Training

There is a specific frequency—somewhere between the sound of a dentist’s drill and a dial-up modem connecting in 1999—that a whining dog seems to hit effortlessly. I was recently sitting in a layby near Mam Tor, trying to enjoy a flask of tea after a muddy scramble, when my own four-legged shadow decided that the […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

How Long is Too Long in a Dog Crate? A No-Nonsense Look I remember the first time I had to leave my young spaniel, Pip, on his own for more than an hour. The heavens had opened—as they often do here in the Peaks—and I was staring out at the grey, thinking about him staring […]

The Great British Stand-off: Navigating the First Meeting I still remember the drive home from the rescue centre, a tiny ball of fluff protesting loudly in a carrier on the passenger seat. At home, my trusty old Lurcher, Barney, was blissfully unaware that his reign as the sole furry occupant was about to be challenged. […]

From Peak District Puddles to Crate Conundrums The rain was doing that classic Peak District thing – coming down sideways – and I was staring at a brand-new puppy crate in the middle of the kitchen. Next to it, a small, furry creature was methodically un-stuffing a cushion, looking utterly pleased with his work. That’s […]