Big-dog-little-handler: oh how they test us.

We have had endless progress with Duke off the lead. We have been in the sea and up and down the beach. It’s been blissful. The progress has really surprises me. I love watching him run free! We have even been able to distract him from horses, runners, strange walkers/runners with sticks and other dogs....

Big-dog-little-handler: pawly puppy!

Duke has not been himself. He’s had kennel cough. Kennel cough is a infection, which is similar to a chest infection in humans, that is highly contagious. There are several things that can lead to kennel cough and they often work in tandem to cause the condition. Dogs are most susceptible to kennel cough when...

Big-dog-little-handler: Santa paws is coming to town.

It’s Duke’s first woofmas with us! My wonderful boy has come on leaps a bounds since we took him home. I was still very worried a big family Christmas might be one hurdle too large. I had visions of our wee beast knocking over the old ladies and crashing into the Christmas tree. First battle...

Big-dog-little-handler: when your dog is the biggest dog in the dog park.

Today we braved the “big dog walk”. On Saturdays our dog training group take all their pooches out for a walk together. Sounds idyllic doesn’t it? For us it’s our worst nightmare; people for Duke to annoy and dogs for Duke to wind up. Now it sounds like I am being very mean to my...

Big-dog-little-handler: finding a balance.

Duke seems to be doing really well lately, training is going much better than I ever thought it would. We are still hitting a few hiccups every now and then; Duke still gets over excited and he picks a new thing to be afraid of every few days. Today it’s the iron but I suppose...

Big-dog-little-handler: If Duke wrote a blog.

If Duke wrote this post it would probably go a little like this;  My name is Duke! I am a fearless, lion hunting dog. I love long walks and jumping! I love the sea but only on my toes because no one likes a cold belly. I like warm blankets, peanut butter, cuddles with my...

Big-dog-little-handler: When training pays off.

Dog training can be wonderful when everything goes well. Sometimes it doesn’t always translate to the real word; in the same way the real world doesn’t always translate to training class. It’s great when both worlds come together and your pooch behaves like a model citizen.  Our lovely pup isn’t always on best behaviour when...

The things every newbie at obedience training should be told.

First thing; It gets better..... or rather you and your dog get better ... you really do. Training does help. You both improve with time. It just takes work. No ones perfect first time. Promise. It’s totally okay to forget your right from your left! AND to get out on the floor and forget everything...

Big-dog-little-handler: First week of obedience classes.

I have a very large baby: My mastiff-cross-Rhodesian-Ridgeback is approaching 6 stone, very muscular and pretty long! I am not the biggest person in the world at a just bellow average 5ft2 weighing in at over 9 stone. The most common, unsolicited, comment I receive is regarding my dog’s size in comparison to mine. They often go as...