Teaching a dog to read

"Just give me a comfortable couch, a dog, a good book, and a woman."

Can Bull Terriers drop toys?

I met a new client the other week with a fabulous Bull Terrier who found it very hard to drop on command. So this week we started to work on this using our normal method of getting the dog to leave treats on the floor & gradually building it up to leaving toys, followed by dropping toys.

The training was going really well for the clients & Eddie, until he decided to take his toy to his basket to lie down for a good chew!

Can cats & dogs live together?

Recently, I was training a young Standard Poodle who shared the house with two cats. I always check with clients to see if there are any issues between the pets as having grown up with cats & dogs in the house at the same time, I know a number of socialisation techniques to help as once the situation is accepted by all parties, I know how well they can all get on & there is usually a lot of entertainment to be had from watching them as the relationship develops.

The poodle was obviously very happy with the arrangement, as were the cats despite the obvious size difference. After a while, we had a time out from training as I chatted with the client about the next session. At this point, one of the cats saw her opportunity & walked along the mantelpiece above the fireplace & looked squarely at the poodle. The poodle, obviously used to this behaviour, turned around & sat directly in front of the cat & was now at the same eye level as his feline friend.