Practical Dog Training Tips and
Science-Based Behaviour Advice

What does New Zealand legally expect you to do for the animals in your care and why it's a good idea. Did you know that New Zealand law recognises that animals have feelings? This means we have a legal and moral obligation to ensure their well-being. Back in 1965, the United Kingdom acknowledged that animal welfare needed to include "Five Freedoms," after rising public pressure about intensive and inhumane farming practices. Originally outlined in the Brambell Report and codi

Calming Signals - The Art of Survival Author: Turid Rugaas, ©, 2013. Link: http://en.turid-rugaas.no/ Welcome to the world of the dog and to knowledge of a whole new language! A dog's body language. For species who live in packs it´s important to be able to communicate with its own kind. Both in order to cooperate when they hunt, to bring up their offspring, and perhaps most importantly, to live in peace with each other. Conflicts are dangerous - they cause physical injuries

What's happening? Will today be like yesterday? "Your Dog's Secret Worry List (And How Routine Erases It)" What your dog is thinking about their unpredictable day... Picture this: You wake up in a house where you never know when breakfast will happen, if you'll get to go outside today, or whether that person you love most will disappear for 2 hours or 10. You'd probably spend your whole day on edge, wouldn't you? That's your dog's reality without routine. Your dog isn't "need

The Prey drive in dogs is a natural response to the environment and part of every dog's natural behaviour. It is a set of behaviours related to hunting and scavenging. All dogs will express these genetic responses to differing degrees and in different situations. Some breeds have been selectively bred to have stronger prey drives than others. Understanding this drive can provide opportunities to play with your dog in ways that satisfy these instinctual needs, improving their

Imagine the same food, in the same bowl, in the same place, for the rest of your life? For a natural scavenger like your dog this is definitely uninspiring. Fortunately we can help you engage their minds to improve their well being.

There are many ways that you can ensure a calm home for your babies, toddlers, and dogs. These tips will help you, your family and your home safe for everyone. Be an Active Supervisor every day Be fully present and engaged with your child and dog. Don't leave a baby, toddler and dog alone together. Toddlers can be scary for dogs, grabbing hands and erratic movements. Play it safe by staying around. For example: Read a book together or encourage everyone to go hang the washing

Our dogs possess extraordinary senses and display unique behaviours. It can be baffling to us, though, when they find delight in eating what we find disgusting. Is canine taste and smell the reason? Why do dogs eat anything? Taste Buds and Scent: Dogs have more than 300 million scent receptors, compared to our mere 5 million, making them olfactory superstars. However, their sense of taste is not as great, with approximately 1,700 taste buds, while humans have about 9,000. The

Dogs have been our companions for around 30,000 years. For most of that time, they earned their keep — herding, hunting, guarding — with a clear role and a full day's work. Today, most pet dogs have lost those roles. What remains is often a 30-minute walk twice a day and long hours of inactivity in between. That gap matters. Boredom in dogs isn't just inconvenient — it's a welfare issue that shows up as barking, destructive behaviour, anxiety, and restlessness. These five enr

The adolescence dog is like a human teenager, hormones racing, fear periods, risk taking and rebelliousness. Adolescence can range from 6 months to 18 months old, depending on the breed of the dog. Here are four strategies to help you support your dog through adolescence.