Aldridge Acres

19/03/2025

📢 8 ams now available 😀 6 pms coming soon 📢

19/03/2025

This is what a dog walk should look like 🤩

14/03/2025

So we like the hay ? Beni Bella Bru Sasha all say “ yup !” 😂

11/03/2025

Brilliant advice before getting a dog ⭐️🐶

The Harsh Reality Behind the Headlines

Last night, thousands of dog lovers across the country sat down to watch Crufts Best in Show, celebrating the very best of our four-legged friends. Meanwhile, our team was faced with the brutal reality of what many rescue centres are experiencing every single day. Two Belgian Malinois were found tied up near our Wolverhampton centre - underweight, scared, and abandoned with no care for their future.

This is not an isolated case. We are seeing a heartbreaking rise in welfare cases this year - dogs neglected, discarded, and suffering through no fault of their own. We are a nation that prides itself on loving animals, yet so many are being left behind. Dogs are being bred purely for profit, sold to unprepared owners, and abandoned when they become too much to handle. These innocent lives are paying the price for irresponsible breeding and careless ownership.

Rescue centres all over are feeling the strain. These dogs need extra support, often requiring extensive veterinary care and more emotional rehabilitation than people realise. This takes time, it needs trained members of staff, and it takes money. Every single rescue centre is doing everything they can to help, but the increasing number of dogs needing care is overwhelming. If you are thinking of rehoming and feel like you have to jump through hoops to adopt, please understand - it’s only because we care. We aren’t trying to make it difficult; we are trying to prevent situations like this from happening again. Every dog deserves a home that is truly for life.

If you are thinking of getting a dog, do your homework. Research the breed, understand their needs, and be honest about whether you can provide for them long-term. Many breeds require extensive training, exercise, and mental stimulation - without it, they develop behavioural issues that often lead to abandonment. The reality is, too many dogs are being bred without thought, leading to overcrowded rescues and tragic outcomes.

Getting a dog is a lifelong commitment - not just for the cute puppy stage, not just for the good times, but for every challenge, expense, and responsibility that comes with it. This is a crisis, and we need change. We need responsible breeding, stricter regulations, and education on the reality of pet ownership. We need to ensure that every dog finds a home that is truly for life. The responsibility falls on all of us - to adopt, not shop, to support rescue centres, and to raise awareness of the growing number of dogs in need.

Dogs are not disposable. They are not just for profit, not just for convenience, and not just for the good times. Let’s prove we are the nation of animal lovers we claim to be. Let’s do better.

These two are now safely in our care and we will keep you updated on their progress.

Please support rescue centres who take in the dogs that need us most.

02/03/2025

02/03/2025

19/02/2025

Funny and so true ! Rascals do anything to get that ball and are far cleverer than we give them credit for !😂

17/02/2025

Good morning , nice and frosty today , tap is currently frozen so please take water with you on your visits today thank you 😊

15/02/2025

Tracking workshops 🐶

INTRODUCTION TO TRACKING:

This is an amazing opportunity to engage your dog’s natural scenting abilities, strengthen the bond with your dog and enjoy a day of outdoor adventure together. We cover what tracking is, how to track, different ways we can teach the behaviour, introducing an article, and mapping. Reactive dogs are welcome as adequate space is provided but please be conscious you will stand a far better chance if they are food motivated. Please read all the details carefully before booking to ensure you and your dog are fully prepared.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, 17th of May 2025.
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Timings may vary slightly based on the day’s flow)
Location: Chorley Road, Burntwood
Cost: £80 per dog

The course will cover what Tracking actually is, different ways we can teach tracking, how to introduce an article indicating, mapping skills and how to track.
Important Information Before Booking:

Weather Preparedness: The event will go ahead regardless of weather conditions (except for extreme circumstances), so please dress accordingly. Waterproof walking boots or wellies, warm clothing/waterproofs, and layers are essential. As you will be outside for the majority of the time, prepare and come with adequate outdoor wear.

Facilities: There are toilets on-site, and we recommend bringing a packed lunch and any snacks you may need. Tea/coffee will be provided, but please bring your own cup or flask. Onsite parking is available

Dog Comfort: Your dog will be getting in and out of the car throughout the day. Please ensure they’re comfortable with this and can be away from you for short periods. If the weather is inclement then please ensure you have towels/coats for your dog so they can remain as dry as possible.

Physical Requirements: This course will take place on varied terrain, and you’ll be on your feet most of the day. Unfortunately, this may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, if you are in any doubt then please do ask us.

Essentials for Your Dog: Bring a long line (not a retractable), water and water bowl and plenty of high-value treats for your dog—hard texture food work best, e.g.dried sausage, fish treats, cheese, or liver bites. Dogs do not need to be food-motivated for this activity, but treats are essential.

This is a brief overview of the 'need to know' prior to booking to ensure you have a thorough understanding of the length of the day, what it entails and the physical elements involved. Upon booking a much more detailed list of what to bring, where and when to arrive will be sent out to you.

