Amy Hatcher answers some of our readers’ queries - August 11

Q My puppy is four months old and when she meets a new dog she rolls on her back and sometimes urinates, is this normal?

Your puppy sounds as though she is a little overexcited and perhaps a little unsure when she meets new dogs. This is quite normal for her age, although it is very important that she meets new dogs every day to ensure socialising becomes part of her daily routine and not something that she feels worried about. Sometimes uncertainty can turn in to fear or even defensive behaviour.

At Doodley Dogs we have a separate puppy crèche and can accept puppies of all ages. They can spend a few hours with us learning about different dogs, having a great time and building up their confidence! We also have a puppy class that can help you both know what to do when you meet a new dog.

Q I have a new rescue terrier and have been told never to let him off the lead. Is there anything I can do to give him a better quality of life?

Amy, our centre behaviourist specialises in many areas of dog behaviour (aggression, separation anxiety, puppy training etc) and enjoys the challenge of recall training diffi cult dogs! At the centre, we believe that all dogs should be allowed to experience “top speed” but understand that some breeds are more diffi cult to train recall.
We have a large arena where the dogs freely socialise, play and generally tire themselves out. We also run realistic classes where we train recall as a group.
Never say never – anything is possible.

Q I am getting a puppy this summer and am not sure how to make sure he does not go to the toilet in my house. Have you got any tips?

Crate training can be a huge help because puppies learn from their mother to keep their bedding clean. Set up a good size crate as a bed, not a bed and a play area. You should find your puppy learns very quickly to hold it. A puppy’s bladder can be held for around eight hours already, so don’t worry about overnight. Make sure your puppy has a last drink and a wee before being settled into his bedroom for the night. A crate doubles as a safe, secure area for your puppy to sleep. It should be a really positive experience and not a way of ‘containing’ your puppy.

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