A search online will quickly tell you that pulling on the lead is one of the most common behaviour/training issues for dog owners, and anyone who’s experienced walking a dog who pulls like a train can appreciate what a frustrating (and sometimes painful!) experience it can be. But, suggests Toni Shelbourne in her feature ‘Balancing act’ (page 14), many dogs pull simply because they are unable to balance themselves. Toni has lots of advice on how you can work with your dog and help him to achieve happy lead walking.

There’s more advice too in the second part of our ‘Reactive to responsive’ series. One of the keys to handling a reactive dog successfully is to find ways to help him relax, thus reducing his stress levels. There are a number of exercises and techniques you can try, from Tellington TTouch to settle training, counter-conditioning, and booking a secure exercise field. Get the full story on page 26.

Finally, for your own relaxation, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, put your feet up, and have a go at our fun quiz ‘How well do you know your dog?’ (on page 34) — you might be surprised at what you discover!