Innehållsförteckning för September 2025 från Your Dog

I think it happens to almost all owners; over time, training with our dogs can slip. It’s often not a catastrophic problem but that recall becomes a little rusty, your dog might pull a bit harder, or some of those house rules have become more relaxed. So, as it is September, that’s why we’ve decided it is time for us to go back to school! We asked Denise Armstrong, the Chair of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, to explain why training slips and what we can do to sharpen it up again. Spoiler alert, it’s not too hard to do and it can be a great way of spending time with your canine companion! Check out the lead feature on page eight. Elsewhere in this packed issue, we’ve got…

SPONSORED BY Our resident trainer, Tony Cruse, has allowed us to be a fly on the wall of an online consultation. He is helping Phil, an owner whose Poodle X German Shepherd, Obi, is very excitable and wants to jump up at everyone he meets, and as a big dog that’s causing an issue. Phil doesn’t trust Obi to be off-lead, either. In part one, we saw how Tony discovered more about the issues and ensured that Obi is healthy, and getting the essential nutrition, exercise and stimulation he needs. With that established, here Tony explains how Phil can work on Obi being calmer when visitors arrive at the house and when going out for a walk… Tony: Let’s look at visitors coming into the house. What happens at the moment…

Did you know that each dog breed is grouped together with similar breeds? Different breeds are placed together to help us understand their potential, temperament, and to work out their perfect lifestyle. The Kennel Club makes sure that each dog breed they recognise falls into one of seven groups; let’s take a closer look at each one… GUNDOG Gundogs are breeds which were originally bred to work closely with hunters. The dogs would help in different ways, including locating game, flushing it out, and retrieving it once it has been hunted. Within the gundog group the different breeds include Retrievers, Spaniels, Pointers and Setters, and water dogs. Each of the types helps to identify what role the breeds are best at – some are versatile and can do all of…

BUDDY AND LOLA SUPER TUMMY DAILY PLUS Buddy and Lola has launched its most advanced digestive supplement yet, Super Tummy Daily Plus. The new product follows on from the success of Super Tummy Daily. Designed specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs, the new formulation raises the bar by introducing postbiotics, slippery elm and blueberries. This enhanced supplement blends the powerful trio of prebiotics, probiotics, and now postbiotics – beneficial compounds produced during fermentation that support immune response and gut lining integrity. Alongside this, slippery elm works to naturally soothe digestive discomfort, while antioxidant-rich blueberries provide immune support and anti-inflammatory benefits. The formula is proudly manufactured in the UK, using zero fillers, artificial flavourings, or bulking agents, just functional, plant-based ingredients designed to help dogs thrive. Buddy and Lola aims to…

“What I always do in these situations is to try and find out as much as I can about a dog’s backstory.” With over a million followers on social media, Niall Harbison has become recognised for his incredible work rescuing street dogs in Thailand. It’s a mission which has been part of Niall’s journey to overcome and cope with personal demons. And the rescue work has created a movement around the world. Tina is the story of the dog that inspired that movement. In this extract, we visit the point of the story when Niall first rescues the Golden Retriever – a rare breed to find in the country. It’s almost the beginning of Tina’s redemption story and the start of a world-changing friendship; we are sure you’ll want to…

SPONSORED BY One of my favourite jobs is health checks on litters of puppies before they go to their new homes. Both breeders and buyers find it useful for any problems to have been identified in advance of the puppy being collected. The most common problems I find are umbilical hernias, a lack of testicles in male puppies, and dental malocclusions. Today’s litter of Springer puppies included one with a large overbite, meaning his upper jaw is longer than his lower jaw. His lower canine teeth are already digging into the roof of his mouth and he will need to have those teeth removed very soon. His breeder hadn’t noticed a problem as he was active and eating well. In some cases the bite can improve as the puppy grows,…

One minute, well-being dog, Blue, is off-duty, paddleboarding down the River Thames with his handler, Lucy MacLeod, and the next, he’s supporting London firefighters through a distressing or challenging situation, or attending a fire station open day. The two-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd, whom Lucy describes as “an absolute love”, boasts all the qualities required for the role – and much more besides. “Blue found me,” explained Lucy, the Borough Commander for Hammersmith and Fulham, who was looking to fill the “huge vacuum” left in her life after losing her previous dog, Poppy, and wanted a working breed of the right temperament that she could train to do trauma work. With her family hailing from Down Under, Lucy was already familiar with Australian Shepherds, and admired their intelligence, toughness, activity levels,…

SPONSORED BY Can I guard against arthritis? Q I’m so concerned about my Labrador getting arthritis. Our previous Lab had it and spent the last couple of years of his life taking medication; I think he also experienced a lot of discomfort. Our current Lab is now six years old and seems absolutely fine, but is there anything I should be doing now to guard against the condition? What are the signs that a dog is in pain? A Pain can be difficult to spot in dogs, especially in breeds like Labradors who have a ‘mustn’t grumble’ attitude to life. Look for changes in mood, appetite, and enthusiasm. Note whether he seems to be slower on walks, panting more, stiff on rising, or reluctant to play some games, or to…

CROSSWORD Across 1 Musician playing backup for the main performer (7) 5 Yellow-brown pigment used in ancient cave paintings (5) 8 Person fleeing persecution or war (7) 9 Soiled or unclean (5) 10 Scottish city on the River Tay (5) 11 State of physical or mental tiredness (7) 12 Skilled handmade activities (6) 14 Person from Seoul or Pyongyang (6) 17 Collective leaves of a plant (7) 19 Understood without being openly expressed (5) 22 Lacking the ability to move or react (5) 23 Continue despite difficulties (5,2) 24 Showing courage or determination (5) 25 Eighth planet from the sun (7) Down 1 Remove clothing or covering (5) 2 Postpone to a later time (5) 3 Extremely successful song or film (7) 4 Thin pointed tool for sewing (6) 5…

Harnesses are now one of the most common pieces of dog training equipment. Historically, harnesses were typically used for sled dogs and those who pulled small carts carrying milk or other farm produce. In the same way that carriage horses wore well-designed harnesses to make their job easier and avoid health problems or injuries, harnesses for dogs developed varied styles to suit their intended wearer and purpose. Dogs are more likely to wear harnesses today, not for pulling sleds or carts, but to support control and aid training. There are still many working and sporting dogs who wear harnesses for specific functions. Canicross dogs, for example, wear specialised harnesses and run with their person, their harness connected to an elasticated bungee line, which is connected to their person’s running belt.…

We’re pleased to bring you the Your Dog Tourist Guide, a trip across both the UK and the world to find our favourite dog-associated tourist hotspots. From well-known attractions to hidden gems, we’re giving you great places to visit that have a canine connection. Nestled in the Bedfordshire countryside, Wrest Park is a vast 90-acre estate which was home to one of the leading aristocratic families, the de Greys, for over 600 years. Over the centuries, the impressive manor house, ornate gardens, and grounds have been reimagined and reinvigorated many times to include incredible artefacts and garden features. The story of Wrest Park speaks of it being used as a military hospital during the world wars and serving as an agricultural research site for the Silsoe Research Institute. Why does…