Happy Buddies - Dog Training & Walking

11/06/2025

Walking in my favourite place with some of my group dogs, Millie, Lulu, Buddy and Sholto. 👣🐾🐾🐾🐾

10/06/2025

🩺🐾 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲? 🐾🩺

Or do you know someone who does?

Puppy School have just launched a brand new CPD course designed specifically for veterinary teams, all about supporting puppies and their people during those crucial early vet visits.

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For my clients, attending these puppy socials with you would perfectly complement what they learn in my Puppy School classes. It's a great way to start puppies off on the right paw in a way that I can continue when I see them in class. 🐶

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(𝘐’𝘮 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘶𝘱 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬)

09/06/2025

Great post here and well worth a read of you want to be successful with your training. Us dog trainers sometimes make training look easy but don't forget, we've got the knowledge, had the training ourselves, done the studying and had lots of practical experience but actually, if you can get yourself into these habits, then you'll be giving yourself and your dog a good foundation. These are great habits that all dog trainers and owners can and should get into! 🐶

🤯 THIS IS WHY TRAINERS ARE EFFECTIVE‼️

Thank you to 4Paws University with Lisa Mullinax CDBC for this wonderful info!

Read full text copied and pasted below from Lisa Mullinax's blog post. (Blog post here: https://t.ly/5Habits)
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5 HABITS OF EFFECTIVE DOG TRAINERS
Written by: Lisa Mullinax, CDBC

When it comes to dog training, there is a difference between professional trainers and pet owners. And it's not magical pack leader energy. It comes down to seven habits every single dog owner can develop.

1️⃣ WE CONTROL THE ENVIRONMENT
Unwanted behavior happens for a reason - it works for the dog. Whether it's jumping, stealing food from the counter, or barking at cyclists, the dog gets something they want or need, which reinforces the behavior.

Our goal is to reinforce behaviors we like. In order for that to be effective at changing behavior, we have to prevent reinforcement of behaviors we don't like.

We can do that by controlling the dog's environment and their opportunity to practice unwanted behavior. Most dog trainers call this management. Parents do this with babies and call it childproofing. Management is dog-proofing. But instead of dog-proofing the living room and kitchen cabinets, we often have to practice management inside and outside the home.

For dogs that react to other dogs by barking and lunging, management can look like walking at different times when the neighborhood is less busy, or in places where we are unlikely to encounter other dogs - I like business parks on the weekend.

Business parks can provide a pleasant and low-distraction environment for walking and training on weekends.

If the dog runs out the front door whenever they get the chance, we put up baby gates to prevent them from getting to the door. This also gives us a safe way to practice and reinforce a nice, calm sit in front of the open door.

Most management strategies are maintained until the dog's training has advanced to a level of reliability in those situations, while others may be lifelong. I still keep a gate across the kitchen entry because of the risk that I might forget to put up something dangerous to my dog before I leave.

2️⃣ WE TRAIN BEFORE WE TEST
Training means teaching new behavior. Testing is practicing in gradually more difficult and distracting situations. Trainers don't test before they train and they don't train in the middle of a test.

We don't wait for the dog to pull on the leash to teaching leash manners.
We don't wait for the dog to grab something at the pet store to teach "leave it."
We don't wait for our dog to get hold of something dangerous to teach "drop."
We don't wait for our dog to bark at another dog to practice attention around distractions.

Imagine being punished for failing a spelling test when you're still learning your ABCs!

Instead, trainers determine what skills the dog needs to be successful in the situations they'll be exposed to. Leash manners, attention around distractions, fast name response, etc.

We start teaching those skills in the house, then practice in the driveway or a big, empty, boring parking lot. There are multiple sessions in each location before moving on. We let the dog's behavior tell us whether or not they are ready to move forward to a gradually more difficult situation.

And if the dog doesn't perform as expected in the new, more difficult situation? We correct our training plan, not the dog.

3️⃣ WE ARE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE
"Don't ask a question you don't already know the answer to." That's advice new attorneys are given before heading into a deposition or trial. If you don't know what the witness is going to say, it could be something you don't like.

Trainers don't wait to see what a dog will do in a new situation - a horseback rider coming up the trail, a mover pushing a refrigerator down the walkway, a group of children running towards us to say hi to the dog. NOT the time to see how your dog will do with children.

