Dogs
How to Wash a Dog Bed: A No-Nonsense Method for a Fresh and Clean Bed
That Telltale Whiff: When You Know It’s Time to Wash the Dog Bed There’s a certain aroma that can only mean one thing. It’s not the pleasant smell of rain on the fells or a Sunday roast in the oven. No, this is the lingering, all-pervading scent of ‘eau de damp dog’ that has slowly […]
What to Engrave on a Dog Tag: Getting the Essentials Right
That Heart-Stopping Moment The other day, I was out on a particularly drizzly bit of moorland, the kind of day where the clouds are wearing the hills like a hat. I saw a little terrier, trotting along the path with a sense of purpose but not a soul with him. My heart did that familiar […]
Caught with a Cobble? Why Your Dog Eats Rocks and What to Do About It
Why Your Dog Might Be Snacking on Stones There’s nothing quite like a crisp walk in the Peaks, is there? The other day, I was out with my lad near Castleton, soaking it all in, when I heard that awful, unmistakable sound: a crunching, grinding noise that wasn’t boots on the path. I turned round […]
What’s All That Licking About? A Look at Why Dogs Clean Each Other’s Ears
The Slobbery Social Ritual Unpacked Picture the scene. You’ve just got back from a blustery walk over the tops, the dogs are knackered, and you’ve finally sat down with a brew. All is peaceful. Then, the sound starts. That rhythmic, slightly wet schlurp, schlurp, schlurp. You look over, and there’s Pip, head tilted, giving Bramble’s […]
Dog Crying in Sleep? Unpacking Their Dreams and When to Worry
From Twitching Whiskers to Sleepy Woofs The other night, the log burner was ticking away and Bess, my trusty Border Terrier, was flat out on the rug. One moment, snoozing peacefully. The next, her paws are going like the clappers, there’s a muffled ‘woof’, and a little whimper. Classic squirrel-chasing dream, no doubt. It’s a […]
Why Does My Dog Stand On Me? Unpacking 9 Common Reasons
Why Does My Dog Stand On Me? Unpacking 9 Common Reasons The other morning, I was stood in the kitchen, still half-asleep, waiting for the kettle to boil for that first essential brew. My border terrier, Pip, trotted in from the garden, took one look at my clean walking socks, and promptly planted both muddy […]
Can a Single Raisin Harm a Dog? What to Do Right Now
My Dog Just Ate a Raisin. Should I Panic? It’s a heart-stopping moment, isn’t it? One second you’re enjoying a slice of fruit loaf, the next a stray raisin has tumbled to the floor and been snaffled up by the dog before you can even shout “Leave it!”. Or perhaps the kids left a cereal […]
Why Does My Dog Walk Sideways? From Quirks to Concerns
From Quirks to Concerns: Understanding Your Dog’s Sideways Walk The other day, I was out on a particularly blustery walk up near Mam Tor, and I saw a young Border Collie doing the most peculiar thing. As its owner threw the ball, it would launch off in a perfect straight line, but on the trot […]
Meet the Nation’s Friendliest Dog Breeds: A No-Nonsense Look
What Makes a Dog Breed ‘Friendly’? The other day, I was out walking near Mam Tor, flask of tea in hand, when this great big ball of fluff came bounding over. It was a Newfoundland, and its tail was wagging so hard its whole body was wiggling. After a good chinwag with its owner, it […]
Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Pet Him? Let’s Figure It Out.
The Great Cuddle Conundrum There I was, sat on the sofa with a cuppa, rain lashing against the window after a particularly soggy walk around Kinder Scout. My dog, smelling faintly of damp earth and happiness, was curled up beside me. I was giving him a good scratch behind the ears—the sweet spot—and in return, […]