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 Day seems to run on its own timetable. One moment you are opening presents, the next you are trying to get lunch finished before the potatoes go cold. In the middle of all of this, your dog is usually right there, thrilled by the smells and the noise, hoping something tasty might come their way. Many owners like the idea of making a homemade treat, but the thought of spending ages in the kitchen is not appealing when you are juggling guests, family visits and everyt

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

The end of the year always brings a lovely sense of celebration. There are lights, cosy evenings and a general feeling that it is time to gather together. Many households turn to baking at this time of year, and it is only natural to want your dog to feel included. Dogs often watch the activity in the kitchen with great interest, especially when warm smells drift out of the oven. Homemade festive treats can be a simple way to involve your dog, while still keeping their diet s

Decorating for the holidays feels exciting every year. Lights start to appear in windows, shops fill with warm seasonal colours and families look forward to making their homes feel special. If you share your home with a dog, you will know that decorating sometimes calls for extra planning. Tinsel can become a tempting chew. Baubles can roll away at just the wrong moment. Even a simple garland can turn into a game that you never planned. The good news is that you can still cre

The festive season often arrives with bright lights, busy living rooms, sudden visitors and plenty of noise. For many people it feels cheerful and lively. For many dogs it can feel overwhelming. If you have ever watched your dog retreat to another room during a party or pace about while you wrap gifts, you will know that the holidays can be a complicated time for them. This guide shows you how to recognise early signs of stress, why these behaviours appear and what you can do

Christmas brings a sense of warmth and comfort, and many people look forward to putting up the tree as a key part of the season. If you share your home with a dog, the excitement can come with a few extra considerations. A Christmas tree is full of scents, movement, sparkle and tempting objects. Dogs can find all of this irresistible. The good news is that you can enjoy your tree without feeling anxious. With some thoughtful planning, practical steps and a clear understanding

When a dog is recovering from an injury or medical procedure, crate rest often becomes a key part of their healing plan. Vets recommend it because controlled rest protects the body while it repairs. The crate limits sudden movement, stops overexcitement, and gives your dog a predictable place to settle. Even though crate rest is useful, it can feel quite strange for dogs who are used to moving about or exploring the home. That is where calm crate games come in. They offer qui

Choosing Christmas gifts for your dog often feels more personal than choosing presents for people. You want something special, something fun and something that supports your dog’s wellbeing long after the decorations come down. The trouble is that festive pet products can be a mixed bag. Some are cute but not safe. Some are safe but not useful. Others look exciting but do little for your dog’s behaviour or daily routine. This guide focuses on ten behaviourist approved Christm

When a puppy’s teeth meet your skin, it is easy to think they are being naughty. In reality, biting is part of a complex developmental process that shapes how they interact with the world. Bite inhibition, or learning how to control the pressure of their bite, is not taught through commands but through the body’s sensory and neurological feedback systems. Understanding the physiology behind this process helps you support your puppy’s learning calmly and effectively. What Is B

If you have ever wondered why some dogs seem naturally relaxed while others react to every sound or movement, the answer may lie deep inside their body rather than in their temperament. One of the most powerful influences on a dog’s emotional state is a structure many owners have never heard of, the vagus nerve. Understanding how it works and how to support it can transform your approach to behaviour and wellbeing. What Is the Vagus Nerve The vagus nerve is the main communica

Dogs rarely speak with their voices, but they are constantly speaking with their bodies. The tail is one of the clearest parts of that silent conversation. During training, learning to read tail movement helps you understand how your dog feels, whether they are ready for the next step or whether you should pause and help them settle. Many owners notice wagging but do not always realise how much detail sits inside that single movement. The tail can rise, drop, curve, stiffen o

Christmas has a lovely way of bringing everyone together. You have the tree up, the food list planned, and the guest room ready. Then it hits you. Your dog is about to be surrounded by decorations, treats, visitors, excitement, noise and tempting things at nose height. When you are hosting Christmas, your home fills with all sorts of hazards. Many of them appear overnight, and plenty of dogs will try their luck if given even a few minutes unsupervised. Dog proofing does not n

Many people wonder if taking a dog training course is really worth the time. Life gets busy, and keeping up with a regular class might feel like one more thing on the list. But when training starts to click, daily life can feel a lot easier. We step into a room, ask for a sit, and the dog listens. We head out for a walk, and no one is pulling or stopping every few steps. Training helps cut through the noise. It brings clear routines that guide both us and our dogs when things

When something unexpected happens to your dog, it is easy to want to help right away, grabbing whatever is nearby in the hope that it will make a difference. Many people believe over-the-counter human medicine might help, but the truth is, it can do more harm than good. Dogs are not small people, and their bodies break down medicine differently, which means what works for us might be risky or outright dangerous for them. Moments like these can feel overwhelming. If your dog s

As December gets closer, pet shops and online stores fill up with seasonal treats. One item you will see almost everywhere is the advent calendar for dogs. They come in all shapes and styles. Some are full of daily biscuits. Some include toys. Others focus on chews or even beauty items. They look appealing on the shelf, but many owners pause for a moment and ask themselves if these calendars are actually worth the money. This post takes a clear, practical look at the idea. Yo