We are currently inundated with offers to sell some of the most stupid dog toys ever invented the latest being a set of plastic steps to show your dog how to climb stairs!!!! Yeah right.

There is no doubt this is where the canine market is heading and where big money will be made. The sillier the idea the more it will sell.

Pet owners are only too willing to spend money on their confused dogs but not so eager to invest some serious training time or stick to a disciplined approach.

The biggest and most successful boarding kennel in the country offers portable TV's in all 'suites' along with beauty treatments and aqua therapy. Cost £30 per day. How confusing must that nonsense be to a dog?

A fraction of that money spent on training, correct feeding and good kennel management would show amazing results.

Have a wonderful Christmas enjoy your dog but PLEASE make sure your visitors respect him/her as a DOG and not ruin your training by treating him as a humanbeing. He won't appreciate it and neither will you when his behaviour deteriorates.

If in doubt put your dog away. (Better still leave your visitors behind and go out training!)

Our very best wishes,