Doctor Dog

18/08/2024

New classes for puppies and young dogs starting 18 September. Small groups, limited spots available. Contact me for more info or to book.

15/08/2024

A food market for dogs. What could possibly go wrong? https://secretldn.com/barket-place-market/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0iYDS4Oy2EDGBowxT3SieU_3gDMIqXb1gwAYOitt3LXBQ4B_9quyuhVfI_aem_i5orGs6teU2cVs4Yr-NitA

For one weekend only, a popular London street market is being transformed into a foodie paradise for your canine companions

14/08/2024

"They're just playing" - well, maybe so, but not all play is happy play for both/all dogs concerned, and there are times when you should intervene. Leaving dogs to sort it out themselves means that they will, and you might not like how that goes.

Play is often misread. Advocate when you need too.

29/07/2024

You may have heard of an American trainer called the “Dog Daddy.” He’s not a trainer. He’s a nasty little sadist who likes frightening and hurting animals. There’s a petition to prevent him being allowed to visit the UK. If you care about dogs, please consider signing it, and sharing it widely. Thank-you

Stop dog abuser "The Dog Daddy" coming to the UK

06/07/2024

23/06/2024

It's going to be hot this week, so I've made some popsicles for the pups to help them keep cool. They're dead easy, if you want to try them yourself.

Cucumber and strawberry - take one small cucumber (or half a large one) and blend or mash it with a spoonful or two of natural yoghurt. Chop a strawberry into small pieces and mix it into the cucumber puree. Pour into lolly moulds or ice cube trays and freeze.

Peanut butter and banana - chop up one ripe banana and blend or mash it up with a spoonful or two of doggie peanut butter (any nut butter will do, so long as it doesn't have xylitol in it.) Mix in a bit of natural yoghurt. Pour into lolly moulds or ice cube trays and freeze.

Let me know if you try this, and if your dog enjoyed it, in the comments below.

03/06/2024

I once saw a greyhound in Hyde Park carrying a dead squirrel in its mouth. Tourists were horrified, but he was just doing what he had been bred to do. Hunting to eat is a part of canine DNA, but it's not ideal behaviour for family pets in the modern world. If your dog is a hunter, there are things you can do to make sure s/he doesn't get too carried away. Train a rock solid recall, and carry a quality tuggy as well as treats, and if you spot them sliding into hunting mode, make sure you intervene before they get to stage 4 - because once they start running, you don't have a chance of catching them! And if you need help with this, drop me a DM.

30/05/2024

If your dog is sensitive to fireworks, you can start desensitising them now, so that when fireworks season starts in the autumn, you and they are ready for it.

You start by having a fireworks video from YouTube or similar playing really quietly, so your dog can get used to the sound when it's barely audible. Do this for a few minutes, a few times a day, for a few days. Take it slowly, and once your dog is used to it, gradually increase the volume, increment by increment, over a period of days or weeks, and always reward your dog with a tasty treat for a calm response to the noise. If they show signs of agitation, dial it back considerably, and increase the volume at an even slower pace. Eventually your dog will become acclimated to the noise of fireworks, and should, hopefully, be a lot less distressed when they go off for real.

It's worth noting that you should always have a plan B, in case your dog simply cannot get used to fireworks. If you can't take them to a quiet location for Bonfire Night or Diwali, remember to walk them early, before it gets dark. When you get home, close the curtains, play calming music for dogs (lots of playlists on Spotify, Apple, etc) and have a little den set up where they can hide away if they want to. An Adaptil plug-in or collar might help, and if your dog is particularly anxious you can always get some Sileo (a mild sedative) from your vet.