We see new situations that we haven't prepared our dogs for and take proactive steps to ensure things go smoothly. Depending on the dog's level of training, I either give cues or I start reinforcing any acceptable behavior in that moment, even if it's as small as looking without barking. If I'm at all concerned the dog is going to react negatively like lunging, barking, or growling, I turn and walk away, moving the dog to a safe distance.

Trainers always try to control what the dog is learning, not what they're doing. What do they learn about staying at our side when passing another dog? It gets rewarded. What do they learn about pulling in any direction? It gets them nowhere. How do they feel when a loud truck goes by? Good! Because that loud truck predicts good things.

4️⃣ WE ARE GENEROUS WITH REINFORCEMENT
When I was a "balanced" trainer, I would use food as rewards, but when I couldn't get the behavior I wanted, I would often fall back on aversives. Once I learned how to use reinforcement with skill, I stopped needing those aversives.

We are always looking for behavior to reinforce. We don't wait for absolutely perfect behavior before rewarding. We are always looking for something the dog is doing right. Something that is better than unwanted behavior. Something we would rather the dog do in that situation. Some moment of brilliance we weren't expecting.

And we never stop rewarding behavior we like. We might change what level of behavior gets rewarded or only reward certain behaviors in certain situations. We may integrate non-food reinforcers into our training. But if we like it, we still reward it every time.

For every behavior you want, you have something your dog wants. Looking for opportunities to use those things to reinforce behavior is going to give you better training results. more

Dogs don't do what they're "supposed to" do. They do what works for them. If we stop reinforcing those behaviors, we're more likely to see a decrease in reliability.

5️⃣ WE CONSERVE OUR WORDS
When it comes to reliable responses to verbal cues (aka "commands"), dogs don't come pre-programmed. They weren't born knowing what "leave it," "off," or any other cue means.

Effective trainers don't start with words, we start with reinforcement.

I don't teach dogs a cue for "heel." Instead, I focus on reinforcing the components of heel: Giving me their full attention while on-leash, moving with me when I walk backward, then forward, then while making right and left turns.

It's not what you say. It's what you reinforce!
It's not what you say. It's what you reinforce!
It's not what you say. It's what you reinforce!

By being conservative with our verbal cues, the cues we do use have more power.

When we're ready to teach a cue, we are clear about what the behavior looks like. For example, when you say "leave it," do you want the dog to drop something, look away from something, or turn and look at you? If you're not sure, imagine how much harder it is for the dog to figure out!

We don't muddy the cue by repeating ("sit, sit, sit") or mixing it up ("off." "down." "sit down."). Pick your cue stick with it. And only say it once. If you don't get a response quickly and the first time you say it, they don't know it. Repeating it or saying it more firmly doesn't work if the dog doesn't understand what you're saying (same goes for non-English speaking people).

Finally, we make sure the dog has a strong reinforcement history for doing that behavior or, in the case of teaching their name, we make sure the dog has a strong association to the cue predicting good things.

🌟 BONUS HABIT 🌟
WE CORRECT THE TRAINING, NOT THE DOG
When something goes wrong, we don't blame the dog, we blame our training plan.

I'm a good trainer, but I'm not a great trainer. Like everyone else, I have bad habits and I make mistakes. But that's never the dog's fault. If the dog isn't doing what I need them to do, it's because I didn't prepare them well enough. So, I use corrections....on my training plan.

There are so many pieces of our training plan we can change. What behavior we reinforce. When we reinforce. How we reinforce. What we use as a reinforcer.

Don't correct the dog, correct the training.
Don't correct the dog, correct the training.
Don't correct the dog, correct the training.

This is where working with a trainer makes all the difference. Videos and books are like paper maps. They can tell you how to get from A to B. What they can't tell you is how to get back to A when you suddenly find yourself on H.

DEVELOPING GOOD HABITS
Not a single dog trainer started with these habits. We had to develop them over time. But you don't need to wait 10-20 years to get good at these habits. You can start them now.

You probably have "bad" training habits. We all do. Even now, I have habits I work to overcome. The first step to developing good habits is to recognize what bad habits can be changed.

- Lisa Mullinax, CDBC

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✨ Give your pup the training they deserve! 🐾 Contact me today!
📞 (214) 649–6613 | 🌐 www.sunshinedogtraining.com

Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA, FFCP
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08/06/2025

So much to do but can't move to do it! 💤

07/06/2025

🎉🐾 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗨𝗡 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🐾🎉

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🌟 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙃𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨?
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07/06/2025

I think this is one of the best posts I've read all week.

