Dangers outside and in the garden

27 January 2026

Many trees can be dangerous if a dog eats them which many dogs can do.

 If you are in a new area, moving home or your dog is staying with a friend. Here are a list of trees to be concerned about.. the issues may occur with leaves seeds and wood.



Yew

Heart problems and breathing


Sycamore

Heart damage and damaged muscles can lead to kidney failure


Laburnum

Vomiting seizures and neurological signs


Cherry Laurel

Breathing and collapse


Oak

Irritate gut and damage kidneys


Elder

Vomiting  - death in large quantities


Horse chestnut

Lethargy and diarrhoea


Azalea and Rhododendron

Cause irregular heartbeats – vomiting and diarrhoea


A muzzle can protect a dog if they tend to scavenge. I am a Muzzle Up Movement ambassador and you can get money off here.

If you are having trouble with your dogs guarding and picking things up on walks, reach out.


Reference: Tree safety: oaks, sycamores and more pose threats to our pets – what to watch out for. Nicole Olewinski , Pet and Vet Magazine. Issue 7: August 2025

Living with a reactive dog: how to look after yourself

by Lisa Sinnott • 21 April 2026
Having a dog who shows reactive behaviour can leave you feeling tired, on edge and emotionally exhausting experience at times. It is really important to look after yourself. I hope these ideas help you.

Dogs who are nervous of sounds

by Lisa Sinnott • 18 April 2026
Helping dogs who are nervous of sounds It can be really tricky and feel hard when your dog is feeling nervous of sounds that you do not have control over. They may freeze, startle, growl, try to flee, shake, drool or more. Here are some considerations if your dog is nervous of sounds. As well as the noise, there is the physical vibration too.

Fight behaviours

by Lisa Sinnott • 15 April 2026
Have you ever wondered that even if scared why a dog will run towards something? If a dog is barking and lunging at something that they are scared of then surely they would avoid it... right? This isn't always the case!

Emotions and the vet clinic

by Lisa Sinnott • 6 April 2026
Why Emotional Wellbeing Matters at the Vet When it comes to veterinary care, the focus is often on physical health—but a pet’s emotional experiences important If stress and fear are overlooked, it can shape how an animal feels about vet visits in the future. Negative experiences may lead to increased anxiety, defensive behaviour, or even the need for sedation during routine examinations. By considering how our pets feel, we can help create calmer, safer, and more positive veterinary visits. Chat to your vets about how they can support your dog.

Dog play what's ok?

by Lisa Sinnott • 1 April 2026
Dog play what’s okay? You may have heard that you can be over zealous and you should leave dogs to work it out themselves but this is poor advice. Sometimes play can turn into something else so it’s important to be mindful of play signals. When a dog goes rushing over to another head on it can feel threatening – even if the intention is play. It can be hard to assess intention as the dog is likely to be moving very fast.

Children and Dogs

by Lisa Sinnott • 4 March 2026
I know of many family members who have small children and dog and they live in harmony.

Mounting and humping behaviour

by Lisa Sinnott • 30 January 2026
Some dogs do it for hormonal reasons others due to behavioural. Reasons behind humping can include hormones, anxiety, tension attention seeking, frustration, eliciting play or displacement behaviour when stressed. Filling out the diary can help pinpoint more triggers and look at what is happening.

Children and dogs - harmony at home

by Lisa Sinnott • 30 January 2026
Children and Dogs: A Guide to Safe and Happy Relationships Having a dog in your family is exciting and fun, but it’s important to teach children how to interact safely and kindly with their furry friend. Puppies and young dogs are still learning, and we need to help them grow into happy, well-behaved companions.

Pica and dogs - eating non- food items

by Lisa Sinnott • 30 January 2026
Understanding Pica in Dogs: Why They Eat Non-Food Items

Sound Sensitivities in Dogs

by Lisa Sinnott • 29 January 2026
Sound sensitivities can be distressing for us to watch.