All About Dogs

24/10/2025

It's valuable.
Whatever your dog has, at that very moment, is significant to them.

The growling, air snaps and further escalations are easy to spot.
That's when many people see this as an issue.
However, it starts way before then for many dogs and I appreciate this is difficult to see in their own dog as it can be subtle.

A slowed movement, a pause, a stiffening around an object or food item can be the very beginning.

Some people view their dogs possession issues as funny, quirky and will encourage it.
Others that have lived (or are now) living with a serious resource guarder know that's just how it started for them and they wish they had recognised it sooner.
It's not funny for them or their dog.

It may look like a game they enjoy.
They run away with a toy, a shoe, socks, a pair of un**es (for all those non Kiwis out there, that's underwear).
We just don't see how this fun little game could be the start of a much more serious behavioural issue.

To be fair, there are some dogs out there that do like the "grab and go" game and have no possession issues. They do it as a way to illicit a response from us and it is fun for them. They know we are about to respond playfully to that by chasing or starting a game of tug with that item.

For others, we need to be cautious.
Is there an "Elvis" happening (a slight lift on one side of the mouth)?
A tiny lift at the front of the mouth?
Has the mouth clamped and ears flattened?
Do they take the item to an area you cannot reach easily?

If we catch those smaller signs, we can prevent those much bigger reactions.

16/10/2025

Preparing for fireworks If your dog is okay with fireworks, don’t take this for granted! It doesn’t matter if they’re a puppy, adult or a senior dog. Sound sens

10/10/2025

While most people today regard Labrador Retrievers as hunting dogs, the breed actually “cut its teeth” as water dogs working alongside fishermen in Newfoundland, Canada. They retrieved fishing gear, fetched fish that had fallen off fishing hooks, pulled in fish-filled nets, or rounded up fish that escaped out of those nets.

Needless to say, these dogs needed to swim well and efficiently!

Fortunately, they inherited from their relative, the St. John’s Water Dog, a thick tail that was used like a rudder to steer the dog in the water, as well as a thick and waterproof coat that insulated the dog from cold water. The dogs needed it. Water is normally 10-20 degrees colder than the air around it. Coupled with the fact that these dogs worked in an area where the average summer temperature was only 61°F, and winter temps hovered at 32°F, and this was a challenging environment.

So if the dogs were from Newfoundland, why weren’t they called Newfoundlands?

The smart alec answer is that the name was already taken, but in truth, it came down to geography. Labrador and Newfoundland are two distinct territories that appeared under one name at the time. Geographically, the Territory of Labrador is just northwest of Newfoundland and is separated by the Strait of Belle Isle, a lethal, ice-choked channel prone to white-out fog conditions some 78 miles long and between nine and 37 miles wide. Nineteenth century Brits lumped this whole area together as the same land mass, and when the Earl of Malmesbury wrote a letter in 1887 in which he referred to his dogs as “Labrador Dogs,” it was more of a casual, if not sloppy understanding of the easternmost province of Canada than it was a name rooted in precision. He wrote:

“We always call mine Labrador dogs and I have kept the breed as pure as I could from the first I had from Poole’. The real breed may be known by their having a close coat which turns the water off like oil and, above all, a tail like an otter.”

It should be mentioned that one source disagrees with the Malmesbury story and maintains that the name “Labrador” was given to the breed by British breeders seeking to differentiate between the two types of dog, the Newfoundland, and the retriever originally called the “lesser Newfoundland” or the “St. John’s dog.” In fact, some sources say these dogs were known as Labradors long before Malmesbury wrote his letter, but his mention in the note is believed to be the first written record.

But wait, there’s another theory! We came across a source that points out that the Spanish and Portuguese word for workers or laborers is labradores and lavradores, respectively. There’s also a village in Portugal called “Castro Laboreiro,” where a breed of dog known as the Cao de Castro Laboreiro works as a protector of livestock. It can look very similar to the St. John’s dog, so some believe the Lab’s name may have Portuguese origins.

We leave it to the breed experts to determine, we’re just glad of the existence of all these aforementioned breeds!

Image:”Black Lab Blue Wake” by Molly A Poole
http://www.granitedog.com
http://fineartamerica.com
https://www.facebook.com/MollyPooleArtist?fref=ts

15/09/2025

Your dog's neck musculature is fundamental to their overall mobility and can be surprisingly vulnerable to injury.
Even minor incidents, such as a collision with another dog, can cause whiplash-type injuries, which will impact their whole body. Recognising and promptly addressing these accidents is crucial to preventing long-term health complications.

If you have any concerns about your dog's myofascial health, have a look at our Distance Support Programme:

https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/dsp

11/09/2025

05/09/2025

Yesterday it was announced that Bristol City council will be introducing a license for commercial dog walkers to use their parks. Whilst we are huge supporters of regulation of dog walkers, the fee being introduced is to be £450 per walker per park!!

