Absolutely Pawsome

12/03/2025

**** Food Enrichment Toys and Dogs in Pain/Recovery ****

My Libby is the inspiration for this little blog. At almost 11 years old, Libby has spondylosis in her lumbar region and as I am currently replacing and buying some new food dispenser toys, it made me think:

Enrichment for dogs is all about keeping them engaged, entertained, and mentally stimulated. But if your dog is older with an age-related illness like arthritis, recovers from an injury with potential crate rest, or is even just a bit stiff after a long walk or play, it’s important to take a closer look at the toys and food puzzles we’re offering. Many enrichment toys require dogs to hold and manipulate them with their paws or muzzle or maintain certain postures for extended periods. But is your dog physically comfortable doing that? I have quite a few toys that need to be moved with paws but this would mean that Libby would weight-bear on just three legs with extra pressure on her hind legs. Now she is incredibly motivated to work for food and will without a doubt push through any discomfort to reach the tasty food. So if this activity causes pain and discomfort, does it not stop being enriching and potentially even become a source of stress and frustration?

So please take a moment to assess the toys you’re using. Watch your dog closely —are they shifting their weight, starting to fidget, does it take them longer than usual to eat the toy? These might be subtle signs that what was once fun is now causing discomfort. Rather than manipulating a heavy toy with their paws, could they instead push around a lighter toy with their nose? If you use a lickimat and your dog eats off it standing, could you provide some relief by placing the lickimat on a raised stand? Small adjustments can make a big difference in ensuring that enrichment remains enjoyable rather than uncomfortable. A little thoughtfulness goes a long way in keeping our dogs happy, comfortable, and engaged, no matter their age or physical condition.

Photo of my beautiful and wise girl asking for some special attention ❤🐾

12/03/2025

Sammy and Ted - two on-lead entire males who sniff and sniff and air scent and scent mark over each other 🤣❤️🐾

12/03/2025

Nikko, Colin, Lana, Poppy and Harley ❤️🐾

11/03/2025

We have one space that has become available in our class 2 due to handler injury. If you are interested in snatching that place, please get in touch 🐾🐾

Join the Absolute Canine Hoopers Club! 🐾

Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to bond with your dog?

Due to overwhelming popularity, we are now running two Beginners Hoopers classes!

📍 Location: On the grounds of Forde Training Services, 5A Houston Mains EH52 6JU
🗓️ Dates: 15th March, 22nd March, 5th April, 19th April, 26th April
⏰ Class 1: 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
⏰ Class 2: 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
💰 Introductory Price: £65 for a 5-week block

What is Hoopers?
Hoopers is a low-impact dog sport where you and your dog navigate a course of hoops, mats, chutes, barrels, and tunnels together as a team. It’s suitable for all dogs and handlers, no matter your skill level or fitness!

Why Hoopers?
🌟 Build trust and communication with your dog
🌟 Keep your dog mentally stimulated and physically active
🌟 Gentle on joints – perfect for all breeds and ages
🌟 Great exercise and loads of fun for both of you!

To ensure everyone gets the best experience, Arlene and I will assign dogs to the most suitable class. This way, every dog and handler can thrive in a class that suits them best!

What to Expect:
✔ Classes will be held outdoors where possible, with access to our indoor facilities for building essential skills.
✔ Learn foundational techniques to prepare you and your dog for future Hoopers success.

We can’t wait to see you and your dog there! 🐶

11/03/2025

Charlie, Colin, Nikko and Kabi ❤️🐾

09/03/2025

Always relying on a Costa for an early Hoopers start to wake us up 🤣🐾

08/03/2025

And right back at you Heather Leigh - we are all awesome 😉🥰

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Lifting up and celebrating the amazing women in the dog industry 🙌
Rasing Dash into the awesome young dog he is wasn't a one-woman job. So today I want to give a shout out and thanks to the amazing women who have helped with his journey:

🐾 The wonderful Kirsten from Pawsome and Arlene from Calm Canine Training who together run great puppy classes and workshops locally and were Dash's first classes.
🐾 The amazing Gosia who runs Harburn Dog Academy, an absolutely fantastic outdoor space and brilliant classes which allowed Dash to learn around other dogs in a great environment and under knowledgeable instruction.
🐾 The fantastic Tynewater Dog Training trio of Gwen, June and Helen who run brilliant and fun classes which all of my dogs have been to. Dash did 'community canine' working on settling with other dogs in class and in the real world.
🐾 The awesome Pamela from Team Awesome agility, where Dash started his journey at six months old. All my dogs have trained with Pamela and her knowledge and ability to tailor things to some of my more sensitive and challenging dogs is fantastic. Dash is super confident and doing fab and absolutely loves his classes.
And further afield ladies:
🐾 Ellen urban herder who ran a great collie workshop at Gosia's Academy which tapped into Dash's herding.
🐾 The brilliant internationallly renowned Denise Fenzi who runs Fenzi Dog Sports Academy with brilliant courses from the very best dog people around. I signed up to a course from the fab Deb Jones to help perfect a sustained chin rest for Dash for husbandry and veterinary handling.

