Take My Lead Dog Walking Services (2025)

11/06/2025

Did you know adult dogs need 𝟭𝟲–𝟮𝟬 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆?
And puppies need even more — around 𝟭𝟴–𝟮𝟬 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀!

Not all in one long stretch, either. Just like toddlers, dogs need naps throughout the day to stay emotionally and physically balanced.

When dogs don’t get enough rest, their behaviour can unravel:
😠 Cranky
🐾 Overexcited
📉 Poor decision-making
🎯 Less impulse control
Sound familiar, parents?

Busy days like family BBQs, playdates, or guests popping in can overstimulate your dog. Even if they seem excited to be part of it all, that tiredness builds up fast — and can show up as barking, growling, or jumping.

👉 Give your dog space to relax. A quiet room, a comfy bed, and a chew toy can do wonders.

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 — 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀.

🛏️💛

👇 Tell me in the comments:
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆?
𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗴?

09/06/2025

Many parents think their dog licking their child is a sign of love… but sometimes, it’s the exact opposite!

🐶 Dogs use licking as a way to create space. When a child is too close or overwhelming, a dog may lick as a subtle way of saying:
➡️ "I need space."
➡️ "Please stop."
➡️ "I’m uncomfortable."

If the child doesn’t move away, stress can escalate into growling or snapping. 😬📢 What to do instead?
✅ Teach kids to respect a dog's space.
✅ If you see "Kiss to Dismiss," calmly call your child away.
✅ Always watch for stress signals like yawning, lip licking, or turning away.

Have you seen this before? Drop a 🐾 if you learned something new! 👇

02/06/2025

🎓 Let’s Rethink Puppy “Socialisation”

When we hear that a new puppy needs “socialising,” many people picture trips to the dog park and encouraging their pup to say hello to every dog and person they meet.

But here’s the truth: “socialisation” is often misunderstood.

A better word might be “acclimatisation.”
Your puppy isn’t just learning to be social — they’re learning to cope with a completely new and confusing world.

📖 To acclimatise means to become accustomed to new conditions. And that’s exactly what your puppy is doing.

🐾 Your job as their guardian isn’t to throw them into the deep end — it’s to gently guide them as they learn about:

Noisy traffic 🚗

Wobbly bikes and scooters 🚲

Fast-moving children 🧒

Other dogs 🐶

People with hats, umbrellas, bags, beards, and more! 🎩☂️🎒

It’s not about forcing interaction. It’s about helping your puppy feel safe and supported in the face of new things.

💡 What are we aiming for?

A puppy who can calmly observe the world

Who behaves appropriately around dogs and people

Who trusts you to protect them if something feels too overwhelming

👋 So next time you think “socialisation,” think acclimatisation.
Your puppy doesn’t need to meet everyone — they need to feel safe with you as they learn about the world.

Your puppy is counting on you to be their safe place. Let's make sure you know how.

01/06/2025

🐾 Bringing a New Dog Home? Here's How to Introduce Them to Your Kids Safely 👧🐶
Welcoming a new dog is exciting—but first impressions really matter, especially when kids are involved. Here’s how to set everyone up for a safe and happy start:

✨ 1. Start with calm – Skip the big welcome party. Keep the house quiet and let the dog settle in first.

👃 2. Let the dog approach – Teach kids to stay seated, hands low, and let the dog come to them.

🙌 3. Gentle touches only – No hugging, no grabbing. Show kids how to pet gently on the chest or side.

👀 4. Watch body language – Yawning, turning away, or stiff posture? The dog needs space.

🎉 5. Praise calm behavior – For both your kids and your dog! Reinforce gentle, kind interactions.

The first meeting sets the tone—so go slow, stay positive, and supervise closely.

💬 Have you recently introduced a new dog to your family? What worked for you?

31/05/2025

Too Much Freedom Too Soon = Trouble! 🐾🚫

New puppy parents,
One of the BIGGEST mistakes you can make is giving your puppy the run of the house before they're ready.

🐶 Puppies rehearse behaviours — good and bad.
Every time your puppy pees on the rug, shreds the couch, or sneaks a snack off the table... they're getting better at it. 😬

👉 Instead, set them up for success!
Give your puppy more freedom little by little — after they've shown they can handle it.

Tools to Help When You Can’t Watch 100%:
✔️ Crate training
✔️ Baby gates to limit room access
✔️ Puppy pens for safe hangouts
✔️ Tethering (when supervised)

💡 Freedom is earned, not given.
Your future well-behaved adult dog will thank you! 🐕❤️

28/05/2025

𝗜𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀?

😌 Does your child freeze, panic, or hide whenever a dog comes near?

You're not alone - and there's a gentle, proven way to help.

🧒🐶 We are pleased and excited to offer our 𝟭:𝟭 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝟱-𝟭𝟮 to overcome their fear of dogs using the successful protocol from KAD (Kids Around Dogs).

✨ Over 10 Personalised sessions (7 online + 3 in-person), your child will:
✅ Feel more confident around dogs
✅ See dogs in a more positive, less scary way
✅ Build real life coping strategies that stick

And the best part? It's done at 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 pace - no forced interactions, ever.

𝘼𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 𝙩𝙤 𝟮 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣.

