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How Hip Dysplasia Impacts Training and Behaviour
When your dog starts slowing down on walks, hesitates to jump into the car or suddenly resists training exercises they once enjoyed, it can be easy to assume they are losing motivation or testing boundaries. In reality, these changes often signal something physical, not behavioural. One of the most common culprits, especially in medium to large breeds, is hip dysplasia. This condition can affect how your dog moves, learns and behaves, sometimes long before obvious pain become

Paws Academy
6 hours ago5 min read


Why Puppies Chew Everything: Teething Explained Through Anatomy
Your puppy’s chewing may seem relentless. Shoes, table legs, cushions, and sometimes even your hands all become targets. It can feel like mischief or defiance, but chewing is one of the most natural, essential parts of a puppy’s development. Behind those needle-sharp teeth is a complex physical process that causes real discomfort. Understanding what is happening inside your puppy’s mouth helps you manage this stage calmly and protect both your belongings and their wellbeing.

Paws Academy
2 days ago5 min read


Understanding the Adolescent Fear Phase in Dogs and How to Prevent Lifelong Anxiety
Your puppy seemed confident with the world, greeting people happily and exploring new things without hesitation. Then suddenly, they start backing away from strangers, barking at objects they once ignored or flinching at sounds that never used to bother them. It can be confusing, even worrying, when your once-brave puppy begins to act fearful for no obvious reason. What you are seeing is often part of normal development called the adolescent fear phase. This period is tempora

Paws Academy
4 days ago5 min read


Understanding Canine Proprioception: Why Body Awareness Training Matters
Have you ever noticed your dog misjudge a jump, bump into furniture or hesitate when walking on new surfaces? It might not be clumsiness or fear. It could be linked to something few owners think about: proprioception. This term describes your dog’s sense of body awareness, their ability to understand where their body is in space and how it moves. Proprioception shapes everything from coordination to confidence. When it is underdeveloped or disrupted, it can affect behaviour,

Paws Academy
Nov 185 min read


How a Dog’s Ear Structure Affects Recall Training
Teaching your dog to come when called is one of the most valuable skills you can master together. It keeps them safe, strengthens your communication and allows freedom with confidence. Yet for many owners, recall training feels inconsistent. Some days your dog responds instantly, other days they act as though they cannot hear you. It is easy to assume distraction or disobedience, but your dog’s ear structure might have more to do with it than you think. The Remarkable Design

Paws Academy
Nov 165 min read


Why Dental Pain Can Cause Aggression or Training Refusal in Dogs
Training sessions are meant to be enjoyable, rewarding and a time for you and your dog to work together. When your dog suddenly snaps, growls or refuses to participate, it can be confusing and worrying. Before assuming stubbornness or behavioural issues, it is worth considering something more physical. Dental pain is one of the most overlooked causes of sudden aggression or reluctance to train. In this post, we will explore why oral discomfort has such a strong effect on beha

Paws Academy
Nov 136 min read


How Gut Health Influences Behaviour in Puppies and Adult Dogs
When your dog acts out or seems unusually anxious, your first thought might be to check their training, routine, or environment. But what if their gut is playing a part too? In recent years, science has revealed a powerful connection between the gut and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis. This connection does not just apply to humans. It plays a big role in how dogs think, feel, and behave. Understanding the link between gut health and behaviour can help you make more inf

Paws Academy
Nov 106 min read


The Anatomy of a Bark: What’s Really Happening When Dogs Vocalise
When your dog barks, it can sound like excitement, frustration, or even a full conversation you are not invited to. While barking is one of the most common canine behaviours, it is also one of the least understood. Some dogs bark at the postman, others bark at nothing you can see, and a few bark just to say hello. But every bark has meaning, and understanding the anatomy behind it can help you respond more effectively and strengthen your communication with your dog. This post

