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Dog owners are being urged to check their pets carefully after walks as experts warn that tick season is now underway across the UK, with activity increasing as temperatures rise in early spring. Ticks are small parasites that feedon blood and are commonly found in long grass, woodland, parks and countryside paths. While they can be present year-round, they become far more active between March and October. Experts say this time of year often brings a spike in cases, as dogs b

In March last year the Trust were approached by a vet seeking help with a litter of 6 pure bred Labrador puppies who had been taken to the surgery to be euthanased. The puppies had been diagnosed with Neosporosis. Neosporosis is a serious parasitic disease in dogs caused by Neospora caninum, primarily affecting the nervous and muscular systems, particularly in puppies under 6 months. It causes symptoms like hindlimb paralysis, muscle rigidity, and swallowing difficulties, oft

Giving a dog an entire cabbage to shred and playing “wait and see” after a dog has eaten chocolate are just some of the terrible advice given out by Reddit users, according to vets and dog behaviour experts. The community site’s r/DogAdvice and r/DogTrainingTips/ subreddits, amongst some measured and sensible responses, are hives of bad pet advice. And harness and lead specialist TopDog has invited the experts to set the record straight. Searching for dog advice online is an

The clocks have sprung forward, the evenings are stretching out, and somewhere in your garden the dog is already nose-deep in something (probably) unspeakable. Spring has arrived, and with it, the perfect excuse to lean into one of the most underrated activities you can do with your dog: scentwork We know what you're thinking. "Scentwork? That sounds like hard work." It really isn't. At its heart, scentwork is simply giving your dog permission to do what their nose was built

Melon arrived in the UK in early May 2024, part of a group of 10 Spanish Galgos rescued by Galgos del Sol and brought to the UK for homing by Greyhounds in Need. Melon was actually the first of this group to be adopted and it was a lovely home with one of our previous adopters and there was even another galgo in residence so we were all confident that all would be well. I’m happy to say that nearly all of the time all does go well and our galgos settle very well in their new

Young pups should be introduced to the washing experience to get them used to this and the warm, clean, bonding experience. Later on, when they're a bit bigger, they can happily go to a local groomer. They will not be so afraid of new interactions, smells or surrounding. It's so important for the dog and it's coat to look and feel in tip top condition. Regular grooms help the coat stay in great condition, with no matting, no skin conditions and can also help pick up on any lu

Meet Billy! Billy didn't settle in well at doggy daycare and an hour with a dog walker just wasn't enough for the exercise and socialisation he needed. So, with a little persuasion, Billy inspired his pawrent Laura, to leave her job and create something special for him - Billy's Bus. Now every day is a wonderful new adventure for Billy & Laura. We provide a unique service that gives your beloved dogs a minimum of three hours of fun, exercise and socialisation in a safe and ca

Dog owners across the UK are being reminded that from 1 March through to 31 July, dogs should be kept on a lead in many outdoor spaces to protect wildlife during the peak breeding season. The guidance, set out in the Countryside Code and backed by access law, is designed to protect ground-nesting birds and young animals, which are especially vulnerable in spring and early summer. During this period, dogs must be kept on a short lead (no more than 2 metres) on open access land

For millions of dog lovers, allergies present a heartbreaking dilemma. The companionship, comfort, and emotional wellbeing dogs provide are undeniable, yet so too are the sneezing, itching eyes, and breathing difficulties that can follow. In response, certain breeds such as Poodles, Bichon Frise, Schnauzers, Maltese, and Portuguese Water Dogs are frequently promoted as “hypoallergenic,” offering hope to allergy sufferers who dream of owning a dog without the symptoms. But how

What if your dog’s greatest superpower was already switched on… just waiting to be used? I’m Mandy Rigby, a scent work instructor and founder of Canine Scentwork Academy, and my passion is helping dog owners see their dogs differently, not as “just pets”, but as capable beings with extraordinary noses. Scent work taps into the dog’s primary sense, their sense of smell, and it's how they understand the environment. Long before we asked dogs to sit, stay or walk nicely on a lea

Gentle, Natural Support for Skin, Joints, Digestion & Everyday Comfort. Winter can be quietly demanding on dogs. Cold air, wet walks, muddy paws, indoor heating, and reduced movement all place extra pressure on skin, joints, digestion, and general comfort. A thoughtful winter routine focuses on gentle, supportive care — helping your dog stay comfortable without overwhelming their system. Here’s how to support your dog naturally through the colder months Calming Winter Skin &

A recent nationwide survey has revealed 34% of dog owners are unsure about training, with recall, loose-lead walking and reactivity among the most common issues. Telling your dog off by shouting or repeatedly saying “no” is a common way for owners to try discipline their dogs, but past studies have revealed using a negative reinforcement-based methods is actually the least effective method . With gentle parenting becoming more popular as seen in wider parenting discussions an

Dog owners are worried about their dogs’ weight, with searches for “best dog weight” up 20% compared with last year. Queries about cats are on the rise too, with “cat diet” searches jumping by 61% in November 2025 and “overweight cats” up 58%. Animal Behaviourist Hannah Molloy offers expert advice on managing your pet’s physical and emotional wellbeing this year. 27 January 2026: As the new year gets well underway, many of us are looking to settle into healthier habits – and

With dogs spending more time indoors and actively seeking out warm spots, canine experts are warning that this common winter behaviour could be putting pets at risk of skin damage and masking underlying joint pain, potentially leading to costly vet bills if issues go unnoticed. Michael Nelson, canine expert at Kennel Store, a leading UK outdoor dog kennel provider, says prolonged exposure to direct heat can cause lasting skin damage and mask underlying joint pain. “Dogs don’t

Hundreds of people and their dogs marched in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Exeter. London, United Kingdom – On Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February 2026, hundreds of people and their dogs took part in peaceful protests across the UK, demanding an end to hunting with dogs in Spain. The protests, took place in Exeter, Glasgow, Manchester and London, coincide with the end of the Spanish hunting season, when up to 100,000 dogs ––primarily Galgos and Podencos—are abando

The Joy, the Chaos, and the Running in Circles (Usually Literally) Working with Border Collies in rescue is equal parts uplifting, exhausting, and unintentionally comedic. These dogs are brilliant, sensitive, quirky, and occasionally capable of outsmarting every human on the premises—including the one holding the treat bag. The Positives: Watching nervous, shut-down collies slowly switch back on—ears lifting, tails loosening, eyes brightening as they realise the world isn’t a

Shorter walks. Richer sniffs. Simple indoor scent games for winter days. Some dogs seem energised by frost, moving as though the cold air switches them on. If they are fit, well-conditioned and the footing is safe, let them enjoy using that winter energy. For many others, the season naturally shifts the pace. Older dogs, short coated breeds such as the whippet, or those recovering from injury may prefer a shorter, more scent-led walk before returning home to warmth and a snoo

With colder weather returning and more areas facing icy pavements and heavy rainfall, dog owners are being warned that common assumptions about winter walks may be putting their pets at risk. Many dogs react differently to the cold depending on their size, coat type and age and not taking this into consideration can leave dogs struggling far sooner than people realise. Chris Maxted, director of dog safety gate company Dog-G8 and pet safety ad-vocate warns Brits about the win

Remember the song? The days of pet shops and puppies in the window are thankfully almost extinct in this country. However, step forward social media and websites advertising almost anything for free, including dogs and animals of all sizes and breeds. Especially popular are the so called ‘handbag’ dogs who have been specifically overbred for the market. I wonder how many people purchasing these realise just how these puppies are bred and the conditions that they have had to l