Welcome to the Pup Talk Dog Blog
Here I answer common dog questions and share practical advice to help you and your dog live calmer, happier lives. You’ll find tips on dog behaviour, training, health, lifestyle and what really works when walks aren’t going to plan. I also share ways to build your confidence, shift your mindset, and move past the guilt.
- All
- Food & rewards
- General training
- Getting help
- Kids
- Nervous dogs
- Our mindset
- Puppy power
- Reactive dogs
- Rescue & rehomes
- Teeth
- Toilet training & marking
- Walks
- Weather
- Working from home?
SCARED TO WALK YOUR DOG AGAIN? WHAT TO DO NEXT
Scared to walk your dog again? What to do next… Sometimes your dog starts to feel ready to go out again before you do. Perhaps walks had been stressful for a long time. There may have been barking and lunging, pulling, freezing, chasing or a frightening incident that really knocked your confidence. You may have…
YOU STOPPED WALKING YOUR DOG. NOW WHAT?
You stopped walking your dog. Now what? For some dogs, stopping walks, or simply walking less, can bring a huge sense of relief. Perhaps your dog has been barking and lunging at other dogs, freezing, pulling frantically, scanning for danger, chasing anything that moves or becoming so over-excited that every walk feels exhausting. Perhaps you’ve…
REDEFINING RESCUE: WHY SUPPORTING PET OWNERS BEFORE CRISIS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MODERN DOG RESCUE
Redefining rescue: Why supporting pet owners before crisis is an essential part of modern dog rescue When Woodgreen Pets Charity contacted me about sharing this message, it felt like an important conversation to bring to the Pup Talk blog. So many people wait until things feel unbearable before asking for help, often because they’re worried,…
9 DOG WELLNESS TRENDS FOR 2026 | SUPPORTING CANINE WELLBEING
Explore 9 dog wellness trends for 2026, from gut health and bodywork to emotional wellbeing, holistic grooming and ongoing online support In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in how we care for our dogs. More and more people are moving away from a purely reactive approach – waiting until something goes wrong –…
WHY ACE FREE WORK IS MORE THAN “JUST ENRICHMENT”
Why ACE Free Work is more than “just enrichment” ACE Free Work is often described as enrichment Something calming. Something to do at home. Something to replace or reduce walks. And while it can be all of those things, describing it as “just enrichment” sells it short. Because ACE Free Work isn’t really about keeping…
WATCHING DIFFERENTLY – IN MEMORY OF SARAH FISHER
Watching differently – in memory of Sarah Fisher I’m feeling numb, with a heavy weight in my heart, after hearing the news last night that Sarah Fisher has passed away. I can’t begin to imagine the depth of heartbreak her family and closest friends are living with right now. But Sarah’s reach was vast –…
ARE YOU DOING TOO MUCH WITH YOUR DOG?
Do you ever wonder if you might be doing too much with your dog? Recently we had an off grid mini holiday in The Scottish Borders. There was no running water, no electricity, just a campfire and big teepee and a gas stove. A friend of Ash’s has created this camp in a little piece…
IS YOUR REACTIVE DOG STRESSING YOU OUT?
Is your reactive dog stressing you out? Do they feel like they’re too much to handle? Is your own mental health taking a hit as you try to hold everything together and keep everyone safe? You may even be considering rehoming your dog but feel bad about it. If your dog’s behaviour feels like an…
10 POLITE THINGS TO SAY TO PEOPLE THAT LET THEIR OFF-LEAD DOG APPROACH YOURS
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone popped their dog back on a lead when they saw your dog was on their lead? Unfortunately, not everyone is aware that they shouldn’t let their dog run up to a dog they don’t know. Especially if they are on the lead. If you have a nervous or anxious…