There are several different breeds that fit into the ‘high energy’ group of dogs. These are dogs who don’t know when to sit still or rest, dogs that would be on the go literally all day & night given half a chance. Their minds are always thinking & planning their next move & the spooky thing is they’re also thinking about what you’re going to do next! These dogs are generally a step in front of you & guess your every move.

The main speed freaks of the canine world are Border Collies & Springer Spaniels closely followed by Jack Russell’s, these are breeds that love to run & then run some more! They are all clever breeds too & will always try to outwit their owners. These dogs never seem to tire & are at their happiest chasing a ball or foraging around in the undergrowth.

Huskies & Malamutes are also high-energy breeds, not so much speed freaks as such but certainly high energy. These particular dogs can also be very strong-minded & require a kind but firm owner when it comes to their training, they like to be in charge & rule the household but this is something you must control from the beginning. If you don’t you’ll be left with a bossy dog not listening to anything you say!

One of the breeds that seem to be one of the most misinterpreted when it comes to exercise is the Greyhound. It’s often thought of as a flat-out running machine but they’re actually couch potatoes! Greyhounds have spurts of energy & then enjoy simply plodding along by their owner’s side on a gentle walk, they’ll zoom after a ball once or twice and that’s about it! They then need to rest & take it easy! They’re a very lovable & affectionate breed.

If you do opt for one of the higher energy breeds ensure you yourself have the energy to keep up with its exercise demands. These breeds require the minimum of an hour to two hours walk on a daily basis with most of that being off lead exercise; it’s not so much the distance you have to cover as don’t forget your dog will be covering twice as much ground as you anyway, but the quality of your walk. Try to offer your pooch some variety if you can by visiting different locations, woodlands, fields or even beaches are all doggy favourites.

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Microchipping is a very simple procedure, it was introduced in 1989 & since then many owners have decided to have their canine chums done. One advantage is that your puppy will not need an anaesthetic although some owners do wait until their pup is being spayed/neutered & whilst they’re having the operation they can be microchipped too. My pups have had their microchips done when they’ve had their second routine vaccination but it’s really a personal choice to be honest.

The chip itself is approximately the size of a grain of rice & your puppy won’t even know it’s there. It has a unique number & a special scanner reads this, this number is registered to your pup & your pup alone. Your details are then entered on a database, if your puppy becomes lost he/she will be scanned & your details will be found.

Collars can easily become detached from a pup when they wander through undergrowth, the microchip cannot come off! Your puppy’s body tissue actually attaches itself to the chip therefore keeping it in place. The most alarming part of the whole procedure is the size of the needle as it’s fairly large but don’t panic as the most your pup may feel is a slight scratch. The needle is inserted between the shoulder blades & the chip is placed just underneath the skin. Vets will generally check the microchip via a scanner on annual booster visits as part of the routine check-up, you can always ask for it to be checked on other visits if required. It’s not only vets these days that hold scanners, your local dog warden will have one & rescue centres will also have one to check any strays handed into their care.

Dog owners tend to think that it’ll never happen to them & their puppy won’t run off but you just never know. You can own the best trained pup in the world that never leaves your side but if he/she is suddenly frightened by an unexpected noise & bolts away you probably won’t be able to catch them but you’ll be safe in the knowledge that at least when they’re found they have a microchip in place. Throughout the years, countless dogs have been reunited with their owners quickly & safely due to them having a microchip so it really is a highly recommended choice.

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These days there are numerous options regarding where to place your canine chum when you go away on your holidays. Actually you don’t even have to place them anywhere if you’d rather not as you can pay for a pet sitter to look after them in your own home. Make sure you use a reputable sitting business, one of the best ways of finding one is word of mouth. Ask around whilst you’re out walking your dog as the best recommendation is from someone who’s already used the pet sitter themselves.

The other big advantage to a pet sitter is that your home will also be looked after in your absence as they’ll be living there with your dog/s. Now if they don’t suggest it, which they should, ensure that they meet your dog/s several times before they look after them. Ask them to join you on a walk so they can see exactly what you normally do, i.e. how you recall your canine chum, how far you generally walk & any other training that you normally complete whilst out walking. The most important factor is how your dog reacts to the sitter as this will tell you everything you need to know, if your pooch doesn’t ‘click’ with the person then you’re not going to be too happy about leaving them.

