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Some everyday foods and garden plants can be dangerous - even fatal - for dogs. Please keep these out of reach and check before offering anything new.
For full lists and advice: What Foods are Toxic and Poisonous to Dogs?
We strongly recommend using force-free, positive reinforcement trainers and behaviourists. The following are well-regarded professionals across Scotland who work with rescue dogs and understand their unique needs
Creature·Kind (Helen Greenley) – Dog & Cat Behaviour and Training, Inverurie / Aberdeenshire
Dog and Cat Behaviour and Training | Helen Greenley | creature·kind
All Dogs Go To Erinn – Clinical Animal Behaviourist & Dog Trainer, Old Aberdeen
All Dogs Go To Erinn
Active Paws – Training & Walking, Laurencekirk (Aberdeenshire / Angus border)
Active Paws - Dog Training & Walking Laurencekirk
Alaman Dog Training – Dundee & surrounding area
AlamanDogTraining
Perfect Puppy Company – Dundee & Angus
Perfect Puppy Company
Edinburgh Holistic Dogs – Specialising in rescue & reactive dogs
Rescue & Reactive Dog Training | Edinburgh Holistic Dogs
Lothlorien Dog Training – Based in the Lothians
Lotherien Dog Services
Understanding Dogs – Edinburgh-based, force-free training
Understand your Dog: Force Free Training with Positive Rewards
Cheeky Wee Rascals – East Lothian
Cheeky Wee Rascals | dog training
CBT Dog Training and Behaviour – Glasgow
Dog Behaviourist Glasgow | CBT Dog Behaviour & Training
Busy Bee Dog Training – Central Belt (Falkirk area)
busybeedogtraining
The Ethical Dog Behaviourist – Glasgow
The Dog and Hound Boutique
Lindsay McLaughlin – Canine Wellness and Behaviour Consultant – West/Central Scotland
Lindsay McLaughlin
Bruce Whitelaw Dog Trainer – Glasgow
Bruce Whitelaw - Dog Trainer in Glasgow
Pawsitive Connections – Accredited Dog Behaviourist & Trainer, Glasgow
Behavioural Sessions – Pawsitive Connections
Reach Your Pawtential -
Reach Your Pawtential
✨ Always look for trainers who use reward-based methods and avoid those using dominance, pack theory, or punishment techniques. These can harm trust and worsen fear.
For many years, dog behaviour was explained using “pack theory” the idea that dogs try to dominate humans and establish themselves as the “alpha.” Modern science has shown this is not true.
Pack theory came from studies on wolves kept in captivity. These wolves were unrelated adults forced to live together, which caused unnatural conflict. The researcher who first proposed the idea later rejected it.
Domestic dogs have lived alongside humans for thousands of years and do not behave like wolves. They do not form packs with strict hierarchies, and they are not trying to take charge of the home.
Dogs show unwanted behaviours because of fear, stress, confusion, lack of training, or because the behaviour has been reinforced. It is not an attempt to be in control.
Methods that involve force, intimidation, or “showing the dog who’s boss” can increase fear and aggression and damage the dog’s trust.
Research supports using reward-based training, clear boundaries, consistency, and meeting a dog’s emotional and physical needs. This approach builds confidence, trust, and long-lasting behaviour change.
For further reading, see:
https://positively.com/dog-training/article/ethology-why-pack-theory-is-wrong
The Muzzle Movement is a UK brand dedicated to creating safe, comfortable, modern muzzles designed with dog welfare at the centre. Their mission is to remove the stigma around muzzles and promote them as a positive management tool for everyday life.
Muzzles can be an essential safety tool, especially for rescue dogs who may be:
Nervous in new environments
Reactive or overwhelmed
Prone to scavenging
New to handling, grooming or vet visits
Still adjusting to life outside a shelter
When introduced positively, muzzles make the world safer and less stressful for both dogs and the people around them.
