Social Paws

12/12/2024

Social Paws Advent Calendar 12th of December- provide a safe space 💕

Christmas can be a very overwhelming time of the year.

With an increase in visitors and general hustle and bustle it's important to give your pets a safe space.

A safe space is their own special area away from all of the above. Just like sometimes us humans like our own private space or quiet time.

Thanks for reading,
Helen & Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

11/12/2024

Social Paws Advent Calendar December the 11th - you are doing incredibly well, despite what you may sometimes think

We spend so much time worrying about our dog's behaviour and what we look like sometimes we forget the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Yes there are bad days, struggles but think how far you've come 💕

Remember Christmas is a stressful time. We can't expect miracles and to get everything right.

Be nice to yourself and your dog. What better gift this Christmas 🎁

Thanks for reading,
Helen and Tristan

'A family business where kindness speaks volumes'

10/12/2024

Social Paws Advent Calender the 10th of December - signs that your dog may be stressed or becoming more anxious

Dogs can give subtle signs that they are stressed and to us humans it’s not always obvious.

These can include showing the whites of their eyes, yawning, sneezing, licking their lips or leaning away from us.

Remember these often go unnoticed and are context specific, if your dog is licking their lips before a meal this often means they are anticipating the yummy food. Whilst if they are licking their lips as Aunty Alice bends down to stroke them - this may mean they are nervous or finding this a little overwhelming.

I mean if I had a giant hand come towards me I didn't know, I may be a bit startled!

Remember if your dog is showing any warning signs, help give them space, find a quiet safe area and remind others to not approach.

Helen and Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

09/12/2024

Social Paws Advent Calender December the 9th - avoid unrealistic expectations 💕

Small steps for the win! Try not to overwhelm yourself and your dog this Christmas.

We expect so much of ourselves and our dogs, but we ALL have our limitations.

When it comes to visitors and festive celebrations I want you to just think today how much is too much?

Helen & Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

08/12/2024

Social Paws Advent Calender December the 8th - not all dogs want to say hello

Dogs are on lead for a reason: they may be old, young, in training, recovering an operation or nervous.

It's not ok to let dogs run up to them, even if your dog is friendly.

Please help by giving the other dog on lead space or putting your dog back on lead if you are unable to call them back, before they get close.

Thank you,
Helen and Tristan

'A family, business where kindness speaks volumes'

07/12/2024

Nobody has the right to judge you or your dog

Here's our promise to you and your dog - we will never judge you 🐾

Social Paws Advent Calendar - December the 7th

We will never judge you and this page is surrounded by your cheerleaders 👏

Friends, followers and like-minded pet parents often on a similar journey as you.

Nobody has the right to judge you. And whilst yes amongst the tuts or the you can't walk your dog in public, generally things are getting better...

Understanding ❤️

Awareness ❤️

Education ❤️

We are here to provide all of the above and reassure you that whilst life can be a challenge don't lose hope.

Things can get better, but first you need to ignore unhelpful advice, pages that make you look like the bad guy.

I'm open an honest with my journey with all my pets, I too have sought help from other professionals.

Did I feel embarrassed, a little at the beginning.

But reaching out for support was the best thing I did.

Sometimes we are too close to the issue ✔️

Need another pair of eyes ✔️

That's not failure ✔️

It's a brave thing to do ✔️

We will never judge you or your dog 🐶

Thanks for reading,
Helen & Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

06/12/2024

Make the MOST of EVERY moment 💞 - in memory of Juniper 🌈🐶

Social Paws Advent Calendar - the 6th of December

I wish we could spend all our life with our pet family and friends, but sadly many pass too soon.

There may be times when you are at your whits end, you know that walk that you wish you'd never done, or that embarrassing moment when they jumped up at that stranger.

But we love them for being them. Despite their mishaps or challenges.

And you can't put a price on the time spent with your best friend.

So make the most of every moment.

Second.

Cherish these forever.

Photo in memory of Juniper 🐾 gone but never forgotten and always here in spirit.

05/12/2024

December the 5th - PRACTICE BEFORE THE BIG DAY!

Social Paws Advent Calendar - support and advice for your anxious, nervous or rescue pet

Practice some set ups, with help of friends and family before the big day.

With lots of short, positive introductions you will help your dog become not only familiar with your family but already be adjusted to their presence in your house.

Also it's good to get them familiar with more novel items, but remember the above short and sweet is the key!