Another alternative to kennels is a sitter’s home as more & more pet sitters are now setting their homes up as kennels. Very often this includes a very personal touch as many sitters will only take 1-2 dogs at a time to avoid canine conflict or if you have a super friendly pooch it’s an ideal opportunity for them to socialise with other friendly dogs. The sitter will basically become you for the duration of your holiday, the dogs will be walked, fed & loved whilst with them. This is a great idea if you don’t like the thought of traditional kennels.

Of course the obvious solution is to take your dog/s with you on your holidays. Simply select a destination that will accept dogs & off you go, make sure you take everything with you on holiday.  Research the area & make sure you know all the relevant information concerning pet passports etc, etc & above all have a wonderful holiday.

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So how can you play with your puppy? Well the secret is to not allow the play sessions to become too rough as the only lesson learnt from this by your puppy is that it’s okay to be rough. Now whilst this might seem a great idea at the moment when your puppy is so small & innocent it probably won’t be so appealing when your puppy’s grown up to be a big, strong adult dog.

You also have to consider the fact that your puppy will expect the same level of rough play from other members of the household, not a good idea when it comes to children or perhaps elderly relatives.
I’m not saying that you cannot play with your puppy just that you need to think about not letting it get out of hand.

Choose puppy toys that don’t encourage tugging games as these are simply begging to be pulled & shook. Select toys that require fetching or gently mouthing, the soft, plush puppy toys available on the market are perfect to encourage your puppy to gently mouth. This can be wonderfully comforting to them especially when they’re going through their teething stage, it also gives you an alternative to offer your puppy to persuade them to stop nipping you!

If you’ve more than the one puppy then they’ll look to play together, this is a wonderful way for them to interact with one another & learn valuable lessons regarding how to act around other dogs. Be careful though & watch the play so it doesn’t become too rough, if one of the puppies is more dominant than the others then ensure it doesn’t enforce this by being too rough with the other puppies. It’s only natural for puppies to follow a hierarchy system, they don’t really know what they’re doing or why at such a tender age but there will always be a slightly more dominant one & the pup that likes to be the leader!

Playing with your puppy presents a perfect way to bond together & a great way to introduce some training without your pup even noticing. The basic ‘sit’ command is the best place to begin & this can be done by using a favourite toy or small, puppy treat. Ensure your puppy is focussed on the item in question & slowly raise it over your puppy’s head & moving it backwards going towards the tail, your puppy will slowly naturally go into the sitting position. When he/she does you must praise them & allow them to have the toy or treat straight away.
Remember that playtime with your young puppy involves so much more than simply playing, use the time to train & bond but also remember to make the most of it as your pup won’t stay that way for long at all!  

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The winter is a quieter time and the perfect time to enjoy some lovely long walks without the crowds of people. Most beaches accept dogs during the winter but obviously still ensure you check first prior to turning up with your excited pooches as there are still a handful of beaches that don’t allow dogs at all.

Even though it’s a quieter time you must still be courteous towards other people. Many dog walkers have the same idea when it comes to beach walking in the winter so don’t automatically assume you’ll have the whole beach to yourself. There will possibly be surfers around and remember not everyone in the world shares your passion for canines! This is so easy to forget when you’re a dog owner yourself it’s easy to assume that every person you meet is going to find your dog as irresistible as you do. Not everyone will appreciate those great big wet and sandy paws leaping up at them.

Always pick up after your dog and don’t just think it’s a quieter season so there’s no need to worry about it, you should clean up after your dog whatever time of the year it is. Most beaches provide doggy bins so there’s no excuse not to clean up.

If you fancy a cliff top walk then always apply some basic commonsense. It’s always nice to let your pooch run off their lead but sometimes it’s simply safer to leave them on, on top of a cliff is probably going to be one of those occasions! It’s never worth the risk of allowing your canine chum to run loose next to the edge of a very steep drop, if your dog’s a ball chaser this could prove to be tricky as certain dogs are not known for their intelligence. If their beloved ball flies over the cliff then it’s more than likely your pooch will follow it and only realising it was a bad idea when there’s actually no ground underneath their paws anymore!     

So always remember the beach isn’t just for visiting throughout the summer months it can be more enjoyable in the winter when it’s quieter and I’m sure if you forget this fact your canine chum will be only too pleased to remind you!

A lot of us view clothing for dogs as silly and totally unnecessary but when it comes to the cold it can prove to be very necessary and especially so for the shorter haired breeds of dog and of course the older canines. When it’s cold pop a lovely warm knitted sweater on your dog to keep the chill away from them, you can even purchase some little boots for dogs if you feel your dog would benefit from wearing them. Footwear would be handy in heavy frosts or in the snow to stop your dog’s paws from becoming icy.

