Behaviour & Training

Classic games like ‘fetch’ are lots of fun for you and your dog, but exercise isn’t just about running around. Mental exercise is important too, as it can help fight boredom and teach your dog great new skills. Dog brain games can help keep your pet on their toes when it’s too rainy to play outside. They’re also great for dogs of any age – brain games for puppies challenge their developing brains and keep them learning new skills. They can also help keep adult dogs stimulated and may even help senior dogs stay alert and active. We’ve put together five of our favourite brain games for dogs. 1. Treasure hunt This is a great brain game to test your dog’s thinking skills! Hide pieces of your dog’s favourite treat around the house (or if it’s nice outside, the garden) and let them hunt for a tasty reward. Your dog will have to use their nose to scent out the prize. Every time you play this dog brain game, hide the treats in increasingly difficult places to keep things interesting. If your dog loves to follow scents (for example, if you have a scent hound) try leaving a ‘trail’ around the house or garden for them to follow. Just take a delicious-smelling treat, touch it on surfaces around the house in a continuous trail, and hide it at the end. 2. Brain training toys A really simple brain game for dogs involves hiding treats inside a special toy. There are many toys you can buy for this purpose – just put some of your dog’s favourite treat inside, and watch them try to release it. This may involve rolling their toy a certain way, squeezing it, or using sheer determination. Whichever toy you choose, it will help spread their treats or food out over a longer period of time, as well as keeping them occupied.

Whenever the weather is nice and the sun peeks through, it’s time for you and your dog to get back in the garden and make the most of the great outdoors. Finding the best garden dog toys will encourage your pet to exercise outside and provide vital physical and mental stimulation, and that isn’t only true for your pet! Research has shown that dog owners are fitter than the average person. Find extra motivation to get active and outside with your dog this summer, with this list of our all-time favourite garden dog toys.

Dogs don’t rely on vocal communication in the same way humans do, but it still forms a major part of the way they express themselves and their emotions to other dogs – and to their human family. There’s more to a dog’s vocal repertoire than a simple ‘woof’ – our canine companions make use of whines, yips, yelps, whimpers, grumbles, howls and growls in their communication. Some are even fond of a big hearty sigh! Top 5 reasons your dog won’t stop barking There are lots of reasons why dogs bark, but remember, barking may only seem excessive to us – barking in any form is all part of a dog’s nature!

Thinking of new and exciting games to play with your pooch can be difficult, especially if you’ve exhausted the thrills of ‘hide and seek,’ and want to play a more exciting game than ‘fetch.’ With our list of outdoor dog games, you can be more adventurous at playtime and enjoy the great outdoors come rain or shine! 1. Teach your dog to catch a Frisbee Playing flying disc, or Frisbee, is a great alternative to throwing a stick or a ball and it’s an excellent form of exercise too! If your dog is already good at catching toys and bringing them back to you, they’ll be quick at learning how to play with a Frisbee and the game will be even more fun for the both of you. All you need to get started is a Frisbee and the great outdoors! Begin your game by throwing the Frisbee lightly, and once your dog has gotten used to catching and retrieving you can start to increase the height and the distance of each throw. This outdoor dog game is great if you’re short on time and aren’t able to go on a long daily walk. The quick bursts of energy spent running to catch the Frisbee and bringing it back will tire your enthusiastic dog out in no time!

Today, there are so many types of dog toys available that it can be difficult to choose which ones to get. Where do you begin? What will be both fun and educational for your dog? All pet owners face these questions when they first consider buying a dog toy, and it can be hard to find answers. In this article, we’ve put together a simple guide to help you get started when it comes to choosing the best dog toys. Best dog toys Many pet owners wonder if there is a ‘best’ dog toy: a single, universal toy that will make their dog happy, as well as challenge them and help develop their skills. While there are a range of toys available now, there is no best dog toy. Each dog prefers different toys. Moreover, different dog toys are useful for different dogs. Some dogs like lots of games and exercises, so toys that require running, chasing, or tugging are the best toys for them. Other dogs, especially smaller dogs, are more indoor animals and may like toys that do not require them to move around too much. Each dog has a different personality, and you should try and find the dog toy that fits their personality. Finding your dog’s favourite toy may take a while – and may take a lot of playing. However, if they have several to choose from, it will be easier to learn their interests. Types of dog toys Balls These are proven to be a favourite with dogs. You can choose a soft plush ball if your dog is young and teething, or a tennis ball that has a slightly harder exterior if your dog is older.

