A social enterprise supporting pet owners with health, mobility or sensory issues. Company No. 1257
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
Pets and Well-being Support PAWS CIC is being merged back into Pittville Pets : Dog Walking, Dog Training and Cat Sitting in Cheltenham to reduce admin. We will still be offering subsidised walks and other services, and nothing else will change.
This will ruffle some feathers... or fur.
The Ultimate Vote!
👍 for cats, ❤️ for dogs, 😮 for other (please specify!)
And feel free to vote 😆 if you just can't decide!!
📚 Story time - Poppy! 📚
Poppy has been with us since she was just a teenager, and like many dogs she is fine with those dogs she knows, but can be unpredictable around those she doesn't. 😓
We make allowances for this by keeping greetings with other dogs short, or avoiding them altogether, and bringing a few calm dogs that she knows to share occasional walks. 🐕
We also use positive reinforcement to encourage calm and focus on us when seeing other dogs.❤️
Xena got herself in a predicament 🤣🙈
🐶 Training Tip Tuesday 🐶
Don't worry if training sometimes seems to go backwards, it happens to everyone! 😅
Just take things back a step, and persevere.
Try changing these:
DISTANCE e.g. shorter recall or retrieve; 🏃♀️
DURATION e.g. shorter sit, stay or down; ⏱
DISTRACTION e.g. less other dogs, people, new sights and smells. 👀
It's December! As well as being the month of Christmas, it is also National Cat Lovers' month! In honour of this we thought we'd share a fun fact with you... 🐱
According to Guinness World Records, the oldest LIVING cat is Flossie. She is 27 years old, born in 1995 and she live in the UK! 🐈
There must be lots of cat lovers here, so let us know your best cat fact!
For a bit of friday fun.. guess Jack's breed! 🐶🤔
Celebrating some of our loyal customers this week! 🐶🐶
Opal the gorgeous greyhound has been having walks with us since soon after we started 2017. She was soon joined by her adopted sister Evie, a lovely lurcher (greyhound x collie).
Evie had some reactivity towards other dogs, but responded brilliantly to some training with us and her owners. 🎉
We are always pleased to see this awesome pair, and do our best to fit them in for adhoc walks. 💕
Did someone say Christmas?? 🎁🎄 Hands up if you have an advent calendar ready for your pet for tomorrow! 🖐🙈
Also what a lovely photo taken by dog walker Oliver!
👇 Training Tip Tuesday! 👇
Last week we talked about not allowing your dog to practise behaviours you don't want.
This can mean keeping your dog on a lead or longline if they chase things; or using a stairgate to keep them away from the front door if they tend to run out or jump up at visitors.😓
This also means it is our job to keep tempting items out of reach of teething puppies, scavenging beagles and labradors, etc. 🐕🐩
We also need to give them plenty of opportunities to chew the "right" things, like toys or healthy chews of various textures; or to ""find" their food by scattering in the grass, on a snuffle mat, or using recycling like toilets rolls, small cardboard boxes, egg cartons, etc; or chase a toy in a controlled game.
These activities are hardwired into their brains and fulfil a basic need, so you will have more success reducing unwanted and potentially dangerous. versions, if you provide safe alternatives. 🤯
Frank photobombing Rolo! 😁📸
Dougal's got that Friday feeling... sleepy in his dressing gown! 😴 Who can relate?
Thank you to a lovely client for their recommendation and kind words! 💕
"Alison and Dannyelle took fabulous care of my precious boy on many walks over the past couple of years. They have offered much advice and support in that time, as well as the odd shoulder to cry on when the reality and challenges of having an unintentionally-timed lockdown puppy hit home - and not just a puppy but a rather bouncy and vocal terrier! Thank you, and we will miss you now we have moved away! 🐾💞"
Rori doing a brilliant job of recall training on the longline! 👏👏
It doesn't matter what reward I use, my dog would rather XYZ! 😅
If this sounds familiar, then you are not alone.
Many dogs will respond perfectly to cues, right up until you really need them to.
But why?
Any behaviour needs to be practiced in lots of different places before it is reliable. For example, recall. Start somewhere with few distractions, then gradually build up to a busy park.