28/05/2024

We're back! After a couple of months off for Easter and Bank Hols, The Doctor Will See You Now is back on. Free dog training advice surgery, from a force-free accredited dog trainer. First Monday of every month, 3pm - 4pm, at the Three Compasses on Hornsey High Road, N8. Tell your friends

28/05/2024

This is Harvey the rescue pup. He's come all the way from Greece to London, and is learning how to walk nicely on the leash. Did you know that learning the art of loose leash walking actually starts off-leash? You shape the behaviour by rewarding the dog for being next to you while you're walking, and when they're acing that you can try it with the leash on. Start somewhere quiet with minimal distractions, and gradually build it up so your dog eventually learns not to pull, whatever environment they're in. If you're struggling with loose leash walking, I can help. Drop me a DM any time.

20/05/2024

Happy Rescue Dog day to all the rescues out there, and to the awesome people who have welcomed them into their homes. You guys rock

16/05/2024

Paws Up for Sunny! She graduated puppy class this week, and is going from strength to strength. Good job, Sunny 👏👏👏

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18/04/2024

🩺 Neutering age guidelines for 40 dog breeds🐕

Spaying female and castrating male dogs within the first year of their lives is often a common practice. However, research underscores the importance of carefully considering whether and when to neuter a specific dog.

📑Studies have shown that reduced exposure to gonadal hormones can result in heightened fear aggression in both male and female dogs, while conversely, dogs with longer exposure to these hormones tend to display fewer problematic behaviours and experience fewer health issues.

📈Hart et al. conducted a series of research projects indicating increased risks of joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence associated with neutering age across various dog breeds. In their latest paper, Hart et al. (2024) produced a table with suggested neutering age guidelines for 40 dog breeds.

Their work illustrates the importance of personalized decision-making regarding the neutering of dogs, taking into consideration various factors such as breed, health status, living environment, and associated risks.

For the table please see below. 👇

To access the full paper follow this link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1322276/full?fbclid=IwAR2fAindtSqUvNqCALBi6MLERmX7CHsz8SkdUt3n724-ux0hA3sAwbTMO0o_aem_AcY7JXGEPKj6NplBOfLHThIgvFg_akAaMKPaKMuLPx79PLfLZeoWk-TlUG_OOOabghyr2QnZgz7FS-ZhRL9ihgkj


Reference: Hart LA, Thigpen AP, Hart BL, Willits NH, Lee M, Babchuk MM, Lee J, Ho M, Clarkson ST and Chou JW (2024) Assisting decision-making on age of neutering for German Short/Wirehaired Pointer, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Siberian Husky: associated joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence. Front. Vet. Sci. 11:1322276.doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1322276

🎓📚Odisee: Science based education for animal behaviour professionals✨

18/04/2024

Oli the cockerpoo graduated puppy class today, and I couldn't be prouder. She's a little smasher, and her owners are doing great with her training.

Puppy classes are great way to build your relationship with your puppy, and will set them up for success in life, giving them the skills they need to navigate the world around them safely. My puppy class has a rolling programme, so you can join any time after your puppy has had their first injection. DM me for more info.

30/03/2024

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/mar/30/we-have-five-in-our-bed-any-more-and-i-wouldnt-sleep-meet-the-extreme-dog-owners?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Rachel and Andrew live with 19 of them, Julie never goes to the toilet without one, and Chloé’s take her socks off for her. Meet the pet lovers whose canine companions take the lead

28/03/2024

The reviews say it all. We train with kindness, using methods that owners find effective and that dogs love, so they can live happily together. Contact us today to see what we can do for you and your dog.

26/03/2024

This handsome boy is Togo. He's a 1-year old Siberian Husky, and his recall is 100% (dropping to 80% if there are other dogs to say hello to, which isn't unreasonable when he's a teenager!) This is AMAZING for a husky, not least because they are one of the "ancient breeds" - ie dogs whose DNA we have tampered with the least, and who are most closely related to the original domesticated dogs of several thousand years ago. Besides Huskies, other ancient breeds include Malamutes, Tibetan Mastiffs, Akitas, Basenjis, and Afghan Hounds, amongst others. They have a reputation for being "stubborn" and "difficult to train" - when actually, they are just independent and self-reliant, and when you factor that in, and train intelligently, you get a dog that is as awesome as Togo here. +

