Behaviour & Training

Most people think that dogs only wag their tails when they're happy, but is that the truth? Read our article to find out everything you need to know about your dog's most invaluable communication tool and what all the different dog tail signs mean. Your dog’s tail is an invaluable communication tool. Whether it’s long, short, curly or straight, dog tails serve to provide an indicator of how they’re feeling. It’s a common belief that a wagging tail means a happy dog, but this isn’t always the case. Dogs use their entire body to communicate so it often requires you to take a look at the rest of their body language and the situation they’re in to understand how they’re really feeling. We’ve created this handy guide to tell you why dogs wag their tails and what all the different wags can mean.

It may seem random and slightly unnerving, but the dog stare is actually a well-established form of communication in the canine world. Find out why dogs keep staring at us. Has your dog been keeping an eye on you? If you’re wondering “why does my dog stare at me”, you’re not alone. Dogs stare at us quite a lot, prompting many owners to try and decipher what the mysterious gaze could be about. While we might not be able to know what exactly is going through a dog’s mind, there are a few cues that can help us solve the riddle of their intense stare. From the loving gaze to the icy glare, dogs use eye contact as a form of communication. So, if you have unexpectedly met your pet’s intense gaze from across the room and you’re looking for explanations, here are a few possible reasons why dogs keep staring at us.

Now that your pup is getting to grips with basic dog training, you can start to think about to teaching them some cool dog tricks! Read our step-by-step article for advanced dog trick training – and some top tips. We all love the idea of having a well-trained dog who hangs on our every word – and now your puppy is starting to get the basics under their belt, it’s time to move on to more advanced – and more fun - dog training. Learning new tricks and games with your dog is going to benefit you as much as will benefit them, it's a lot of fun for you both, and it will enhance your relationship as a result. It’s a win-win! Some of these fun dog tricks are based on masteringbasic dog training skills, so if you need a refresher make sure you check our article first.

Basic dog training is a fun and rewarding experience for both of you. It’s important to begin training your dog at an early age to get the foundations right before your puppy grows into an adult dog. Find out how to teach your dog basic exercises in our guide. Dogs are fast learners, and with your loving guidance, teaching life skills such as toilet training and sleep training, as well training your dog how to ‘come’, ‘sit’, ‘stay’ will nurture your relationship as well as encourage good behaviour. Well-trained dogs are less likely to stray, and generally have more freedom and fulfilling lives compared to their untrained counterparts. Young puppies make eager pupils, so you can start with basic dog training as soon as you get them home. It’s a myth that pups need to be at least six months old before they can be properly trained – the younger they are, the easier it is to teach them. Think of them as little furry sponges, waiting to soak up all the learning you can give them! Here you’ll find lots of advice on the basics of dog training. For more detailed and advanced dog training advice or to find a good training class, contact a professional accredited trainer.

We all know dogs are able to sense plenty of things we can’t. So, are ghosts one of them? In this article, we’re trying to answer the old-age question: “Do dogs see ghosts?”.

If you find yourself working a lot or going on a trip where you can’t take your pup with you, you might be wondering about what dog sitting and daycare services are available. Maybe they can’t come on a short holiday with you, or perhaps your working arrangements mean you need regular dog or puppy daycare. Your dog is lucky (and probably very happy!) if you have the freedom to work from home, or if you’re allowed to take them into the workplace. However, it’s completely normal for people who work to need extra help to give their dogs a happy and sociable life. Most healthy, mentally active dogs will be able to amuse themselves for a short while on their own, and if you have two or more pets, they can usually keep each other occupied for longer. But pets need human interaction, and on the occasions when you need to leave your dog alone for longer than four hours at a time (unless they have access to a secure garden via a dog flap or outdoor kennelling to relieve themselves), you should look at puppy or dog sitting services and arrange for someone to take care of them. Some owners rely on the help of a family member or friend when it comes to dog sitting, but of course not everyone has this option! If you need extra help, there is a growing industry of professional carers, including dog and puppy daycare and sitting services. Keep reading to find out what is dog sitting and boarding exactly and the average boarding and dog sitting rates you can expect to pay.

