How to have a happy dog and other tips from vets, breeders and trainers

Recommended Home Pet care How to have a happy dog and other tips from vets, breeders and trainers Our canine experts answered your questions on behaviour issues, healthy diets, smart insurance and grooming dos and don’ts Save Comment speech bubble icon Gift this article free Gift article Give full access to this article, free time. You have 15 articles left to gift, this month. Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Emilia Hitching Reviews Writer, Home and Garden Emilia is a reviews writer for Recommended, specialising in home, garden and sleep product reviews, buying guides and deals advice. Previously, Emilia was sleep and wellness editor at Homes & Gardens where she worked with testers to find the best sleep products, from mattresses to sunrise alarm clocks. See more Published 23 May 2026 7:00pm BST Related Topics Dogs, Crufts, Animals Save Comment speech bubble icon Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Gift this article free Gift article Give full access to this article, free time. You have 15 articles left to gift, this month. Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Four-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Max, posing for a portrait on Discover Dogs at Crufts 2026 Emilia Hitching Reviews Writer, Home and Garden Emilia is a reviews writer for Recommended, specialising in home, garden and sleep product reviews, buying guides and deals advice. Previously, Emilia was sleep and wellness editor at Homes & Gardens where she worked with testers to find the best sleep products, from mattresses to sunrise alarm clocks. See more Published 23 May 2026 7:00pm BST There’s a new breed of helicopter parents. Instead of hovering over their human children, we’re all obsessed with our pets. I meet an increasing number of “dog mums” and “dog dads” who fret about their animals not making friends in the park or meeting their developmental milestones. In truth, dogs aren’t so complicated. To set your mind at ease, Dr Pete Wedderburn, the Telegraph’s resident vet, and Charlotte McNamara, head of health and breeding at the Royal Kennel Club (the organisers of Crufts), answered questions posed by Telegraph Recommended community. We’ve also got tips for first-time pet parents from dog training instructor Dawn Cox. Together, they cover everything from designer dogs to nuclear sclerosis, all to help you in your quest for a happier, healthier pup. How do I know if my dog is happy? Junior, a Dalmation on the third day of Crufts 2026 Credit: Royal Kennel Club/Beat Media First, a word of reassurance: “I think dogs are naturally happy,” says McNamara. “They’re stoic creatures, which is probably why we love them so much. They are inordinately resilient. I think a happy dog is one that has a great connection with you, when you’ve fostered a bond by spending time together.” Nevertheless, it’s worth paying attention to your pet and trusting your instincts if something seems off. Dr Wedderburn puts it this way: “If there’s any time that your dog stops behaving in their normal way, whether it’s because they’re less active or less hungry, they’re drinking more, or they can’t do something they can usually do, like jumping into the back of the car, that’s a sign that something might be wrong and you should go to the vet for advice.” Perhaps your dog is easily agitated and you’ve never been able to understand why. According to Dr Wedderburn, the answer might be – and don’t laugh – childhood trauma. “Many, many dogs these days are reactive and get anxious in new situations,” he explains. “They get aggressive and fearful, which is often because they’re badly socialised when they’re young.” “Puppies have a socialisation window in their brain up until four months of age,” Dr Wedderburn says. “Whenever they come across a new experience, their brain will accept it as being part of the normal world. If they don’t meet experiences until they’re older than that, until they’re maybe five or six months of age, then their brain is fearful and anxious instead and they retain that fear and anxiety for the rest of their lives.” Trainer Cox has plenty of experience dealing with anxious dogs: “The most important thing is to recognise that the dog is overstimulated and remove them from that environment. Some dogs like gentle stroking, others like a quiet, calm voice or soft food or something else to chew. Maybe a snuffle mat that they can do a little bit of sniffy work – that tends to take their arousal levels down.” Why are vet fees so expensive? Winner of Best Veteran in the Harrier ring on Hound Day at Crufts 2026 Credit: Emily Barrington While Dr Wedderburn acknowledges that vet bills can be very costly, he is quick to clarify that “in general, veterinary fees are lower compared to human medical fees. That’s because vets aren’t paid as much as doctors and often there are subsidies by the state on human medical fees, so it’s not really fair to compare.” To keep on top of your pet’s health, Dr Wedderburn recommends “an annual health check, where every aspect of your pet from the tip of their nose to the tail is examined carefully so that problems can be identified before they start to get serious.” He concedes that pet insurance has made the cost of operations go up. “But I also believe that pet insurance has enabled pet owners to afford a much higher quality of pet care. That might include referrals to specialists and more expensive medications and that, of course, costs more.” Asked when one should stop paying for pet insurance, Dr Wedderburn reframes the question: how far would you want to go if your elderly pet fell ill? Ultimately, there’s