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Seeing Dogs Clearly. How Anthropomorphism Helps, and Hurts, the Canine–Human Bond
Anthropomorphism; attributing human emotions, motives, or characteristics to animals, sits at the heart of modern dog guardianship. Without it, the idea of a dog as a family member or emotional companion would feel far less intuitive. It is this very tendency to imagine the “human like” inner life of dogs that often deepens our affection for them. But anthropomorphism, while rooted in empathy, is a double-edged sword. It can enhance welfare and strengthen the bond, yet it can
nmasterton
Nov 21, 20253 min read


More Than a Pet?
Dogs aren’t just living in our homes; they’re sharing our lives. They feel, think, choose, connect and suffer. In other words, they’re...
nmasterton
Oct 4, 20254 min read
Why Ignoring 'Bad' Behaviour Isn't The Best Advice
You’ve probably heard the advice “Just ignore it, and it’ll stop”. It sounds simple, right? The theory is sound and rooted in...
nmasterton
Jul 27, 20253 min read


All About Scent Work
My first experience of scent work was for my Romanian rescue, Rascal. After being diagnosed with joint issues, I was looking for...
nmasterton
Mar 13, 20255 min read


Foreign Rescues - A dog is a dog, right?
It’s an assumption that all dogs are fundamentally the same. After all, they share a common ancestor and exhibit similar behaviours,...
nmasterton
Jul 6, 20243 min read


The Amazing World of the Canine Nose: Unveiling the Secrets of Scent
Dogs possess one of the most remarkable olfactory systems in the animal kingdom. As pet owners who engage in scent work or nose work with...
nmasterton
Jun 7, 20243 min read


Problem Behaviours? From Whose Perspective?
Most behaviours that humans find problematic in dogs are actually completely natural from a canine perspective. Scavenging for food Going...
nmasterton
May 27, 20242 min read
Knock, Knock, who’s there?
Visitor reactivity is definitely not a joke. It’s a common behavioural issue that has a huge impact on daily life. The most common...
nmasterton
Mar 14, 20243 min read


"Scentwork: The Ultimate Natural Enrichment for Your Dog"
We can only imagine how our dogs ‘see’ the world through their extraordinary sense of smell. Tapping into this olfactory system through...
nmasterton
Nov 11, 20232 min read


Three Exercises to Build Canine Confidence
Confidence is a valuable trait in both humans and dogs. Just as in people, a confident dog is more likely to be relaxed and capable of...
nmasterton
Oct 28, 20233 min read


Do you live with a fearful dog?
Is your dog struggling with confidence, feeling overwhelmed by the world around them? Dealing with extreme fear can be incredibly...
nmasterton
Oct 15, 20232 min read


The Importance of Puppy Socialisation: Nurturing a Well-Adjusted Companion
Bringing a new puppy into your life is an exciting and rewarding experience. Puppies are adorable bundles of energy and curiosity, ready...
nmasterton
Oct 2, 20232 min read


Resource Guarding – Prevention is better than cure
Let’s start by saying that resource guarding is a perfectly normal behaviour. However, if you’ve ever lived with a resource guarder it...
nmasterton
May 14, 20232 min read
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