Have a Good Dog

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

Is at Sunderland Vets For Pets

06/10/2026

This one is a little late, as I haven't been feeling well these past few days, but here are the awesome puppy graduates who have achieved the APDT Good Companion Puppy Award. They are Coco, Dolly, Murphy, Reggie, Roly, Scooby, Taff, and Teddy 🙂

26/09/2026

AVAILABLE - We have places available for the Little Learners' six-week puppy training course starting on Sunday 13th December, at 10 am at Lanchester Community Centre, County Durham. The course is suitable for pups that are fully vaccinated and allowed out around other dogs:

During the Little Learners course, we will teach you to teach your puppy the following:

✅ Teaching your puppy to walk on a loose lead.
✅ Advice on the best equipment to safely walk your puppy without causing fear or pain.
✅ Learning about dog body language.
✅ Teaching your puppy to come back to you when you call them.
✅ How to ensure your puppy greets you without jumping up.
✅ Teaching your puppy to settle.
✅ An introduction to lots of confidence-building activities that will enrich your pup's life.
✅ How appropriate play with you can create a bond that will last a lifetime.
✅ How to focus on you in the presence of distractions.
✅ How to avoid problems over food and objects without using confrontational techniques.
✅ Teaching your puppy to enjoy handling to prepare them for groomers and vets.

Your puppy can receive the Association of Pet Dog Trainers' Good Companion Puppy Award, including a certificate and rosette, upon completion of the course. You also get access to our puppy training e-book, goody pack, and trainer support throughout the course 🐾
Cost - £120

To book and pay for the place, PM us here or email:

[email protected]
NB. We don't sell merchandise on this page, so please ignore spam companies that appear in this thread. We will not ask you to click on a link in this post

26/09/2026

Our elderly Lurcher Lofty has had a short break in his favourite place, the Scottish Highlands. Having an older dog brings additional concerns such as appropriate diet, exercise, and, most importantly, feeling safe. Older dogs with health issues need that feeling of safety, so we ensured that's what he experienced.

If you have an oldie, it would be lovely to see pics 📸 Please post below.

21/09/2026

Congratulations to our latest graduates 🎓 Moose and Newton, who have achieved the APDT Good Companion Foundation Award

11/09/2026

On 11 September 2001, rescue dogs were deployed to Ground Zero alongside human first responders. These dogs were highly trained to locate survivors in disaster zones, and many had spent years practising scenarios that ended in successful “finds.”

But at Ground Zero, the reality was grim as the dogs found only deceased victims. The dog handlers began noticing worrying signs: dogs growing visibly sad, confused, and even reluctant to continue searching.

To protect the search dogs' mental well-being, handlers started staging mock rescues.

Fellow rescuers would "hide" in accessible spots so the dogs could “find” a living person, receive praise, and regain confidence.

This practice became a powerful example of the bond between handlers and their dogs.

One of the most remembered dogs sent to Ground Zero was Bretagne, a golden retriever from Texas who worked tirelessly through the smoke and twisted steel.

Years later, when Bretagne returned to New York for her 16th birthday, firefighters lined the street to salute her, honouring her work and the quiet compassion she brought to one of the darkest sites in American history.

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07/09/2026

Registration closes this Wednesday

The ‘Walk for Wag’ at Derwent (DH8 9TT) is our annual fundraising event for two and four-legged friends which takes place every year in September.

06/09/2026

Some of today's pups are learning self-control with food

05/09/2026

Proud to be a member of the APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors). Full and Associate APBC members are assessed as having met the relevant standards set out by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC).

These standards are supported by many veterinary organisations and members are dedicated to promoting animal welfare through training and behaviour change.