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Unleashed: How to change your dog’s problem behaviours
Unleashed: How to change your dog’s problem behaviours
“Please help us. Our dog is driving us crazy. We have to change his behav­iour!” This is something I hear a lot, and when I ask the owners what they mean, the answer is always the same: they want their dog to stop. Simple. Stop jumping, stop barking, stop lunging, stop counter surfing, just stop, stop, STOP!
Unleashed: Should I get a dog?
Unleashed: Should I get a dog?
When asked this question by a friend, any dog owner is doubtless going to answer, “Yes!” Dogs are affectionate animals that can have positive effects on all of us.
Dogs with jobs: The difference between emotional support, therapy and service dogs
Dogs with jobs: The difference between emotional support, therapy and service dogs
The number of jobs that dogs are doing is growing at an exceptional rate. We are all used to police dogs, search and rescue dogs and guide dogs, but there are a few other terms which get thrown around and are of­ten thought of as the same thing. Whilst the laws governing service and support animals here are muted at best, it’s still worth know­ing what people mean when they refer to terms given to various dogs.
Ruff weather out? Pet entertainment for those lazy days indoors
Ruff weather out? Pet entertainment for those lazy days indoors
One of the key problems owners often face is finding time to provide ample exercise for their dogs. Getting our dogs out and about, either for a walk around the block or a run up and down the beach, is always terrific fun and super important for their emotion­al well-being too.
How boarding and training help our pups to socialise
How boarding and training help our pups to socialise
Being a parent is a big responsibility. All children need an education to stay safe and become good, upstanding and sociable mem­bers of society. As its happens, the same is true for our dogs.
You’re having a baby? Preparing your family dog for the new addition
You’re having a baby? Preparing your family dog for the new addition
Having a baby, whilst clearly a wonderful moment in your lives, can also (allegedly) be rather stressful, emotional and (if the rumours are true) quite tiring. This can also be true for your dogs, as well as you, and of course you are right to be concerned about your dog sniffing around the new addition – just think of all those bugs, infections and nasty bacteria that a dog can catch from an un-vaccinated toddler…
A new puppy? Things to consider...
A new puppy? Things to consider...
One of the many questions I am often asked is, “Which is better? A street dog, or a pure bred dog?” It’s a good question, and there are a lot of factors to consider, starting with the fact that we already have an abundance of wonderful and loveable street dogs here in Phuket, desperate for a new home. So for me, it’s generally a no-brainer – get yourself down to somewhere like Bodhi Clinic!
The social animal - Educating your dog
The social animal - Educating your dog
The term ‘Socialisation’ (much like the term ‘Aggression’) is one of the more misunderstood terms people often use. Most people think having a socialised dog means they will play and engage with everyone and everything. But in essence, what you’re saying is you want a ‘friendly’ dog – and that really depends on your dog’s base character. Some dogs like being part of a pack, others prefer to be more aloof – a bit like people.
I need my arms! Don’t be dragged down the road by your dog
I need my arms! Don’t be dragged down the road by your dog
Most of us have this idea of going for a walk with our dog, where our dog is walking calmly by our side, enjoying the walk as much as we are. The reality can sometimes be that we’re being dragged down the road at a rate of knots, with zero enjoyment for us as owners in this seemingly one-sided game of tug of war.
The child listener
The child listener
Over the last few years, once a week during term time, a number of rather furry, four legged tutors arrive at the British International School, Phuket ready for class. Yes, dogs.
A Close Shave! Why our furry friends need their coat
A Close Shave! Why our furry friends need their coat
So, excuse the pun, but this is a hot topic among dog owners. The key question being: “Can I shave my dog’s fur coat?” It seems logical – we look at our panting dogs and think that we couldn’t cope with a fur coat all day, so clearly they can’t – but we’re applying human logic to a canine problem. I’ll spare you the science of Newton’s Law of Cooling and its relation to dog fur, but the truth is simple: Dogs need their fur.
What about me? The pitfalls in canine separation anxiety.
What about me? The pitfalls in canine separation anxiety.
Many people will often be quick to say their dog suffers from Separation Anxiety, when in reality, the dogs response can often be conditioned over time by our activities.
Unleashed: Socialising your puppy
Unleashed: Socialising your puppy
Many people, and vets, will tell you that training your puppy should not begin until after six months of age. This is utter nonsense and what’s worse, by the time your pup has reached six months, many of the primary developmental stages have long passed and habits, both good and bad, have begun to take hold. It is the early training, and indeed socialising, that are massively important factors in producing a well-rounded dog.
Unleashed: It’s ok, my dog is friendly!
Unleashed: It’s ok, my dog is friendly!
Picture the scene: You’re out enjoying a walk with your dog, when up ahead, is an out-of-control dog that’s heading towards you at pace. Some way further back is an owner shouting “It’s ok, he’s friendly, he just wants to play!”
Unleashed: How to ‘think dog’
Unleashed: How to ‘think dog’
Welcome to the Canine Point Academy (CPA) column “Unleashed”. Each month we’ll be looking at various aspects of canine behaviour and training, as well as offering some tips and advice on how you can overcome some of the problems you may be having with your furry house mate!