Blog
My time at The Ralph
Hello, thank you for coming to read my blog. There’s just a trigger warning before you read it: the blog makes reference to pet loss and wellbeing in the vet community so if these subjects are a trigger for you, you may not wish to continue reading. I was really lucky...
How to prevent resource guarding and possessiveness in puppies
Resource guarding is a really important topic that I don’t think enough people are aware of – I know I wasn’t when I first started working with dogs. Resource guarding can occur when a dog feels threatened that you’re going to take an item that they think is of great...
Brilliant games to play with your dog and cat
Just like humans animals need to be mentally challenged and experience new things or we become bored, less inquisitive and sometimes less intelligent. Like us, if pets are bored they will find their own entertainment. If we’re bored we may overeat or wind people up to...
Dog training – Oh, is that a rescue?
On a few separate occasions I’ve been out walking dogs and I’ve been asked if they're rescue dogs. One of the dog’s was on the lead, as requested by her guardian, due to her recall. The other dog is a bit nervous around dogs bouncing up to her (fair enough!) while...
Here are puppy training tips for you – The 10 commandments!
Congratulations, you’ve welcomed a new puppy into your heart and home. Here’s a list of commandments to follow when you embark on your new life with your puppy: If you have a crate for your puppy then make their crate a safe haven ; somewhere where a puppy enjoys...
Cat Sitters talk about what cats love and need to be happy
Get creative with cardboard! Those of you who have cats will know that they love cardboard and high places. A chap called Sam combined these two things an made an enchanted cardboard house for his cherished kitty Denni:...
Why does my cat eat that thing?! Have you heard of the behaviour pica?
Pica is also known as eating and/or chewing non- nutritious substances like cloth, wool or plastic bags. It’s common in oriental breeds such as the Siamese, Tokenise and Burmese, which suggests there may be a genetic component to the behaviour. John Bradshaw, in his...
Dog training and behaviour. What is positive reinforcement?
There’s some terminology in the animal training world that I think can be easy to get confused about so I wanted to list some information about positive and negative reinforcement and punishment. With positive I think of a plus sign so it's always adding something and...
Ask the cat sitter – “Why does my cat do that?”
As cat sitters in St Albans and Harpenden we often wonder and get asked why cats do certain things so we've compiled a list of behaviours that our feline friends display and the reasons behind them. Purr It was commonly thought that cats only purr when they’re happy –...
So what is trigger stacking and why does it matter for my dog?
I first heard about the concept of trigger stacking when I went on Grisha Stewart’s Behaviour Adjustment Training Course with my colleague, and it totally made sense to me – in life with dogs and my own life! I’ll start with some definitions: So a trigger is defined...
Great places you can walk your dog in Hertfordshire
Whether you're new to the St Albans area (welcome!) or need some inspiration from your usual walking haunts, we’ve compiled some popular walking spots for you to explore with your dog. We provide professional dog training including walk and train (where we train your...
Living and learning with animals every day
I was lucky enough to go on a 3 day seminar by Dr Susan Friedman who is a psychology professor. ‘She has pioneered the application of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to animals. ABA represents the scientifically sound teaching technology and ethical standard that has...
What do cats need for a feline friendly home?
There's no denying it, cats are masterpieces! Here are some things that cats need to be happy, healthy and content.... Scooping that poop! There are lots of litter trays on the market which makes choosing one tricky. When you purchase a tray, think like a cat - think...
How to cope with pet loss at Christmas and all year round
Christmas time without your pet Christmas can be a time where laughter, love and good times are intensified. However, for some people it can be a time where loneliness is exacerbated by the idea that everyone has someone to spend Christmas with. Memories and feelings...
What dog body language to look for when dog training
Communication is a two way street. You have to try and anticipate what a dog may do in a given situation. If they are tense, hackles raised and tail upright and moving quickly then trouble may be afoot so do a quick u-turn with an upbeat “let’s go!” Make sure you use...
What should be in my first aid kit?
I spent a few hours in the minor injuries department in St Albans City Hospital, this week.. I dropped my very heavy laptop on my big tootsie and had to check whether it was broken! Luckily it isn't! The nurses were very kind and helpful and I was seen relatively...
Dog walkers language: “This way please.. thank you”
I talk to pets. I say please and thank you to them. You may think I'm a bit crazy, but there's method in my so called madness so please do read on. I remember when I first set up my business and a lady who I admire very much for all her qualifications and all the work...
Solo dog walkers in St Albans and Harpenden
We interact with dogs daily on with our solo dog walker service in St Albans and Harpenden. We get up close and personal with dogs very quickly in terms of going into their home and popping on their harness to go for a walk. We have had dogs who need some more...
Different dog breeds will have different dog needs
Whether they’re the same breed or not, all the dogs we as dog walkers in St Albans and Harpenden have different likes, dislikes, traits, characteristics, temperaments and needs. Having said this, when planning to welcome a dog into your home it’s really important to...
The benefits and negatives of a cattery and cat sitter
This article seeks to determine whether catteries or visits from a pet sitting company are the most preferable option for a cat’s wellbeing, while their guardians are away. I will discuss the option of cattery stays and visits from a pet sitting company and the...