When you are sitting at home daydreaming of the perfect canine companion, it is sometimes easy to get caught up in that fantasy and lose sight of reality. We all choose to take a dog into our lives for different reasons but sometimes it is worth taking a step back and looking at what those reasons are – and what that means for your choice. If you’re asking yourself ‘should I get a dog?’, we’ve got the perfect guide for you below. Take a look at these scenarios…

One of the reasons many dogs don’t get the exercise they need to stay happy and healthy is because owners are unable to let them off the lead. Actually, they can let them off the lead with no trouble at all, but it is when they need to catch them again that the problems start!

Hectic households can still love and care for a family dog! This just means that you need to find the best dog breeds for busy families and the best dog breed for your home and lifestyle. What this could be depends on your family’s activity levels, the amount of exercise you want to do, and how involved you want your dog to be with family life.

Whether you’re looking to add another cool party trick to your pup’s collection or just strengthen your bond, learning how to teach a dog to give paw is a great way to achieve both. For most dogs is also an easy trick for them to learn so you’re sure to have a great time doing it, all while your pup gets to show off his ‘pawesome’ skills! In this article, we’re going to go through the process of teaching your dog how to give you their paw, and help you teach your pup how to master it in no time. Read on to find out all there is to know about this cool party trick.

Pedigree, purebred, crossbreed, and mixed breed are all very common dog-related terms that, although meaning different things, get used interchangeably without a clear understanding of each one. For example, is a labradoodle a pedigree or a crossbreed? So, what is a ‘pedigree dog’ and does it matter if your furry companion isn’t one? Read on to get the answers to these questions and learn all about pedigree dogs.

Teaching your dog new behaviours and tricks is a good way to keep them active and mentally stimulated, as well as a great bonding opportunity for the two of you. If your dog has already mastered ‘sit’ and ‘down’, you can teach them how to roll over. Regardless of whether they’re pups or adult dogs, rolling over or at least lying on their side is a fun and easy trick for them to learn and can be extra helpful in certain situations likevet examinations. Not to mention the cuteness of it all! So, are you ready to learn how to teach a dog to roll over? Check out these easy and straightforward steps that you can follow to teach your little (or big) goofball some rolling skills!

While taking any dog into your life will probably boost your fitness levels as you get out and about on your daily dog walks, there are definitely some energetic dog breeds that will really fit into the life of serious fitness fanatics and those who are looking for a dog as an exercise partner (as well as a beloved companion.) Many of the most energetic dogs are bred to work, or do an active job (i.e., gundogs, pastoral breeds, some of the working breeds, and some terriers) will best suit an active owner but also some have specialist skills you might not have thought about. Whether you need the best dog breeds for active/busy families, or for yourself, see our list of the best dog breeds for active lifestyles:

When it comes to training dogs, the mantra always is ‘any behaviour that is reinforced will be repeated’. In other words if you are training your dog to sit, and when they do, you give them a yummy treat, they are more likely to sit when you ask in the future. Giving a treat as a reward for doing something you want is called positive reinforcement – and it is how we can train our dogs to do all the behaviours, exercises and tricks that we want to teach them. It’s also a great way to build a strong bond with your dog while you are working together. Training however is far easier if the dog knows exactly what bit of what they did you are so happy about and are rewarding – as by the time you get a treat out and given it to your dog, they have probably forgotten what it was they did that made you so happy. You can use a ‘marker word’ (like “good”) to pinpoint the specific thing you want them to repeat – or you can use a specific sound, such as a clicker.

Castration or neutering is one of the most frequent procedures carried out by veterinarians in the western world. Used as a way to sterilise male dogs to prevent them from reproducing, castration is something most dog owners may consider at some point in their dog’s life. But what is surgical and chemical castration in dogs, and which procedure should you choose if you decide to neuter your dog? Read on to learn more about these two very different but equally efficient techniques.

Good music can improve anyone’s mood, our canine friends included! Some tunes might encourage us to put on our dancing shoes, while others have the calming abilities to put us to sleep - that’s just the magic of it. But there can be more to music than this — if your pup often experiences anxiety and shows signs of stress, playing certain types of music might be a good option to consider when trying to help them relax and settle down. While the idea of using soothing music for dogs to combat stress and anxiety might seem unconventional, studies have shown that music can in many cases have apositive impact on a dog’s behaviour. Read on to learn more about what types of sounds and music are best for calming them and how you may be able to use them as part of a strategy to help them navigate potentially stressful experiences.