Muttley Poppins Dog Walking and Drop-in Services

19/07/2024

Stay cool paw pals! 🐾 😎

With the temperatures set to increase in some parts of the UK, it's vital to know that dogs can quickly overheat. Our handy dog walking guide shows which temperatures are safe for your dog to exercise in and which should be avoided. 🌡️

Here are three tips you should follow during the summer months.

☀️ Place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. It's too hot to walk your dog if you struggle to hold it down.
☀️ Keep to natural grass for walking.
☀️ Walk early in the morning or late in the evening when surfaces are cooler.

18/07/2024

Summertime funzies! 🌸 ☀️ 🌊 🐾 School hols are almost upon us & as a mainly term-time service, it’s time to somewhat shelve the walking boots for a bit 🥾 & don the flip-flops 🩴 😎

Thank you for my beautiful flowers Sarah and to those who gave me chocolates (which have gone 😂) x 🍫 💐 Lucky to have such wonderful pet owners as clients and look forward to seeing my regulars again in September (+ for any summer walk/ visit bookings) 🐕

If you’re local to Bournemouth & require an experienced dog walker for your pet - where small numbers and attention to detail is a given - do get in contact 🐶 muttleypoppins.co.uk 🐾 🤎

18/07/2024

With the British weather warming up (again!) we thought it would be a paw-fect time to remind you of our top tips on how you can keep your pets cool 🧊

[Visual description: Infographic reads: Five ways to keep pets cool in summer. Make a sun shelter, make sure your pet has plenty of water, exercise early or late, keep up with grooming, and keep their bed cool and comfortable.]

07/07/2024

Little tribute to James Herriot, British vet and author of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ for the word: CRACKERDOG.

Well, what is ‘going Crackerdog’? Frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs). Also known as the zoomies (US), scrambling, midnight crazies and ‘having a funny five minutes’ 😂

All terms denote random bursts of energy.. which many mammals possess e.g. a horse bounding about a field in excitement after being stabled 🐎, a person jumping up and down or running about after a goal is scored ⚽️. But whatever the science behind it, and whichever your favourite (they are all pretty special!), ‘crackerdog’ is a personal one and ultimately defines a moment of SHEER JOY 🤩

Some dogs will do it when they are releasing energy, some will do it when they are happy, some when they are let out into the garden or taken to a favourite location, or playing with a pal.
Wonderful to watch 🐾

NOTE: this clip has not been sped up!

https://www.jamesherriot.org James Herriot, Favourite Dog Stories (1996)
‘Tricki Woo Goes Crackerdog’

02/07/2024

Sounds obvious, but it isn’t always! Watch out for grass seeds/ pollen also

Ever wondered why your dog keeps sneezing?

Find out what this could mean, why they’re doing it and whether you should visit your vet at thekennelclub.org.uk/sneezing

20/06/2024

Summer is ‘funner’! (Or something like that 😹..) ☀️ We have been enjoying the balmier weather with shady walks and some cool paddles 😎 💦 🐾 muttleypoppins.co.uk

20/06/2024

Stay cool everyone! 🐾 😎

19/06/2024

05/06/2024

Nice surprise to see the Red Arrows on their way to Portsmouth on our first walk of the day 🐾 🔺🏹

05/06/2024

Thinking of all our veterans and those who gave their lives so that we could be free.

21/05/2024

Colourful recent walks! The dogs are enjoying stretching their sunshine legs and keeping cool with / by water 😎

21/05/2024

Sound advice 👌 if your dog meets a new person and they don’t get down to your dog’s eye level (NOT recommended!) or make baby noises - yet are warm, friendly and calm - you can hopefully expect that the dog will warm to them in a positive way when they are ready (the cooing and play will come later, once the dog knows and feels comfortable with them 👍 😄 !) Puppies are sometimes more receptive to playful people than older dogs, so just read the body language and personality 🐾 🐶 ❤️

Controversial for some, but I am really over people being told to crouch down when meeting a dog. Crouching down puts you in a position where you are unable to move quickly, and because you don't know this dog.....you may need to move away very quickly.
For some dogs, crouching does nothing but make many back off and become wary, some others it may work.....but your head, neck, eyes and face will be just inches away from a dog you do not know.
Is it worth the risk ?
Eye contact is a very big no with many dogs you do not know, using your peripheral vision allows dogs to feel more comfortable. Direct eye contact can be viewed as a threat.
Listen to advice from the guardian/owner but if everything in your bones is saying "this dog does not want an interaction", trust your own judgement not someone else...which leads me to an important point.
A really big myth is that dogs should readily accept being patted by others.....they do NOT have to accept affection given by a stranger.

