No need to get bored, there are a few games that you can play with your dog, like playing fetch. You can even play the game inside your home. Fetch seems to be the most natural game to play with your dog – a game that only requires a ball or a toy. Ensure that […]
Play fetch with your dog Read More »
When you train your dog, there is no doubt that you will need treats to reward him for his hard work. But certain questions often arise about the treats we use while training. This article will address some of those questions. 1. What is the ideal size of treats used in training? The size needs
The role of treats in training Read More »
A reliable recall is one of the most important things to teach your pup, to the point where it can even save his life if you ever need to call him back to you, away from a potentially dangerous situation. Consider the following scenarios: Your dog accidentally gets out of the gate and takes off.
Of all the potential natural disasters that could occur in South Africa, we’re more likely to experience floods than major earthquakes. Certain parts of our country have also experienced devastating veld fires, which destroyed everything in their path. Although we don’t even want to think about these disturbing disasters, we have to plan and prepare
How to keep your pets safe during natural disasters Read More »
Some of the tools and equipment used in dog training vary widely due to various opinions and experiences by people who work with dogs. In the past, and unfortunately still today, aversive equipment is used to ‘force’, ‘correct’ or ‘punish’ dogs into doing what is required. These include (but are not limited to) the shock
Training: Are you (unintentionally) hurting your dog? Read More »
Most dogs will automatically use their noses to search for things to eat or to investigate new objects. Harnessing this instinct and teaching your dog to sniff on cue is great fun. Not only is it fun, but it helps grow confidence in timid or young dogs. Gaining confidence in solving tricky scent puzzles can
Fun with Flash: Switching on his nose! Read More »
Have you ever wondered what is the rave about puppy schools and why puppies should attend these classes? Behaviourist Samantha Walpole explains why it is important for your puppy. The general socialisation stage for a puppy is between three and 16 weeks. This is a critical one-time window of opportunity. We never get this
Why puppy school is crucial Read More »
Q: Why should I teach my dog to sit? A: Teaching your dog to sit may seem very basic, but a ‘sit’ is actually one of the most important things for your dog to learn. Teaching your dog to sit on cue is very simple and is a good exercise to do to prevent other
Q & A: Valuable lesson Read More »
Balancing a treat on his nose is much more than just a cute trick for your dog. It teaches him to focus and to be patient. If you can get your dog to sit still for a few seconds while balancing a treat on his nose, he will also be able to focus on other
Teach your dog to balance a treat on his nose Read More »
Sometimes we just want to brag about our dog’s ‘bag of tricks’ and there’s nothing wrong with that! Dogs love to learn new things, and spinning around is one of those easy tricks you can teach your dog. Here’s a video to teach you how to teach your dog to spin around:
Teach your dog to spin around Read More »
Teaching your dog to walk with a loose leash is one of the most fundamental skills that you can teach him. If he learns how to walk with a loose leash, it will build the trust between you tremendously. He needs clear communication of what you want, and this happens when he checks in with
Teach your dog to walk on leash Read More »
There will be times when your dog will pick up something dangerous or harmful and you’ll want him to drop it immediately. You don’t want to chase your dog around with the item in his mouth – he might think it is a little game of ‘Catch me, if you can’. The ‘drop it’ cue
Teach your dog to drop it Read More »