no right answer and it’s a decision every pet owner must make for themselves: “If you would rather make a big investment into looking after them and making sure that they have the best possible care, then you carry on with the insurance. If you’re quite clear that when they reach that stage, you’re going to say goodbye to them sooner rather than later, then you don’t need insurance.” Given that you’re paying so much money for vets to look after your pets in their most vulnerable moments, you want to make sure that they’re people you can trust. “Focus on fostering a really good professional relationship with your vet,” advises Dr Wedderburn. “Find someone that you get on well with, who understands your perspective, who knows your pet and the way you want to care for your pet.” What is the best diet for a healthy pet? Milo, an Airedale Terrier, on the second day of Crufts 2026 Credit: Royal Kennel Club/BeatMedia Before any raw diet defenders take the moral high ground against kibble proponents, Dr Wedderburn wants to clarify that “there are many different ways to feed a pet that keeps them healthy”. He says: “You can use raw diets as long as you understand the risks and benefits. You can feed tinned or dog food in sachets or you can feed dry kibble. Each has pros and cons. The main thing is to include ingredients that are high quality and to find a diet your pet enjoys eating.” Cox adds: “Obviously, in the old days, we used to feed a lot of scraps, which is not necessarily good for the dog. If you’re going to give scraps, make sure it’s only small amounts and they have nutritional value. The ready-made dog foods are balanced but you want a higher level of meat in there rather than meat derivatives.” One of our readers asked whether there is a link between a dog’s diet and their likelihood of contracting nuclear sclerosis or clouding of the eyes. If you haven’t heard of this condition, Dr Wedderburn explains: “The centre of the lens goes a slightly milky colour. Dogs can’t see quite as clearly through the centre of the lens, but they can see around the edges perfectly well.” He stresses that “this condition is almost universal in dogs, regardless of what they’re fed”. Arthritis is another worrying condition. “It’s a key concern for many dog owners, usually at a later stage in life,” says McNamara. “It’s something that applies to pedigree and non-pedigree dogs alike. There is an organisation called Canine Arthritis Management and they offer some really brilliant advice that’s evidence-led.” Are designer breeds dangerously overbred? Open dog class third to fifth place at Crufts 2026 Credit: Chris Cartwright / EndeavourDMP Many people asked about designer breeds. Dr Wedderburn is clear: “It’s obviously wrong to produce puppies that are going to grow up into adult dogs that suffer because of the way they’ve been bred. “What breeders ought to do is breed dogs for health, not for their appearance. And that is also down to pet owners, because people want dogs that look cute and they forget that often unfortunately means they may have bad health.” Dr Wedderburn continues: “Breeders need to be more cautious about how they breed. The Royal Vet College has just produced a tool for Innate Health Assessment, which allows people to choose the best, healthiest dogs to breed. That’s going to produce the best, healthiest puppies, whether they’re pedigree or so-called designer breeds.” Can I groom my dog myself? A Pomeranian from the Toy Group pictured at Crufts 2026 Credit: Emily Boyd “You absolutely should be grooming your dog routinely,” says McNamara. “Dogs love to be groomed. It strengthens our relationship with them.” McNamara encourages “gently checking the feet, in between the toes, the pads and the coat”. She says this normalises grooming for pets. “When you do go to a dog groomer in an unfamiliar setting, they’re more used to this habit, emotionally and socially.” Cox also recommends you start small: “Maybe just running your hands over the dog before introducing towel drying or using a soft brush. Make sure that your dog is comfortable and rewarded frequently.” Remember to pay special attention to the teeth – and don’t try to palm off your poor pet with your hand-me-downs. “You need a dog toothbrush and a dog toothpaste,” says McNamara, who warms strongly against using human toothpaste and recommends taking advice from your vet if you have any questions. How can I help my dog to feel comfortable at home? A competitor taking part in Heelwork to Music in the Dog Activities area on Day 4 of Crufts 2026 Credit: Annette Harrison One of the quickest ways to help your pet settle in is to invest in a range of dog toys. “If you’ve got a strong chewer, you don’t want a soft toy,” warns Cox. “They can chew out the bits of plastic and stuffing and potentially swallow them, which could make your dog very poorly.” She also recommends thinking about breed-specific behaviours. “For example, gundogs tend to have a softer mouth, so they might be better with soft toys than hard chews.” As for choosing between a collar and lead or harness, McNamara says: “It’s a personal decision. The best way to make your mind up is to speak to someone who has experience of owning the same type of dog as you, whether that’s your breeder or someone at your local dog class. The most important thing is to make sure your dog tag is clearly displayed and inscribed with all the relevant information.” Join the conversation Show comments The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy. Related Topics Dogs, Crufts, Animals License this content You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. Find out more here. Log In Subscribe Advertisement More Stories