22/03/2024

This is no surprise to most dog people

Study confirms our canine companions can grasp more than simple commands – or at least for items they care about

16/03/2024

Howdy neighbours. Your friendly neighbourhood dog trainer here, with a gentle reminder not to leave your dogs tied up outside shops. Dog theft is real, and if it’s stolen your dog won’t be sold to another family. They will end up either in a puppy mill or as a bait dog in a dog fighting ring. And if it doesn’t get stolen, it will still be stressed out by your absence and feeling vulnerable being tied up in a public place. Your dog relies on you to keep them safe. Make sure you do that.

14/03/2024

A great post from our friends at See Spot Learn

Dogs behave the way they do for many reasons. They do NOT do things deliberately to be stubborn or ‘naughty’, nor do they aim to assert control. Outdated mythologies and training methods have detrimental effects on well-being and strain the relationship between a dog and their caregiver.

🧬A dog's breed and genetic makeup can play a significant role in determining certain behavioural traits. Dogs have genetic predispositions and breed-specific tendencies that contribute to their behaviour.
Some breeds are predisposed to specific behaviours, such as herding, hunting, or guarding.

The environment in which a dog is raised and lives can profoundly impact their behaviour. Early socialisation, which involves exposing a puppy to a wide range of people, animals, and environments during their critical developmental period, is crucial for building confidence and shaping a dog's social behaviour to reduce fear or aggression.

Overstimulation can cause all kinds of unwanted behaviours as it overwhelms their senses and can lead to hyperactivity or erratic responses. For example, if a dog is exposed to loud noises, multiple people, and various stimuli all at once, or on a daily basis, they might exhibit excessive excitable behaviour, poor impulse control, become agitated and exhibit behaviours like jumping, barking, or pulling on the leash, as their senses are overwhelmed by the excessive input.

Previous experiences and learning consequences can influence a dog's behaviour. Traumatic experiences, in particular, can lead to fear, anxiety, or aggression.

How a dog is trained and educated by their caregiver or handler can significantly affect their behaviour. Consistent, positive reinforcement-based training can lead to desired behaviours, while harsh or inconsistent methods can result in confusion or fear.

A dog's health, including their physical and mental well-being, can influence their behaviour. Illness, pain, or discomfort can lead to changes in behaviour.

A dog's emotional state, including fear, anxiety, and excitement, can affect their behaviour. For example, a fearful dog may display unpredictable defensive reactive behaviours or might avoid any encounters and run away trying to hide. While a confident dog may exhibit playfulness and a relaxed demeanour.

A dog can become frustrated and destructive if their mental and physical needs are not met. This dog, full of pent-up energy and boredom, may become frustrated and exhibit poor impulse control. In their frustration, they might resort to destructive behaviours, such as chewing furniture, digging up the garden, or incessant barking. This destructive behaviour is often an expression of their frustration and an attempt to alleviate their built-up energy and mental stress.

The type of diet a dog receives can significantly influence their behaviour, with high-quality nutrition promoting better energy levels, mood, and overall well-being, while poor diet choices can lead to issues like irritability, hyperactivity, or digestive problems.

As dogs age, they may experience canine cognitive decline, which can manifest as changes in memory, learning, and behaviour. This condition can lead to increased confusion, disorientation, and altered social interactions in older dogs.

It is really important to understand that each dog is unique, and their behaviour can vary widely, even within the same breed. Dogs use body language, vocalizations, and other forms of communication to express their needs, emotions, and intentions. Understanding a dog's communication cues is essential for interpreting their behaviour.

10/03/2024

Happy Mother’s Day to all the dog mums out there.

09/03/2024

If you have a puppy, you’ll need puppy classes. London N8 and surrounding areas. Starting soon! DM me for more info.

08/03/2024

Meet Griffin. He’s here to remind you that learning is fun but tiring. Puppies need up to 20h of sleep per day, so he’s going back to bed now. Zzzzzz