As a dog lover and dog trainer one of the hardest parts of my job is when people ask me to help them stop their dog doing what comes natural to them as a dog 😢.

Of course, some behaviours can become excessive and when that happens, there's always a reason behind it, something that might be causing them to do it excessively (such as pain, fear, boredom, frustration etc) and of course, guidance, training, medical intervention and support is needed but a lot of the time, the dog is just being a dog!

I often find that people's expectations about how their dogs should behave are so high and sometimes unrealistic given the dog they have chosen to welcome into their home.

A dog is not naughty. A dog is just being a dog and their perceived 'naughty' behaviours are most likely due to their age, breed/crossbreed, lack of training, unmet needs, pain or discomfort, anxiety, fear or unintended reinforcement.

My dogs aren't perfect and I'd never expect them to be. I'd never tell them off for demonstrating normal dog behaviours and I'd always try to avoid putting them in situations that may trigger certain undesirable behaviours.

Relationships grow and strengthen through understanding and helping each other, not through having unrealistic expectations about the ability to change the individual that they are just to meet the standards of a completely different species!

Love your dog for who they are, they aren't around for long enough. Help them adapt and become the best dog they can be but remember, they are a dog and should be allowed to act like one. 🐶

𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬.

Dog ownership has exploded in recent years. Recent studies suggest that at least 36% of homes in the UK have one or more dogs. That’s over a third! This means that we are seeing more and more dogs out and about.
What I am also seeing, is more people not understanding that their dog is a dog. Not a cat, not a rabbit, not a robot.

𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐲𝐬, 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐨 – 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫. Yes, there are times when some of these behaviours can become excessive and then we have to look at what might be causing that, but to a point, all of this is normal.

I was recently on a walk and saw a beautiful sighthound walking along. Sighthounds have very developed eyesight, and were bred for detecting the movement of prey, chasing, and catching the prey. They are very speedy, and agile dogs.
This particular sighthound was being walked directly towards a duck that was sat on the grass. We were in a huge area where the duck could have been given a wider berth. The sighthound lunged at the duck, about 2 metres away. No physical harm to the duck, who waddled away and got in to the water. The sighthound however, was told off, shouted at, their collar was grabbed and they were called “naughty”.

Is this naughty? Or did a hound, bred for hunting, seemingly no other training around wildlife, get walked straight towards a duck while their human made no efforts to engage them in anything else? Is the dog at fault, or is this a case of ‘user-error’?

Don’t get me wrong. My dog used to be quite interested in wildlife! So, we did lots of training, teaching him alternative behaviours on sight of birds and waterfowl. He has safe outlets for prey drive that don't involve the real deal.

Society's expectations of dogs has shifted recently. Dogs behaving like dogs can be seen as a problem. People aren’t using good judgment. People choose breeds that were bred for specific purposes, such as alarm barking, guarding, following scents, hunting, herding, and then get cross when they display any of these behaviours. People don’t want to engage with their dogs. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 “𝐝𝐨”, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠.

It is on us to offer safe outlets for natural behaviour, to offer training, and manage situations to set our dog’s up for success.

They aren’t born in to the world knowing that our expectation of them is quite different to behaviour that is normal for their species (which I am sure you’d agree, is unfair). They don’t have an off-switch that we can just press for being a dog.

A quick tip for walks, is to engage with your dog. A lot of people take their dogs on walks with them but don’t interact with them a lot. A first step if you want to make changes to your dog's behaviour is to engage with them when out and about.

Please don’t tell your dog off for being a dog.
www.knowyourdogdevon.com

06/06/2025

🤓 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬 🤓

I thought it would be fun to include a little post each Friday called Breed Focus Friday!

It's important to do your research when choosing a puppy or dog as some breeds/crossbreeds may not be suited to your family’s lifestyle or home environment. Choosing a breed/crossbreed that is compatible with your family'slifestyle is more likely to set you both up for success and enjoy each other!

It really isn't ethical or fair to a dog for us humans to expect to 'train out', suppress or punish breed specific tendencies or label them as behaviour problems just because we chose them based on their look rather than their natural instincts and traits.