Dog-centred design: allows panting, treat-taking, sniffing and comfort
Accurate sizing: helpful guides for mixed-breed and hard-to-fit dogs
Ethical focus: welfare-first design + positive reinforcement education
High quality: lightweight, durable and customisable
Rescue-friendly: ideal for newly adopted or foster dogs
The Muzzle Movement promotes slow, reward-based introduction so dogs feel safe and relaxed.
Letting your dog investigate the muzzle voluntarily
Pairing the muzzle with treats and praise
Keeping sessions short and positive
Increasing duration gradually at the dog’s pace
Never forcing the muzzle onto the dog
Use our referral link for 10% off :
👉 https://themuzzlemovement.com/?ref=rjemxhus
A simple guide to recognising how your dog feels
Dogs communicate with us long before they bark, growl, or react. Most of what they “say” is through subtle shifts in posture, facial expression, tail movement, and behaviour. Learning to read these signals helps prevent misunderstandings, keeps everyone safe, and builds trust between you and your dog.
Relaxed & Happy Body Language
These are signs your dog is feeling comfortable and at ease:
Soft face, relaxed eyes
Loose, wiggly body
Ears in a neutral, natural position
Tail held softly or wagging loosely
Gentle interest in surroundings
Choosing to approach you or others
A relaxed dog is ready to learn, explore, and enjoy interactions.
Dogs rarely jump straight to barking, growling, or snapping - instead, they give lots of early warning signs, including:
Lip licking (outside of meals)
Yawning when not tired
Turning their head away
Tense face or tight mouth
Ears pinned back or very forward
Whale eye (showing the whites of the eyes)
Freezing or slowing down
Sudden scratching, sniffing the ground, or “fake” behaviours
These signals mean your dog is feeling unsure. Give them more space, slow things down, and support them.
A scared dog may show:
Tail tucked low or tightly under
body held crouched or low
Backing away
Shaking or trembling
Hiding behind you or furniture
Trying to escape a situation
Growling, baring teeth, or snapping (defensive communication)
A fearful dog is asking for distance and safety - never punish fear.
Dogs use “calming signals” to avoid conflict or defuse stress. Common ones include:
Turning the head or body away
Sniffing the ground
Slow blinking
Licking lips
Walking in a curve rather than straight-on
Sitting or lying down suddenly
If you see these, give your dog time, space, and reassurance.
Pay attention especially during greetings or new environments:
Moving away from hands or people
Turning their body sideways
Stiffening when touched
Backing into you for support
Avoiding eye contact
Sudden stillness (“freeze”)
Respecting these signals builds trust far faster than pushing interactions.
Dogs communicate clearly with each other - we just have to learn their language:
Sniffing calmly = low pressure exploration
Arched body or stiff stance = caution or uncertainty
Play bow (front legs down, bum up) = invitation to play
Sideways body, loose tail = friendly interest
Stiff tail, high posture = evaluating or unsure
One dog walking away = the conversation is finished
Always allow dogs to choose if they want to interact - forced greetings can create conflict.
Intervene gently when you see:
Mounting that isn’t mutual
One dog repeatedly pestering the other
Freezing or stiffening
Hard staring
Lip curls, growls, or snap warnings
A dog trying to escape the interaction
Step in by calmly calling your dog away - no scolding needed.
Crate Training for Rescue Dogs
Many of our dogs arrive with very different experiences of the world. Some have never seen a crate before, some find it confusing or frightening, and others feel so safe inside one that they hesitate to come back out. Because of this, crate training can sometimes be misunderstood, especially by people who worry that a crate feels restrictive or unkind.
In reality, when introduced gently and used correctly, a crate becomes a powerful tool for helping a rescue dog settle into a brand-new life. For dogs who have lived in shelters, been moved between homes, or grown up without stability, the world can feel overwhelming. A crate offers something simple and essential: a place that is theirs. A place where nothing bad happens, where they can sleep, decompress, and breathe without fear or pressure.
Crate training is never about shutting a dog away. It’s about creating a predictable, calm space that supports their emotional wellbeing. With patience, positive associations, and the freedom to explore at their own pace, the crate becomes a source of comfort, not confinement. For rescue dogs learning to trust again, that sense of security can make all the difference as they adjust to home life.
