Speak Dog with Ruth Haynes

20/10/2026

If you’ve ever done any of my classes you will know that each dog is important to me. I want them to have a great experience, learn something and go home feeling good! Arlo had done so well with his homework spending the week practicing his catnip retrieve. Unfortunately he got spooked by the noise of a table moving so wasn’t keen to do any retrieving. So we swapped things up! We took the pressure off and scattered some food in the search area to see if that would entice him in! It worked beautifully and we were soon able to ditch the food and search for a teeny piece of Kong instead. By the end of the session Arlo was happily searching around the tables and was able to find the Kong and do a beautiful indication to show his human exactly where it was hidden. Happy dog and happy humans.

17/10/2026

I am a big advocate for slowing things down for our dogs. Even fun things can be done slowly. Allowing your Mantrailing dog time to stop, learn and process has got to be beneficial. Slowing down is beneficial for all dogs, think about all the things we miss when we are in a rush!

16/10/2026

Did you know that Mantrailing can improve your recall? Dogs love Mantrailing and they love doing it with you! Doing things together helps cement that bond and relationship and makes your dog want to hang out with you. If you have a dog that wants to spend time with you then recall doesn’t seem so much of a chore!

16/10/2026

🧡 NOW FULL 🧡

Two spaces have become available in tomorrow’s Beginners Mantrailing session.

This session is suitable for any breed, any age and any ability.

The only requirements is that your dog can wait nice in your vehicle in between their goes.

If you’d like to grab and spot or two just drop me a WhatsApp message!

13/10/2026

Worth a read…

✂️🥜🐶 WHAT IF WHEN YOU SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR DOG MATTERS JUST AS MUCH AS WHETHER YOU DO IT?

Preventing unwanted litters matters. But is it time to rethink HOW we sterilize dogs? Hormone-sparing procedures, including hysterectomy and vasectomy, can prevent reproduction while preserving natural s*x hormones.

🔬 NEW 2026 PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH

Over 10 years, researchers reviewed records from 56,254 veterinary patients, including 313 dogs with mast cell tumors and 638 tumor-free comparison dogs. The study was accepted for publication in The Veterinary Journal.

🤯 1. TIMING MATTERS!

Dogs spayed or neutered before age 2 had 343% higher odds of a mast cell tumor diagnosis compared with intact dogs. Dogs sterilized after age 2 showed no statistically significant increase.

🐕 2. SIZE MATTERS!

Compared with small dogs, medium dogs had 2.6 times the odds and large dogs 5.2 times the odds.

⚖️ 3. WEIGHT MATTERS!

Overweight dogs had 80% higher odds than dogs at an ideal weight.

🧬 4. BREED MATTERS!

Compared with mixed-breed dogs, American Pit Bull Terriers had 7.5 times the odds and Boxers 3.9 times. Some breed groups were small.

❤️ 5. WHAT ABOUT SURVIVAL?

Neutering status wasn’t significantly associated with survival after surgery. Tumor grade and size were more important predictors.

🔬 WHY MIGHT HORMONES MATTER?

S*x hormones influence immune function and development. Researchers propose that early hormone removal and changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) may play a role, but this remains unproven.

🐾 THE BIG TAKEAWAY

Preventing unwanted litters doesn’t always mean removing hormone-producing organs. It’s time for individualized conversations with veterinarians about WHEN and HOW we sterilize dogs.

📄 Download the FREE PDF with the latest research surrounding Spay & Neuter Syndrome. Link in comments!

13/10/2026

If you aren’t following The Dog Geeks can you just drop them a follow, like, share etc.

This is the page that myself and Dawn from Pawsitive Canine are running our in person dog events through.

Last month we organised the most amazing dog conference gathering speakers from all over the UK to come and talk to dog professionals and lovers alike.

Next year we are running another conference but we are capping the numbers.

We are also hoping to run more dog themed events throughout the year…

💜 Scent Work Workshops
💜 Full day Mantrailing Challenges
💜 Dog and human foraging days
💜 Behavioural Clinics
💜 Networking Opportunities

These will be aimed at anyone that loves dogs not just professionals

Thanks for your support!

35 is the magic number!

That is the number of places available at The Dog Geeks 2027 Canine Conference.

As well as limiting numbers to keep with our true authentic small conference vibe we are also only going to be offering weekend tickets.

We have the venue sorted - thank you once again Ullacombe Farm Shop and Cafe for having us back!

We have most of the speakers finalised and locked in!

Just a few more tiny things to sort out and the tickets will be going live!

Don’t forget if you came this year you will also receive a discount code to join us in 2027. But it won’t last for long so make sure you are one of the 35!

12/10/2026

Worth a read…

07/10/2026

I love a Mantrailing Challenge Day! Two teams, 3 dogs, 2 mispers, check points, distractions, sand, sea and snacks! What’s not to love!

06/10/2026

Are you labelling up your dog?

If not why not?

Don’t be embarrassed or be self conscious, try and be an advocate for your dog, they need you!

There are so many companies that make vests, lead covers, bandanas, etc and they aren’t expensive.

If it means that one extra person keeps their dog further away or gives you more space then surely it’s worth it?

Let me see your ‘labelled up’ dogs 👇🏼 💛