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.

Niki sitting and smiling with Jeanie on her lap
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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…

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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…

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A PUPPY WON’T SIMPLY FIT INTO YOUR FAMILY LIFE – ESPECIALLY AT THE BEGINNING

A puppy won’t simply fit into your family life – especially at the beginning Lots of people want a dog because they can picture how lovely it will be to have one as part of the family. Walks together. Curling up in the evening. The children having a dog to grow up with. Trips to…

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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,…

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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 –…

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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…

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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 –…

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HOW KIDS CAN HELP DOGS FEEL CALM WITH ACE FREE WORK

How Kids Can Help Dogs Feel Calm with ACE Free Work ACE Free Work – what is it and how can kids get involved? Recently I joined Debby Lucken from KAD – Kids Around Dogs for a YouTube podcast chat all about ACE Free Work – what it is, how it helps, and why it’s…

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10 REASONS TO USE ACE FREE WORK THIS CHRISTMAS

10 Reasons to Use ACE Free Work This Christmas The festive season can be magical – but it’s not always easy for our dogs. Visitors, fireworks, changes to routine, new smells, sounds and decorations – it’s a lot to take in. Even confident dogs can find this time of year stressful. ACE Free Work is…

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