HAPPY DAYS - Equine and Pet Services by Kirsty

18/01/2025

I have been absolutely useless at keeping up with social media since the start of the new year… how is it the 18th Jan already 😮 I will try and do better.

Here are a few photos from the last couple of weeks 📸 🐾

18/01/2025

Owners, if your vet gives you a hard time about raw-feeding, please share this webinar link with them 🦴

Vet professionals, do you know about this free webinar about raw feeding, that can be used as part of your CPD?

There’s also this booklet from the RFVS you can read through…

https://cloud.3dissue.net/41890/41651/42148/101874/index.html

Attention vet professionals! 🐾

Did you know we offer a free on-demand webinar on raw feeding? We’re passionate about helping pets and their owners embrace raw feeding safely and responsibly.

If you work in a vet practice - or know someone who does - please share this valuable resource! 🐶🐱

📲 Click here to register: https://bit.ly/40AThCa

Let’s work together for pet wellbeing! 💛✨

17/01/2025

I left the room for all of 60 seconds and Ruby has stolen my chair xx

16/01/2025

This is why I always recommend not letting your pup cry it out and make sure you are there for them when they need you. Many people think if they don’t get their dog used to being left straight away or they return to them when they cry, it will cause problems, but the more secure and safe your dog feels, the more confident they will become 🐾

Accidental attachment ‘parenting’

Taking on a tiny 6 day old puppy unintentionally taught me a great deal about attachment and how crucial secure attachments are for our dogs’ emotional health.

It’s pretty easy to meet our dogs physical needs and that was even quite easy with a tiny puppy- she needed feeding, she needed help toileting and she needed to be kept warm.

It was apparently straight away that meeting these physical needs and leaving her on a heat pad in a pen was in no way going to meet her emotional needs. It’s not just warmth that puppies need, it’s physical contact with a living being. Heat pads, fake heart beats in toys etc for a solo puppy, just doesn’t do it. She was more settled and content in close physical contact- she preferred with me but any other human or dog would do. She wanted to be next to skin and near a heartbeat, at all times and so that’s where she stayed, for as long as she needed it.

The option of close physical contact with someone they are attached to is such a basic need. I’m sure most of us remember hearing about the awful Harlow experiments where monkey babies had the choice of a wire ‘mother’ (with milk) or a soft, cloth ‘mother’ and would choose the soft mother even at the expense of milk, such is that basic need.

I have children and it felt so similar to when my kids were tiny babies too. I certainly didn’t deny them a need to be near me and I didn’t with this tiny puppy either. When they are developmentally ready (human babies and tiny puppies), they choose to be more independent from you and they spread their wings.

Of course it’s not just about the need for physical contact anyway when they are tiny- it’s about the need to feel safe too and that’s a fundamental need that must be met.

When puppies go into new homes at 8 weeks old they don’t suddenly stop having this need for physical contact and to feel safe near a living being. They go from feeling safe near to mum and siblings to being totally dependent on their new human family. It breaks my heart to think of them relegated to a crate in a kitchen. Of course they stop crying after a couple of nights as they give up any hope that anyone will help them. It certainly doesn’t help them to feel safe and secure in the world.

The same goes for an adult rescue dog who has often suffered so much upheaval and broken attachments along the way and who needs more than anything to just feel safe and secure and to have a bond with someone. This need for connection is a basic need that must be met, the same as being fed and watered.

I know people worry that if you ‘pander’ to them and give them lots of company they will become clingy or overly dependant but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Letting them develop a secure attachment results in resilient and confident individuals who feel safe in the world.

I see so many clients who’ve had awful advice and who have been told that their dog has behavioural issues as they are too nice to them, love them too much etc. it’s all absolute rubbish and they won’t turn into a monster if you meet their needs for safety, it’s quite the opposite and you help them to develop to their full potential ❤️

Laura McAuliffe, Dog Communication 2024

01/01/2025

It was rather breezy on our new years day walk this morning 😂❤️

31/12/2024

Wishing you and your four-legged family a happy, healthy, and adventure-filled New Year!

Here’s a few photos looking back at 2024…

I can’t wait to create more pawsitive memories in the year ahead! 🐕❤️

29/12/2024

If you are heading to the coast with your Dog, and you see a seal 🦭 please please do not allow your Dog to approach. Pop them straight on a lead and give the seal space!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CdSW2aRZU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

27/12/2024

I hope everyone has had a great Christmas 🎄 I have had a lovely couple of days with family and been totally spoilt by family, friends and all my wonderful customers. Thank you all soo much! 🥰

25/12/2024

23/12/2024

10 night house-sit with the lovely Aspen finished this morning. It’s always a pleasure staying with Aspen, and of course Gizmo the cat too… 💙💙

18/12/2024

Does your Dog suffer with ear problems?

I highly recommend this webinar.

It’s an absolute bargain at £15. I already thought I was quite knowledgeable about ear infections after all our struggles with Ruby, but I learnt soo much.

https://www.animalloveonline.co.uk/pages/pre-recorded-webinars

Animal Love Pet First Aid

16/12/2024

It’s looking very Christmasy at my parents house ❤️🎄🎅

15/12/2024

Christmas can be a stressful time, not just for us, but our Dogs too. Making a safe space for your Dog, where they can relax and not be disturbed is a really good idea. I use safe spaces all year round, daily, to allow my dogs time away from each other and also when visitors arrive.

14/12/2024

A few weeks ago one of my customers asked me if I knew anyone with a Donkey 🫏 The reason she wanted a Donkey, was to film for their school Christmas Surprise. I put her in touch with Layer Marney Horse Drawn Carriages… and then invited myself along to watch the filming 😜 We laughed soo much 😂 Here is the Final Cut… have a watch for a little festive fun.

St John’s Green PTA Presents: Dominick The Donkey!We hope this video has helped spread some Christmas cheer!You have been watching…Mr Bromley, Mr Gilbranch, ...

12/12/2024

Ever thought about Mantrailing? Let your Dog use its nose and have lots of fun… check out Fiona’s introductory courses 🐕

Mantrailing - Follow the trail, discover the fun!

Unlock Your Dog’s Hidden Talent! 🐾

Looking for a fun, engaging activity that’s perfect for any dog? Discover the exciting world of mantrailing!

Our Mantrailing Introduction Courses offer:
✅ A chance to harness your dog’s natural scenting ability
✅ Confidence-boosting activities for dogs of all breeds and sizes
✅ A fun way to build teamwork and strengthen your bond

Perfect for reactive dogs, nervous pups, or energetic explorers – mantrailing is a force-free, thrilling way to work together and have fun!

Your dog must be happy in the car between training sessions

Sign Up Now

https://MerseaMutts.as.me/?appointmentType=55038831

10/12/2024

My evening sorted ✔️

09/12/2024

I support a number of different charities, and recently I decided to sponsor Hearing Dog puppy, Spice 🐾

My sponsorship pack arrived today… I’ll be sure to share updates when I receive them, so everyone can follow her training journey.