The Stable Dog Ltd, London (2024)

09/07/2024

🐾 Big dogs vs. Small dogs: Not just a size difference! 🐶🐕 While small dogs often get labelled as cute and cuddly, big dogs are sometimes perceived as intimidating. But the truth is, both bring unique joys and challenges to our lives. 💕 Whether it’s the gentle giant who thinks they’re a lap dog or the tiny terror with a big bark, every dog has its own charm and personality. What's your take on the big vs. small debate? Share your experiences below! 👇

20/02/2024

With the whole new ban coming into place with XL Bullies, I thought this is much needed with rhe current situation with this 'breed'.

More so related to bullies, this post also applies to dog ownership as a whole.

So have a read but if you're sensitive, this is a warning, it may hurt your feelings but read it anyway.

👍

16/03/2022

4 ways to tell your dog you love them

Training with them

An excellent way to communicate your love is through training. Dogs love training, exercising and they love it, even more, when their leaders train and exercise with them.

Read to your dog

Read to your dog just like you read to your kids. Take out a good short storybook and read it to your dog and be animated with your expression dogs love that. For the dog, it is like spending time with them and they love it.

Human touch

A few minutes of back massage, belly rubs, and ear scratches go a long way as your dog craves your attention. Speak to them in quiet, soothing tones. Give them a safe and healthy treat that’s made just for dogs.

Rub your dog’s ears

Rubbing a dog’s ear will immediately provide them relief. Dog’s ears are a hot spot for nerve endings and when activated, those nerves send messages all throughout the dog’s body while releasing endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural happy drug.

Please Note

There are various ways you can show love to dogs but here in this post, we have covered only a few of those points.

For more information feel free to contact us.

11/03/2022

Teaching Your Puppy Not to Bite

Say “NO” to Bites

Every time your puppy bites, react consistently and say "NO!" in a firm voice. Then just walk away and ignore the puppy. Social isolation and time outs can be an effective form of punishment for a pack animal.

Use a Taste Deterrent

As you start playing with your puppy, spray a taste deterrent on areas of your body and clothes that your puppy likes to play rough with. As your puppy starts biting you, stop moving and wait for them to react to the taste deterrent. Once your puppy stops biting, praise them and continue playing.

Use Toys

When they have calmed down, gently talk to him and stroke him. Keep your hand away from his mouth. Start playing again and avoid getting the puppy excited. This time, use toys instead of your hands to get your puppy engaged. Playing with toys can be used as a training reward or break and keeps your hands away from the puppy's teeth.

Play Safely

Never play roughly with a puppy that bites. Rough play will only encourage this behavior and strongly establish it in the puppy's mind. Never use your hands as toys. You should also closely watch children playing around or with the puppy. Kids are not equipped to train a puppy and injuries can happen.

Dog Trainer

Even if you use all these methods and the habit continues then make sure to contact a dog trainer because they are professionally trained experts who know how to train a dog properly. So make sure you take help from a professional dog trainer.

Please Note

There are many ways one can train a dog not to bite but here in this post, we have covered only a few of those points.

For more information feel free to contact us.

10/02/2022

How to Teach a Dog to Lie Down

Make your dog sit

The first thing that you should do is make them sit down. It’s easier to train a dog to lie down after they already know the “sit” command. So it is important that your dog knows the “Sit” command.

Lying down position

This is the second step after you have taught your dog the “sit” command. You should try to lure your dog into the lying position. Use treats here as initial times your dog will do it for a treat.

Use the treat now and try to put

Again as we said in the earlier post to use the treat as dogs tend to perform better when there is a reward in front of them. They will perform best and will show better improvement with treats.

Hand on shoulder

As they are lying down put your hand on your dog's shoulder so that they can’t get back up. This should deter them from getting back up and walking toward the treat. As you inch the treat along the floor, they should glide down to the floor too.

Reward them

Now is the time to reward them and finally give them the treat this will show them that whenever they will lie-down then you will reward them.

The Down Cue

Use the down cue command so that the dog will get in practice. The use of the down cue command will be beneficial if started early so that your dog can learn fast.

