Dogs
Why Does My Dog Lick My Legs? A Plain English Look at Canine Kisses
A Familiar Scene: The Post-Walk Lick Picture this. You’ve just kicked off your muddy walking boots after a proper yomp across the hills. You slump onto the sofa with a brew, and within seconds, you feel it: a wet, persistent, rhythmic licking on your calf. It’s the dog, of course, giving your leg a thorough […]
Why Your Dog Scratches the Carpet (And How to Save Your Rugs)
The Scritch-Scratch Sound That Makes You Wince It’s a sound every dog owner knows. That rhythmic scritch-scratch-scratch from the other room that makes your shoulders tense up. You picture the fibres of your new rug being pulled, one by one, by a set of determined paws. Your first thought is probably, “Stop that, you little […]
Why Does My Dog Sleep Between My Legs? Understanding Canine Instinct and Affection
The Human Hot Water Bottle: Why Your Dog Insists on Sleeping Between Your Legs I woke up the other morning with a distinct inability to bend my knees. The culprit? A 30-kilo Labrador, snoring contentedly, wedged firmly into the gap behind my legs like a furry, breathing hot water bottle. If you’ve ever woken up […]
Why Is My Female Dog Humping The Male? Making Sense of It All
Right Then, What’s All This Humping About? Picture the scene. You’re having a nice, quiet cuppa, watching your dogs potter about the garden. All is calm. Then, out of nowhere, your lovely bitch makes a beeline for your male dog and starts… well, you know. Humping him for all she’s worth. The male dog looks […]
Why’s My Dog Barking in His Sleep? A Proper Look at Doggy Dreams.
The Sleepy Woofs and Twitching Whiskers The other night, I was just settling down with a brew when the noise started. A low ‘woof’, a little whimper, and then a full-on, muffled bark from the dog bed in the corner. His legs were going like the clappers, and his ears were twitching nineteen to the […]
How to Introduce a Puppy to Your Older Dog (Without Total Chaos)
From Peaceful Afternoons to Utter Bedlam: A Cautionary Tale I remember the day we decided to get a puppy. The romantic image was all there: our dignified, older dog, Bert, taking a fluffy new apprentice under his wise wing. They’d curl up together by the fire after a long walk in the Peaks, a perfect […]
What Is a Dog Run? From Muddy Paws to Peace of Mind
From Ruined Lawn to Relaxed Afternoons The other day, I looked out at the back garden after a typical Peak District downpour. It looked less like a lawn and more like a scene from a First World War documentary. The culprit? A very happy, very muddy Border Collie who thinks ‘digging for victory’ is still […]
Why Does My Dog Stretch When He Sees Me? Understanding the Happy Greeting
The “Greeting Stretch”: Your Dog’s Way of Saying Hello There’s nothing quite like coming through the door after a long day. You kick off your muddy boots, hang your coat, and there they are: your four-legged mate, giving you the most enormous, satisfying stretch. Front legs out, back arched, sometimes with a little groan for […]
Why Your Dog Digs on Your Bed: Uncovering the Instincts and What to Do
The Ritual of the Duvet Dance It’s a scene I know well. After a long, damp trek across Stanage Edge, the dog is finally dry, fed, and ready for a good kip. He hops onto the bed, gives me a look, and then it begins. The ritual sniffing, the frantic scratching at the duvet, the […]
Why Your Dog Nuzzles You: Decoding Their Affection, Scents, and Worries
The Heart-Warming Stuff: Is It Just a Cuddle? There’s nothing quite like it. You’ve just kicked off your muddy walking boots after a long stomp, and your four-legged friend trots over, leans in, and gives your leg a thorough nuzzle. It’s a common, and usually heart-warming, bit of behaviour. For the most part, when your […]