What James recommends
Six years of running a kennels means seeing what works for real dogs. Here’s what James would point you towards, sorted by the problem you’re trying to fix.
See the picksBefore you click
Every week at Hareshill Boarding Kennels, owners asked the same things. What should I feed? Is insurance worth it? Which harness stops the pulling? This page is the answer James gives.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through one, The Dog Geezer may earn a small commission. It costs you nothing extra, and it never decides what goes on this page. As an Amazon Associate, The Dog Geezer earns from qualifying purchases.
Meet Rogue. James’s own six-year-old Belgian Malinois, and the dog in the photos on this site. She’s good with every kind of dog and helps James work with anxious, nervous and aggressive dogs.
Start with the problem
Pick the one that sounds like home. Each card has what James would look at first.
Food is often the first thing to look at. These are proper food with real ingredients, delivered to your door.
Switch slowly. Mix it in over 7 to 10 days. Ask your vet first if your dog has a health condition.
Try AATU ↗Sort insurance in week one, not after the first vet bill. A few insurers to compare:
Check three things. Lifetime or time-limited cover, the yearly vet-fee limit and the excess. General information, not financial advice.
New puppy? Work through the new puppy checklist (UK) before pick-up day.
Compare PDSA cover ↗The right kit makes training easier. This is what James starts with.
Kit helps. Training fixes it. The first one-hour session at home is £35.
See the Ruffwear harness ↗Links marked with ↗ open the brand’s website in a new tab. Some are affiliate links.
Also worth a look
The kit bag
Clips at the chest so pulling turns the dog round instead of dragging you. See the Ruffwear Front Range
Ten metres of freedom with a safety net. The best way to practise recall. See the long line
Good timing is half of training. Rewards on your hip, not buried in a pocket. See the treat pouch
For reactive dogs, a muzzle they can pant and drink in. Train it slowly so they like wearing it. See the Baskerville Ultra
Calms anxious dogs and slows down fast eaters. Good for settling after a walk. See the LickiMat
A settled dog has a place of their own. Washable and tough enough for chewers. See the Bedsure bed
Fair questions
Sometimes. Some links are affiliate links, so The Dog Geezer may earn a small commission if you buy. It never changes the price you pay, and brands don’t choose what goes on this page.
No. You pay the brand’s normal price. Some brands give a discount on your first order.
No. Mix the new food in gradually over 7 to 10 days so their stomach can adjust. If your dog has a health condition or is on a special diet, speak to your vet first.
James can’t tell you which policy is right for you. Compare a few, and check whether cover is lifetime or time-limited, the yearly vet-fee limit and the excess you’d pay on each claim.
A front-clip harness makes pulling harder work, but it won’t teach your dog to walk nicely on its own. That takes training. James’s first session is one hour at your home for £35.
Kit only goes so far
Training enquiries join the waiting list, and the first chat is free. Call James on 07305 634229 or email James.
Join the training waiting list