Practice

The final thing now is to practice and practice again because that is how they will get good at it. If you want your dog to learn how to lie down then practice is important.

Please Note

There are various ways one can teach a dog to lie down but here in this post, we have selected only a few of those points.

For more information feel free to contact us.

09/02/2022

Tips to calm your dog

Stop

Dogs don’t get angry for no reason. It could be that something you were doing has provoked the response. Find what you did that your dog didn’t like and stop doing that.

Keep calm

We all know that dogs are very sensitive to our feelings and if they perceive distress, anger or fear then that might provoke an escalation in their behaviour.

Speak softly

It is important that you don’t yell but speak softly to your dog because a soft and confident voice will send the message that you are still in control.

Move slowly, smoothly and calmly

You don’t want to provoke the dog any further by appearing threatening. So it is important that you sat calmly in front of your dog.

Don’t stare at the dog

You don’t mean to but, you may appear confrontational to an angry dog. So it is better that you don’t stare and stand over a dog.

Distract

Use the dog's name to keep its attention and give it a clear instructions rather than confusing it with several orders.

Back away slowly

If the dog has become aggressive and is not calming down then back away slowly and calmly. Don’t run away or turn your back on the dog as this might cause the dog to chase you.

Please Note

There are many ways you can calm your dog but here in this post, we have mentioned only a few of those tips.

For more information feel free to contact us.

28/01/2022

Annie was rescued from a shelter then from a foster home. This is when Annie found her home but she had her issues from the past like lead pulling, inconsistent recall, and guarding of their toys around other dogs (which I would class as early stages of resource guarding).

I helped the owner solve the dog issue as I used the behaviour and traits of the breed to work out the best approach possible.

We worked on some obedience work and true to her breed, she was mainly motivated to oblige by food.
Likewise, I was able to train Annie that helped her be a stable dog.

So if you are looking for a dog trainer then feel free to contact us.

27/01/2022

Chewy the Cocker Spaniel was quite spoilt as she had multiple issues like excessive bark, nipping at people, leash pulling, and selective listening to commands. It was agreed by both Sunil and the owners that Chewy was spoilt, and after seeing the issues in action and the lack of correction, it was obvious that the overlying issues were down to her being spoilt.

Another observation was that this was an overexcited dog, so when Sunil worked on reducing her excitement and teaching her to relax, a lot of the issues were reduced, with the others following in suite.

If you are looking for a dog trainer then feel free to contact us.

25/01/2022

Diya just got himself a new puppy and he wanted me to train the puppy. As usual, like most puppies at the start, he was nipping a lot.

I’ve helped the puppy with nipping and taught diya techniques to manage any future behaviour that was likely to come up in the puppy's growth/development.

If you are looking for a puppy trainer then feel free to contact us.

24/01/2022

Best dogs for first-time pet owners

Golden Retriever

They are some of the most lovable, affectionate, and gentle dogs that can thrive in any household. They are friendly so they will get along with children and other family members easily.

Bichon Frise

An attentive nature and a love for their owners’ company means they will be ready to take part in all your favourite activities, but it better be going on a walk or heading out to the park! They can be a little shy around strangers but this can be easily remedied with early socialization and proper training.

Poodle

They have amazing temperaments and are one of the easiest breeds to train, but they will need plenty of physical and mental exercise. So get ready for lots of walks and be creative with play. This breed is a great dog for beginners no matter the size big, small, or average.

Labrador Retriever

They are active, playful, and intelligent, this breed does best in a home that can offer lots of exercise, training, and attention. Labrador retrievers are loyal to their owners and their socially friendly nature means you can take them anywhere.

Please Note

There are many dogs that one can get for the first time but here in this post, we have covered only a few of those dogs.

For more information feel free to contact us.

20/01/2022

How to keep your dog off the bed?

Consistency is key

Train your dog not to sleep on the bed and we know that your dog won’t listen in the beginning but start introducing a treat every time your dog listens to you. Then keep repeating it because consistency is the key.

Get your dog a bed

Give your dog a bed and a personal space because dogs love their personal space and combine it with a comfortable bed and they will not sleep on your bed.