If you have a dog that's constantly digging up your flower beds it can be incredibly frustrating. Find out why your dog digs and how to stop them doing it in the wrong places with our helpful guide. Dogs can develop the urge to dig at any time in their life: it could be a behaviour they’ve had since being a puppy, or something that comes on later in their adulthood. Find out more about what drives dogs to dig in order to determine how to prevent a dog digging in places you don’t want them to. The occasional scuffle in the soil isn’t a problem, but digging as a repeated behaviour – especially in your flower beds or if you are garden-proud - can be a behaviour you want to discourage. Find out more about what drives dogs to dig in order to determine how to best deal with this natural, but sometimes annoying behaviour.

There are many reasons why your dog may be aggressive, and some of these may need professional help, and in some cases, veterinary advice. Read about some of the main causes of aggressive behaviour in dogs here. Your dog has a personality completely unique to them – and like all dogs, they have different moods ranging from joyful to scared. If your dog is behaving aggressively however – either to people or other dogs - you should address it as soon as possible. Aggressive dog behaviour can include:Aggression toward strangers Aggression against family members Guarding resources (such as food, treats or toys)Aggression to other dogs in the household Aggression to unknown dogs If your dog is showing any signs of aggression – especially if this is a new behaviour, first of all, consult your veterinary surgeon. Your vet will conduct a full examination to see if there is a clinical reason for your dog’s aggression such as pain, discomfort or any other physical cause. If no medical explanation or treatment can be found, the vet can refer you to a professional behaviourist for help. Take a look at your pet insurance policy - some will cover these fees for your added peace of mind. Although taking your dog to see the vet or behaviourist might seem worrying, you should never attempt to treat your dog’s aggression yourself, or ignore it and hope it will go away. If your dog’s aggression is not tackled quickly and appropriately, the problem can escalate and may result in serious injury to yourself and your family, other people or other animals, and even legal issues – and of course, you want to get help for your dog long before it gets this far! This is a problem that is far better - and far easier - tackled straight away.

There’s little more frustrating than a dog who won’t stop pulling on the lead. It can be extremely tiring for both you and your pup, can become dangerous or even cause lasting damage, and can turn a simple walk into a complete nightmare. This is why teaching a puppy to walk on a lead is important. In their excitement to get places, their joy of being in the great outdoors, and the thrill of having another adventure, many dogs pull on the lead. While every dog can get excited at times, if your dog refuses to walk without constantly pulling, it means that instead of you being able to walk with them happily staying beside you on a loose lead, you are controlling them with nothing more than physical restraint. The lead should be there for safety, and it is your puppy training that should keep your dog walking close to you – not be something you have to hang on to with all your strength! If you are relying on the lead, the physical effort involved in controlling your dog could be overwhelming – and even get dangerous for you both, especially if your canine friend is one of the larger, stronger breeds. Teaching your dog to walk on a loose lead isn’t difficult – especially if you start when your dog is a puppy – and with a bit of work and a lot of consistency, you can both look forward to a lifetime of fun, enjoyable walks together. Keep reading to find out how to lead train a puppy.

Can all dogs swim? While a lot of dogs have the ability to paddle in water, not all dogs can swim proficiently. There are, of course, dogs that take to the water like ducks and enjoy splashing around, but there also those who feel scared and do not know how to stay afloat. But don’t worry – all dogs can learn to swim. In this article, we will explore how to teach your dog how to swim – and if you should!

There’s no need for your dog to stay at home if you’re going on holiday – in fact, your dog can make a great travel companion. With so many dog friendly hotels and holidays anywhere in the world, check out the basics of travelling with dogs and the world is your oyster. Travelling with dogs is easiest if you prepare everything well in advance – accommodation, travel arrangements, and paperwork can all be organised months before you go, which means less stress and more fun for both of you. Of course, you might not be planning on travelling abroad with your dog, but staying somewhere close to home, in which case things are even easier. Just keeping a few simple things in mind will really increase the ease of taking dogs on holiday. Get your pen ready and make sure you’ve thought about everything in the list below – and when you’ve done all that, the only thing left is to get excited about your trip.

Anyone who’s ever spent time in the company of a dog knows that, just like people, dogs have personalities that are unique to them, and they experience many feelings in the same way as humans and all other mammals. While they don’t experience higher emotions such as shame, spite or contempt, they have the same range of basic emotions as us, such as happiness, sadness, relief, frustration and fear. These feelings are essential in helping dogs learn about the world, and encourage them to behave in certain ways. If a dog feels fear, for example, they’re likely to seek out safety from the threat and gain a sense of relief, while the positive feelings they get from positive social encounters encourage good relationships with those around them.