Blog
2020 – a year of award wins, finals and 4th Birthdays!
Albany Pet Services was delighted to have been recognised by Lux Life Magazine’s Pet Product and Service awards.They won Best Bespoke Pet Care & Training Services Provider - Hertfordshire & Excellence Award for Innovative Puppy Training Sessions –...
What’s in a tail wag?
A dog wagging their tail means they’re happy right? Well not always.. it depends on context and the position of the wag and speed. Some breeds of dogs obviously don’t wag their tails as they are too short – pug’s and British bulldog’s for example so that makes it...
What do dog training and slot machines have in common?
Variable rates of reinforcement keep people hooked on social media and gambling. When people post on Facebook the little red icon in the top right hand corner that someone has liked our post can be addictive – we sometimes go back and forth to check how many likes...
Why is my adolescent dog so worried?
When does it happen? The time the fear period can happen in adolescent dogs can depend on the breed of the dog and their age and growth range but generally it’s between 6 – 18 months. It’s important to remember that some dogs as a breed can be more sensitive than...
Hormones – why these can have an effect on a dog’s recall
As your dog has got older have you noticed that they are more independent and braver, and exploring things that they wouldn’t have done before? Depending on the breed, with larger dogs taking longer to be fully grown if they are between 4 -6 months they may be hitting...
Why should you bother enrolling on to puppy classes?
Welcoming a new puppy home can be an exciting time but also an overwhelming one! Dr Google has a mind field of information (a lot of it is outdated and inaccurate and can actually cause long term damage and/or suggest methods that suppress current challenges leading...
How to stop puppies needle sharp teeth from hurting you
Why do puppies mouth and nip? Puppies explore the world with their mouths. They need to learn and we need to teach them that our hands are not play-things (it hurts!) and any contact with our skin results in the fun stopping. Puppies are teething and their teeth will...
How to socialise your new puppy
What is socialisation? There is a critical socialisation period is thought to be 3- 12 weeks. During this window of a time it’s imperative that a puppy has been carefully exposed to a range of different experiences in a controlled and managed way. Socialisation refers...
Reasons why puppies cry and how to help them
Crates Crates are helpful in providing a safe space for your dog. It’s important that it is a safe space and not a confinement or time out area. A crate needs to be somewhere the dog enjoys hanging out in – pop a blanket in there, and their toys and leave the door...
How to improve choice and control for your cat
Lack of choice can lead us to feel helpless, it can lead us to feel we don’t have control over our situation or our life. When we feel we have a lack of control over our situation we may feel stressed, angry or we may even display symptoms of learned helplessness – an...
Tips on how to keep your puppy safe in your home
You have a new puppy! This is an exciting time but a huge responsibility. Here are some tips on puppy proofing your home: The Kitchen Make sure your puppy isn’t unsupervised in the kitchen as they may jump up on chairs and head towards the table with food on or on...
What puppy is right for me?
When thinking about the breed of dog to get it’s important to consider whether your lifestyle, location and home is suitable for their needs. If you have a garden is it suitably fenced in and is the fence tall enough? Some dogs when they grow easily jump over fences....
What to think about before you get a puppy
Aside from the budget considerations of costs of veterinary insurance, training, equipment, food, holiday care, and dog walkers (if you need one) and family considerations such as any existing allergies here are some things to research: Different breeds have different...
Do you have a cat? Here are important lessons about litter trays
Cat pee is really whiffy! It can be embarrassing, upsetting and smelly if you cat soils in your home. Prevention is better than cure so here are a list of ways to help your cat pee and poop where you’d like them to. I’ve categorised some ‘do’s and do not’s’ for you...
Anthropomorphism – what is it and why does it matter?
Jane Goodall has famously been slated for anthropomorphising chimps. She argues, however that perceiving things simply from a scientific viewpoint gives us grounds to do abhorrent things. Indeed, Dr Susan Friedman explains that science tells us what we can and can’t...
How to work out the reason for your dog’s behavior
Dog training is much more than obedience and teaching cues and commands. To have a happy, resilient and well-behaved dog it’s imperative to look at the dog’s behaviour and think about what dogs need, as well as simply training them. We always need to think about...
Puppy Training – how to prevent problem behaviour with your puppy
You've welcomed your new puppy home! Congratulations. There are many things you can do to set you and your puppy up for success. Here are some guidelines: Feeding When your puppy is eating regularly walk past and drop some food into their bowl, this will help to teach...
How to choose a professional dog trainer, dog walker and pet sitter
Your pet is a member of your family. You want someone who will care for your pet with respect, compassion and care. When choosing a pet care professional here are some considerations and questions to ask. Choosing a dog walker or pet sitter Insurance – It’s imperative...
On yer bike! Palace to Palace – The Princes Trust
After starting Albany Pet Services 3.5 years ago we launched the business with a 3k loan from the Princes Trust charity. Lisa had to write a business plan and submit it to a panel of 'dragons!' - they were actually experienced business mentors and very friendly...
Lisa reaches the final of the Best Business Women Awards
Lisa reached the final of the Best Business Women Awards in the 'Best Young Entrepreneur' category. Albany Pet Services founder, Lisa, was delighted to have reached the final and attend a fantastically fun gala evening at the Tower Hill Hotel in London on 11th October...