We’re proud to share that MasterDog founder Robin James was recently featured in The Sunday Telegraph in a special feature exploring how one family found and trained the perfect puppy.
The article follows writer Naomi Greenaway’s journey as she searched for the right dog for her family, navigating the overwhelming amount of information online before seeking expert guidance. That guidance came from Robin James, known to many clients as MasterDog, whose approach focuses on matching the right dog to the right lifestyle and creating calm, well-balanced companions.
Matching the Right Dog to the Right Lifestyle
One of the key themes highlighted in the article is that choosing a dog should start with understanding your own lifestyle. Many people focus first on the breed they like the look of, but Robin emphasises that the real priority is compatibility.
As the article explains, a dog should ideally fit into your life rather than forcing you to completely change your routine. Smaller breeds, for example, often require less exercise than larger dogs but still benefit from mental stimulation and structure.
By focusing on lifestyle, environment, and personality, the right match can be found – which is exactly what happened in the story.
The Search for the Perfect Puppy
After reviewing several options, the family eventually chose a Maltipoo, a cross between a Maltese and a toy poodle. Robin explained that these breeds can offer a great balance of intelligence, calmness, and size for many households.
The article also highlights the importance of choosing the right breeder. Robin advises checking for DNA testing in the puppy’s parents, meeting the litter if possible, and ensuring the breeder is responsible and transparent about the dog’s health and background.
These early decisions play a crucial role in setting both the dog and the family up for long-term success.
Early Training and Puppy Behaviour
Like many puppies, Ronnie, the family’s new Maltipoo, arrived full of energy and curiosity. As the article humorously describes, this included a few unexpected “surprises” around the house during the early days of toilet training.
Robin’s approach focuses on calmness and structure. He explains that puppies often start life at a very high energy level, jokingly described as running at “78 rpm”, and the goal is to gradually help them settle into a calmer state closer to “33 rpm.”
By reducing over-excitement and building consistent routines, puppies learn how to behave confidently in the home.
Practical Puppy Training Techniques
The article also touches on several training methods that MasterDog uses with clients, including:
Teaching puppies to ring a bell when they need to go outside
Establishing clear toilet-training routines
Encouraging calm behaviour rather than over-excitement
Using gentle handling techniques such as relaxed tummy rubs to help puppies settle
These techniques are designed to build confidence, trust, and communication between dog and owner.
From Chaos to Calm
With guidance from Robin and some consistent practice at home, Ronnie quickly began to develop better habits. Within a short period, he was responding to commands, sleeping more peacefully, and learning how to communicate when he needed to go outside.
Most importantly, he became exactly what the family hoped for: a loving companion who fits comfortably into their daily life.
As the article concludes, Ronnie now spends much of his time curled up on Naomi’s lap while she works – a sign that the match was a success.
Expert Puppy Training with MasterDog
Being featured in The Sunday Telegraph highlights what MasterDog has always focused on: creating calm, well-behaved dogs by understanding both the dog and the owner.
Whether you’re choosing your first puppy, dealing with challenging behaviours, or looking to build a stronger relationship with your dog, the right guidance can make all the difference.
At MasterDog, our goal is simple – to help you raise a dog that fits seamlessly into your life.