Keep them close by

Don’t just ignore your dog when you get them off your bed instead keep them close by because they may be scared and need to feel comfortable and safe around you.

The “off” command

This word is short and easy to say. It is important to say it firmly and point to the floor to give your pup some direction. Whenever you find your dog on your bed, immediately command “off” and then reward the behaviour once they hop off.

Please Note

There are many ways one can keep their dog off from sleeping on bed but here in this post, we have covered just a few of those points.

To know more feel free to contact us.

19/01/2022

Things that dogs hate that people do

Hugging

It's really cute to look at photos of people hugging dogs, but the reality is not so comfortable. Many dogs do not enjoy hugs, especially from strangers.

Getting into Personal Space

Dogs tend to hate when people get in their faces and personal space. Think about how it would make you feel! Avoid rushing into their space. This is especially important if the dog does not know you well.

Not Letting a Dog Explore and on Sniff Walks

Dogs are funny little creatures they want to explore stuff while they walk don’t know why but they just do-so let them sniff and explore while they walk with you. Don’t stop them because dogs enjoy going on walks more than exercising.

Yelling and Harsh Punishment

Why would someone even do something like this? Yet some people do and this is the worst kind of behaviour. No one likes to be yelled at or harshly punished. A sensitive and fearful dog will make your dog upset and scared this is not good for your dog.

Please Note

There are many things that dogs don’t like when humans do but we have but we have covered just a few of those points.

For more information feel free to contact us.

17/01/2022

How to show your dog Appreciation?

Long Walks

The best way to show appreciation towards the dog is to take them for walks. Spending time with your dog is necessary for the relationship between you and your dog. Taking them for a walk will be the best way you spend time with your dog.

Someplace New and Fun

Most of the dogs are all in for new experiences and adventures because of this you must take your dog to someplace new and fun like any new cafe.

Dog Park

One of the best ways to show appreciation towards your dog is to take them to a dog park where they will meet many of their kinds and will make a few new friends there.

Train Together

Another best way to bond with dogs and show them the appreciation that they deserve is by exercising together even if it is just be jogging. Dog loves if their leader work-out and plays with them.

Please Note

There are various ways one can show appreciation towards their dog but we have covered just a few of them.

To know more feel free to contact us.

11/01/2022

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dog

Size

This is one of the most important factors to consider while choosing the right dog. Dogs come in various sizes and they required a specific amount of space according to their size. So when considering a dog does keep in mind that a big dog requires big space.

Schedule

Selecting the right type of dog that is compatible with your schedule will ensure that your pet receives the attention that they need. Some dogs are hyperactive and require a lot of time even though you might not be that free.

Activity level

We have covered this a bit in the schedule section when we talked about the hyperactive breed. So finding a dog that complements your activity level is important when choosing a dog breed.

Breed

As we all know that there are a lot of dog breeds out there and they all have a different personalities to them. Some are more friendly, some are aggressive and just like that, we have dogs with calm, intelligent, Shy, and many other personalities. So keep check of what breed will suit your need.

Please note

There are many factors to consider when choosing a dog but we have covered just a few of those factors to know more feel free to contact us.

08/01/2022

Anxiety & dogs

Yes, you heard it right, Just like humans, dogs experience anxiety. Although unpleasant, it is a normal and also healthy emotion. Dog anxiety can affect all breeds but may affect each dog differently.

Types of anxiety in dogs

Separation anxiety

Dogs also feel the same kind of emotions as a human does. They also feel loved and get connected to their owners so it is normal for them to experience separation anxiety. This is the most common
form of anxiety.

Fear of loud noises

Dogs don’t appreciate loud noises so things like thunderstorms and fireworks can trigger anxiety in dogs. Dogs are naturally fearful of those events because they are loud and scary, so they learn to associate the [lower level] noise of wind or rain with those events

Environment change

Less common forms of anxiety can involve changes in the environment, such as going to the vet, in the car, or moving house. Even things like changes to work hours, the owners travelling — any sudden change to a normal routine can prompt anxiety.