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. It’s a simple process that may take some time, but if you do it properly you will have your dog paddling about in the water and eager to play in no time. At what age should I teach a puppy to swim? If you take a lot of hikes around lakes or spend time at the beach, you may want to start teaching your puppy to swim early. It is best to check with your vet on what age they recommend teaching your pup. This may depend on the breed and your dog’s personality, so it is best to get expert advice.

If your dog keeps eating grass or dirt, there’s no need to worry - this isn’t uncommon behaviour by any means, even though it might seem quite strange. If you have a four-legged friend in your life, chances are that you’ve caught them grazing once or twice on their daily constitutional. For pups that do this, owners often wonder, why do dogs eat grass exactly? Over the years there’s been numerous old wife’s tales about the behaviour, with many believing it’s for the purpose of self-medicating – but is this true? Why do dogs eat grass? Dogs eating grass is very common, but there’s actually little evidence to tell us why they do it. Behaviourists and veterinarians have been perplexed by the behaviour for years, but some of their theories include: 1. Self-medicating It’s likely that you’ve heard this one for an answer to why dogs eat grass. It’s widely believed by dog owners that if a dog feels nauseous, they’ll eat grass to make themselves vomit and then feel better. However, this still remains a theory. In fact, dogs vomiting after ingesting grass is quite rare, with less than 25 percent doing this and only a further 10 percent displaying signs of illness beforehand. 2. They like the taste of it Another reasoning could be because they simply like the taste of it. Dogs are descended from wolves and as such, they’re natural scavengers – meaning that they might be grazing in your back garden as an opportunity to forage. Additionally, some veterinarians have suggested that dogs might eat grass to make up for nutritional deficiencies in their diet. This is supported by a study outlined by Fetch by Web MD, with a dog who ate grass every single day for seven years, then the moment it was switched to a high-fibre diet, it stopped. However, there’s currently not been enough studies on the topic to satiate if this is the reason behind why do dogs eat grass or not. 3. Eating grass due to boredom If you’re just letting your dog out into the garden to play by themselves and not offering enough mental and physical stimulation, then your dog eating grass may be because of boredom. To try and reduce the behaviour, make sure you’re giving your pup enough opportunities to exercise, and get some toys for them to play with in the garden too. Puzzle games are excellent for mental stimulation, chew toys are great for boredom-busting and your dog is bound to love a ball game too! 4. Dogs might need grass in their diet Another explanation for why do dogs eat grass could be down to the way they’ve evolved. This theory relates to the fact that wild canids eat all of an animal when they catch it. The animals that wild canids – your dog’s ancestors – would catch and eat were usually herbivores. This means that when the wild canids ate these animals, they might also have ended up eating a lot of grass and plants that were in the intestines of their prey. Wild canids such as foxes have also been known to eat certain berries and other plant material, supporting the idea that dogs eat grass because it’s a part of their normal diet.

Many people believe that dogs growl due to aggression, however there's so many different reasons why your dog may be growling. Read our guide to find out the different types and what they mean. Dogs try to communicate with people in different ways, one of which is growling. As pet owners, we often assume that dog growling is a signal of displeasure or aggression, but it isn’t always that simple. There are a range of things that your dog may be trying to convey when they make these growling noises, and if you listen closely, they may not all sound exactly the same. Read on for more information on the different types of dog growl and what they may be trying to tell you when they do so. Why do dogs growl? Dog growling is simply a method of communication – it’s your dog trying to tell you something. Dogs growl to communicate lots of different things, from fear and aggression to encouraging play. That’s why you need to understand the types of dog growl to interpret what the sound means. Always pay attention to the situation that your dog is in when they growl. You may find that your dog makes different types of growling sounds in different situations, and learning to recognise the circumstance of each dog growl will help you to identify what it is your dog is trying to say. Those sounds may seem similar to us, but it’s all about context! Where one growl may be saying: ‘I feel threatened’, another could be saying: ‘I’m having fun!’ Dog growling when playing You may have noticed your dog growling during play. It can seem strange when dogs do this – why would they suddenly make a sound of aggression when you’re having fun together? The simple answer is: they aren’t! This type of dog growling indicates that your pet is having fun; your dog might even be trying to tell you that they want to keep on playing! Although it’s hard for the human ear to pick up on subtle differences in dog growling, play growls can be distinguished from other more aggressive types of growl. Although every dog is different and has their own vocal range and individual ‘voice’, in general dog play growls will sound higher pitched than other kinds of growling. They will also often be shorter, and may be accompanied by body language like bounding motions, or your dog bending down onto their front legs, raising their rear-end in the air. Don’t be intimidated if a dog growls during play, with either a person or with another dog. Do keep an eye on the situation in case it escalates, but usually growling during play indicates that a dog is just having fun. Aggressive dog growling Aggressive dog growling is all about an expression of power. A dog might be trying to establish their position as the ‘alpha’ over another animal, or they may have spotted something that has triggered their natural hunting instinct. It’s important to not encourage this kind of dog growling, and to try to separate your pet from what is triggering their aggression. Always be cautious and take into account the situation your pet is in when dealing with aggressive dog growling.