Playing with other dogs, following a scent, chasing a squirrel. All these things have a high reward value, and the more your dog does them the stronger the habit.
So until your recall is reliable, either keep your dog on a long line or be prepared to put them on lead as soon as you see a temptation! 🐶
For more help with recall training, give us a call or book a session here:
https://pittvillepetsbooking.as.me/enquirycall
Which would your dog vote for??
❤️ = all day cuddles on the sofa 👍 = all day walkies
Sorry not sorry 🙈🤣
If you're ever uncomfortable around my dog when you visit, I'll happily lock you in another room.
Lola is a very shy cat, who would run and hide when I first met her. She would sometimes throw up she was so anxious. Letting her move at her own pace has really paid off. 🐱 Here is a lovely testimonial from Lola's owner!!
"I would highly recommend Alison at Pittville Pets for cat sitting. My purr baby is a rather shy and fussy little madam, and Alison has built a lovely bond with her. When I’m away I know purr baby is safe, well looked after, and she enjoys Alison’s visits as it means play time! Thank you Alison!"
Vimmy feeling brave!
She is usually a shy girl but during the last few visits she has come to say hello 💕 Always a rewarding moment for us! 🐱
Variety is the spice of life... ✨ And this applies to your pets too!
So they may LOVE chicken or a tug toy as a reward when you start training, but they will soon get bored and perform less well. 😴
The same applies to puzzle toys and other enrichment.
Try swapping out your rewards, to keep things fresh and interesting! 🤩
❄️ Brrr it's officially jumper season! ❄️
Dougal looking very snug in his new coat 🤗 Show us your pets in their coats!
We will remember them, the big and the small.
It's been a while since I talked about my journey with my own rescue dog, Dougal. 🐶
Dougal is a large part of the reason I am in this business, and he has taught me so much over the years!
Adopted from Cheltenham Animal Shelter at around 1, he had very little recall; no concept of loose lead walking; no off switch; could not be left alone (or with anyone apart from me); constantly stole or scavenged food; and basically didn't listen to a word we said! 🤦♀️
It has been a long way to get to where we are now, and we still have areas to work on, but he is so much happier, and our relationship is so much stronger.
So if you are at the start of your journey, or in a rocky part of it, please don't despair, you will get there! 🥰
Dougal keeping an eye out for his brother Banjo whilst he snoozes! 😎
Aaand Relax.... 😌
Phew, that was a stressful few weeks for many of us pet owners. Give yourself a pat on the back, and schedule some sofa days for you and your pet pals.
Did you know that the stress hormone cortisol takes at least 72 hours to leave the system? And the clock restarts if something else stressful happens? ⏱
So make sure you help along the process with some nice calming activities, like chilling together, sniffing out scattered or hidden treats, licking or chewing, and minimise exposure to potential triggers. 🦴 😋
It's National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week!
We are so lucky to be friends with MANY amazing rescue animals.
Here are just a few of them, let us show them some love 🥰
Just for fun - who is your Friday spirit animal?
(why do cats make the best faces?) 🤣
Following on from last week's case study - a wonderful testimonial from Xena's lovely owner 😍 Thank you so much! 🎉
Dylan being a good boy 💙
Who can believe we're in November already?? 😱 Let us know if there are any pets with Birthdays this month! 🎁
Remember remember, the 5th of November will soon be here! 💥
Below are some of our favourite resources for firework season.
🌟 Dogs Trust have a great online library of sounds to get your pet accustomed to the sound of fireworks
🌟 Pair these sounds with a lickimat, chew or a kong (licking and chewing are calming for most pets)
🌟 On the 5th Nov, Classic FM are doing an evening of music for calming animals (you can also set Amazon Alexa to play calming music for your pets when they bark!)