For more anxious dogs please do give space and more excitable dogs try to give them a job to do (puzzle toys, scatter feeding helps) so that it keeps them away from the temptation of jumping up!

Helen & Tristan Motteram

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

04/12/2024

"What do you mean, I don't need to walk my dog!"

Social Paws Advent Calendar - 4th of December

Yes, it's ok to miss a walk.

In fact I know Sally would of thanked me, particularly in the seasonal period where the parks and roads seemed busier than ever!

A walk is supposed to be an enjoyable experience - for you and your dog ✔️

Yet I've seen dogs stressed out watching the Christmas lights switch on 😢

Dogs shut down at Christmas markets 😢

Fields busy with dog friendly Xmas meet ups😢

Now don't get me wrong...

Some dogs may love the above.

But most likely if you have a particularly sensitive or anxious dog, they'd prefer walks to be a quieter experience where the emphasis is on being a dog. That often means having a good old sniff, their own time and space.

Dogs need mental stimulation and in my experience this can be just as effective in helping them chill out and keep them enriched and focused.

This could be a treat trail around the garden, some trick training, hoopers at home! Anything that is low intensity and engages the brain is a win win mix of brain activity and some physical (without their arousal levels going through the roof!).

In fact even the more excitable dogs benefit from the above - think of a marathon, you've got the warm up, main event and cool down...

Even before a walk doing low intensity activities as above, focusing on mental energy will make walks much easier. A stretch before the main event!

Thanks for reading,
Helen & Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

03/12/2024

December the 3rd - NOT JUST A DOG

Our family, our companion and our best friend.

Social Paws Advent Calendar 2023, tips to support your anxious, nervous or rescue pet.

It ❌

Thing ❌

Just a dog ❌

Nope. Nope. Nope.

No words can explain how much our dogs mean to us.

Not just an object, or a fad.

Our family.

Our world 💕

We won't judge you if your companion shares your bed, eats with you.

Treat dogs, in fact all animals with kindness. Enjoy your time with them, make the most of EVERY second.

Thanks for reading,
Helen and Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

02/12/2024

DECEMBER the 2ND - take breaks and slow down

Social Paws Advent Calendar 2024 - helping support you and your anxious, nervous or rescue pet 🐾🐾🐾

Christmas time can be particularly stressful and hectic.

Visitors. A change in routine. Roads getting busier.

It's ok to take a break, in fact we encourage this for us humans aswell.

Slow down, recharge, your dog and future self will thank you 💕

Thanks for reading,
Helen and Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

01/12/2024

Feeling festive - Santa Paws and Reindeer Claws! 🎅🦌

The big question is who's started their Christmas shopping yet??? 😄😄😄

Here at Social Paws we've got some very exciting things coming up in the New year...

Thanks for supporting us,
Helen & Tristan

01/12/2024

DECEMBER THE 1st - distance, time and reassurance are some of the best gifts you can give your best friend

Social Paws Advent Calendar 2024 - helping support you and your anxious, nervous or rescue pet 🐾🐾🐾

It may be tempting to get closer to other people, dogs or what they are finding distressing. To speed things up and a bit of tough love.

But the opposite is true.

Take your time, always give lots of space and yes reassuring your dog is encouraged! Be their wingman, their cheerleader 💕

Thanks for reading,
Helen and Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

22/11/2024

Our updated website is now live! 🐶🐱

Just a few tweeks to our mobile version but we hope you enjoy the new layout.

Cheltenham dog trainer and behavourist. Accreditated force free, behavioural consultations and dog training throughout Gloucestershire.

07/11/2024

YOUR DOG MAY NEED A BREAK/REST DAY

Fireworks can have an impact for days, sometimes weeks! ⚠️⚠️⚠️

*** Please give your pets time to heal ***

🐕 Sensitive dogs

Prince was a very sensitive boy. This meant traumatic or stressful events didn't just affect him on the day.

They had a negative impact ongoing.

In Prince's case this included the workman, the dog who ran up to him or the fireworks.

🐕 Fireworks are over?

The main fireworks may be over but this doesn't mean it is for pets...

Fireworks especially can have a knock on effect on dogs/pets behaviour sometimes later the next day (most cases I see effects lasting much longer for months later).

🐕 It's not just one day!

Also as many of us know November 5th can sometimes stretch to the end of the month - with people continuing displays sometimes up till new years?!

