Latest news with #LucyMiller
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Vets and behaviour experts name dog breeds you should 'never own'
Even experts who don't believe in a 'banned list' for breeds say there are some dog types you should avoid XL Bullies became the latest breed added to the banned list in the UK in 2023, joining pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro. But vets and animal experts say there are a number of other breeds they would 'never own' and would not recommend as family pets - because they could be difficult, dangerous or unsuitable. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was introduced in the UK in response to a series of high-profile dog attacks. It makes it illegal to own, breed, sell, gift, abandon, or exchange a banned dog or let any dog be dangerously out of control in a public or private place. But regardless of the legislation, animal experts say there are some dogs people should not let into their homes. Dr Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at Waggel, said: "A high-energy breed like a Border Collie or a Belgian Malinois works beautifully with seasoned owners who are able to provide them with structure, stimulation and all sorts of outlets for exercise. Without that, these breeds will learn other unwanted behaviours due to boredom or frustration. When selecting a breed, you will need to consider how much room and time you have and your experience – not all breeds are ideal for all homes. "I respect all breeds but based on my lifestyle, I wouldn't consider owning a Caucasian Shepherd. They are beautiful and intelligent, but since they were bred to protect livestock, they can be territorial and aloof by nature, which can be problematic in the wrong situation. The Caucasian Shepherd needs experienced owners who can handle them, make sure they get enough exercise, and can provide the needed tough socialisation." She added: "Any dog — any breed — can be made into a killer through bad socialisation or bad handling. We would be much better served shutting down licensing, raising training to a requirement, raising punishment for bad ownership, rather than demonising entire breeds." Lucy Miller, a Qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist, MSc at Step Ahead Veterinary Physiotherapy, said: "I've worked with almost every dog breed out there and I can say with confidence that no breed is inherently 'bad'. However, some breeds are consistently mismatched with the wrong types of owners and that's where the danger lies. "I strongly advise the average dog owner—especially first time owners — against breeds like the Belgian Malinois , Caucasian Shepherd or Presa Canario . These are super intelligent, powerful dogs bred for guarding, protection and military style work. A Belgian Malinois for example has a drive and intensity that most pet owners underestimate. "They need hours of physical activity, daily mental stimulation and a handler who understands working dog psychology. Without that they can become frustrated, reactive and destructive. I've treated too many Malinois with behavioural issues because people adopted them based on looks or reputation without understanding their needs. "If I was asked personally which breed I would never own it would be the Wolfdog—any hybrid between a domestic dog and a wolf. These animals are beautiful but they retain wild instincts that can make them very difficult to manage. I've seen Wolfdogs escape from secure enclosures, destroy homes and exhibit unpredictable aggression especially during maturity when their instincts kick in. They're not reliable around children, have complex dietary needs and many of them have extremely poor tolerance for restraint or veterinary handling." First-generation wolf-dogs need to be licensed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. Lucy said: "I'm against breed-specific legislation because it punishes dogs based on appearance, not behaviour. However regulations —like mandatory licensing, behaviour evaluations or required training — could be beneficial for breeds that statistically present a higher risk when improperly owned. Breeds like the Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) and Tosa Inu have a history of being bred for aggression and used in fighting. I've treated dogs from these breeds that were great in the right home — but I've also seen devastating bite injuries from individuals who had no business owning such powerful, assertive animals. "These dogs need experienced handlers, secure containment and socialisation from a very young age. Without that the consequences can be deadly — not just for humans but for the dogs who often pay the price for human irresponsibility." Annie-Mae Levy, a professional dog trainer and behaviorist at Woofz, said: "Personally would never own a high-energy dog as I am honest with myself - I'm pretty lazy on weekdays. I often spend 4-5 hours outdoors walking and training with clients and their dogs, so the last thing I feel like doing is getting home and spending hours exercising and training my own pets. "I love running with my dogs and going for 2-4 hour hikes, maybe once a week, but a high-energy breed needs this daily, not just when I fancy it. I am not a suitable owner for breeds such as: Collies, Malinois, Pointers, Vizsla, Spaniels, etc, unless I want to change my lifestyle in the future. " Adding dogs to a banned breed list does little to nothing to stop bite incidents. In my opinion, we need to take more proactive action and follow in the footsteps of countries such as Germany, which require a dog licence, involving both a theoretical and practical exam to own a dog." Ben Doyle, owner of Dirty Bertie Dog Shampoo, said: " It's about choosing a dog that suits your lifestyle, energy levels, and experience. High-drive, high-intelligence working breeds like Border Collies are incredible animals. But they're not the best choice for your average busy family that works all day. Without the right stimulation, they will create their own job, and it might involve dismantling your sofa. I've seen this happen time and again." On which breed he would never own, Ben said: " Honestly? Any breed I can't give the life it needs. That's a personal decision, not a judgment on the dog. If I can't give a husky two hours of exercise a day, it's not fair to bring one home. That's not the dog's fault, that's me being realistic. He added: "Banning breeds doesn't solve the root problems, it just shifts them. Let's talk about socialisation, training, and support for owners, not scapegoats. The bottom line? Choose the right dog for your life, not just the one that looks cute on Instagram. And if you're not sure? Talk to a rescue or a trainer first, not TikTok."
