Soph's Dog Services

16/12/2023

We’ve welcomed some newbies to the SDS pack this month! Welcome to Willow, Luna and Tubs. A cockerpoo and two spaniels … it is time to get crazy 💖🐶🫶🏼

16/12/2023

Thursdays pack walk #1 showing off their recall skills! Super proud of this group, we’ve put the work in and the results are starting to show. Well done Sadie, Sooty, Colin and Stanley!

12/12/2023

Love bumping into this one on our adventures Paws and Go 🐶🫶🏼❤️

Dog walkers unite! 🐶🐾

Soph's Dog Services 🙌🏼🐾

30/11/2023

winter weather means cool jackets and coats - here is some of the SDS pack out and about whilst dressing up in recent days ☃️🥶🐾

20/10/2023

Some friendly faces from this week before the rain hit us 🐾🐶

16/10/2023

What does your dog walk usually entail? 🐾

At SDS, we don’t just walk along the footpath for our allotted time. Instead, it’s my goal to become the best thing about your dog’s walk. Some simple additions to a walk can wear your dog out both physically, and mentally, and ensure they actually want to return to you because your value is invaluable to them.

Here’s some tips to turn your dog’s walk into an adventure they look forward to each day:

1. Sniffing

You don’t just have to own a gundog or terrier to get your dog to enjoy using its nose. Throw some treats into long grass, woodland leave piles or even just in your back garden. You can go a step further by introducing the sit and wait command, then release them to smell their treats out. A fun game, whilst also improving their impulse control!

2. Training games

The introduction of new ways to recall your dog is a favourite of mine. At the moment, my packs are learning our pack command… ‘pack’ (original, I know). They are expected to stay in a down until release, hopefully I’ll get some footage to share with you soon. Their reward? A scattering of treats to hunt down afterwards. This makes sure your dogs remember you bring the most fun on your walks, not the other walkers with their dogs passing by. On our 1:1s, we’re learning a multitude of ways to make recall fun. Introduction of the word ‘touch’ with a nose boop on your hand bring a new dimension to running back after you have called. Moreover, you can introduce tug toys or dummies as a reward for when your dog is recalled, as some quickly become wise (and bored of) the treats your offer them. Some dogs easily get bored of their recall command, or reward, so certainly remember to switch it up regularly!

3. New locations and terrains

Some dogs rely on comfort and normality, which is ok and it is good to honour that. However, dogs that are adaptable to new places and new smells means that each walk is an entirely new adventure already! Look for different terrains than you may usually use, as your dog will notice a lot of new smells and habitats from local wildlife, and become accustomed to the scent of new dogs and passer-bys, increasing their stimulation mentally rather than physically.

4. Chilling out!

The art of just letting your dog sit next to you on a bench, enjoying the surroundings is vastly looked over and invaluable. This is a great opportunity to manage impulse control, and introduce the ignoring of potential triggers that may make your dog want to get up and go again. Try introducing a ‘focus’ command and reward them each time they choose to look at you. This can become a really great tool for practicing their recall whilst on the go as they learn to check in with you regularly.

Here is Otis sniffing out some treats this morning - one of his favourite games to play🐶.

10/10/2023

Happy October all you amazing dog-lovers 🍁🍂🍃🎃.

Whilst there hasn’t been much activity on this page, the activity in our local countryside has dramatically increased each week with my new (and not-so new) canine companions.

I appreciate all of your patience with me whilst I near nearly 6 months of being officially open for business. Still finding my feet… even when they feel like they’ve fallen off in the last field I was walking through 😂.

Just wanted to share some very, very happy doggos (Sadie and Stan make two features because they are such posers)!

04/09/2023

Two hot dogs this morning, out super early to beat the heat… but it was catching up on us quickly! 🌭 🌭🌭

Please remember to check the temperature before taking your dog out of the house. Above 23C, asphalt and tarmac temperatures can rise to 52 degrees Celsius! Same with enclosed spaces such as cars, conservatories etc.

Remember, no dog has ever died from not having a walk ❤️.

01/09/2023

🐾 PACK WALK AVAILABILITY 🐾

I have some pack walk spaces available on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday!

Get in touch on WhatsApp at 07488327947 to book your free meet and greet.

£12.50 for a 60 minute (approx - sometimes we take a wrong turn!) pack walk. Maximum four dogs in a group. Different locations each walk, all dogs to be introduced in a safe manner, one-by-one.

Your dogs well-being, safety and temperament are my main focus and priority during sessions. Enrichment and pack training activities, pick up and drop off, and lots of loving and cuddles are included!

Full UK drivers license, DBS check and my insurance paperwork is provided at introductory visits. Also canine first aid trained.

For care like family ❤️🐾

01/09/2023

Spent some quality 1:1 time with my girl today at Sensible Paws’s brilliant socialisation class at Summerhouse Dog Field. Great to see some clients outside of work too 🥰🐶❤️ Hope everybody enjoys their weekends!

09/08/2023

And, the heat is back! 🔥☀️🥵. Early morning walks for today and tomorrow whilst we try to beat the sun, what a change from yesterday’s weather!

These amazing dogs all did so well on their 1:1 walks this morning. I’ve won the jackpot with this job🥰.