If your dog is prone to feeling the cold then try and walk them at a time of day when the temperature has had a chance to warm up a bit. Probably around mid-morning or dinnertime would be best. First thing in the morning it’ll be very cold and then throughout the afternoon the temperature will start to plummet once again.

When the weather’s especially wet and windy try and coax your pooch to wear a waterproof coat as this will help to protect them not only from the rain but also from the cold wind. Many people think that just because dogs are younger that they’ll be fine and don’t really require much protection from the cold, this is true in some ways as generally it’s the older dogs that are prone to conditions like arthritis. As they always say though prevention is better than cure. If you protect your younger dog now it’ll help in the future when he/she ages.

If your dog happens to be caught out in the rain without a coat then always ensure you dry them thoroughly, not forgetting important areas such as behind their front legs, their chests and their paws. Don’t forget if you walk in the snow with your canine chum that it’s not just cold it’s also wet, so it’s vital to dry your pooch off thoroughly when you return. Try not to stay out for hours upon hours either in the snow with your dog, as they’ll become very cold and wet.

So as you can see most of the winter ideas regarding keeping your dog warm are basically just commonsense. Remember just as you and I like nothing more than to change our wet clothes when we return from a walk your dog likes to feel dry and warm too, dogs can’t change their clothing so ensure you make them comfortable.

There are a few options when it comes to offering your dog some help. The first step is to try and ignore your dog’s fear as the more you fuss the more you’re simply telling your dog that he/she is right to be concerned. If they’re looking for a cosy retreat then let them look, don’t try and stop them from finding a place that they can feel safe in.

Always ensure their last visit to the garden or last walk is prior to it becoming dark, my advice would be not to let them off lead either, as you never know when the fireworks are going to start. The last thing you want is for your dog to bolt through being scared. It always seems a long time before you can let them out again I know but they will be fine and they’ll prefer to wait than be put out when all the fireworks are going off. You can always pop some newspaper down if you’re concerned and if your dog’s that desperate they will use it.

Turn the volume up on the TV or play some music louder than normal, if your dog is happy enough to play a game with you then this is a terrific way to help them forget the noise.

This year I’ve been using a sound therapy CD with my dogs, this can be a drawn out procedure so not advised for a quick fix solution. The CD works on several different levels and begins with desensitisation, basically the firework sounds are played at the lowest level to start with and when you feel your dog has accepted this you increase the volume slowly but surely until the sounds can be played loud without your dog being scared. Then you move on to counter-conditioning by playing the sound in the background whilst your dog is doing something he/she enjoys such as playing or eating.

If you start early enough with the sound therapy method, it can prove to be very successful but as said you have to leave plenty of time before the fireworks begin.

As a last resort some dog owners turn to sedation for their dog if they’re really that bad and not coping at all well but I personally feel this should be the last option to consider as there can be side effects from the medication.

Good luck to all the dog owners out there for the 5th Nov, keep safe and try and keep your pooches as happy as possible.

The answer to this question depends greatly on the breed of the puppy. The giant breeds of the canine world should really receive restricted exercise until they reach at least 18 months old; the bigger dogs are prone to orthopaedic problems and for this reason, it is best to wait until their bones have fully formed.

Young puppies tend to tire themselves out quickly and you’ll notice them running around one minute and then flaking out for a quick nap the next. Don’t be tempted to disturb them and force them to run around anymore simply leave them to rest, if you have children ensure they learn the ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ motto at an early age. Keep an eye on young pups as if you have a particularly determined one it will do its upmost to keep up with you during play, you’ll have to be the one to put a stop to the play when you feel they’ve had enough.

If you have more than one puppy in the household, it’s even more important to supervise their exercise as they’ll run around together and tire quickly. If one’s more energetic than the others it will probably attempt to wind the others up and keep them playing! When your puppy reaches around 5-6 months of age you can begin to take them on longer walks but still be observant and watch for signs of tiredness. At this tender age their bones will still be growing and will be susceptible to injury. Avoid your pup jumping up too much; young and delicate joints can be damaged easily by excessive jumping.

Of course, during all of this time it’s vital that you socialise your puppy by exposing him/her to as many different environments as possible, this can be started at a young age as your pup can be carried around. Simply take them to different locations such as busy shopping centres and parks and also let them experience various things like riding on buses and trains.