A dog WILL let you know if they want to interact or accept a pat.
Their body will tell you.
Their body language will tell you.

Body language and observing IS the most important part when making a judgement on a dog you are thinking about meeting and patting.

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

15/05/2024

💗 🐾 Walking and the great outdoors have numerous benefits for all manner of health issues. Dogs truly are awesome companions 🤩

Mental Health Awareness Week this week...'Movement' is the theme for this year.

"Moving more for our mental health and recognising being active is important for our mental health."

We know that dogs are wonderful for not only our physical but also our mental and emotional wellbeing.

To our special best friends.

"

12/05/2024

Bournemouth friends/locals 🐾 Do you (or someone you know) need a reliable dog walker to pop in and visit your dog or let them out, especially now it’s getting warmer (or take them for a walk while you work)? If so, please get in contact. Accredited, friendly, qualified, experienced, professional. DBS, pet first aider 🐶 muttleypoppins.co.uk Feel free to share locally.

10/05/2024

❤️ 🐈

Attention all cat owners! Did you know that from 10 June 2024, it’s going to be a legal requirement for ALL cats to be microchipped in England? 🐈

Latest figures from our upcoming 2024 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report revealed that a whopping 54% of cat owners are still not aware of this new law! And since last year’s report, there’s only been a 3% increase in the population of cats with a microchip.

Currently, 22% of cats across the UK are still not microchipped. That's nearly 2.4 million cats 🙀

Getting your cat microchipped will ensure they have the best chance of being reunited with you as quickly as possible, should they get lost, stolen or injured. All cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks. And if they're found without one, owners will be given just 21 days to get their cat chipped or face a fine of up to £500.

Your one month countdown starts today! Find out how to get your feline friends ready: http://pdsa.me/knNx



[Visual description: Black cat, Vader, at one of our Pet Hospitals being scanned by one of our veterinary team members, to check for a microchip.]

09/05/2024

Reactivity handling. Everyone has their own methods and if it works, great… but it’s always baffled me why sitting to view a trigger doesn’t just draw attention to it more?! What works for some and perhaps it does have positive outcomes, as a lot of trainers advocate it. For Muttley Poppins, confidence and calmness is how we handle anxiety triggers in the dogs we walk, a sense of nonchalance about the trigger in your own body language, relaxed vocal reassurance and walking on by (or quietly away), or providing distraction & praise - the dog should hopefully draw comfort and relax, knowing that there’s nothing to be phased about or frightened of. This does work with some practice. The experienced trainer in this post certainly seems to support this theory! 🐶 💜

Obedience has very little to do with reactivity. Insisting that your dog sits in front of a trigger when they are reacting or are deeply uncomfortable will NOT help reactivity.
Choice of movement is everything for reactive dogs (especially leash reactive dogs).
Everyone has their own training methods with reactive dogs....however a very common issue I see is people insisting on a sit or a down when faced with a trigger.

If your dog wants to naturally sit when faced with a trigger (at a distance they feel comfortable at)...it is their choice.

Many people inadvertently add stress when faced with a trigger, insisting on a sit or a down, it doesn't help and can exacerbate issues.
You may be at a standstill with your own journey with reactivity, and it may be because they feel even more limited in movement because of insisting on a position where they feel they cannot move or "escape" easily.

Choice is everything for reactive dogs.
Freedom of movement is also a huge consideration with many reactive dogs.

Insisting on a certain position in the face of a trigger can halt progress with reactive dogs.

Sitting and being in a relaxed down is an important part of reactivity work, but it comes much further down the road when working with reactive dogs.

Reactivity IS emotions it is not because they are "disobedient" so obedience will never fix reactivity.

If they are happy to sit...great.
If they are happier standing....great.

If you have been at a standstill, consider their positioning and change it in a way they feel more comfortable.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for Graphics
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

08/05/2024

Yaaaaaasssssss!! Nice to see more sunsheeeine! ☀️ 😎 👌 Dandelion puffs, forget-me-nots, buttercups & daisies all out in force 👏 🐝🌼 muttleypoppins.co.uk

04/05/2024

This week’s roundup… The gang have definitely been feeling good energy from the emerging sunshine! ⛅️ 😎 🐾

04/05/2024

Uh-oh 😅.. time to turn back.. this is not a pond - this is a path (& the shorty wellies do not approve!) 🐾

04/05/2024

Reading a dog’s body language is so useful to understanding them ❤️ 🐶

These can be really subtle to us but are important clues given by dogs.✅
Two dogs do not have to meet and play simply because they are dogs.❗
Expecting all dogs to like other dogs is a little like saying we (as humans) must be friendly, converse and physically interact with every other human we encounter.
Dogs show us with their behaviour how they are feeling, we just need to get better at reading the signals.

