Dogs are curious, adventurous, and sometimes… downright disgusting. Not all dogs, though. We have two: one loves to roll in the most horrid things — cow pats, dead foxes, birds, deer. The other is as disgusted as we are. It begs the question: Why Do Dogs Roll in Stinky Stuff? If you’ve ever watched your…
Our dogs have a toy basket. We managed to train them to get toys from it, but not to put them back. That part’s left to me. More than once I’ve picked up a chew drenched in slobber and thought, surely that cannot be healthy. Dogs being dogs though, they love stinky stuff. Lemon-fresh scents,…
One of the least glamorous but unavoidable parts of dog ownership is cleanup. For multi-dog households, kennels, or even dog sitters, that chore is made less of a hassle when you’re equipped with one of the best dog poop scoopers that’s designed for the ground you’ll use it on. Rakes for all terrain, shovels for…
A practical reading guide for Staffy owners — organised by topic, expert, and problem. The Staffy Club started out as a simple blog about raising Staffies. As it’s grown — and as I’ve grown with it — one thing has become clear: no single person is an expert in every part of the dog world….
I was surprised to come across a rather heated online discussion: Why teach your dog stay? Should it be an actual command, or should it be implied when you tell your dog to sit or lie down? I hadn’t given it much thought before. For me, “stay” (or in my case, “wait”) is a must-have…
Short-haired dogs still need regular brushing, even if their coat looks low-maintenance at first glance. A weekly once-over with a soft-bristle brush or rubber curry comb helps remove loose hair, spreads natural oils, keeps their skin healthy, and cuts down on shedding around the house. The trick is to work in small areas, brush in…
🛈 This Post Has Been Archived This article was originally published in March 2025.I’ve now replaced it with a more in-depth guide on the subject: 👉 Understanding Separation Anxiety in Dogs You’re welcome to read this older version, and comments, though, you’ll probably get much more value from the new updated post linked to above….
The cliff notes: For dogs that struggle to settle alone, the biggest improvements come from calm departures, gentle desensitisation to your leaving cues, and slowly practising short absences. Comfort, enrichment, and steady routines help support the process. A behaviourist or vet can step in if things feel too big to handle alone. When your dog’s…
Setting up a dog crate isn’t just about picking the right size—it’s about choosing the best items to make it comfortable, safe, and practical for your dog’s needs. The right setup can help prevent boredom, reduce anxiety, and ensure your dog is happy and secure when crated. The Essentials for a Dog Crate There are…