experiences anxiety and shows signs of stress, playing certain types of music might be a good option to consider when trying to help them relax and settle down. While the idea of using soothing music for dogs to combat stress and anxiety might seem unconventional, studies have shown that music can in many cases have apositive impact on a dog’s behaviour. Read on to learn more about what types of sounds and music are best for calming them and how you may be able to use them as part of a strategy to help them navigate potentially stressful experiences.

After careful consideration and many days dreaming about finding your new furry best friend, you finally decide that it’s the right time to get a dog. But what kind of pooch would be the perfect fit for a first-time owner? While all dogs have their own unique qualities, it’s important for a non-experienced dog owner to choose dogs that are easy to train so that they can more easily avoid all sorts of unwanted behaviours. When welcoming a puppy to your life, it’s also essential that you know how to properly train them so that you have a great relationship together. Here are a few things you should know about training your new pet and choosing the right breed for you.