A Predictable, Safe Place
Rescue dogs often come from backgrounds where they haven’t felt secure. A crate gives them a personal “den” where they can rest without pressure.
Helps Nervous or Fearful Dogs
Gradual introduction with treats, praise, and choice helps dogs understand the crate is safe, not a trap.
This can reduce:
Noise sensitivity
Startle responses
Pacing or hiding
Stress during visitors or busy household times
Supports Dogs Who Are Overly Dependent on Their Crate
Some dogs hide in the crate constantly. Encourage gentle exploration by:
Feeding meals outside the crate
Placing toys just beyond the door
Sitting nearby for reassurance
Rewarding any brave steps outside
Aids Routine & House Training
Helps with toilet training and teaches a helpful pattern of rest–toilet–play.
Keeps Dogs Safe When Overwhelmed
A crate signals that nothing is expected of them and prevents:
Chewing dangerous items
Panic during storms/fireworks
Escape attempts during settling-in
For Dogs Who Are Fearful
Keep the crate door open
Add soft bedding and familiar smells
Scatter treats around the entrance
Reward any interaction
Never force them inside
Build up very gradually
For Dogs Who Don’t Want to Come Out
Keep the crate door open
Feed meals just outside the crate
Move enrichment slightly farther away over time
Stay calm and patient
Ensure normal exercise still happens
For Dogs New to the Concept
Let them explore at their own pace
Include the crate in naps and bedtime
Start with very short sessions
Use praise and consistency
Fear of Confined Spaces
Some dogs feel uneasy simply because the crate feels unfamiliar, not because anything bad happened there. Their fear often shows as hesitation, pacing around the crate, or quick retreats. You can support them by helping the crate feel predictable and non-threatening — allowing relaxed exploration, keeping your own energy calm, and giving them time to observe the crate from a distance before expecting any engagement. Confidence comes from choice, not pressure.
Over-Reliance on the Crate
Other dogs may cling to the crate as their only “safe place” and avoid engaging with the rest of the home. This usually isn’t stubbornness - it’s a sign that the world outside the crate still feels too big.
You can help by creating small, easy wins outside the crate: short moments in quiet spaces, calm interactions, and positive experiences that don’t overwhelm them. The goal isn’t to take the crate away, but to slowly show them there are other safe places too.
Overstimulation in the Home
New rescue dogs are taking in an enormous amount of information - smells, movements, sounds, routines. When it becomes too much, they may bark, hide, or constantly reposition themselves.
Understanding that this is a stress response helps you support them better. Reducing overall stimulation, creating predictable patterns throughout the day, and recognising early signs of overwhelm can make the crate a helpful anchor rather than a place they escape to in panic.
Difficulty Settling at Night
Night-time can feel especially vulnerable for a newly rescued dog - silence, darkness, and unfamiliar noises can all heighten anxiety. If a dog cannot settle, it’s usually due to uncertainty rather than “bad behaviour.”
Providing a sense of safety through routine, gentle reassurance, and a consistent sleeping setup helps them learn that nighttime is uneventful and safe. Over time, many dogs naturally sleep more deeply as their overall anxiety decreases.
Create Moments of Success
Confidence grows through small, achievable experiences. Offering simple opportunities like exploring a quiet room, approaching a new object, or calmly observing the household helps the dog learn they can handle new situations.
Use Calm, Clear Body Language
Rescue dogs read human body language closely. Soft movements, relaxed posture, and gentle speech help them feel safe enough to try new things. When you stay calm, they feel calmer too.
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Some days will be easier than others for a rescue dog. Focus on noticing the small attempts: a longer look, a tiny step forward, or a moment of relaxed breathing. These signs tell you they are learning to trust.
Create Predictability in the Environment
Dogs build confidence when they can anticipate what will happen next. Keeping feeding times, walks, rest, and training roughly consistent makes the world feel manageable and reduces stress.
Build Trust Through Choice
Allowing the dog to decide when to explore, when to rest, and when to approach you helps them feel in control of their environment. Dogs who feel they have options develop trust more quickly than dogs who feel pressured.
