The Mutty Professor blog
Check out our ever growing resource of free dog training and behaviour articles
How to handle mouthing and biting behaviour in puppies and dogs
Why do puppies bite? Puppies can bite for several reasons: During play, puppies can learn bite inhibition, which is the recognition of how hard they can bite before causing pain. If they frequently play with other dogs, the dog's fur and slightly thicker skin (in some instances) may mean that they may find it more…
The crate debate: To crate or not to crate your dog
Why I am against crating I am personally very much against crates, with the exception of if a dog has an injury or needs to be prepared for travelling somewhere. Think about it—how absurd is it that it’s considered normal to confine an animal to such a small cage for prolonged periods, with this space…
Does your dog eat poo?
Why might dogs eat poo? There are a few reasons: Diet and coprophagia In my experience, the vast majority of coprophagia cases are resolved through a change in diet alone. The recent example that prompted me to write about it was a puppy class graduate who told me that their puppy stopped eating dog poo…
Fussy eaters and grazers
This article was featured on allaboutdogfood.co.uk, the UK’s top canine nutrition site. It was reviewed and endorsed by the website’s creator, David Jackson, who stated: “It’s a great article and raises some interesting issues that I don’t think many have considered before.” Fussy eaters This post applies to dogs and cats, so read on if…
What should you look for in a pet care service?
Here at Mutty Professor, we are passionate about providing top-notch pet care and enjoy working alongside others who share our dedication. Anyone can set up as a dog walker, and I (Roz) did over seven years ago with no qualifications and very basic experience. I made quite a few mistakes along the way. Thankfully, nothing…
Does your dog really want a tummy rub?
Recognising body language Our puppy class attendees are asked to give five body language observations as part of their homework, and every month we get numerous owners saying ‘lies/rolls over for a tummy rub’. The common misconception that dogs rolling over want a tummy rub is sadly a contributing factor to dog bites, as unaware…
Teaching people how to behave around your dog
Pre-empting encounters It goes without saying, we can’t expect to go around giving everyone we meet instructions. The more you do it, the more likely you’ll meet someone who will object to being told what to do. However, don’t wait for something you don’t want to happen and try to repair the situation. Work to…
Roz’s equipment recommendations
The H harness Not just any ol’ harness, but a nice H design (look down to your dog’s back and you should see an H shape). Otherwise known as a Y harness (look at your dog head-on and the harness should be shaped like a Y on the front). This harness design suits most dogs,…
The importance of responsible dog interaction: “He only wants to play!”
Understanding the issue It’s unlike me to complain publicly about dogs running up to on-lead dogs as I feel the issue is more than adequately addressed by frustrated owners nationwide. However, I am going to take a moment to share some recent experiences and my thoughts about dogs running over from great distances to ANY…
Getting your dogs routine right
Assessing your dog's routine When I conduct a behaviour consultation or training session, I assess the dog’s life from all angles, and this always involves looking at their routine. Often, to help dogs respond to behaviour modification, I suggest tweaking their routine. These tweaks consider the natural behaviour of the dog as a species and…
Caring for your senior dog: managing canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD)
Introduction to Denzel Some of our long-standing followers will know of Denzel, my (Roz) senior dog. I got Denzel as a rescue in the first year of business, in 2010. At the time, he was aged 4-5, which makes him currently a whopping 13-14 years of age! And he’s still going!! Slowing down but still…
Firework advice for dog owners
Preparing for fireworks If your dog is okay with fireworks, don’t take this for granted! It doesn’t matter if they’re a puppy, adult or a senior dog. Sound sensitivity often develops after a particularly intense episode, such as a firework being let off when a dog is on a walk or in the garden, or…