Often clear signals ARE given by one dog to another, but some dogs really struggle to read other dogs....so it is our job to help them out when we see these signals that they need a break.

The examples in the graphic are just some ways dogs can communicate when they either need to stop play for a while or they may not want any interactions with other dogs (or even people).
Once you start to see these signals it can open up a new way of advocating for your dog, and that is SO important.

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

26/04/2024

Is it a bird?… 🦅 Is it a plane?… ✈️ .. NO! It’s village Gnomie-umbrella-box-sooty-thimgumajig.. er, I mean hot air balloon gnome! 🤔🎈Someone is mystified 🐶 🐾

26/04/2024

It’s been a while since I posted an update on Poppins paw-tastic pack 🌟 .. Plodding (me) and bounding (dogs) onward! 🐕 🌳 🌊 🐾 muttleypoppins.co.uk

26/04/2024

Very sad to hear about this 🐎 . From growing up on horseback, horses do get spooked from time to time - like all us mammals 😬 - no matter if you are in the countryside, town or on in the centuries gone by on the battlefield. They are amazing animals and incidents like this are thankfully rare and few. Sending our thoughts from paws to hooves and to everyone involved 🐾 https://www.facebook.com/100064853944562/posts/852908176880973/?app=fb

Praying 🙏 for two horses 🐎 🐎 that got serious injuries bolting through London yesterday, my self & Patrick send big hoof hugs

20/04/2024

Dear Pet Owners (current clients),
Just to let you know I have an issue sending outgoing texts currently from my phone. Please only expect responses via WhatsApp until sorted.
Thanks ☺️ 🐾

14/04/2024

⛅️ Sun’s coming out..& the ticks will soon be having their annual party! 😬 It’s always a good idea to ensure your pet is up-to-date on their flea, tick and parasite treatments 🐶 It might not stop ticks, but it will help! Keep your eyes peeled, particularly after walking in long grass and woodland & make sure you remove them by the head.

Did you know that approximately 1.5% of ticks in the UK carry the bacteria (Borrelia) that causes Lyme disease? 😮

If your pet is bitten by an infected tick that then stays on them for several hours to feed, the borrelia bacteria will start to multiply in the skin around the bite site. This then spreads throughout their body affecting their joints and organs such as the kidneys, heart, and nervous system 😟

Lyme disease tends to cause a variety of vague symptoms, which vary from pet to pet depending on where the bacteria spread. Although Lyme disease is very rare in cats, if it does occur, symptoms tend to be very mild, and sometimes not even noticeable ⚠️

Find out more: http://pdsa.me/aV2B

[Visual description: An infographic explaining the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease in pets and preventative measures owners can take to try and avoid it. Signs and symptoms include; Limping, swollen joints, fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, reduced appetite, nerve problems and drinking and weeing more. Preventions include; Checking your dog for ticks regularly after walks, staying away from places that are known for ticks, avoiding walks where there is long grass, woodland and lots of wildlife, using a tick repellent collar and using regular parasite treatments that cover for ticks.]

10/04/2024

Muttley Poppins Easter Break ‘pup-date’! 🐕 Mostly a term-time service, we’ve had some select VIPs 🌟 to care for this school hols. The children have enjoyed helping out with their canine pals, in the fresh air 💕 🐾

28/03/2024

Thank you to my dog pals and their owners for a great Spring term of walks 💐 🐣 and for the chocolate eggs that kept appearing on countertops & at doors (and soon went for human consumption in the rain!) 😂 🥚 🍫 Happy Easter from Muttley Poppins! 🐰

30/06/2023

The Walking Week… 🐾 💼 🐶😆 🐕 🐩 muttleypoppins.co.uk

10/06/2023

Shade brigade! 🐕 🐕 🐕 🌳 🌳 🌳

Walking isn’t advisable in extreme heat.. for many reasons, as we know… but a cool amble in the shade or a mooch in a shady garden during the cooler parts of the day is a-ok 👌 🐾

Stay cool folks! 😎 💧