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 […]
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 […]
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 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 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 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 […]
Introducing a Kitten to Your Dog: A Practical Plan for a Peaceful Home
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. […]
How Often Do Dogs Need a Rabies Jab? A Plain-English Breakdown
What on Earth is Rabies, Anyway? Right, let’s get the scary bit out of the way first. Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord of mammals, including dogs and humans. It’s a truly nasty piece of work and, once symptoms show, it is almost invariably fatal. The virus lives in the […]
How Long Can a Dog Safely Stay in a Crate? (By Age & Breed)
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 […]
Dog Not Drinking Water But Eating? Here’s What to Check
Why Your Dog Might Be Turning Their Nose Up at Water The other week, I took Jasper for a proper yomp up Kinder Scout. It was one of those rare, glorious days in the Peaks – clear skies, a gentle breeze, the lot. We got back to the car, he hopped in the boot, and […]