Lara James Puppy training at home begins with everyday care: showing your puppy where to toilet, providing safe chewing outlets and helping them feel comfortable around you. Start with short, reward-based learning opportunities. Your puppy does not need to master a list of commands immediately. This guide explains the first priorities and links to detailed tutorials for … Read more
To stop counter surfing, prevent your dog from finding food on worktops and teach a practical alternative, such as resting in a safe place during meal preparation. Finding even an occasional snack can make checking the counter worthwhile again. Training therefore works best alongside consistent food storage and kitchen management. This guide covers reaching for … Read more
Teaching your dog to settle starts with making rest comfortable and worthwhile. Choose a quiet setting, notice naturally relaxed behaviour and introduce small amounts of ordinary household activity gradually. A dog lying down while watching your hands intensely may be waiting for another instruction rather than relaxing. Look beyond the position itself. This guide explains … Read more
To reduce unwanted digging, first look at where your dog digs and what happens beforehand. Digging for an interesting smell, creating a resting spot and trying to escape can require different responses. Start by securing vulnerable areas and supervising garden time. Where appropriate, offer a designated digging space and reward your dog for using it. … Read more
If your dog chews furniture, begin by preventing access to vulnerable surfaces and providing suitable alternatives. Then look at when the chewing happens and what may be contributing to it. Chewing is a normal dog behaviour. The practical goal is to direct it toward appropriate items while addressing any discomfort, frustration or distress behind destructive … Read more
To stop a dog jumping up, teach and reward an alternative before their paws leave the floor. Standing comfortably near a person is a useful starting goal; sitting is optional. Begin with quiet practice and a cooperative adult. Manage busy arrivals separately so your dog does not have to learn during the most exciting moment. … Read more
A dog may bark when you stop playing, whine while you prepare a walk or vocalise when you sit down to work. Sometimes these behaviours become a learned way to obtain interaction. However, barking and whining can also communicate discomfort, worry or an unmet need. Before changing your response, look at the situation rather than … Read more
A passing pedestrian, a knock or the doorbell can quickly send a dog rushing toward the front of the house. Some dogs are excited about an arrival; others are concerned about unfamiliar people or sounds. To reduce window and doorbell barking, make the environment easier first. Then practise small parts of the situation separately before … Read more
To reduce excessive dog barking, first identify when it happens and what your dog may be responding to. Barking at passing people, barking during play and barking when left alone can require different approaches. Begin by reducing avoidable triggers, meeting your dog’s needs and teaching an appropriate alternative in manageable situations. Some barking is normal … Read more
Barking, jumping, chewing and digging can make everyday life challenging. But the same behaviour can happen for different reasons, so an effective response starts with understanding the situation. Some problems involve ordinary dog behaviours happening in inconvenient places. Others may reflect fear, frustration, discomfort or difficulty coping. This guide helps you choose an appropriate starting … Read more