If you’re as excited as we are about this day of discovery, please respond to secure your spot! There will only be eight spaces for this course, which will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. We can’t wait to see you and your dog for an adventure that’s sure to be memorable.

To book please email [email protected]

11/02/2025

When to neuter ? What age ?

The Hidden Impact of Early Neutering on Your Dog’s Behaviour

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention—the behavioural effects of neutering dogs too young.

We’ve all heard that spaying/neutering helps with population control and can prevent certain health issues. But did you know that doing it too early can actually increase the risk of behavioural problems?

Why timing matters:
Hormones play a huge role in your dog’s emotional and behavioural development. When we remove them too soon (before full maturity), we can unintentionally cause:

- Increased fear & anxiety – Early neutering has been linked to heightened sensitivity to stress, making dogs more prone to fear-based reactivity.
- Reduced confidence – Without the hormonal guidance they need, some dogs struggle with social interactions, becoming more insecure or even more defensive.
- Higher risk of aggression – Contrary to popular belief, early neutering doesn’t always "calm a dog down." In some cases, it can lead to frustration-based aggression, especially in males.
- Excessive excitability & poor impulse control – Hormones help regulate brain development, and removing them too soon may contribute to hyperactivity or difficulty focusing.

So when should we neuter?
The best time depends on breed, size, and individual temperament. Larger breeds, in particular, benefit from waiting until at least 18-24 months to ensure proper bone, joint, and brain development. For smaller breeds, a little earlier *may* be appropriate, but it’s always best to discuss with a behaviour-conscious vet.

Neutering is just one piece of the puzzle – while it has its benefits, it’s not a magic fix for behaviour issues. Training, socialisation, and meeting your dog’s mental and physical needs play a far bigger role in shaping a well-balanced companion.

09/02/2025

Do you have a puppy ? Not sure how to handle “ nipping “

⚠️⚠️DANGER: CUTE BUT BITEY⚠️⚠️

If you’ve got a puppy, you’ve probably felt the wrath of their tiny, razor-sharp teeth. Biting is completely normal, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it! Puppies use their mouths to explore, play, and relieve teething discomfort—but with the right approach, we can teach them that human skin isn’t a chew toy.

How to Tackle Puppy Biting

1. Redirect to a Toy
When your puppy goes for your hands, swap them out for a toy. Always have something nearby that they can bite—rope toys, soft plushies, or even a frozen carrot for teething relief.

2. Be a Tree
If they’re extra nippy and overexcited, remove all attention. Stand up, cross your arms, and ignore them. If they don’t get a reaction, the game stops being fun.

3. Encourage Calm Play
Avoid roughhousing with your hands—this only encourages more biting. Instead, use tug ropes and interactive toys to keep their mouths busy.

4. Give Them Something to Do
A bored puppy is a bitey puppy. Short training sessions, puzzle toys, and sniffy walks help burn energy in a positive way.

5. Time-Outs for Overexcited Pups
If your puppy is getting more wound up and biting harder, pop them in a safe, quiet space with a chew toy to calm down. This isn’t a punishment—it’s a reset.

What NOT to Do:

Don’t yelp, shout, or scold—it can make some puppies more excited or even anxious.

Don’t push them away with your hands—it becomes part of the game.

Don’t expect them to stop overnight—puppies bite a lot before they grow out of it!

With consistency and patience, your little land shark will learn that their teeth belong on toys, not humans. Hang in there—those puppy teeth won’t last forever!

Got a funny puppy biting story? Share it in the comments!

08/02/2025

This is worth reading , it’s not long but it sums it all up perfectly , love the gorgeous photo too ❤️🐶

“Dogs aren’t people. They’re just animals,” some will say.

And? What exactly is that supposed to prove?

That we can ignore what science tells us about how they learn?

That because they aren’t human, we can justify using fear and pain instead of teaching them effectively?

The reality is, we do know how animals learn. We’ve studied it.

Reinforcement strengthens behavior, punishment suppresses it unpredictably, and fear interferes with learning rather than improving it.

Teaching isn’t about authority and control, it’s about clarity, consistency, and emotional understanding.

So why is “they’re just animals” always the fallback for outdated, disproven methods?

Because this was never really about science.

It was never about effectiveness.

It’s about power, the belief that control is more important than cooperation, that obedience is more valuable than trust.

But dogs don’t exist to submit. They exist to live. And the way we teach them should reflect that.

So when you look into their eyes, what do you see?

A machine to command? Or a life worth understanding?

07/02/2025

Good morning to fellow dogtroverts 😂 have a fab day with your best furry friends 🐶❤️

06/02/2025

A frosty good morning from Bella and Tess ❤️🐶

31/01/2025

Longest resident at Birmingham Dogs Home needs a home ❤️

27/01/2025

Libi, Lana and Mia are very good at the “ please take us to Aldridge Acres “ mesmering stare !😂 very effective 👌😂