If you are concerned about your dog’s behaviour, or if you live in an area experiencing higher levels of dog attacks, contact us today for personalised training and behaviour support. Early intervention prevents problems from becoming serious. Recent data has drawn attention to County Mayo and its position among the highest reporting counties for dog attacks and aggressive behaviour incidents in Ireland. While headlines often focus on shocking individual events, the wider st

Caring for a dog is one of life’s great pleasures, but it also comes with real responsibility. Many new owners underestimate just how much time, consistency and awareness it takes to raise a well behaved, confident dog. That raises a reasonable question. Should every new dog owner have to pass a basic test to show they are prepared before they bring a dog home? Germany is often mentioned in this debate because several of its states require a dog owner test of some kind. These

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

Jumping up can seem harmless at first. A dog greets its people with paws off the ground, tail wagging, full of energy. But over time, that behaviour can become harder to manage. It might happen at the door, at the park, or every time someone walks in with groceries. Puppies tend to do it out of habit, and adult dogs can carry the same habit if it’s never been replaced with something else. That’s where obedience classes for dogs come into the picture. These classes give dogs a

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.

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

Flat faced dogs have become some of the most recognisable breeds in the world. Pugs, French bulldogs and English bulldogs appear everywhere from social media to advertising campaigns, and many families adore them for their personalities, character and comic charm. At the same time, the rise in popularity has brought increasing concern about the health challenges that come with extreme facial structure. In response, the UK has introduced a new voluntary evaluation called the I

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,

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

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

When we think about dog care, we often imagine giving treats, practising cues or heading out for a long walk. But having a first aid kit ready at home or on the go is just as important for keeping dogs safe and comfortable. Dogs find ways to scratch, cut or hurt themselves in the most normal moments, even when everything seems calm. Being prepared lets us handle small injuries or surprises with much less stress. A lot of us rely on online dog training to teach new skills and

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

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

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

Most of us have watched our dogs act like they understand every word we say. You might ask your dog for their toy, and suddenly they fetch exactly the right one. Many times, it feels like they have picked up more than just tone or hand signals. There is real science behind those bright, knowing looks. Studies have shown that dogs do not just learn basic cues like “sit” or “stay”, many will learn up to 165 words during their lives. Some have stunned researchers by piling up ov

Thanksgiving is a time to gather, celebrate and share good food. For many families, that also means including their dogs in the festivities. But the holiday bustle brings extra hazards that can easily go unnoticed. Recognising the risks in advance and planning accordingly will keep your dog safe, calm and part of the celebration. Holiday Hazards for Dogs When the door opens repeatedly, when the kitchen fills with cooking smells and when discarded food and packaging pile up, y

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it can also be quite a challenge when you realise how much they need to learn. One minute they’re sitting sweetly, and the next they’re chewing your slippers or chasing their tail. Many new owners wonder why their puppy seems unable to stay focused. The truth is, attention span is one of the biggest factors that determine how successful your training sessions will be. Understanding how long your puppy can truly concentrate, and learn

Dachshunds are one of the most recognisable dog breeds in the world. With their long bodies, short legs and alert expressions, they turn heads wherever they go. But beneath the novelty is a determined and highly instinctive dog bred for purpose and packed with personality. Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals. That hunting drive is still present today, which makes them bold, alert and often highly vocal. If you are thinking of bringing a

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

It was meant to be a simple walk. Sandy, a family dog from Wall Township in New Jersey, was out with her owner when something unexpected happened. In a matter of seconds she slipped out of her collar, lost her footing and tumbled into a storm drain. What should have been a routine outing turned into a frightening emergency that could have ended in tragedy. Thanks to the quick thinking of local police officers, Sandy was rescued unharmed. The dramatic moment was captured on ca