Signs of anxiety in dogs

- Barking or howling when the owner isn't home
- Panting and pacing (even when it's not hot)
- Shivering
- Digging
- Destroying furniture
- Self-harm
- Not eating

Please Note

Dog anxiety is a sensitive topic and there are many points to it but here in this post, we have covered just a few of them.

For more information feel free to contact us.

05/01/2022

How much exercise does your dog need?

AGE

The amount of exercise depends upon a dog’s age. Just like an adult human beings can exercise more compared to an infant the same goes for dogs. An adult dog needs more exercise than a baby dog.

HEALTH

If your dog is in good health or shape then they require a minimum exercise of 30 minutes along with one to two hours of daily activity.

Dog BREED

You must exercise a dog according to their breed because if you have dogs like hounds, Labrador Retrievers then they can exercise for longer hours but a short-nosed dog-like bulldog will not tolerate a lot of daily exercises once they are fully grown.

GENERAL Sign

You can tell your dog needs exercise if your dog is restless or pacing. If they aren’t restless, a short walk should be enough to keep everything in order.

Please Note

There are many ways one can tell how much exercise is enough for your dog but we have covered only a few of them.

For more information feel free to contact us.

31/12/2021

Best dogs for cold weather

Siberian Husky

When we are talking about dogs for cold weather the first dog that comes to your mind is probably a Siberian husky because of how popular they are as these wolf lookalikes are beautiful and come really handy in the cold weather. That’s the reason why you see a pack of Siberian husky pulling a sleigh in the snow.

Saint Bernard

A big, cute, and cuddly teddy bear – yes that’s a Saint Bernard for you, they are one of the largest breeds of dog. For decades they have been used as search and rescue animals in the Swiss Alps to rescue skiers, avalanche victims, and stranded alpinists.

Newfoundland

Weighing over 70kg this large breed is a Canadian dog breed. They have long been used for water rescues, even in ice-cold waters and they are also regularly used for mountain rescues.

Japanese Akita

Beautiful looking Akita, also known as the Akita Inu, Japanese Akita or Great Japanese Dog, was once the Japanese Imperial family’s chosen dog breed. They were so highly esteemed that statues were given to new parents to bring health, happiness, and long life.

Chow Chow

The most unique-looking dog on the planet – Chow Chow is also one of the oldest as they were originally bred in China as palace guard dogs for Royalty.

Please Note

Many dog breeds are well suited for cold weather but we have covered only a few of them.

For more information feel free to contact us.

15/12/2021

Best Dogs for Emotional Support

Labrador Retriever

Labradors are known to be some of the kind and gentlest breeds around, so they make perfect ESAs. Labradors are great with kids too, so they're perfect to welcome into families. These dogs are the ultimate all-rounders, so they make an excellent choice for ESA work.

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies are the sweetest of the sweet lap dogs. Tiny little things, don't require a huge amount of space or exercise, which makes them a great choice for owners who live in apartments and can't do lots of exercises to keep their pup healthy.

Beagle

Beagles are slightly d***y — in a super cute way, of course — and utterly adorable as pets. Their lovable nature also ensures that they make great ESAs.

Pug

Just one look at a pug’s adorable yet hilarious mug puts a smile on your face. Pugs are great with kids, and also great at tuning into the emotions of their owners. This makes them excellent at being emotional support animals.

Please Note
There are many dogs out there that will make a great emotional support animal but we have selected only a few of them.

For more information contact us.

11/12/2021

Top Training Tips for your puppy

Set Up a Private Den

A dog always loves their private space and you should give them that because Like humans, dogs need their own space. As early as possible, give your pup their own private sleeping place, such as a crate.

Help Your Dog RELAX

When your puppy gets home, give them a warm hot-water bottle and get them a ticking clock near their sleeping area. This will soothe your pet in its new environment.

REWARD Good Behavior

Positive reinforcement is the best training for dogs. Use toys, love, and lots of praise — and don’t forget the treats show them that you love them. Let them know when they’re getting it right.

Teach Your Pup to Come When Called

The best thing that you can teach your dog is to come to your when you call them. That is the sweetest thing for a pet owner that is the reason why we name dogs.

