Understand the behaviour.
Look at what happens before and after the habit. Your dog may need a different routine, clearer teaching or more support.
Tales from Max’s Dog & Bone
Better dogs.
Start with
better humans.
Straight-talking dog advice. A little grumbling. A lot less guesswork.
- Build everyday habits with clear, rewarding training
- Understand the dog behind the behaviour
- Find a breed that fits your real life
New puppy? Start here. Already owned by a dog? You’re welcome too.
Find help for my dog →
Clear steps
Less guessing. More understanding.
Reward-based
Teach the habits you want.
Breed insights
Look beyond the cute face.
Proper character
Dog wisdom, served with a grumble.
What’s testing your patience?
Good dog. Tricky habit.
Let’s find your next step.
Choose what sounds familiar. Max will point you towards a useful place to begin.
Start with the basics.
Build a routine for toilet breaks, rest, rewards and early learning. Give your puppy a clear starting point before tackling everything at once.
Explore puppy training →
Meet your four-legged mentor
I’m Max.
I’ve got opinions.
You’ve got homework.
“Your dog is learning every day. Might as well make sure you’re teaching something useful.”
Max is your gruff but lovable guide to training, behaviour and life with dogs. He turns the everyday confusion into practical things you can work on together.
And Wally? He asks the questions.
Max’s endlessly enthusiastic sidekick keeps the conversations lively. Together, they tackle the ridiculous world of dogs, humans and everything in between.
Meet Grumpy Old Max →A better way to begin
Less shouting. More understanding.
Clear teaching and a predictable routine give your dog something useful to work with.
Reward the alternative.
Make the behaviour you want worth repeating. Keep practice manageable and instructions consistent.
Build it into real life.
Small, regular sessions are easier to maintain. Work on one habit, notice progress and adjust as you learn.
The 20-Minute Barking Off-Switch
The doorbell.
The neighbour.
That suspicious leaf.
When everything starts a barking performance, give yourself a clearer plan.
Explore Max’s focused barking programme and see what’s included, how it works and whether it suits the problem you’re facing.
A starting point for practice. Lasting habits need repetition; individual results vary.
Max’s take
“Shouting ‘quiet’ over the barking just makes it a duet.”
Start by working out why your dog is barking. If time alone brings panic or distress, explore the separation anxiety guide and seek individual support.
Understand separation anxiety →Find your kind of dog
Pick the personality.
Then admire the face.
Get to know the care, training and everyday needs behind three popular breeds.
Cavoodle
A loving little shadow with a coat that needs commitment.
Explore the breed →
Labrador Retriever
Friendly energy, a busy brain and a very keen interest in dinner.
Explore the breed →
Border Collie
A clever working mind that needs more than a long walk.
Explore the breed →Start on the right paw
New puppy?
Get a clearer starting point.
Explore Max’s free Puppy Guide and start building your everyday routine with more confidence.
GET MY FREE PUPPY GUIDE →
Opens the existing free-guide page.
Keep learning with Max
There’s more to a good dog life.
Behaviour & everyday habits
Understand the patterns behind the things your dog does.
Explore the advice →Play & enrichment
Find ideas to keep curious minds and busy noses occupied.
Explore the advice →Health & nutrition
Explore everyday wellbeing, food and care topics.
Explore the advice →A few sensible questions
Before Max sends you off.
Where should I start with a new puppy?
Start with the free Puppy Guide and puppy training section. Focus on a manageable routine, consistent rewards and one skill at a time.
Can I use the advice with an older dog?
Yes. The behaviour and training sections are useful starting points for adult dogs too. Adapt your expectations to the individual dog and their experiences.
How do I choose a breed that suits me?
Use the Breed Matcher to begin thinking about your lifestyle, then read the breed guides. Consider daily activity, company, grooming and care rather than appearance alone.
Where can I get help with barking?
Start with the barking advice section or explore the Barking Off-Switch programme. Understanding the cause matters, especially if your dog is distressed when alone.
Max’s final word
Love your dog.
Learn their language.
You don’t need to tackle everything today. Pick one useful starting point and build from there. Max will supply the grumbling.
GET MY FREE PUPPY GUIDE →Find the right breed for my life →