Get your dog used to spending some alone time without ruining furniture or crying help the minute you leave the house. Try these effective dog separation anxiety solutions. You’re no doubt proud of the unbreakable connection between you and your dog. You’re used to them frantically waggling their tail just because they’re happy to see you. You notice them dutifully following everywhere as if knowing you’re safe is their only life mission. But this close bond needs to be loosened from time to time. You know this. Your dog likely does not. This is why a very mundane night out with friends for you can turn into a dramatic few hours for your dog who doesn’t understand where you’ve gone or whether you will ever come back. Separation anxiety in dogs is a common problem many dog owners have to learn how to solve. Find out what are the symptoms and how you can help your dog keep calm when you’re not there. What is separation anxiety in dogs? Dog separation anxiety is a condition in which dogs show signs of distress when they are left alone. It can affect dogs of all ages and breeds. What are the symptoms of dog separation anxiety? You are likely to find out the hard way that your dog is anxious being left alone - damaged carpets, claw marks on your favourite couch and neighbours telling you about the endless howling sounds your dog subjected them to in your absence. Unfortunately, some owners think these are just signs of a mischievous dog when in reality their pet is in distress, not knowing how to cope with an empty house. These are some common signs of separation anxiety in dogs: • Panting. • Pacing. • Attempts to escape the house. • Damaged furniture. • Relieving themselves inside the house. • Barking or howling. • Extreme excitement when the owners are back. Why are some dogs experiencing separation anxiety? Before we get to the dog separation anxiety solutions, it’s useful to look at the causes for such a distress. These can be varied from early abandonment all the way to genetics.

It’s every dog owner’s worst nightmare; one minute your dog’s there, the next they’re not. Of course it’s upsetting and stressful for you when your dog is missing, but there’s also the added worry that your pet may be scared or hurt. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to maximise your chance of finding your dog. Home is where the heart is If your dog has disappeared from your home, the chances are that they won’t have gone far. They may have been distracted by a passing cat, or have been tempted to wander off in search of food and simply got disorientated. Alternatively they may have been spooked by a loud noise or a rumble of thunder, and sought safety in the garden or garage of a neighbour.

If you’re a dog owner you’re probably familiar with the constant stopping so they can sniff and you’ll likely respond to this by nudging them along – but did you know that sniffing is really important for them? Your dog’s sense of smell is pretty much a super power and their daily sniff routine can help them identify what’s happening in their environment as well as lower their stress levels. Getting out for a walk is one of life’s joys and it gives us a chance to experience all the sights and sounds of the great outdoors - whether on our regular walks or exploring new places. As we soak up these sensory experiences, we often forget that our dogs see the world very differently to us - and while we are looking at the sights, our dog is discovering far more about the area by its smells. So often owners get irritated that while they want to stride off across the countryside or have an active walk around the park to make sure their dog gets their daily exercise, their dog pretty much ignores them while he puts his nose down and ‘just’ sniffs. It’s easy to drag them away thinking they are wasting precious exercise time but that’s purely because we do not have anything even close to a dogs sense of smell, and we don’t understand just how fabulous our dog’s nose is - or that this incredible ability means that unlike us, they see the world in smell-o-vision. While they are sniffing, they are finding out about the area, who lives there, who has passed by recently, and even what kind of mood they are in. All the time they are sniffing, they are processing information about the environment and who and what is in it.

Attention-seeking dog behaviour is common – and normal – in puppies. After all, they’ll want their mother to dote on them, will love playing with their littermates and will still be learning their rights from wrongs! Attention-seeking dog behaviour is common – and is a totally normal survival mechanism in puppies who rely totally on the care of their mother but as adult dogs, excessive jumping, pawing or barking is difficult to live with and can become annoying. What counts as attention-seeking dog behaviour? It’s quite normal for your new puppy to jump up at you when you greet them or feed them, or whine when you leave them alone but continuing excessive begging, nudging, whining, barking, jumping on furniture and bringing you toys as they get older may well be examples of attention-seeking. This may all seem harmless enough – and some dogs and breeds can be ‘needier’ than others - but excessive attention-seeking tends to be indicative of deeper problems.