Say No to Biting

Teach them that biting, excessive barking, and aggressive behaviour will not be welcome therefore will not be rewarded. This will help your puppy to learn from starting that you do not want your pet to behave in a certain manner.

Please Note

There are many training things that you can teach your dog but we have only mentioned just a few of them.

To know more feel free to contact us.

01/12/2021

Signs of aggression in dogs

Straight or Stiff Tail

An aggressive dog may have a stiff, straight tail that seems to shake rather than wag. Others may tuck their tail behind them.

Body position

Dogs may stand-alert with a stiff, tall body position and their head pointed upwards towards you. However, they might also lower their body to the ground cowering whilst baring their teeth, or shift their weight to the back of their body so they can spring.

Ears are forward or flat

Their ears may be pointing forwards or be pulled flat against their head, rather than being floppy and relaxed.

Eye contact

An aggressive dog will stare humans or other dogs straight in the eye, with a fixed stare. If a dog ever becomes still and stares straight at you, stop interacting immediately until the dog calms down.

Baring Teeth

A dog showing aggression may bare their teeth and growl as a warning. Never ignore these signs as growls can quickly turn into dangerous bites if the dog still feels threatened and is unable to escape. However just because a dog hasn’t growled yet doesn’t mean they won’t bite so keep a close eye out for the other signs too.

Please Note

A dog's emotion can mean a lot of things and there are many meanings behind emotions but we have covered only a few points.

08/11/2021

Signs your dog is happy

Waggy Tail

We all know it as this is probably the most well-known sign that your beloved four-legged pet is a happy pooch.

Floppy ears

If your dog’s ears are relaxed, not tense or flattened against their head. Pricked upright ears are a sign of alertness – they tell you if your dog is happy or sad, just focused.

RELAXED Body

If your pet is all loose shoulders, soft eyes without a fixed gaze are all clues that your dog’s feeling super chill.

They’re PLAYFUL

A happy dog is more likely to want to play and leap around. This is a great sign your dog is in the mood.

LEAN-In

A relaxed dog that enjoys your company is more likely to also enjoy your attention. They may come to you and lean in to you for attention and it’s a good sign if they lean into your hand when you stroke them.

Please Note

Dogs can mean several things by their actions so please note that there are various actions by which your dog may show emotions but we have covered only a few.

15/10/2021

How to calm your anxious dog?

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is a great way to calm your dog because anxious dogs need to do something and if you let them be idle then they think and worry more. Regular exercise will not only calm your dog but will keep them healthy also.

Massage your dog

Massage your dog when they feel anxious because massage is a great way to calm your dog down, as you probably know, a massage will relax and calm even the most anxious human — did you know it also works wonders with dogs as well?

Physical Contact

There is probably nothing more relaxing to an anxious dog than its leader’s touch. As an owner of your pet try to identify the signs of anxiety in your dog and nip them in the bud as early as possible by picking them up, cuddling on the couch, or giving them a good long petting session.

Music Therapy

Music has the power to lift anyone’s moods and music therapy has been proven to be beneficial for both humans, as well as our canines. The music can be calming and relaxing while you’re home, in the car, or away from your pet.

Please Note

There are many reasons why your dog might be anxious and there are a lot of ways to calm them but here we have selected only a handful of them for more information feel free to contact us.

12/10/2021

Best Dogs for Home

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever breed is friendly, patient, and trainable. They are extremely versatile in doing everything including hunting, showing, tracking, obedience.

Bulldog

Bulldogs are loyal dogs that can adapt to most atmospheres — city or country — and are happy to spend time with their families.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever today are some of the most versatility, intelligence, and agreeable breed out there and since has become one of the most successful, recognizable, and popular breeds in all areas of competition.

Beagle

Beagles are known for their compact size, short, easy-to-care-for coat, and intelligence which makes them an excellent family dog.

French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are one of the world’s most popular small-dog breeds, Their easygoing and adaptable nature is great for new families and responds well to training.

Please Note

There are many dog breeds that are well suited for home but we have covered only a few of them.

For more information feel free to contact us.

10/10/2021

How to Teach your Dog to Roll Over?

