Get Your Dog Winter Ready

One of the effects of working from home is that people are actually exercising their dogs less. I speak to a lot of dog owners who are letting their dog out in the garden more frequently but taking them on structured walks far less. Of course, this means less opportunity for meaningful interaction with their dog and less training or refresher training taking place.

As we approach winter, it’s so important that you dog’s recall is good. With darker nights, when you do go out with your dog, you need them to come back even if you can’t see them. For this and so many other reasons, it’s important to have a clear structure, including walks, with your dog. Don’t be lazy with them. Just because you can see them all day, that doesn’t mean you are reinforcing your bond. If your dog’s behaviour is slipping, you only have yourself to blame.

Pandemic Puppies

I am still hearing from people getting pandemic puppies. Some are working from home in the long term, others have been on waiting lists and finally their puppy has arrived. As I always say, please consider if it is the right time to get a dog. Going into winter, do you want to be toilet training your puppy on a dark wet night? Your young dog will need exercise, regardless of the weather. If it’s not right for you, for the sake of the puppy, it’s better to say no.

It is estimated that during the pandemic, the number of pet owners in the UK increased by 3.2 million, with dogs and cats making up the majority of that figure. As a result, the Dog’s Trust have just announced a 30% increase in calls from people wanting to rehome their pandemic puppy. This was always a problem waiting to happen. The Kennel Club has asked employers to consider making their workplaces more dog friendly so employees can take their dog with them. In my view, this is not sustainable. It’s better to consider every aspect of your lifestyle and decide whether a dog is a viable part of your life plan.

Posted: September 28, 2021