02/08/2023

UPDATE TO CLIENTS - LAPTOP/FORMS

As some of you are aware, I’ve been dealing with a water-damaged laptop in repair for the last week. Unfortunately I have just been told it cannot be repaired so I wanted to let my clients know that there will be a further delay on paperwork and everything will be handwritten for at least the next week whilst I work out my options and look to purchase a new one.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding and thank you for reading 😌

01/08/2023

We cover a lot of ground in our hour-long 1:1’s. Different terrains and different smells every walk, perfect for dogs with high-energy, high-drive and need for rich stimulation.

Today, we visited the heath and practiced maintaining focus whilst walking, and calmly approaching potential distractions. This boy gets an A* for his work and engagement today. We even saw a Weasel - a first for us both! We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful area 🪴🌻🌲🐝

30/07/2023

Happy Sunday 🌻❤️

Spending the weekend with lots of doggy loving, cuddles and appreciation (with a rather muddy walk in between). Super excited for a week of 1:1 and positive-reinforcement focused walks with my furry clients, and some sleepovers with them too!

Found this gorgeous poem which, I think, sums up our four-legged friends perfectly. They may not be perfect, they may have instinctive behaviours and traits, but they are running, and smelling, and exploring, because of the life you have given them 😌🐶.

24/07/2023

Happy Monday! I hope all who are off on summer holidays are having the best time. And those at work, keep trooping on 💪🏼😊.

If you’re looking for your favourite four-legged friend to be walked when the kids are back at school (or before😉) then drop SDS a WhatsApp message for further enquiries! Looking to open up pack walks very soon so register your interest!

It’s been a rather wet start to the day for myself, Sadie, Marley, Leia and Bear but that doesn’t stop our adventures - love our British summers when I get to spend them with these lot☔️🐶

14/07/2023

Look at these stylish three - more prepared for the weather than I was!

Thanks to my Mama for the blurry photography and being my walking partner today😉

08/07/2023

Had a sleepover with Sausage last night and now for two more sleepovers with Noodle - two food names in one day!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Admin hour commencing tomorrow after I’m enjoying a bit of rest after a busy week, thank you for all your patience and speak to you all soon 🐶🐾🤍

06/07/2023

Happy Thursday! Hope everyone is well. I’ve been busy meeting new clients and their wonderful pets. So excited to share with you what I’ve been up to!

For now, I wanted to show you my new haul of doggy things to keep your pets safe and happy!

We have:

- Pet first aid kit, carried in the car at all times
- 2x slip leads (only to be used as emergency back-ups)
- 1x bungee lead
- 2x long lines (one pictured)
- treated myself to a proper bum bag (how fashionable 🤪)
- doggy water bottle which will be carried on ALL walks and at all times
- collapsible water bowl
- POO BAGS (I have SO many omg)

Also I am awaiting a delivery from Skye Paws (_skyepaws on Tiktok) of their fish selection training treats. All grain free and an amazing composition of meat in the ingredients. Can’t wait to see your doggo’s verdicts on them😌.

01/07/2023

Happy weekend!

I am having a day out with the family. I’ll be back in response with clients this evening 😌.

Here is Romy trying her first “pupachino” 🤣.

30/06/2023

Grass seed season is upon us!!! 🐾🐾🐾

On all walks with your dogs, they will be given a check for any obvious grass seeds that have attached and can be easily reached, by myself. I’ll let owners know if I recognise any symptoms of the seed being in the ear/embedded in the paw or if it is inhaled. Please check your dogs daily and every time after a walk - as you would for ticks too!

27/06/2023

Had the best time walking these beauties today for the first time. Roll on 🥹🥰

27/06/2023

25/06/2023

had this beautiful girl back with us yesterday. We went to the garden centre and she picked out a rabbits ear treat, then we came back and camped out in the dark and cool living room watching Glastonbury while the heat got more intense. Safe to say she was a …. Hot dog 🤪🫣🤣

24/06/2023

Bev and Si are exceptional in helping Romy and myself feel confident in our training. Highly recommend Sensible Paws 🥰.

23/06/2023

We had the best time meeting the beautiful Teddy today. Romy is excited to welcome him into our pack of furry friends - they got on amazingly in our introductory meet this morning and now she is fast asleep (yay!)❤️🐶🐾.

21/06/2023

Amazing people & amazing cause 🥰

SOAPBOX DERBY 2023

Shine night walk 2023!
On the 23rd of September Tracey Lucie and Zoey are taking part in the shine night walk 2023 to help raise money for Soapbox derby, Cancer research.
We are taking part in the Half marathon through the night.

If you would like to sponsor us (so we can’t bail🤣) our just giving link is -

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/the-plough-duxford

Or even better if you’d like to join us on our half marathon let us know & we can add you to our team and you can join our weekly walk!
Contact us on our email - [email protected]

Duxford Soap Box Derby

21/06/2023

Happy Wednesday all 🐫🥳

Romy tested out the new and secure car hammock (I don’t think she was best pleased 😭) for our walk this morning. She loved being able to watch me through the mesh panel though.

Any dogs transported in my car will be fully secured with a seatbelt. My number 1 goal is to get crash-tested crates fitted in the back 🐾🤍