behaviour

60 Seconds with Ann Baslington-Davies – expert canine witness

Ann Baslington-Davis is a Canine Behaviour Analyst, specialising as an expert witness for Court cases involving dog bites and fights.  An expert witness would be called into assist where a dog has bitten (or alleged to have bitten) a person whilst out in a public place or on private property, or if a dog has […]

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Dogs are eating 54,000 extra calories annually

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Over-indulgence can lead to weight-gain in humans and it is the same for pets.  Whilst many owners carefully manage their dog’s diet, a new survey indicates the average owner is feeding their dog an extra 54,000 calories a year, in addition to their daily meals. The research, conducted by food manufacturer Royal Canin, investigated how […]

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“Nip it in the bud!”

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Five words that sum up an owner’s frustration about their dog’s problem behaviour.  Five words I have heard so often if they were airmiles I would be heading to the States right now.  Five words that also make me twitch… Can unwanted behaviour be ‘nipped in the bud’? In some cases, yes. Managing your dog’s […]

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Poop-eating habits in dogs

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One of the most common problems owners speak to me about is their dog’s habit of eating poop.  Known as coprophagy, this behaviour can be extremely upsetting as even the most tolerant owners find this habit disgusting, making their otherwise affectionate dog repulsive.  Consequently, poop-eating can impact the owner-dog bond. Although there are various theories […]

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Lucy’s Law – proposed ban on puppy and kitten farming

A positive step forward in promoting greater health and welfare for puppies and kittens has been made.  DEFRA announced a consultation on the ‘banning of commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens in England’.  If this becomes law, it will ban pet stores, dealers and other outlets from selling puppies and kittens at less than […]

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Sizing up the competition via scent

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Urine marking is the canine equivalent of a graffiti artist leaving a tag to mark their territory.  Not only does scent marking serve to cover up scents left by neighbourhood canines, it also provides precious information to others: from when that individual passed by, the animal’s state of health and emotional state to age, gender and […]

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Genetic variants may explain why dogs are friendly to humans

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In recent years, advances in genetic research have led to the discovery of genes involved in dog traits that include; coat colour, size and personality.  Now scientists have found structural variants in genes on chromosome 6 which is associated with human-directed social behaviours, which may explain why dogs are typically friendly to humans. The study, […]

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Webcast: Moving house – tips for dog owners

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A pet’s survival guide… Moving house can be an incredibly exciting yet stressful time for us humans, and it can affect our pets too.  Dogs like status quo and they are intuitive creatures; a combination of their environment changing and picking up on our frazzled emotions may lead to some unwanted dog behaviours. Watch our […]

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Webcast: Choosing the right pet care for your dog

I’m often asked by owners what factors they should consider when choosing their pet carer – whether that’s because work means their dog has to be left alone for periods of time during the day, or they are going on holiday.  Having run a successful pet care and behaviour business for over ten years, you […]

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Are dogs selfish?

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Man and dog have been together for thousands of years, forging a relationship that most would consider is mutually beneficial.  Hollywood created one of the most enduring images of Fido and the incredible bond we share with the incarnation of Lassie.  He was a Collie with the heart of a lion and the navigational skills […]

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