Tom's Guide
06-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I did 100 reverse flyes every day for a week — here's what happened to my body
Have you ever heard the saying, 'Your posture is how you present yourself to the world'? It's true. You stand tall, you stand confident — well, that's what I tell my kids and clients anyway. Your posture tells a story, which is why one of my favorite moves to strengthen and tone the rear shoulders and back is the reverse flye. Think: lean forward, pull your abs in and fly your arms out. You can use light dumbbells, or if opting for bodyweight, I pop my thumbs up and drive them back (I call them 'disco thumbs'). This move feels incredibly good first thing in the morning or after a long day at your laptop when you want to wake up the backs of your shoulders (your posterior deltoids) and activate the upper and mid back, mainly the rhomboids and traps. It's a small move with a big posture pay-off, so I committed to doing 100 reps every day for a week (spoiler: I stood taller and ditched the slouch). Here's how to do the move properly, plus a few more reasons it deserves a spot in your repertoire. "Reverse flyes are one of the best exercises to help you build upper back muscles, crucial for posture and mobility," explains Sarah Campus, personal trainer, nutrition coach, runner and founder of holistic wellness platform LDN MUMS FITNESS. "They target the muscles that strengthen the posterior shoulder muscles, which help to promote proper shoulder joint function while helping you stand taller with less effort." A post shared by Lucy Miller (@lucycmiller_) A photo posted by on Slow, controlled reps are key to getting the most from reverse flyes. It's tempting to power through, but speed can lead to poor form and take the focus away from the right muscles. This cue is everything. 'Stretch, contract and squeeze your rear delts for a second and then control back,' says personal trainer and founder of the Crockford App, Alex Crockford. It helps activate your upper back and rear delts (those small but mighty muscles at the back of your shoulders) and gives you that satisfying "posture reset" feeling. Keep a soft bend in your elbows. To really hit the rear delts, the elbows should be at shoulder level or slightly below. 'Going too high will increase shoulder strain as you engage the wrong muscles,' says Campus. 'You'll basically activate the upper traps and neck muscles instead of the rear delts, which, as a result, could impinge the shoulder joint.' Yep, this move requires your core. Pull your belly button towards your spine to help brace your core and support your lower back. It will avoid dumping any tension into your neck, too. As I mentioned, you can do this move with just your bodyweight. I first learned this years ago with celebrity trainer James Duigan (Elle Macpherson's trainer, nonetheless). He called them disco flyes — thumbs up to the ceiling and drive your arms back with purpose. That image stuck with me, and I still do them when I need a quick posture pick-me-up. Crockford also recommends that you 'don't lift so heavy that you have to use lots of momentum or can't bend over enough. It's better to keep control and have better quality contraction.' Instead, keep your gaze forward. If you look down, your shoulders will instantly round. This adjustment of looking ahead and slightly up allows for better engagement of your upper back and rear delts, maximizing your results. "When done consistently, reverse flyes can improve posture, reduce upper back pain and even enhance performance in other lifts," says Campus. And I'm living proof that they're effective. The difference I'm already feeling in my posture and the relief in my upper back is incredible. I'm standing taller and feeling stronger, and perhaps it's just because I'm more aware of it, but that's after one week. Do I need to be doing 100 a day? Probably not, but three sets of 20 feels good and I'll do this roughly twice a week, whether as part of an upper-body session or a back-specific workout. I'll be working on mixing things up too — alternating arms perhaps, or performing them kneeling over a gym ball for some extra core work. You could even use a cable machine or a resistance band for extra resistance. However you do them, adding reverse flyes to your training will surely help build a stronger upper back and better posture for the future.
