Give Your Puppy a Summer to Remember: Start with Smart Preparation Picture your puppy padding across the grass, nose in the air, tail swishing, taking in all the scents of an Irish summer. Longer evenings, family barbecues, trips to the beach or lake, kids at home, friends popping by. For a young dog, this first summer is a big deal. It is a time when they are soaking up the world and deciding what feels safe, what feels scary and what is just plain fun. Those extra daylight

Walking your dog can be a wonderful time for building your relationship, but it often becomes a tug-of-war when your dog starts pulling on the lead. This is a common issue that many dog owners face, and it can turn a pleasant stroll into a bit of a struggle. Luckily, with the right approach, you can teach your dog to walk nicely by your side and enjoy peaceful outings together. Stopping your dog from pulling is all about using the right techniques. With some patience and cons

Choosing dog training classes is a big step, especially when we’re not sure what progress should really look and feel like. It’s easy to show up, go through the motions and still wonder if the class is actually helping your dog learn. That doubt is more common than most people think. We often start with big hopes, but then get stuck asking questions like, “Is this worth it?” or, “Why isn’t my dog listening better already?” The good news is there are clear signs that show whet

Winter walks can feel like a reset button on your puppy training progress. One week, your dog’s sitting politely at every kerb. The next, they’re pulling, distracted and ignoring your cues as if they’ve never heard them before. It's not just frustrating, it’s confusing, especially when you’ve been working hard. The truth is, winter brings a mix of changes that can affect how well early cues land. The weather shifts, the environment feels different and your dog’s comfort level

Christmas Eve often feels like the busiest day of the festive season. There is food to prepare, guests to organise, last minute wrapping to finish and a general feeling that everything needs attention at once. For dog owners, the day brings an extra layer of planning. Your dog will sense the changes in routine, the unusual noise levels and the unfamiliar items around the home. A little preparation can help the day run smoothly and keep your dog feeling settled. This guide wal

Christmas morning tends to arrive with a sense of excitement that starts early and builds fast. Many families rush into the living room the moment they wake up, caught up in gift opening and the buzz of the holiday. For dogs, this sudden change of pace can be confusing, even overwhelming. Yet with a bit of thought, Christmas morning can become one of their happiest moments of the year. A steady routine helps them feel secure, and small touches throughout the morning make the

When the festive season rolls in, many of us look forward to cosy nights, family gatherings and the sparkle of fireworks. Dogs, however, often feel very differently. Loud noises can unsettle them, sudden flashes can spook them and busy households can leave them feeling unsure about where to settle. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to help. With a bit of preparation and some thoughtful adjustments, you can make the season easier for your dog and help them stay s

Christmas morning has a way of bringing out the best in many households, and when a dog or young pup is part of the picture the day takes on a life of its own. For some, the excitement builds from the moment wrapping paper rustles. For others, it is the first Christmas with a new pup and every moment feels like a small adventure. Many owners say the day never quite goes how they expect, but it nearly always turns into a story worth sharing. This post looks at genuine Christma

Finding Christmas gifts for dogs can feel surprisingly tricky, especially when the holiday countdown is slipping through your fingers. You want something thoughtful and practical, something that looks as if you planned ahead, even if you only remembered your dog’s stocking while wrapping the final presents of the season. The good news is that there are plenty of quick, clever and appealing ideas that go far beyond a generic chew or an impulse buy from the supermarket. With a

Taking a Christmas photo of your dog sounds easy. After all, they are naturally charming, full of expression and usually more entertaining than any staged set. Yet turning that charm into a photograph you genuinely love can be surprisingly tricky. You might end up with blurred shots, missed expressions or backgrounds that look more cluttered than festive. If you have ever attempted a seasonal picture and found yourself wondering why it looked better in your head, you are not

The festive season tends to bring busy kitchens, full plates and plenty of tempting smells. Dogs are very good at being under the table at the exact moment a roast potato drops. They are also very good at convincing guests that they have never eaten before. Christmas dinner can feel like one long opportunity for them to ask for extra snacks. While it is nice to share the celebration, the truth is that many classic Christmas dishes can be unsafe for dogs. This guide explains w

In winter, our routines often shift without us realising at first. The early dark, chilly mornings, rainy walks, and more time spent indoors can change how we move through a day. Our dogs feel that change too. They may get fewer outdoor walks, shorter stints in the garden, or more hours napping by the heater than playing outside. But this season still holds good chances for learning and bonding. Dog training lessons do not need to pause just because the clocks change or the t

Welcoming guests over the holidays can feel exciting and stressful in equal measure. Your home takes on a different rhythm. Doors open more often. Extra voices fill the rooms. Food sits out on tables that your dog normally ignores but suddenly smells irresistible. It is a lovely time of year, yet the change in pace can be a lot for a dog to take in. Some dogs rush around and greet everyone with great enthusiasm. Others worry about new faces or unexpected movement. Some feel a

Christmas has a way of drawing the whole household together. The routines shift, the pace changes and everything from the food to the decorations feels a little more special. If you share your home with a dog, you probably already know that they sense this shift as soon as November slips into December. They see the tree go up, the visitors arrive and the living room fill with rustling paper and tempting scents. Christmas can be exciting for them, but it can also be confusing.

Travelling during the holidays can feel busy enough without adding a dog into the mix. The good news is that with thoughtful preparation, you can make the journey comfortable for your dog and far easier for yourself. Packing well means fewer surprises, smoother transitions between locations and a more relaxed experience overall. Many people underestimate how much their dog relies on familiar items, so a clear plan can make a real difference. This guide walks you through every

Christmas often brings excitement, noise, visitors and changes around the home. While many people look forward to this time of year, dogs can find it quite confusing. Your home looks different, smells different and sounds different, and your daily routine might shift without warning. For a dog, that can turn what should be a peaceful season into something stressful. The good news is that a little preparation can make a huge difference. With thoughtful planning and small adjus

Christmas has a special way of turning a quiet home into a lively mix of visitors, food and decorations. It is warm, joyful and full of routines that shift without much warning. While most of us focus on presents and plans, dogs often experience this season in a very different way. New smells, curious objects and tempting treats appear overnight. Many dogs explore with their mouths, so items that seem harmless to us can present real risks. This guide takes you through seven c

Choosing holiday presents for people who adore their dogs can feel like a puzzle. You want something thoughtful, something that shows you understand just how much their dog means to them, and something that will actually get used rather than quietly placed in a drawer. Whether you are shopping for a friend, a colleague or a family member, dog themed gifts are always welcomed during the festive season. This guide brings together practical ideas, charming bits and pieces and sm

Daily life with dogs tends to follow a pattern. We wake up, go outside, sort the meals, and head out for walks. These habits form the base of how most dogs settle into the home. But not every training approach works the same way everywhere. If you live in the west of Ireland, you’ve likely noticed that dog training in Mayo often fits right in with the local way of doing things. It’s slower, steadier, and shaped by how people live from day to day. The way we teach our dogs, th

Wrapping gifts can be a relaxing and enjoyable task, but any dog owner knows that quiet moments do not always line up with a dog’s sense of timing. The sound of paper, the rustle of tape, the unfamiliar scents and the sudden attention on something other than your dog can all trigger curiosity. A dog that feels left out or unsure often wants to get involved, and that puts your gift wrapping at risk. Many owners discover that the more they try to focus, the more the dog tries t