Paws Academy
Nov 96 min read


Why Your Dog’s Nose Is Their Greatest Distraction (and How to Work With It)
If you’ve ever called your dog and been completely ignored because they’re busy sniffing a patch of grass, you’re not alone. Many owners find that their dog’s nose is both their superpower and their greatest training challenge. While it can be frustrating when a simple walk turns into a slow investigation of every tree, understanding what’s happening inside that amazing nose can transform the way you train and connect with your dog. This post explores why your dog’s nose is s

Paws Academy
Nov 78 min read


Fireworks and Your Dog: How to Prepare for a Stress-Free Night
When the night sky lights up with bursts of colour, we often think of celebration, excitement, and joy. But for many dogs it can be something very different: confusion, fear and stress. With Guy Fawkes Night, bonfires and fireworks approaching, now is a great time to get prepared. In this post we’ll explore what is actually happening for your dog when fireworks go off, and how you can set the scene for a calmer evening. Why Fireworks Affect Dogs So Much Dogs have far more acu

Paws Academy
Oct 294 min read


How a Dog’s Vision Affects Obedience Training Success
When you picture obedience training, you might think of hand signals, eye contact and visual cues. But what if your dog does not see...

Paws Academy
Oct 297 min read


Can Your Dog Tell Time: Science Says Yes… Sort Of
Most of us have seen it: the way a dog parks themselves by the door at walk time or nuzzles you right when dinner should show up. It is easy to believe dogs have their own secret clock. But is that really true? Can dogs tell time, or are they just experts at picking up on patterns? Dogs might not read clocks, but they are brilliant at reading routines. They notice what usually happens and when, like meals, walks, or when it is time for dog training classes. These moments help

Paws Academy
Oct 274 min read


Why Arthritis in Older Dogs Can Look Like ‘Stubbornness’ During Training
Training an older dog can sometimes feel like a battle of wills. You give a familiar command, and your dog looks at you as if to say,...

Paws Academy
Oct 256 min read


Why Your Adolescent Dog Suddenly Stops Listening: Understanding Hormonal Changes
When your sweet, obedient puppy starts acting like a rebellious teenager, it can be frustrating. One week they come running when you...

Paws Academy
Oct 246 min read


How Your Puppy’s Growth Plates Affect Safe Exercise and Training
Watching your puppy grow and learn is one of the best parts of dog ownership. Their energy, curiosity, and eagerness to please make every...

Paws Academy
Oct 226 min read


3 High-Value Rewards That Supercharge Recall Training
Getting our dogs to come back when called makes walks, park visits and busy days safer and far less stressful. Recall cues training is not just about picking the right cue word; it is about making the reward tempting enough to beat all the distractions around. Most dogs learn what recall means pretty quickly, but whether they choose to return depends a lot on what happens after they show up. If coming back does not feel special, most dogs weigh their options and might stick w

Paws Academy
Oct 205 min read


Understanding the Link Between Muscle Tension and Reactivity in Dogs
It’s easy to spot when a dog is relaxed: loose posture, soft eyes, and calm movements. But when muscle tension appears, everything...

Paws Academy
Oct 197 min read


Why Understanding Your Dog’s Skeleton Helps Prevent Behavioural Problems
Every dog owner wants a happy, confident companion who enjoys life without anxiety or frustration. But many behavioural issues that seem...

Paws Academy
Oct 177 min read


Why Dogs Love Music: Science, Stories and What Owners Can Try at Home
A video clip has recently spread across social media showing a 13-year-old dog who cannot get enough of his owner’s jazz piano. Each time the music begins, the dog visibly relaxes and leans in with a dreamy expression. It is the kind of moment that makes people stop scrolling and smile, and it quickly went viral. The charm of the video lies partly in its simplicity. There is nothing staged about it. It is simply a dog enjoying the sound of music, showing that connection with

Paws Academy
Oct 165 min read


The Science of a Dog’s Brain: What Canine Neuroanatomy Reveals About Training
Training a dog often feels like a blend of art and patience. Yet, underneath every sit, stay and recall lies a fascinating layer of...

Paws Academy
Oct 157 min read
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