Preparing for your puppy’s first summer vacation can require some careful planning. Kerry Martin from Puppy Tales tells us about her dog’s first trip to the Great Ocean Road. Photos: Kerry Martin, Puppy Tales Summer was just four months young when she headed off on her first summer vacation with us and her fur-brother, Keiko, […]
Summer is famous for storms, and along with storm season comes reason to fear for some of our four-legged friends. By Sophia Auld. Shortly after I met my husband, he took me out for a beachside picnic. But our romantic evening was interrupted by a phone call around 9pm. “We’ve got your dog,” the stranger […]
We look at the five essential training milestones every puppy must reach Everyone knows that puppies need training, but where do you start? When you bring your new puppy home, what are the most important skills and behaviours you need to start teaching him? Let’s take a look at five key puppy training milestones you […]
It’s far easier to teach your pooch good habits from the start than to retrain your dog later. Danielle Chenery asks the experts for their top tips on stopping dogs from jumping up. Nothing says “I love you” like the full-bodied greeting of an excited pooch jumping on its master after any absence, long or […]
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our dogs just don’t want to behave. Laura Greaves investigates what can be done to train a stubborn pooch. These days, Duchess the Groodle is the model of a well-behaved family pet. Seven years ago, however, it was a very different story. Despite owner Pam Brossman’s diligent efforts to […]
It’s a vital skill your four-legged friend must learn. Carrol Baker finds out how to attain the perfect recall. In off-leash dog parks across Australia there’s always at least one. A bouncy, happy hound that pointedly ignores its master in pursuit of a ball, or perhaps a new doggy friend. Despite plaintive calls, heartfelt […]
Do you know how to calm your pet down when he gets into a frenzy of excitement? Tim Falk reports. A happy, excited dog is a wonderful sight to behold: bouncing up and down, tail wagging her entire body, unable to sit still and every fibre of her being seemingly bursting with energy and unbridled […]
Fetch is a simple game loved by pooches and their owners alike. Danielle Chenery provides you with the steps to get started and a few extensions for those who’ve already mastered the game. Dock diving, anyone? One of life’s simple joys is taking your dog to the local park for a game of fetch. […]
Sit, stay, come — Tim Falk examines the seven training commands every dog should know. Sit and stay As far as dog training commands go, they don’t come any more basic than sit and stay. “Commands such as sit, down and stay are basic instructions that should be learnt to facilitate everyday life and activities,” says Katie Catherwood from Heads […]
It’s common for dogs to be a little over-protective of their bowl or favourite toy. But, as Kristie Bradfield discovers, behaviour like this can become dangerous if it’s not addressed. Dogs are funny creatures. When they find something they love, they’ll love it until there’s nothing left to love. And they’ll protect and guard it […]
