The Mutty Professor blog
Check out our ever growing resource of free dog training and behaviour articles
How to choose a puppy
Choosing a breed, a line, gender, and a colour When choosing a puppy, consider the breed, line, gender, and colour that will best suit your lifestyle and preferences. I’ve chosen a show line Border Collie because I want a dog to run with, to do training with, and because I love the breed. I decided…
How to use a long line safely
Understanding long lines Whether your dog is in recall practice, has a high prey drive, needs reassurance, or is over-reactive towards other dogs, knowing how to use a long line can make all the difference! Choosing the right long line Types of long lines Lengths of long lines Handling the long line Preventing knots Handling…
How to socialise your puppy
Understanding the socialisation phase The sensitive socialisation phase occurs between 5-16 weeks of age, with the window starting to close around 12 weeks. While some puppies may adapt well to delayed social opportunities, it's essential for most to start experiencing the world as soon as possible. This should be after an initial settling-in period in…
Preparing for your new puppy’s arrival
Arrival time We’ve coordinated the pick-up and journey to arrive home as early as possible. This will be midday, so the puppy has as long as possible to get used to their surroundings before bedtime. The dogs will be out on a walk when we arrive, so my puppy can get their bearings before meeting…
Setting the foundations for a happy puppy
Toilet training The pressure is off with toilet training. It’s really not a race and there’s no ‘normal’ for when pups get this nailed. Stress from relocating and adjusting to a new home will make him drink more and thus wee more. I must have got him outside about 20 times on day one (11.30am…
The emotional rollercoaster and challenges of raising a puppy
The pressures of puppy ownership There is now so much pressure for people to have ‘the perfect puppy’. Internet forums are full of people seeking advice for problem behaviours, detailing health issues, out-of-control dogs, dog attacks, or accidents. These stories can make some owners anxious, leading to intense micro-management of a puppy’s daily movements, which…
What to train and when to train your puppy
Settling-in period Stress inhibits learning and appetite, so your puppy may need some time to adjust to their new home after relocating. Reinforce what you like from the start Tune into unprompted behaviours you like, such as waiting patiently for their toy or food, and reinforce these. Avoid reinforcing behaviours you don’t like. Remember, not…
How to stop your dog jumping up at people during greetings
Reframing the question The answer to stopping your dog from jumping up lies in rephrasing the question. It should be: “How do I stop people overstimulating or overwhelming my puppy, causing them to jump?” Managing puppy interactions While some dogs may jump up regardless of people’s actions, it’s crucial to manage how people behave around…
Our guide to promoting safe chewing for your dog
The importance of chewing for dogs Chewing is an essential activity for dogs, providing mental stimulation and contributing to their overall well-being. Free-ranging dogs spend up to 5% of their day chewing when resources are available (Mujumder, 2014), making it a species-specific behaviour we should promote. Chewing can stimulate the release of dopamine (associated with…
Should I feed my dog before their walk and should I ‘starve’ to train?
Should you feed before or after your dog’s walk? Feeding before walks: Yes or no? My answer: Feed them before their walk, but give plenty of time for digestion. Reasons: Have you ever tried to exercise on an empty stomach? Most athletes will tell you it’s not ideal. The body needs fuel to perform well.…
Tips for running with your dog
Building up exercise gradually Exercise needs to be carefully built up, even for active dogs. Running at your pace may inhibit their self-regulation, such as sniffing, checking in, and slowing down. For instance, we started with a 3k run for Mohawk's first run and gradually increased it to a hilly 4k to allow for breaks.…
Why isn’t my dog’s behaviour improving?
The dog’s internal environment isn’t at optimum To support future learning, our dogs need to be: Your dog’s external environment needs to set them up for success At Home During Walks Are you and everyone else being consistent? Consistency is key. We cannot determine if something is working if the advice is not strictly applied…