So, I'm going to try and do a little insight into a different breed each week and I'll start with the Lhasa Apso for no other reason than I have one and LOVE him to bits!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗮 𝗔𝗽𝘀𝗼

𝙊𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨
The Lhasa Apso originated in Tibet. The breed's name is derived from the Tibetan city of Lhasa, which was considered the holy city. Historically, Lhasa Apso's were bred by Tibetan monks and nobility as guard dogs for monasteries and palaces due to their alertness and loyalty. Due to their role as protectors, they were also considered symbols of good luck 🍀!

𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
Lhasa Apso's are small dogs with a long, flowing coat. Their fur is dense, straight and silky, requiring regular grooming (I keep Buddy's fur short as it's SO much easier to manage for him and me)!

They have a sturdy body, standing about 10-11 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 5.4 and 8.2 kilograms. They have a flat skull, a slightly raised nose and dark, expressive eyes (which Buddy uses to his full advantage to get him everything he wants 🤣)!

Their tail is carried high and over their back. Despite their small stature, Lhasa Apsos have a confident and regal look about them often with an air of self-importance 🤣!

𝙏𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩
The Lhasa Apso is known for their independence, confidence and sometimes aloof nature. While affectionate with their family members they can be reserved or standoffish with strangers (Buddy loves everyone as long as they have treats)!

They are highly alert and have a strong protective instinct, often barking to alert their owners of any potential intruders (yup, we know there's someone at the door before the door bell goes that's for sure 📢)! Whilst they are excellent watchdogs, they are not known to be aggressive.

They are affectionate and enjoy attention but Lhasa Apso's do not demand or need constant affection or companionship. They are content to have their own space and can be quite independent which makes them a good choice for people who don't require this from their dog but still want love and companionship!

𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚
Lhasa Apso's are highly intelligent but they do tend to think for themselves which can make training a little more challenging at times.

𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮
Although they are intelligent, Lhasa Apso's, as mentioned, do have an independent streak which can make them less eager to please than some other breeds and they sometimes require a bit more patience and consistency during training.

𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙉𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨
Lhasa Apsos are relatively low-energy dogs compared to some other breeds however, they still require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy. Short to medium daily walks along with playtime are typically sufficient to meet their physical activity needs. Due to their intelligence they also benefit from mental stimulation and enjoy interactive toys, puzzle games and training sessions which keep them engaged and prevent boredom.

Lhasa Apso's enjoy being the center of attention and can be quite playful so incorporating brain games into their routine is key.

𝙇𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙮
Lhasa Apsos are fiercely loyal to their families and tend to bond closely with one or two members of the household. They make great companion dogs!

𝙎𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙋𝙚𝙩 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚
They are well-suited for apartment living as long as they are provided with enough exercise and mental stimulation. Their small size and relatively low activity level make them ideal for individuals or families with limited space but they should still have access to a garden. They are also great companions for single people or older adults who want a loyal dog that doesn’t demand constant attention but still offers companionship.

Lhasa's tend to be good with older children but younger children might find it difficult to interact with them due to the dog’s reserved nature. They are not generally aggressive, but they may become protective of their territory, space or their owners, which means early socialisation and training is important due to their natural guarding instincts and to prevent over-protectiveness.

𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
Lhasa Apsos are generally a healthy breed but like all dogs, they are prone to certain health issues. Some common health concerns for the breed include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, luxating patellars and ear infections (Buddy has experienced both the latter two).

𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙣
As they are a small breed, Lhasa Apso's have a relatively long lifespan (never long enough though), typically living between 12 and 14 years (my Buddy is 12 and I hope he defies this age bracket and carries on for a lot longer 😢).

So, that's the Lhasa Apso for you. A cheeky, loving, intelligent and independent little character who I thoroughly enjoy sharing my life with!

Are there any other Lhasa Apso's out there? 🐶

05/06/2025

Multi dog households are great but if you want to keep harmony between them, management is key. 🐶

COMMON SOURCES OF FIGHT AND FALLOUTS IN MULTIDOG HOUSEHOLDS

Living with multiple dogs in my experience is generally great but it can take some management. It’s rare that households with several dogs don’t need management and it’s often not a Disney film where everyone shares bones, sleeps in a big pile, happily lets other dogs walk over them and never ever falls out 😂 most people with several dogs work hard to make sure that there are no issues and know what triggers to avoid.

