A&S Dog Walking & Pet Visits

25/08/2024

Autumn is now in the air. Tbh I’m pleased summer is closing behind us this year as everyone’s pets from small animals through to dogs enjoys it much cooler in the evenings & the day. I haven’t put our air con away just yet as we are predicted to still be in with a very hot September. ☀️

It has been a super busy August with pet visits for the summer holidays and it’s not finished yet!

It’s been a reflective few weeks with Wilson being deeply missed from walks.

It’s definitely a very strong reminder that on average we only get 13 summers with our pets.

Let’s make those summers really special for them 🐾

25/08/2024

DOGS IN PAIN STILL RUN AND PLAY

This is Twig my yorkie, as many of you know she was born with deformed back legs. She has patella issues, cruciate issues, malformed hocks and also elbow disease.

Despite all of this, Twig would play all day. She is a young dog and would run non-stop, play with toys, play with my other dogs 24/7 if she could. She always wants to go for a walk- she never wants to turn to go home, she would walk all day if you let her.

She’s never grumpy, never shows any aggression even when she’s in pain. She partially ruptured a cruciate a few months ago and despite not being able to use her leg she was still desperate to go for a walk and kept dropping balls in my coffee (obvs I didn’t let her walk or play!) 😳

She has phases where her legs are really bad and she is in pain. It would be really easy for me to think she’s ‘fine’ and not in pain as she would still play all day if I let her. My only behavioural signs of pain with her are that she wakes in the night and takes a while to settle again and she barks a bit more than normal at outside noises.

I’ve also seen night-waking with my Dalmatian, Lucky, when he was in pain and my first sign of his back issues was that he would wake up and wander around in the middle of the night. He also still wanted to walk and play.

People often think that a dog who is in pain won’t want to go for a walk but dogs in pain are often still keen to go for a walk and they will want to chase a ball etc and play if you let them. Don’t ever assume they aren’t in pain because they want to run and play!

Signs of pain can be subtle and these are some that I commonly see in dogs I work with -

🛌 They may wake in the night or find it hard to settle in the evening, pacing or moving from bed to bed

🐕 They may vocalise more (whine or bark) and be more attention-seeking (nudging your hand to stroke them all the time or following you from room to room)

🛋️ Hesitating or unable to climb on/off the sofa, go up the stairs or get in and out of the car or needing a bigger run up to get in. Being slower to get up from resting.

😔 Being unhappy about being handled (groomed/dried etc) or unhappy about people sitting next to them on the sofa or walking past their bed

🐩 Changes in interactions with other dogs on walks- less keen on interacting or less keen on certain types of play etc

🏀. Lying down on walks or walking at a slower place but also conversely running excessively (‘runners high’ endorphins make them feel good temporarily)

You may also notice physical changes (the way your dog moves or the way their body looks.

💊 Please chat to your vet if you see any changes, dogs don’t suddenly change and start or stop doing things for no reason.

Pain is one of the primary causes of many aggression in dogs. Dogs also often don’t stop running and playing when they are in pain- signs of pain can be subtle and easy to miss so please, please seek advice from your vet if you see changes

Laura McAuliffe, Dog Communication 2024

19/08/2024

Food prepped for a couple of weeks of long work days. Tuna pasta always satisfying!

12/08/2024

Wilson ~ Sunset 💫

I don’t normally write memorial posts for the dogs I walk but I wanted everyone who follows me and who knew Wilson to know that he has very sadly passed.

In the 10 years I walked Wilson from a young puppy to a 10 year old mature & beautiful dog he created quite a fan club following.

We walked around various haunts in Stoke Mandeville fields, community centre field and Bedgrove park.

He was the sweetest natured dog who deserved the fans of both dogs and people, due to his gentle way of nuzzling into every passer by he could gain eye contact with. If they gave him a treat he never ever forgot them. We had a road of people who adored him so much, I nick named it ‘Wilson Street’ He would stand outside people’s houses waiting for them to come out and just say hello to him. When they did his tippy tap toes, wiggles and excitement usually got the better of him. One lady would see him from her bedroom window, open it up and he would look up wriggling in sheer delight as she spoke to him.

Whilst I feel deeply saddened by Wilson’s sudden passing, I also feel so lucky to have met a dog so beautiful visually, spiritually & emotionally. Wilson your spirit will live on so strongly in so many peoples and dogs hearts, as will the touching memories of 10 years of our walks & adventures. Lets be honest we have a fair few 😊

I for one will miss you dreadfully xx

02/08/2024

It has been a super busy July! The start of the 6 weeks holidays brings me seeing lots of your gorgeous cats, chickens, ducks, birds & rabbits. There have been lots of rabbit visits so far during the holidays.

Truly hoping the weather is better than last year for the summer holidays. 🤞

I have also been supporting a family with a dog who is fearful around new people & dogs. We’re taking things slowly but are having some great progress all at the dogs pace. Giving a dog choices about where they can go if they are scared & allowing them time to make these choices is what builds a dog’s confidence.

25/07/2024

Reunited ❤️

For local people to Aylesbury. Lucy a 3 legged Labrador is missing from Aston Clinton Park

01/07/2024

A lovely few weeks of walks, visiting cats and chickens and training one to ones with clients struggling with lead walking & their dogs being fearful of other dogs.