🌟Some dogs benefit from a thundershirt or TTouch wrap
🌟 You can also speak to your vet about herbal or pharmaceutical calming aids
Cheltenham
GL519DH
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Rori doing a brilliant job of recall training on the longline! 👏👏 #cheltenhamdogwalker #dogtrainer #pittvillepets #recalltraining
Variety is the spice of life... ✨ And this applies to your pets too! So they may LOVE chicken or a tug toy as a reward when you start training, but they will soon get bored and perform less well. 😴 The same applies to puzzle toys and other enrichment. Try swapping out your rewards, to keep things fresh and interesting! 🤩 #trainingtiptuesday #cheltenham #dogtrainer #dogbehaviour #enrichment
We will remember them, the big and the small. #lestweforget #rememranceday #november11th
Remember remember, the 5th of November will soon be here! 💥 Below are some of our favourite resources for firework season. 🌟 Dogs Trust have a great online library of sounds to get your pet accustomed to the sound of fireworks 🌟 Pair these sounds with a lickimat, chew or a kong (licking and chewing are calming for most pets) 🌟 On the 5th Nov, Classic FM are doing an evening of music for calming animals (you can also set Amazon Alexa to play calming music for your pets when they bark!) 🌟Some dogs benefit from a thundershirt or TTouch wrap 🌟 You can also speak to your vet about herbal or pharmaceutical calming aids #5thnovember #fireworktipsforpets #bonfirenighttips #cheltenham
Happy Halloween from Pittville Pets! 🎃 👻 🕸 What are both humans and pets up to this evening? #halloween2022 #happyhalloween #cheltenham
🐈⬛ National Black Cat Day 🐈⬛ There are many theories as to why black cats are associated with Halloween... One of which is that it stems from the Celtic festival Samhain which took place from October 31st to November 1st. It was believed that a Celtic Fairy (who would appear as a black cat) would bless any house that left milk out, and curse those who didn't! 😱 🧚♀️ #blackcats #nationalblackcatday #cheltenham #catsitter
Rumo looking chuffed as chips in his new harness! This one is by Ruffwear which is one of our favourite brands of harness. They are comfortable, allow good range of motion in the shoulders, and keep our furry friends safe! #ruffwear #dogharness #dogwalking #cheltenham
🦁 The lovely Simba out on a walk with us🦁 Does anyone else have a pet named after a Disney character? #pittvillepets #disneypetnames #dogwalker #dogwalkingcheltenham #lionking
🐶 Training Tips Tuesday continued - Free Work 🐶 A great way of working out what your dog enjoys most is something called "Free Work". It is also a great way for them to de-stress! 😌 This involves laying out various items/toys/treats with different textures, smells, sounds, etc, and allowing your dog to interact freely with them. You can then observe which things they choose to do! 👀 Dannyelle uses free work a lot in her behaviour and training work, so why not book a session with her now? Find out more here: https://www.yourdog.co.uk/dog-care-and-advice/get-to-know-your-dog-better-free-work/ #cheltenham #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogbehaviour #pittvillepets
Playing "catch" in the garden with Charlie and Lottie! 🐶🐶 #cheltenham #dogsitting #dogwalking #petsitter #pittville
Jack practising his catching! #cheltenham #dogwalker #dogtraining #pittville
When it is hot outside we opt for playing in the shade rather than our usual walks 🌳 This video is from the heat wave a few weeks back and is a great way to keep dogs (labradors especially) in the shade! 💧 #pittvillepets #dogwalking #cheltenham #pittville #montpellier
Have a pet that won't stay still for a photo? This is when we resort to videos 😂 This is Alison playing with the lovely Mabel on a cat sitting visit! 🐱
Rori would like to remind everyone to please walk at the coolest times of the day! We find early mornings are best for our furry friends (and for us!) 🌞🌞 If you are unable to do this, it is much better to miss a walk than to risk heat stroke! #hotweathertips #earlymorningwalk
Our trainer and behaviourist Dannyelle and her kitten Mochi practicing the "tell me a secret" cue. Mochi is so smart! 😍 #cheltenhamdogtraining #cattraining
Great weather for ducks and puddle loving dogs!
#FridayFun Comment below with images, gifs or emojis that tell us what your pet has been up to this week. It's up to the rest of us to guess....
Thanks to Jack of Make Your Mark Dog Training & Behaviour, for interviewing me about Pittville Pets and PAWS.
Just for fun, what do you call it when your cat kneads with their paws? A) Making muffins 🧁 B) Kitty acupuncture 🐈💆♀️ C) Happy paws 😺🐾 D) Making biscuits 🍪 E) Playing the piano 🎶 F) Mashing potatoes 🥔 Or something else?