When your young puppy is heading towards a year old you can up the tempo with their exercise, now they can go for longer walks, start jogging with you and even begin agility classes. Always remember that exercise plays a key factor in your dog’s well-being without it they’ll soon become bored and restless, an exercised pooch is a happy pooch!

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Each time your dog barks it’s trying to relay a message across to you so instead of asking your dog to be quiet instantly try and decipher the reasoning behind the bark, sometimes owners and non-owners are too quick to shout at a dog for barking as it’s seen as an annoyance. Your dog could actually be warning you that there’s a stranger about or that they’ve heard an unfamiliar noise outside that needs to be investigated.

If a dog’s taken by surprise they might let out a bark. One of mine came across a tree that had fallen in the high winds, it was strewn across our normal pathway in the woods and she wouldn’t stop barking at it. In the end I had to take another route with her as there was no way on earth she was passing the tree!

Dogs can also bark to instigate play either with another dog or with their owner. They can also bark to show their distress for instance if you leave a dog ‘home alone’ and it suffers from separation anxiety it may make a high-pitched sounding bark. This type of bark generally becomes higher pitched the more distressed the dog becomes.

Emotions are conveyed via a dog’s bark and once you become used to your dog you will be   able to instantly read the way they’re feeling simply by the sound of their bark. A deep bark will normally indicate a guarding mood and a warning signal, the bark will usually be repetitive and continue until the dog’s satisfied that the ‘problem’ has vanished. A playful bark will be high pitched and excited and generally be short, this type of bark can be heard when a dog’s excited about going for a walk or wishing to play.

Dogs don’t just communicate their emotions to their owners via their barking they let one another know how they’re feeling too, just like you and I would smile or laugh if we’re feeling happy a dog may bark excitedly. Growling is another form of communication used and is often associated with aggression but it can portray playfulness too, an aggressive growl will generally begin quite low and rumbling and then progress if the dog feels that the warning hasen’t been heeded.

So next time your pooch barks or growls stop and listen and see if you can determine the nature of the sound, this will help you to bond with your canine chum too as the more you can understand them the closer you’ll become.

The important thing is to always plan ahead; don’t run the risk of being bitterly disappointed upon arrival when you discover dogs aren’t allowed! More and more beaches are now accepting dogs but you’ll probably come across certain rules, some will actually corner off a section purposely for visiting pooches. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing although you may feel restricted at least you can still walk your canine companion on a lovely, sandy beach.

Some beaches permit dogs at certain times of the day throughout the busy summer months, generally when the beaches aren’t so packed with people. This is a good thing as crowds of people and excited dogs don’t always mix that well with one another, all the flying sand and wet paw scenario doesn’t appeal to everyone.

There are beaches where dogs are strictly prohibited throughout the summer but more than welcome throughout the winter. This is perfect for a quieter walk although remember on the popular surfing beaches you’ll still discover several people as for them the winter surf is usually better than the summer surf as the waves are higher. If a beach welcomes dogs then it’s guaranteed to have a doggy bin somewhere if not on the actual beach then in the car-park area. Always clean-up after your pooch as it’s not only hygienic it’s good manners.

If you fancy a cliff top walk with your dog, just remember the cliff edge is very steep and keep your dog on a lead if you can’t keep it close to you without one. Take care with throwing toys for your dog, as they won’t consider that their ball has just flown over the edge of the cliff and it’s not safe to chase it, your dog will fly over the edge to catch it.

Fields and woodlands are other popular destinations for dog walks. If your dog’s not used to livestock then ensure you pop it on a lead when passing through fields containing animals, this is for your dog’s safety as much as for the animals. A startled animal can easily injure a dog with a swift kick so be careful not to let your pooch run around trying to say ‘hello’ to all the animals.

Woodlands are great places to enjoy a lovely dog walk just be careful not to lose your place! The problem with woods is that all the trees look the same and you can’t always rely on your ‘best friend’ to guide you back to the car! The best option is to remain on a main pathway, the moment you venture off on little side routes is the moment you become lost. If it’s a new wood to you beware of ponds looming up on you when you least expect them, the last thing you want is for your dog to take an unexpected dip in a pond. Your dog probably wouldn’t be too keen on the idea either as the water will probably be quite dirty.

Apply some good old common sense when you’re out and about with your pooch and you’ll both be fine. Enjoy the warm and dry weather whilst it’s with us!

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