The DOWN position

Ask your dog to perform the down position in front of you

The TREAT reward

Present a yummy treat in front of your dog. As we all know that reward training is the best training for your dog.

The HAND trick

Now move your hand from their nose toward their shoulder, luring them to roll flat on their side.

TRY and TRY again

Try this a few times and present them with the treat each time they do that. This way they will follow the treat and flat on their side with their head on the floor.

CONTINUE the movement

Now continue with the same movement of your hand, holding a treat, once they are lying flat, from their shoulder to their backbone. This will result in them rolling onto their back.

The VERBAL cue

When they are following the treat all the way around add the verbal cue “Roll Over” so that they will know whenever the rollover command is present they should roll over.

The RESULT

After a few times, your dog will be able to do all that on just a verbal cue, and remember to reward your dog for their hard work.

Please Note

There can be many ways you can teach your dog the roll-over trick but here we have used only one way. To know more please contact us.

08/10/2021

The science behind dog mood swings

Experiencing adolescent

When the hormones of your dog hit, you might find your good listener dog turn stubborn. Behavioural studies of canines have found that dogs become more temperamental during puberty and far less likely to obey orders.

They are scared

Fear is a huge factor in behaviour changes for both humans and dogs. Unfamiliar faces and loud noises can make any social dog running. Try to calm them so that they can feel safe when they are with you when you feel they are scared.

They are hurting

Your dog may have hurt themselves and that pain might be strong depending on the condition they can have mood swings. Take your dog to a vet to see if the pain is not that worse.

Mirroring our Mood

They are often showing what our mood is as they are often mirroring our mood because dogs feed off our emotions and often reflect them back to us. You might have noticed sometimes when you’re excited or speak in a happy tone, your pup might jump around happily. The same goes for when we feel sad. If you’re down, your dog might seem off too.

Please Note

There can be many reasons why your dog might have mood swings but we have covered only a few.

For more information feel free to contact us.

03/10/2021

How to perfectly feed your dog?

Let the DOG decide

All dogs are different and they all like their food at different times. This is the reason we should not force our dogs to eat at a particular time. Let your dog decide and let your dog eat when they feel fine and hungry.

Ideal Diet for Dog

Ask your dog’s vet and they will tell you the perfect diet for your dog because each dog requires a different diet according to their needs and weight.

Dogs are different than humans

Dogs are not all same as humans because they are different biologically from us. That is why they require a different type of food than us. Not all food that is good for us will be good for your dog so consult your pet’s vet before giving your dog homemade food.

Please Note

Dog diet is a sensitive subject and you must know what your dog is eating. In this post, we have covered only a few important points but there are many.

For more information contact us.

28/09/2021

Handling a Dominant Dog

CALM-ASSERTIVE

When trying to handle a dominant dog be calmer assertive because dogs will not follow unstable energy. This is even true for alpha dogs, who will try to correct what they see as unbalanced behavior.

Set RULES

Rules, boundaries, and limitations again are even more important for dominant dogs because it focuses on their dominance and a way to express their confidence without using it on you.

Give Them A JOB

Dominant dogs in particular need to fulfill a role in the pack, which is the reason why it is important to give them a job. A job can be as simple as protecting the house but it’s great to give them one.

Please Note

There are many ways you can handle a dominant dog but we have covered only a few.

To know more feel free to contact us.

22/09/2021

How do I know if my dog is in pain?

ANTISOCIAL

If your dog avoids public places and tries to avoid contact with you or other people. This can mean that your dog is in some kind of problem and is not comfortable coming out.

EATING & SLEEPING Habits

Dogs that are in pain sleep more often – they may be trying to heal. A loss of appetite and change in eating habits both also show the same that your dog may be in pain.

Heavy BREATHING

Panting is normal, however, if your dog is breathing heavily or rapidly even without exercising then there can be a problem with your dog like your dog may be in pain.

More VOCAL

If your dog is in extreme pain, it can become more vocal and starts howling, snarling, growling, or yelping. If you notice your dog being more vocal then this can mean that your dog is in pain.

Please Note

There are various other symptoms also that your dog might show when in pain. These are only a few symptoms that we have covered.

For more information contact us.