My 3 dogs absolutely adore each other but we still work hard to make sure they don’t ever fallout. I have to manage as my Inuit, Sylvi, isn’t a great sharer and would take everyone’s food and chews given half a chance.- we manage this by feeding them separately. The terrier gets very aroused at times of high excitement or in narrow spaces and thinks about chasing the big dogs 😳 so we don’t let her go out the back door at the same time as my inuit. My Dalmatian has always been incredibly easy going and my best boy, he is no trouble at all but this means they would walk all over him if I let them! I have simple management that makes sure that we avoid any fall outs and we keep the lovely relationship they all have.

I work with so many cases each month dogs in a household fall out and the triggers are generally really predictable and are often avoidable. This is just guide to potential issues and if you have concerns about issues with your own dogs please seek qualified professional help. We can often sort things out in the early stages of issues in a household but if relationships between dogs really break down if can be hard, or impossible, to rectify.

COMMON TRIGGERS FOR FIGHTS AND FALLOUTS ARE:

🥩 RESOURCES - food/toys/access to favoured people

Feeding separately and giving chews separately is just common sense if you have potential issues. New toys may be worth guarding but old toys may not be. Long lasting chews may be an issue abs may be buried or hidden. Having multiple toys of the same type helps some dogs. Stairgates and having separate space can prevent so many issues!

📦 TIMES OF HIGH AROUSAL - e.g postman knocking on the dog

Being excited at the start of a walk can also be an issue for some dogs and they may fallout as everyone piles out of the car. We can try to keep arousal low by doing calm activities and scent work as we get out the car. Outdoor post and parcel boxes can often help postman related issues or using a doorbell that texts you rather than a door knocker etc.

High arousal in play can also be a factor- some dogs need careful management in play to make sure that arousal doesn’t get too high. If play is getting louder and louder and you aren’t seeing them take turns and pauses and breaks then they may need a break from play.

High arousal and frustration can also cause issues if dogs are fence running etc in the garden and the other dog gets in the way. Seek professional help if you are struggling with reactivity issues.

🚪 NARROW SPACES- gateways/hallways especially if combined with high arousal
Postman at the door combined with a narrow hallway is a recipe for disaster in some dogs. Doorways can also be an issue- running into the garden at speed whilst very excited etc.

🛑 STRESSED DOGS- other sources of stress can disrupt household harmony

Even if dogs get along brilliantly normally, if one is very stressed they may not cope with things they would normally cope with (trigger stacking). A house move, owners changing work pattern, a new dog walker etc are common themes. Other sources of anxiety like noise worries and separation issues all contribute to stress.

Being really tired can also be a factor and reduce tolerance- we see this lots with puppies and adult dogs. By 8 or 9pm many adult dogs just want to rest and sleep without being disturbed and many issues with adults getting cross with puppies happen in the evenings. Let your adults rest in peace away from annoying puppies.

🏥 PAIN AND ILL HEALTH- tolerance may be lower and stress higher

The first sign that a dog is unwell can be loss of tolerance around their housemates. Pain may make them suddenly unable to cope with another dog lying on them in the night for example or bumping into them as they run into the garden. Any changes- see your vet!

🐕 GROWING UP! moving into adolescence can be a trigger for fall outs

Dogs may get along swimmingly but maybe fall out as they mature. Dogs change a great deal emotionally and mentally as they go into and through adolescence and it can be a tricky time to manage. They may be finding life generally difficult to navigate at this age and may have lower tolerance around their housemate or they may change in confidence and the dynamic with older dogs may alter. Hormones may also make things more complex- females approaching a season or who are having a phantom may be much more bothered about resources and you may need more household management. Boy dogs may change when hormones peak in adolescence and this may impact on dynamics in the household too.

Most multi dog households do get along well with some simple management and for me, the benefits of having several dogs and the rich and complex relationships they have far out weighs any negatives.

It helps to think carefully about the ideal housemate for your dog if you are thinking of adding another- don’t make things difficult for yourself if you can help it and also think realistically about whether your dog actually wants to share their life and home with more dogs. Some dogs don’t want to live with other dogs or have more dogs added to the existing mix and that’s fine too!

Laura McAuliffe, 2025 Dog Communication

03/06/2025

🐾 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗗 🐾

Due to popular demand, I've added in another Puppy School course which starts on Wednesday 2 July 2025 at 5:15pm in Lower Kingswood (close to the top of Reigate Hill).

If you would like to give your puppy the best start in life and build solid foundations, then visit our website to book your place on our comprehensive, fun and enjoyable Puppy School course.

https://www.happy-buddies.co.uk/puppy-school

Be quick though, I expect it to fill up fast! 🐶