Sometimes pulling on the lead is a sign of a dog being worried about something in the world outside. I know as my own dog struggles with environmental overload. He can walk beautifully on his lead in a space he feels comfortable in and pulls like a train & barks if he doesn’t. It’s a big clue ‘I’m not feeling comfortable here’ and I listen as this is him communicating with me.

If you are having issues with your dogs lead walking I am now offering lead walking one to one dog walks at £40 an hour where we can look at triggers, using supportive tools to help & understanding what may be the reason or reasons why your dog pulls.

I only use kindness, positive reinforcement & time to help support your dogs

25/06/2024

Today I cancelled all my dog walks from 9.30am onwards. It is just in my opinion far too hot to walk a dog in temperatures over 22 degrees in full sun. For other dogs such as brachycephalic breeds, dogs with tracheal, respiratory issues and generally dogs who are older, overweight or have underlying conditions could all be at risk at 18 - 20 degrees.

I’ve seen people playing fetch with their dogs today in this heat. I was too gobsmacked to say anything as usually approaching someone (as I have in the past) you get a mouthful.

Sadly today a Facebook post showed a dog that had been pulled out of a car dead due to being left whilst the owners went shopping.

Let’s be safe in the sun and do nice things with our dogs such as

Early morning dog walk
Walk in the woods
Frozen Kong
Paddling pool play
Go swimming with your dog instead.

14/06/2024

Here are some snaps I took over the past few weeks of dog walks and pet visits over the school holidays. I do love seeing everyone’s rabbits, ducks, cats & chickens as-well as walking all of your beautiful dogs.

I have also been providing support and guidance to a few of you experiencing some difficulties with lead walking, reactivity & anxiety.

Its been so positive to see the dogs responding so well once they are given a voice & choices into their daily life

22/05/2024

Today was a very wet dog walking day. So wet in fact I came home and hung my coat outside to drip a bit more! 😂

03/05/2024

This week has been one of the coldest starts to May that I can remember. Today has been a coat, hat & gloves day and to be honest I think we are all looking forward to some brighter days. Whilst the dogs don’t seem to mind, I do think they also prefer the sunnier days as their coats stay warmer & the limbs on the older dogs are less achy.

I have also had a couple of training consultations this week so it’s been a very busy time.

28/04/2024

You can also play a game with the muzzle to make it fun & less scary

26/04/2024

You can see the weather is changing. About time it is almost May!

19/04/2024

Don’t be afraid to modify & change your training as you go along to suit not only your dogs needs but also your own.

17/04/2024

Quite a few of you wanted some basics on how to start muzzle training as some of you have dogs (like Hend) who can really benefit from using a muzzle when at the vets, groomers or when out on walks.

The key to muzzle training is to take it very slowly and use a licky food like primula, dog safe peanut butter or liver paste. We use this yummy food to pair with the muzzle to make the muzzle something a dog won’t fear or be worried about. So I will put some videos up over the next few weeks.

All dogs can benefit from being muzzle trained so follow along.

16/04/2024

Just a reminder that I am also able to take on one to one training & behavioural work in addition to providing dog walks & pet visits.

If you would like any advice with any of the following please contact me.

🐾 Loose lead walking

🐾Rescue dogs who may be experiencing anxiety after being rehomed.

🐾 Issues with general husbandry (nail clipping, brushing, ear cleaning)
General anxiety

🐾 Puppy or adolescent advice

🐾 One to one - 6 week puppy class. Designed to meet the criteria you want to learn about your particular breed of dog.

Training only uses kindness, positive reinforcement & giving your dogs choices to make changes.

I do not currently take on aggression or separation anxiety cases as these require specialist support

14/04/2024

A lovely few weeks this Easter of providing pet visits to ducks, chickens, cats and rabbits.

And not to forget the lovely dog walks

31/03/2024

Just an update on the cooperative care videos I was going to put up with me and Henderson. Shortly after I put the ‘How to file your dogs nails’ on a file board video our lovely Hend had a nasty vestibular episode. This has resulted in a right sided head tilt and a wobbly gait.

This happened about 5-6 weeks ago and to be honest our lovely dog still isn’t himself. So at the moment we won’t be doing anymore videos until he improves.

Vestibular attacks can affect any animal and are normally caused by middle ear infections, certain medical conditions, neurological issue or idiopathic. We are not sure what caused Hends at the moment. Initially they thought it was caused by ingesting a toxin but they don’t believe this was the case after doing bloods.
He has made amazing progress but he’s definitely not ready for any training sessions at the moment

Soon we will be back 🤞

31/03/2024

Now give me the mat!

29/03/2024

A few snaps of walks & visits over the past few weeks. It’s been a very busy period with chicken, cat & rabbit visits as everyone has been wanting to get away from this awlful British weather! Dog walks are now starting to become less challenging with the mud & the fields are starting to grass up and be less swampy. I’ll be thankful when wiping muddy paws can be a thing of the past and dry dusty fields are back once again!

29/03/2024

😂😂

Happy Easter! .secret.dog.walker

12/03/2024

Luckily after wading through that water my feet were dry! It was one of those wet & cold days. Thank god for salopettes!