Ria's K9

21/11/2024

I received a few questions regarding when is it too cold to walk.

It really depends on the dog and handler.

Weather circumstances need to be considered such as icy road, salted road, temperature, and humidity.

Once we considered these now we need to check our own, the handler, capabilities. If we are already struggling with physical motions then perhaps it is best to take our enrichment games at home to avoid slipping on the road.

Now that we analysed our own strength, are our pooches healthy enough for the walk in that particular weather condition?

This chart below should help you to give an indicative idea whether the walk should be missed but in no way should this be taken granted.

Hope this helps 🥰

31/10/2024

Hope everyone had an awesome Halloween and the trick or treat night was successful 😍

Otto has the best costume with no eyes 😂

28/10/2024

Otto the 6 months old Shepherd x on the left is such a cool dog. He has been with me a week now and his end of stay is unknown at this time.

I decided that I could have the time now to be able to potentially foster a dog.

At first, we were hesitant with Aura’s Dogs UK whether he could be a right fit for the time and circumstances that I have. As you see, he can get so anxious that he can't control his bowel movement. He can't be left alone at all because of his separation anxiety, otherwise he will "loose his sh:t" in a literal sense. These are the things that Auras Dogs and I have been told and I pictured the situation quite dramatically. We decided to do a trial with him and I had him ever since. I think it says it all.

He is a typical puppy that was still learning toileting. It is not uncommon for his breed to have sensitive stomach and generally being more anxious causing soft droppings. Strict schedule and proper management alongside adaquate mental and physical exercise (and diet) have been a game changer for him, he was settled nicely from day 1. Of course, he is still a puppy afterall so he does need training to settle when unattended. But so far he hasn't mud the cealing, chewed through walls or floors. So to me this is a win so far🤓

Unfortunately, he, just like most rescues, had a rough start in life. He is extremly fearful of people. Men are always more scarier looking but he is terrified in general. He doesn't seem to mind children that don't pay attention to him. His flight response is so very high that he jumps through fences if other escape route is not provided. He wouldn't take food around any human being he doesn't know.

He has a high prey drive with 0 homicidal thoughts behind it, he is very soft mouthed but will chase and nip if he has the chance. His confidence in general is relatively big considering how frightened he is around people or if he was left alone in a completely new environment (which can definitely cause anxious toileting, though!)
He is very dog friendly but he needs solid boundaries otherwise he can get a little too much to other dogs. He has proven to be inconsistent with food around dogs that had been nipped in the bud but close supervision is a must now.

We are slowly making progress but to fully rehabilitate him will likely take a long time. He is slowly taking food around and from certain strangers. He is nicely settling around my cat now and is able to settle when I don't pay attention to him. I can leave him alone 30 minutes at a time free roaming in the house. After 30 minutes he will be a puppy and find fun. He can be left alone in the kennel for 4 hours at a time with no issues. He is very curious so he should grow to be a confident dog with the right support 💪 he loves a tag of war and loves doing obedience training which will help him build confidence more.

I will keep updating how he is progressing but so far we spent lots of time just sitting and watching the world go by just like we would do with an 8 week old puppy and learning house manners alongside just bonding 🥰 you will most likely meet him on classes practising with you how to dog 😊

22/10/2024

Perfect opportunity to teach basic manners while your dogs familiarise themselves with new environments, dogs, people and novel items!

🐾 Classes will focus on building engagement in distracting environments, improving your handling skills, communication, and timing of reward.

✅️ Classes are suitable to any breed and any age. Whether you are a complete beginner or already an experienced handler you will have the opportunity to practice and progress further with your dog.

Classes are held on Wednesdays 12pm & 6pm. 1 hour each lesson.
Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham areas.

☔️ I believe dogs should be comfortable and confident in all *safe* weather conditions, therefore wellies will be required in certain locations/classes.
💒 However, lessons will be provided in dry, covered places too to give smaller and more shy dogs the opportunity to learn too

£10/dog - pay per lesson. I understand life gets busy at times and we cannot take on anymore commitment, so I decided to give you the option to attend as you can with no pressure.
Dog training should be fun afterall 🥳🥰

♻️Stay tuned for times and locations.

⬆️Sign up to get started by getting in touch via one of the contact details provided

Limited dogs on each lesson!

18/10/2024

"People romanticize their plans but dread the ex*****on. The magic you're looking for is in the work you're avoiding." Nassim Nicholas Taleb

📸 Smith Visuals

18/10/2024

That one time with my 6 months old 😂

Clearing my storage and found this, how funny.

15/10/2024

Have you spent time training your dog today?

Remember, 2-5 minutes, couple times a day is plenty and just enough to make progress and achieve your desired outcome!

So while you are finishing your daily tasks on your phone, have some food in your hand and let your dog to try and get it. Don't say a word but do not let them have it.
When they step backwards and they're calm, give them a treat, calmly.
The desired outcome is that they offer a nice, relaxed down position *away* from your hand. That is when food is coming.

Why should I do this?

✅️ dog uses it's brain - good mental stimulation
✅️ they learn to solve problems
✅️ promoting calmness
✅️ no more begging at the table
✅️ no more spilled doggie bowls at dinner time
✅️ improved impulse control
✅️ easy enough that we can sit, lay, and even use only one hand.

And so much more 🥰

Make sure you have a nice play time after this exercise. 🥰

Have fun 😍

06/10/2024

Did you know about 16% of dog theft happens while owners are walking their dogs? Yep, that's right! Dogs are stolen during their walks..

Many dangers sneaking around the corner.
We don't always realise how cruel people can be so we are not always prepared. Some of these dangers include dog theft.

I remember when I was about 13 years old, walking my tiny dog (who was on lead, by the way,) I suddenly felt something strange coming from the end of the lead.. I look around and there was an elderly lady having my dog in her arms and walking away! Mind you, my dog is still on his lead that I am holding!! 😂😂

And sure it seems funny now.. but it was not at that moment.
That case was clearly an older lady struggling. Thinking back to it now, she probably had some mental illness. I was lucky..

So.. I found this such a clever advice and I wanted to share with you all! 😎

04/10/2024

Huge thanks to Dogs Rule Grooming Salon for giving my boy a well needed deep clean 🥰

I specifically looked for a salon that work dogs one on one rather than kennel setting and I did not regret chosing her 😊

Laura was very professional and asked all the necessary questions and listened to concerns, but most importantly, did not get scared from the TONS of hair! 😆

Astor is super clean, extremly soft, and smells very nice while his sensitive skin was kept in mind 💞 and he is soo shiny!!

02/10/2024

We went to Birmingham yesterday and stopped for a short walk at .

Of course we stopped here for a photo 🥰

24/09/2024

Who can say NO to these smiles and colours?! 🤪

18/09/2024

What is going on here?!😂😂

gone wrong 😆 definitely doesn't look like one😅

Have you seen my creepy smile, too? 😆

Oh I wish I had the video but I didn't even know I had this photo 🥲 I had to clean my gallery cos apparently it cannot store more than 5000K files 🥲

13/09/2024

I'm starting to figure out this video editing.. 😎

Although, I'm not very good at producing, I think I could do a good job as an editor (in my dreams)🤣

33 likes, 2 comments. “Happy Tuesday, Happy Training 😍😎”

21/08/2024

We had a few days off so we visited Wales the first time. 🥰

Absolutely amazing time, the dogs (and the cat) enjoyed the hikes, sea-side and the mountains 😎

Where did your road take you this summer? 😊