💬If you know a child who could benefit from this program, send us a message to apply!

Let's help your child feel safe and in control again - without the fear. 🧠💛🐾

24/05/2025

Keeping Kids & Dogs Safe: The Non-Negotiables Every Parent Needs to Know

Kids and dogs can be the best of friends—but only when interactions are safe and respectful. As parents, it’s our job to actively supervise and guide these interactions.

Here’s how to make sure both your child and your dog feel safe and comfortable:

✅ Supervise, Always – Never leave kids and dogs together unsupervised. Even the most gentle dog has limits.

🐶 Know Your Dog’s Body Language – Yawning, lip licking, turning away, or moving to another spot? These are early signs your dog is uncomfortable. Recognizing them can prevent bites!

🚨 Intervene When Needed – If your dog looks stressed or your child is being too rough, step in immediately. It’s our job to keep everyone safe.

👦🐕 Teach Kids Safe Interactions – Show them how to pet gently, respect a dog’s space, and never climb on, pull, or tease.

🎯 Encourage the Right Kind of Play – Games like hide-and-seek or treat-finding are fun and safe ways for kids and dogs to bond—unlike chasing, roughhousing, or tug-of-war, which can lead to overstimulation.

🐾 Dogs Should ENJOY Time with Kids—Not Just Tolerate It – If your dog constantly walks away or avoids your child, it’s a sign they need space. Respect that!

A safe and happy home means making sure both kids and dogs feel comfortable. Are there any signs of stress your dog shows that you now recognize? Drop them in the comments! ⬇️

21/05/2025

🐶 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆? 🏡

Thinking of adding a dog to your family? Whether you adopt from a rescue or choose a puppy from a breeder, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s about finding the 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 dog for your unique household.

Here are some pros and cons of each option to help you decide 👇

🐾 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿 – 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀
✅ You know the puppy’s background
✅ Kids get to be part of the dog’s life from the very beginning
✅ A good breeder may start early socialisation and toilet training

👶 𝗕𝘂𝘁…
⚠️ Raising a puppy is like having a toddler in the house (messy, noisy, constant supervision! - do you have the time?)
💰 Costs from reputable breeders can be high

🐕 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴 – 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀
✅ You’re giving a dog in need a loving home ❤️
✅ With older dogs, you can often see their size and get a sense of their temperament
✅ Some may already be toilet trained or have basic manners

🤔 𝗕𝘂𝘁...
⚠️ The full history of the dog may be unknown
⚠️ Some rescue dogs need extra support adjusting to family life

𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲?

Choose the dog that fits your family’s 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦, 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. Not just your heart. 💛

✨ If you’re unsure which path is right for you, I help families find the best match—so kids and dogs can grow together safely and happily.

📩 DM me if you want support making the best decision for your home.

20/05/2025

🐶💦 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲?!

Your kids burst through the door after school, excited to see the dog—and suddenly there’s a puddle on the floor. 😬

You're not alone! This is called 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, and it’s super common in puppies. Their little bladders just can’t keep up with their big feelings (yet!).

💡 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽:
✨ Keep greetings calm. Encourage kids to walk in quietly and wait a few moments before saying hello.
✨ Crouch down to greet your puppy instead of looming over them.
✨ Let the puppy outside before the kids come in, if possible.
✨ Keep greetings short and low-key—save the big hugs for later!
✨ Don’t scold! It’s not intentional—your pup isn’t misbehaving, just overwhelmed.

With time, maturity, and some calm routines, most puppies grow out of this phase.

✅ Want a calmer after-school routine that works for kids and pups? I can help! Send me a message to get started. 🐾

19/05/2025

✨ 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙫𝙨. 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 ✨
What was the 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 you had about having a child and a dog?

Maybe you thought they'd be instant best friends…
That your dog would be naturally gentle…
That your child would always be calm and kind…

😅 But then real life hit—messy, noisy, and sometimes a little chaotic.

Let’s be honest:
🐶👶 Balancing the needs of a child and a dog isn’t always the picture-perfect dream we imagined.

👇 Tell me in the comments:
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁… 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱?
I’d love to hear your story!

10/05/2025

🌸 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀: 𝗠𝘂𝗺𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀 🐾

To the mums who...

🍽 Serve dinner while the dog tries to sneak a bite off the table
🧸 Say “be gentle!” 47 times before breakfast
🚿 Clean muddy paw prints and marker scribbles off the same floor
🧠 Can read a toddler tantrum and a dog’s body language like a pro
💤 Somehow find 2 minutes of quiet… in the bathroom

You are amazing. 💪💕

It takes serious skill to juggle the needs of both two-legged and four-legged family members—and still keep everyone fed, safe, and (mostly) calm.

So today, we celebrate YOU—the mom, the snack-giver, the peacemaker, the trainer, the comforter.

💐 You’re doing a phenomenal job.
🐾 And your dog thinks you're a superhero (even if they did eat your shoe).

Happy Mother’s Day! 💖

09/05/2024

It's a snoozy kind of day 😴

Take My Lead Dog Walking Services

11/06/2025

09/06/2025

02/06/2025

01/06/2025

31/05/2025

28/05/2025

24/05/2025

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20/05/2025

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09/05/2024

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