Ask Country Life's canine agony uncle a question about your dog
Over the past few months award-winning dog trainer Ben Randall has been sharing his advice to Country Life readers.
Dogs & Animals
From perfect pedigrees to loveable canine scamps of unknown origin, we celebrate man’s best friend.
Looking for a new dog? Head straight for our article on how to choose the perfect dog to fit your lifestyle, family and home.
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How to stop a visiting dog disturbing the peace, by leading trainer Ben Randall
Helping out a friend or family member by looking after their dog can be fun and rewarding — but not if the visiting dog's behaviour is causing a problem. Ben Randall takes on a case from a reader facing this tricky situation.
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How to stop a puppy peeing on the floor
A problem familiar to almost all owners who have raised a dog from its earliest days comes in for Ben's advice this week: how to stop a puppy peeing when it gets excited.
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Jack Russells: Feisty, funny, and the first dog in history to inspire a queen's coronation gown
Small, but mighty, the feisty Jack Russell is as popular as ever, not least as it’s The Queen Consort’s breed of choice. Fellow terrier owner India Sturgis recounts why these tiny tearaways remain so perennially appealing. Photographs by Sarah Farnsworth for Country Life.
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How to choose a rescue dog, by expert trainer Ben Randall
Adopting a dog in need of a new home can be a fabulous experience that will transform your life for the better, but you need to think carefully before you take the plunge. Ben Randall is here to help.
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How to choose the right kennel to leave your dog while you're on holiday
Our resident expert Ben Randall isn't just a dog trainer: he and his family also run an award-winning kennel in Herefordshire. So who better to share their wisdom with a reader who is desperate to find the best kennel for her dog while she's on holiday?
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How to take your dog to a coronation street party, by top trainer Ben Randall
The upcoming celebrations across the land can be fun and enjoyable for all the members of your family, whether they have two legs or four. Ben Randall explains how to take your dog to a street party.
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How to train a dog with a whistle to get perfect recall every time, by expert trainer Ben Randall
If your dog is struggling with recall — particularly in big, open spaces like parks — a dog whistle could be an excellent way to stop the behaviour. Ben Randall explains what to do.
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A training tip that could literally save your dog's life: How to stop your dog from eating things
Many owners find it hard to get their dog to stop eating once they've started tucking in — and while it's a tricky skill to learn, it's something you absolutely must master, says expert trainer Ben Randall.
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Britain’s birds of prey: The Country Life guide to all of the UK’s raptors
Raptors’ supersonic vision, effortless aerial acrobatics and ruthless hunting instinct make them the undisputed masters of the skies, but can you tell a merlin from a hobby or a goshawk from a sparrowhawk? Simon Lester explains the basics of these fascinating creatures and then gives a rundown of all 15 of Britain's raptor species.
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How to get your dog to stop chewing the furniture
If you've got a young dog who can't stop chewing anything and everything in sight, Ben Randall has the solution.
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What to do if your dog is scratching things at night, by expert trainer Ben Randall
An older dog's new habit is the subject of this week's Paws For Thought, with Ben Randall explaining what to do if your pet has started scratching at night.
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'My dog behaves for my partner, but not for me — what can I do?' Expert trainer Ben Randall has the answer
Training a dog is one thing. Getting a dog trained so that it responds just as happily to everyone in the family can be another matter, as Ben Randall discusses in this week's Paws for Thought.
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How sniffer dogs have moved on from drugs and bombs to Japanese knotweed
Kat Janczur spent years training dogs to sniff out drugs and explosives. Today, she and her canine companions have a very different quarry: Japanese knotweed.
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How to train your dogs around your gardening, by expert trainer Ben Randall
It's the time of year when we're all starting to get out more and more — particularly in the garden. That's an ideal chance to work on your dog's training, as Ben Randall explains.
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How to adopt a dog without it upsetting the pets you already have, by top trainer Ben Randall
Though some dog owners are happy to stop at one, many of us like to bring more into the home as years go by — and if your new arrival is an older dog who is being rehomed, it can need a bit of thought to make sure things go smoothly. Ben Randall explains more.
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What to do if your dog keeps barking when you leave the house, by A-list trainer Ben Randall
The unconditional love of a dog is a wonderful thing, but when they get so attached that they can't bear to see you leave then they need your help. Ben Randall explains how to stop a dog getting upset when you leave the house.
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How to stop your dogs waking up too early, by top trainer Ben Randall
An unwanted early morning wake-up call from her dogs is the problem faced by our reader this week.
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What to do if all else has failed and you can't handle your dog, by expert trainer Ben Randall
The vast majority of dogs and their owners have happy lives full of fun and love; but sometimes, things just don't work out. Ben Randall answers a reader who is wondering if it's time to find a different home for their dog.
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Would-be dog owners urged to buy British by the Kennel Club
'There is a real danger we could lose our diversity of breeds', warns the Kennel Club's Bill Lambert, as Agnes Stamp reports.
