Tips and advice from some of the top names in the dog world.
THE EXPERT PANEL
TAMSIN DURSTON is a canine behaviour officer in Dogs Trust’s canine behaviour and research team.
TONY CRUSE is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers.
VICKY PAYNE
BVetMed, MRCVS is a holistic vet based in East Sussex.
HOLLY MASH
BVSc, MRCVS specialises in herbal medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition.
JOANNE ANGUS
LCGI is a founder member of the Guild of Master Groomers.
JOHN BURNS
BVMS, MRCVS is a vet, and founder of feed company Burns Pet Nutrition.
STEPHEN JENKINSON is access adviser to Your Dog, The Kennel Club, and local councils.
TRAINING SHORT AND SWEET!
Q What’s the ideal length of a training session at home and why?
Martin Stringer, Wiltshire.
TONY SAYS: Effectively training your dog at home involves short and frequent sessions to maintain interest. It’s essential to keep a dog engaged and eager to learn. Dogs have limited attention spans, so avoid long sessions where they may become frustrated and disinterested, potentially leading to more mistakes.
Instead, aim for several three-minute training sessions throughout the day. However, don’t be overly strict with the clock. Incorporate training into daily activities; for example, during a TV commercial break, teach your dog to sit or lie down. As you stand up and your dog follows suit, sit back down and wait for him to lie down. The moment he does, use the cue “Down”, offer praise, and possibly a treat. This process ‘captures’ the behaviour and your dog associates it with the cue word. With repetition, your dog will hear “Down” and perform the action because he remembers the positive attention and reward that it brings.
Incorporating short, interactive training moments into your daily routine helps your dog learn and keeps him engaged without becoming overwhelmed.
GROOMING DIY nail trimming?
Q Which do you recommend — trimming your dog’s claws yourself or getting them done at the groomer’s/vet’s? Is there a charge for this?
Hayley Burgess, London.
JOANNE SAYS: If you are confident handling your dog and confident in your ability to trim the nails correctly you can do them yourself. However, I find m