🐕 Overwhelmed

If you are thinking about walking your dogs today please be mindful that it may still be incredibly overwhelming. Specially if they have associated certain areas with the fireworks.

Also if there are other stressors in your pet's life, consider that they make take this with them on their walks.

🐕 An emotional weight on our shoulders

I know when I'm emotional or upset it's always best I don't see a client that day, that's because I cannot focus as well and cannot be 100% productive.

🐕 Slow and steady

My best personal advice with regards to the fireworks - keep things nice and relaxed for the next few days and focus on mental/physical exercise in house opposed to outside.

Slow and steady wins the race ❤

Photo in memory of Prince: my friend who I worked with and sadly passed a few years ago because of cancer.

05/11/2024

FIREWORKS ADVICE - help keep your pets safe this November

It's that time of the year again and unfortunately it's not just on November the 5th, celebrations will continue right into the new year, so please keep these tips handy.

If you have a rescue dog, or a dog who has experienced a recent trauma, they may be particularly sensitive to fireworks (the same is true for small animals and birds).

So here's a few tips to help you prepare for the fireworks and to help keep your pets safe and calm:

1. KEEP PETS INSIDE DURING FIREWORK DISPLAYS

Make sure your dog is taken out to go to toilet earlier. Where possible, bring cats and small animals inside.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and birds in aviaries are particularly vulnerable.

2. PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE

Provide a safe place, where you can keep your pets company. This may be a quiet back room with the curtains closed or a mini den type area. Cats particularly like a space they can crawl under, but be mindful of them trying to fit into tiny narrow spaces and possibly getting stuck.

3. REASSURE THEM

Do not punish your dog for showing fearful behaviour. If they are frightened - it is okay to comfort them.

You can reassure your dog. Contrary to what you may hear, it is not possible to reinforce an emotion (e.g. fear). Please do not punish your dog if it is fearful or anxious.

We advise, where possible, staying inside - partcularly on firework's night - to keep your pets safe and to give them company and support.

4. OCCUPY THEM WITH ENRICHMENT OR PLAYTIME

Provide your pet with an alternative outlet, to keep anxiety at bay. A nice filled Kong, a puzzle game or a simple game of 'find it'.

5. HELP SOOTHE YOUR PET WITH MUSIC

Music can help to block out some of the noise and certain types such as classical music have been proven to have a calming effect. You can also turn up the volume on the TV, to make the *bangs* seem less dramatic in comparison to the volume inside the house..

6. WALK YOUR DOG EARLY

Try to take your dog for a walk before 3pm, or as early as possible; be mindful that some people may even let fireworks off before it gets dark!

Remember: if your dog has already experienced fireworks in a particular area, going back to that same area may bring back trauma.
.....................................

We always advise pet owners to seek further advice from a behaviourist or trainer working closely with a vet.

They will work with you on a behavioural modification programme and, in certain cases, vets can recommend drugs/therapy/holistic remedies to help keep your dog calm and relaxed.

Preparation is the key - so please keep this advice handy, especially over the festive period and new year's eve. As above it's not just November the 5th and unfortunately it's still a very unregulated event.

Thanks for reading,
Helen Motteram

26/10/2024

A few challenging months ahead of us - let's talk OVERWHELM & FIREWORKS 😢

It's that time of year in which we say goodbye to the shorts and t-shirt and switch on the heating!

But for our pet friends October and November can be a challenging month...

Halloween, fireworks the changing seasons.

And for you personally it may be a challenge too, you only need to go in the shops and see Christmas is around the corner!

Sorry for mentioning it, but whilst these are my favourite months there's lots of hustle and bustle, financial implications and things can get quite overwhelming!

So remember to go a little more easy on yourself and think about you and your pets.

Feeling short tempered.

Your dogs feeling a little more on edge.

OVERWHELM.

As the dreaded fireworks approach I'll be popping in with more advice.

Until then keep safe and don't be too hard on yourselves! ❤️

25/10/2024

Dogs ALWAYS bring out the best in you ❤️

If I feel down, all it sometimes takes is seeing this friendly face.

Bramble never judges me but just gives me unconditional love and respect. When I'm tired she walks gently by my side, when I'm full of energy she bounces around just slightly ahead of me.

Dogs are a BIG commitment but if you put the effort in, are patient and determined believe me you will never look back!

We are passionate about helping support pets and their Guardians ❤️