Encourage Natural Curiosity
Every dog is curious in their own way. Placing interesting but non-demanding activities around the home like scent trails, safe chew items, or gentle enrichment gives them ways to engage without overwhelm.
Crate training is ultimately about giving a rescue dog something many of them have never truly had before: a place where they can relax without worry. It’s a way of showing them that their needs matter, that they are safe, and that the world no longer demands too much from them.
Every dog comes with their own history, their own fears, and their own pace of healing. Some will settle quickly, while others take time to trust the routine. What matters most is staying patient, staying gentle, and letting the dog guide the speed of progress.
When crate training is rooted in empathy rather than expectation, it becomes a powerful tool for building security, resilience, and trust. With consistency, understanding, and kindness, the crate becomes more than a training aid, it becomes a symbol of safety and the beginning of feeling truly at home.
Walking your dog in Scotland can be amazing - from beaches and forests to open farmland and hills. To keep everyone safe (people, pets, livestock, and wildlife), it’s important to know the laws that apply when you’re out and about with your dog.
Below is a simple guide to help dog owners understand their responsibilities.
In Scotland, you have the right to access most land for walking, including with your dog, but you must act responsibly.
The Outdoor Access Code says:
Keep your dog under close control at all times.
Use a lead when around livestock.
Avoid fields with young animals (lambs, calves).
Never disturb wildlife, especially during nesting and breeding seasons.
Clean up all dog waste and dispose of it properly.
Leave gates as you find them and stay on marked paths where possible.
Quick rule:
If you’re unsure whether to use a lead, use a lead.
NatureScot
These laws make it an offence for a dog to be “dangerously out of control” anywhere - not just near livestock.
A dog is considered out of control if it:
Causes fear, alarm, or injury to a person or another animal
Repeatedly behaves aggressively
Is not kept under effective control by its owner
Local councils can issue Dog Control Notices (DCNs) which may require:
Lead-only walking
Muzzling in public
Training classes
ecure fencing at home
Neutering
Failure to comply is a criminal offence.
Good to know:
“Out of control” doesn’t just mean biting.
Lunging, chasing, and persistent barking can be enough.
Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010: guidance - updated - gov.scot
This law protects farm animals from being harmed or chased by dogs.
Some examples of livestock worrying include:
a dog chasing livestock in a manner that could cause injury or suffering,
the stress caused to the animal by the presence of the dog, could, in the case of female livestock, cause abortion or miscarriage,
livestock becoming desperate in their attempts to escape and injure themselves in doing so,
dogs who chase ewes or lambs may cause them to separate from their mothers, later dying of starvation or hyperthermia.
Livestock includes: sheep, cows, goats, pigs, alpacas, deer, poultry, and enclosed game birds.
Fines up to £40,000
Up to 12 months in prison
Police can seize dogs involved
Courts can ban owners from keeping dogs
Simple rule:
Always keep dogs on a lead around livestock - no exceptions.
Livestock worrying - Police Scotland
All dogs in Scotland must be microchipped by 8 weeks old
Owner details must be kept up to date
It is a legal offence to sell or rehome an un-microchipped dog
Why it matters:
Microchipping ensures dogs can be returned to owners quickly if lost or involved in an incident.
It is illegal not to pick up dog waste in public.
Always bag and bin it - any public bin is fine
Fixed penalty fines apply if you don’t clean up after your dog
Rule of thumb:
If a dog poops anywhere another person might walk, play, or work - pick it up.
Keep dogs on a short lead near farmland
Avoid entering fields with young animals
Keep dogs on lead on moorland, dunes, and rural grassland
Stick to paths in sensitive wildlife areas
Where possible avoid fields with:
Calves
Cows with young
Bulls or “no dogs” signs
Following these laws:
Protects dogs and livestock
Reduces conflict between dog walkers and farmers
Helps wildlife and nature thrive
Maintains Scotland’s incredible access rights for everyone
Responsible dog walking helps protect the countryside we all enjoy.