There are of course a ton of other fabulous women locally and further. The dog industry is dominated by women, usually running businesses single handed. It's a tough gig and there's a lot of competition.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. In an industry that is so overwhelmingly women, why are so many of the top internationally famous dog people men? 🤔

Support your wonderful women who are dedicated to helping you and your dogs.

08/03/2025

Well done to all the participants of our Frustrated Greeter Workshop - you all worked so hard with some fabulous results 🐾🐾

07/03/2025

Go on …. You want to 😘

⛔️ GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED ⛔️

🎉 WIN A £20.00 DOGS BOUTIQUE VOUCHER! 🎉

That’s right! Another giveaway! 🎁

🐶 Got Crufts FOMO? Want to get your paws 🐾 on a £20.00 voucher 🏷️ to spend on my new Spring collection? 🌼 It’s time for the fourth annual Dogs Boutique “Best in Show” competition 🏆

Here’s how to enter:

🔍 Follow Dogs Boutique, like ❤️ this post and share to your page (or your stories 📖)!

📸 Post one of your favourite pictures of your dog(s) in the comments (and tell us a bit about them if you like)!

📣 Wait until Monday for the big announcement!

🗓️ The new Spring range will go live on Friday 28th March (unless I get selected for jury duty in which case I will cry and who knows what will happen 🤪).

What can you expect? Well there will be some pretty springtime colours 🌈 coming in the Biothane range, toys for tuggers and snugglers 🧸 and…

🥁 DRUMROLL PLEASE…

MY BRAND NEW RANGE OF NATURAL TREATS!!! 🤤

I know, I know! Took me long enough.

Anyway, here is all the boring info you need to read if you want to enter:
Entries must be in by 2359 on Sunday 9th March 2025.
The winner must be over 18 and have a UK shipping address.
You must follow the instructions in the post for your entry to be counted.
The winner must provide all the relevant information for delivery i.e. full name, address etc.
The winner will be contacted by me (on this account only).
The prize is a £20.00 voucher valid from 28/03/25 - 28/09/25.
The winner will be selected by my awesome and very unbiased rep team.

07/03/2025

Our Thursday Club:

🔸Heel work with movement
🔸Hand position and reward placement matters!
🔸Pivots to help backend awareness (and will help their orbits too!)
🔸learning all about shaping!
Great fun! Luna and Skye not here this week but we’ll catch them up!
Pawsome

06/03/2025

The Scentwork Club were feeling silly tonight!

Working on dual searches - correctly identifying the scent and ignoring the others!
Also removing substraits to ensure they are searching for the scent alone.
All while having great fun 🤩 😂🤪

06/03/2025

Our Dog Walking Week ❤️🐾

06/03/2025

Check out that blue sky - with Ted, Colin and Lana ❤️🐾

05/03/2025

Check out our beginner Scentwork class!
🔻Working on passive indication
🔻How to work the search area
🔻conditioning the scent

Great fun! 🤩
Pawsome

05/03/2025

Yes and Lottie ❤️🐾

05/03/2025

Sorry no photo of our first walk with Lana, Harley, Colin, Nikko, Poppy and Chester as it was raining constantly.
But here is an AI photo portraying what they all looked like with some extra random dogs thrown in 🙈❤️🐾

04/03/2025

Our Saturday Club have started taking their basics outside now!
Learning some new behaviours and proofing some existing ones!
Also learning just to chill too while us humans chat!

Pawsome

03/03/2025

🐶 PUPPY CLASSES START THURSDAY – AND WE HAVE 2 SPOTS LEFT!

Right, folks—we’ve got a puppy class starting this Thursday at 6:15 pm, and unusually we have 2 spots left 😱

So, if you’ve got a puppy (or know someone who does), now’s the time to jump in.

Here’s why:
🐾 5 Reasons Your Puppy (and You) Need This Class:

1️⃣ Because “sit” shouldn’t take 27 attempts and a biscuit bribe
We’ll teach your pup to listen the first time—without you feeling like a treat dispenser on overdrive.
2️⃣ Tired puppies chew fewer shoes
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. A well-trained pup is a happy, calm pup (and your slippers will thank you).
3️⃣ Social skills aren’t just for humans
Puppies need to learn how to interact with other dogs before they start making awkward social faux pas at the park.
4️⃣ Your furniture deserves a break
If your pup thinks your sofa is a chew toy or your coffee table is a launch pad, we can help.
5️⃣ Because a trained puppy = a happy life (well with your dog anyway!)

A well-trained pup means fewer headaches, more fun, and less embarrassment when your dog decides to “express themselves” in front of your in-laws.

Our classes are 100% positive, reward-based, and designed to set you and your puppy up for success. We make training fun, effective, and something you actually look forward to!

📍 Where? Our dedicated training centre in West Lothian
📅 When? Thursday 6th March at 6:15 pm
🐶 Who? Puppies under 6 months who are ready to learn (and their humans who are ready to laugh)

We only have TWO SPOTS LEFT, so if you want in, DM us now or tag a friend who needs this!
Let’s make this class a full house of wagging tails! 🐾