This means….
🐾 Prices in all dog walking companies will rise significantly as company owners try to mitigate this huge expense.
🐾 Many dog walking companies will be forced to close.
🐾 This will also impact dog boarding and house sitting companies as well.
🐾 Companies who offer solo or small group walks or have walkers that walk just a couple of dogs a week will not be able to do this anymore as it would not be viable.
🐾 All dog walks will be forced to be much larger groups with no variation of location.
🐾 There would be no cover in times of illness or holiday as the current fee structure means a whole separate license would be needed.
🐾 Other park users will be inundated with larger groups of dogs rather than solo or small group walkers.
🐾 Dog welfare will be hindered as they will either be walked on roads on lead, travel further distances or walk in larger groups which they may find stressful
🐾 We will see more incidents with dogs occurring due to larger groups of dogs mixing in one space, not only with each other but with people too!
🐾 There are huge numbers of unlicensed boarders operating in Bristol city councils area with little enforcement action taken and there is no published evidence of how this is going to change or how the dog walking licenses are to be enforced, yet again penalising those operating legally.

We welcome regulation but only that that enhances rather than hinders animal welfare, supports businesses, protects the public and enhances public spaces.

If the flat fee of £450 per walker (not per company) goes ahead this will make Bristol City council one of the more expensive local authorities in the UK to obtain a dog walking license from ….

LONDON EXAMPLES
Royal Parks – £225 to £300 + VAT

Wandsworth:-
1 to 2 dogs - £75
3 to 4 dogs - £150
5 to 6 dogs - £300

Lambeth:-
Up to two dogs £67.00
Up to four dogs £134.00
Up to six dogs £402.00

Hampstead
The annual licence will be £340 for a dog walker who walks 4 or more days per week.
A fee of £202 will be charged for a dog walker who walks 3 days or less.

NON-LONDON EXAMPLES

Bromley:-
Only required if residents or professional dog walkers walks over 3 dogs at any one time. £200 for over 3 dogs.

Tandridge:- £73

Swindon:- A voluntary registration with a £50 fee for a 3 year registration.

Wiltshire:- A voluntary registration. £103 for 2 years or reduced to £87 for 2 years if already licensed as a kennels, home boarder or day care.

We suggest a more detailed pricing structure…
🐾 A fixed fee for single person dog walking companies to use all the parks for companies walking up to 3 dogs at a time. This fee should be significantly lower than what is currently being proposed. This could also be voluntary to so long as there is a stated max. no. of dogs. This would make it financially viable for small businesses to survive this and encourage smaller rather than larger dog walking groups.
🐾 Additional fees should be incurred for dog walkers that walk larger groups than 3 dogs at any one time or who have multiple walkers walking for them. Again this should be staggered in pricing depending on the numbers of dogs in the group each walker is walking.

What can you do to help the Dogs of Bristol, their owners, dog walking companies in Bristol and other public space users in Bristol…..

🐾 Sign this petition
https://www.change.org/p/reduce-parks-business-licensing-fees-in-bristol

🐾 Write to Bristol City Council Parks department to voice your concerns: [email protected]

🐾 Write to your local councillor if you live in Bristol. You can find their details here: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/council/councillors-and-the-lord-mayor/find-your-councillor

🐾 Write to your MP: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

🐾 Write to APDAWG MPs and Lords:
Rosie Duffield MP [email protected]
Ruth Jones MP [email protected]
Danny Chambers MP [email protected]
The Earl of Courtown [email protected]

🐾 Write to the CFSG https://www.cfsg.org.uk/contact-cfsg/

🐾 If you are a member of a pet trade body or association then lobby them for support

🐾 If you are a pet professional, join our new association for FREE:- https://petcarepartnership.com/join-us/

03/08/2025

Sudden changes in behaviour can be caused by 𝗣𝗔𝗜N or DISCOMFORT

On Friday morning, I took Poppy for her usual walk. In the afternoon, she was barking at every little noise and was on high alert at home.
She was more cuddly than usual but couldn’t seem to settle.

She is a bit of a startle barker, so I didn’t take much notice, even though it was more than usual, and she was growling at birds and noises in the garden.

So why the sudden change?

𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗡!

That evening, she was sick three times and had really bad diarrhoea through the night (with blood).

Her tummy was clearly feeling off, and it showed in her behaviour way before it showed physically.

Looking back, the signs were there earlier in the day. She was clearly unsettled. I brushed it off — but now it all makes sense.

If your dog is/suddenly becomes reactive, growly, guardy, or just not quite themselves… please don’t jump straight to training. Book a vet check. Rule out pain first. It’s so often the cause.

Bit of chicken scrambled egg, plenty of fresh water, and a restful few days for her.

21/06/2024

🐾 Let Your dog Snuffle and Sniff! 🐾

Did you know that letting your dog snuffle for food in the grass can actually enhance their training and mental well-being?

Snuffling is a natural behaviour for dogs, especially for our gundogs. It engages their incredible sense of smell, stimulates their brain, and provides a form of enrichment that keeps them happy and relaxed.

Contrary to popular belief, allowing your dog to search for food doesn’t make them a scavenger. Instead, it channels their natural instincts in a controlled and positive way. This can actually reduce unwanted scavenging behaviour since their need to hunt and forage is being met in a safe and structured environment.

Hide small treats or their kibble in the grass during times for relaxation, mealtimes or during your training sessions, or on walks. Not only does this make meal times fun, but it also tires them out mentally, making for a well-rounded and content dog.

08/06/2024

Think of the "what socialisation is not" list as the potential seeds of FUTURE behaviour struggles.

What socialising your dog 🐶 is NOT 👇👇👇