Recently, I’ve been thinking about how much of our interactions with dogs and “customs” around dog training are built on the assumption that a dog is interested in and motivated by food. When that isn’t the case, you have to think much, much harder and often dig deep for empathy when nothing seems to workContinueContinue reading “When you have a food-ambivalent dog”
Category Archives: Musings
Loving a dog is more than just feelings
Leaving aside whatever views you might have on the show or the dog trainer in question, this is a good illustration what can happen when people get a dog “for the family”. Watch the video by clicking the image – it’s on Facebook and can’t be embedded. CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO I’ve spent the pastContinueContinue reading “Loving a dog is more than just feelings”
If in doubt, don’t get a dog!
We have been caring for a lovely 1 year old spaniel recently on behalf of her breeder who is my friend. She is the sweetest dog you can imagine, and we absolutely adore her but unfortunately Lady Grace is not a fan so we are helping to find a forever home for her. I’ve hadContinueContinue reading “If in doubt, don’t get a dog!”
What I wish my agility teachers knew
I wanted to write this because these thoughts have been circulating in my head for months – often haunting me on Thursday nights after practice – in the hope that it would make me feel better but now that I’ve laid out all the reasons why, I’m less certain why it’s a good idea toContinueContinue reading “What I wish my agility teachers knew”
Some thoughts on joint health and dog development
I had a conversation with someone* a few months ago about dog joints, structure, movement and breeding spaniels, and during the conversation we had a hypothesis about why there are more joint problems today. Hypothesis 1: In the past hunting spaniels like cockers and springers (in the UK) would have been removed from the geneContinueContinue reading “Some thoughts on joint health and dog development”
The blurry line in love of balls
It feels like there are a lot of rules we’ve internalised as dog owners and sometimes it’s good to question them. For example, I have mixed feelings about Grace’s love of balls. On the one hand, I hear a voice in my head telling me I’m supposed to remove things that a dog feels stronglyContinueContinue reading “The blurry line in love of balls”
The existential worry of living with and loving dogs
These are pictures taken of Nell a month before she first got sick – she looks like she is in great shape and health, or at least I had thought I had every reason to assume she was. The Saturday before her vet appointment on a Wednesday she’d done an energetic 2h walk including lotsContinueContinue reading “The existential worry of living with and loving dogs”
Quick notes on THAT study about genetics and personality
In the days since the study hit the popular press, I’ve found myself writing the same things over and over in various social media discussions. While I really want to write about this properly, I know myself well enough to admit I may never get around to the meticulously crafted long-form post… So, considering that,ContinueContinue reading “Quick notes on THAT study about genetics and personality”
My dog, my mirror
Difficult dogs are our biggest teachers – and often they teach us more about ourselves than anything else. One of the reasons I am feeling Nell’s absence in my life so strongly is that she taught me to accept myself as I really am. She was a lot – even many who loved her (includingContinueContinue reading “My dog, my mirror”
The bittersweet nature of love and loss
It’s been a month and we miss this lady more than words can say – her absence means our lives are much quieter, and it feels a bit like the balance of our family has been shaken.She was my constant companion for so many years that on some days it feels a part of meContinueContinue reading “The bittersweet nature of love and loss”
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