If you fancy trying something a little different with your dog, turn to page 44 this issue.Andrea McHugh and her Border Collie, Sango, recently had a go at mantrailing, a relatively new activity for dogs and their handlers where they locate a ‘lost’ person using the dog’s amazing scenting abilities. It sounds like a lot of fun, and because you work individually rather than in a class set-up, it means mantrailing can be suitable for people and dogs of all ages and physical abilities — it can even be an ideal activity for dogs who are reactive towards others. It’s a great way to explore new areas, and build the bond between you, so why not have a go this autumn?
Now that we’re all getting out and about a bit more, it’s also time to face the truth about your dog’s experiences of car travel. If — like a lot of us — you have to hold your hand up and admit he’s a less-than-perfect passenger, don’t despair. It’s all about working out what the underlying causes are and then preparing an action plan to remedy them.For lots of ideas and tips on how to improve your travelling experiences with your dog, turn to page 14.

Many of us have read about the potential benefits of omega fatty acids in our dogs’ diets for their overall health and well-being, but often that’s as far as our understanding goes. Our nutrition expert Dr Jacqueline Boyd explains all about these fantastic fats in her new series beginning on page 26, to give you a clearer idea of how they might help your dog.

Finally, it’s also time to vote for your favourite doggy products in the 2022 Your Dog Product Awards. It only takes a few minutes to fill in the entry form — you’ll find it on page 41 — and you could win a £50 Amazon voucher. You can either fill in the form and post it to us, or go online. Let’s celebrate and reward those must-have dog products that make such a difference to our and our dogs’ lives.