OR completion disappointment I learned recently about completion compulsion, where some humans feel a psychological need to clean the plate, regardless of whether they are full or satisfied. As I watched the ritual that my dogs perform at the end [...]

The language of labelling: part four Additives and supplementary ingredients We all want the best for our dogs, and part of that means understanding what ingredients are in their food. To that end, we need to be aware of what [...]

The language of labelling: Part three The ingredient hierarchy and the ‘Mixing Bowl’ principle We all want the best for our dogs, and part of that means knowing what they’re eating, understanding what ingredients are in their food. To that [...]

Safety net Even as I consider taking the leap to a fully home-cooked diet for my dogs, a backup bag of commercial dog food lurks in the cupboard. It creates a sort of safety net: a feeling of security rooted [...]

The language of labelling: Part two Flavour and flavourings We all want the best for our dogs, and that means knowing what they’re eating, understanding the ingredients in their food. To that end, it's wise to learn what marketing tactics [...]

The language of labelling Part One We all want the best for our dogs, and part of that means knowing what they’re eating, understanding the ingredients in their food and how they're prepared. And, perhaps just as importantly, being aware [...]

Blending flours: how it works Combining to create better functional treats In my search for the holy grail of training treats, I’ve tried many different flavours, even different shapes. Always with the same underlying aim: to achieve a palatable,  functional [...]