The Blog
How to Stop a Dog Digging Without Punishment
Learn why your dog is digging, how to protect off-limit areas without punishment, and how to redirect keen diggers to an appropriate place to dig.
When Should You Spay or Neuter a Goldendoodle? What the Parent-Breed Data Suggests
Goldendoodles are another crossbreed where a single blanket neutering age is much less useful than understanding the evidence behind the parent breeds.Hart et al. did not study Goldendoodles as a separate breed group, so there is no direct UC Davis Goldendoodle...
The Problem With Doodles And Other Designer Dogs
Are doodles really unethical? A dog trainer’s nuanced look at responsible doodle breeding, health testing, temperament, grooming and the myths on both sides.
How to Get Your Puppy to Use the Potty in the Rain
Puppy refusing to pee in the rain? Learn how to desensitise them to wet weather gradually, keep toilet training on track, and know when temporary management can help.
Dogs in Cold Weather: Winter Walks, Road Salt and Hypothermia Safety
Some dogs see snow and immediately become children. Indie, my German Shepherd cross, adored it—the deeper, the better. My short-coated coonhounds are rather less convinced that freezing temperatures constitute a recreational opportunity. That is the awkward thing...
Dogs in Hot Weather: How to Prevent Overheating and Heatstroke
When I moved from the UK to Maryland, adjusting my poor dog to an American summer was a thing. British “hot weather” and a humid Maryland day are not the same beast—and dogs do not always make sensible decisions about either. That last part matters. A dog may stay...
Dog Collars 101: How to Choose the Right Collar for Your Dog
Dog collars look simple until you actually try to buy one. Then suddenly you're choosing between flat collars, martingales, leather, nylon, BioThane, tactical buckles, tracker attachments and widths ranging from tiny ribbon to something that looks like a weightlifting...
Shredding Enrichment for Dogs: 9 Safe Ideas for Dogs Who Love to Destroy
Some dogs want to chew. Some want to dissect. And some—usually while looking enormously pleased with themselves—want to turn an entire cardboard box into confetti. If your dog loves shredding things, that does not automatically mean they are naughty, bored or trying...
Traveling With a Puppy: Car Trips, Overnight Stays and What to Pack
A practical guide to traveling with a puppy, covering car trips, car sickness, road trips, toilet breaks, sleep, overnight stays and what to pack.
Taking a Puppy to Stay With Family: How to Make Someone Else’s House Work
A practical trainer guide to taking a puppy to stay with family, including sleep, children, other dogs, toilet training, house rules and safe spaces.
Can You Use an Apple AirTag to Track Your Dog? My Honest Experience
Can an Apple AirTag really track your dog? I tested one on my own dogs and found that it can help in cities, but rural performance is a very different story.
How to Stay in a Hotel With a Puppy Without Losing Your Mind
A practical trainer-led guide to staying in a hotel with a puppy, including sleep, barking, toilet trips, alone time, accidents and what to pack.