Up, Pup & Play

16/10/2026

Big boy Rodney now enjoy long walks.
He is a lovely playful pup💚

15/10/2026

Not dog related

A heron visiting the pond on Holden road, southborough.

14/10/2026

https://www.theiscp.com/post/the-problem-with-fixing-dog-instead-of-changing-environments

14/10/2026

Preparing for fireworks If your dog is okay with fireworks, don’t take this for granted! It doesn’t matter if they’re a puppy, adult or a senior dog. Sound sens

11/10/2026

When I get a request to walk a Dobermann, I think to myself strong dog, prepare accordingly

I didn't expect a singing Soprano Dobermann, she is a sweetheart 💚💚

03/10/2026

Sugar face means long life full of walks, sniffs and lots of staffy play.
Now is the time for slower mindful walks.
Lovely boy

02/10/2026

Did you hear the sound?!

11/09/2026

This is so important.

Knowing how to identify the signs is key.

The connection between physical pain and problem behaviour in dogs is one of the most important and most consistently under-recognised findings in canine science.

Research by Professor Daniel Mills at the University of Lincoln found that between 28 and 82 per cent of dogs referred for behaviour problems had at least one underlying painful condition.

A 2012 study of dogs presenting with aggression found that musculoskeletal pain, particularly from hip dysplasia and elbow osteoarthritis, was the primary cause in 75 per cent of cases. When that pain was addressed, outcomes were excellent.

The behaviour changed because the body changed. The dog had not been difficult. The dog had been hurting.

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 20 per cent of dogs over the age of one. That means one in five dogs you meet is already living with a degree of joint pain.

Many of those dogs will never limp. They will simply become less themselves, in ways that are easy to misread.

Research published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science found something particularly striking: in dogs with musculoskeletal disorders, behavioural signs typically precede physical ones.

Increased fearfulness, prolonged recovery from stress, withdrawal from play and social interaction, reduced engagement with people, these things showed up before a limp did.

Guardians in the study often did not connect the behavioural shifts to physical pain.

31/08/2026

She is such a poser.
My weekend hang out was with this beautiful pup 💚

26/08/2026

On their website, National Dog Day describes its aim as "to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort."

Five ways to celebrate National Dog day with your pooch:
1. Celebrate all the dogs in your area by donating to your local rescue centre. Most websites have a list of their “must haves.” These can be anything from food and treats to paper towels and postage stamps. Monetary donations of any amount are always welcomed.
2. Spoil your dog. This can be anything from taking him on an extra-long walk to tummy rubs and lots of extra praise.
3. Sign up for an advanced obedience, agility, behavioural or vocational class for you and your pooch. This can even be a refresher course to keep your canine’s behaviour around people and other dogs consistent. An agility course can be a fun way to spend time with your dog, and it’s great exercise, too.
4. Play puzzle games with your dog. Stretch your dog’s mental capabilities by teaching him a new game.
5. If you have kids or you’re a kid at heart this is a great day to snap fun pictures of your kids, you and your dog to post on your favourite social media sites.