Who Lets Your Dog Out? UK

02/07/2024

We don't just love walking dogs we want to make your life with your dog better, so when it comes to Doggy Dates we use our STEPs system to make things better.

01/07/2024

Is your dog special enough to have a wedding like this

27/06/2024

Yesterday lunchtime, Max, Pippa and Bow all escaped the hot weather and went for a dip at Splash Doggy.

They all had a great time and wanted to let you know that for July are now live in the app to be booked

26/06/2024

I like this image from the PDSA, as I think it highlights what to look out for and things to do to resolve the issue

22/06/2024

22/06/2024

Don’t forget to make sure you are booking your walks and pop in visits on our new booking app!

You can book up to 50 days in advance.

If you’ve got any questions, please contact Sara

21/06/2024

The final point on our summer ready checklist is local rules and hazards.

It is important to note any local hazards or rules when you are travelling to new areas/countries. For examples are there areas that dogs are not allowed (think about certain beaches in the summer), or where they must be on lead.

Also think about hazards such as Blue Green Algae, and Adders here in the UK, or other hazards like processionary caterpillars which are toxic to dogs as well as humans which can cause irritation to eyes and throats.

Don't forget there are plants in some areas that are toxic to dogs.

Also some areas are more prone to ticks, and mosquitoes which can be problematic to dogs.

20/06/2024

Item 7 on our summer ready checklist is - Tags and Microchip details

This is a subject that I am hugely passionate about. Owners who take their dogs out in public that don't have a tag on are breaking the law! Also not having a tag on your dog makes the whole returning a lost dog process much more complicated and long winded.

Imagine this scenario : you lose your dog and they don't have a tag on their collar/harness. The person that finds and catches your dog now needs to take them to the police or a local vets to get the dog scanned for a microchip and then the vet or police have to work out which database (there are a few) the microchip is registered on to then get your details to track you down. This feels really longwinded.

Here's how it would go if they had a tag on - person finds/catches dog, calls number on tag, reunites dog with owner.

If you are planning plenty of doggy adventures this summer why not treat your dog to a new/spare dog tag or slider for their collar, it coudl save you a lot of stress and worry.

So, check your microchip details on the database you registered it, there is a possible £500 fine if your details are not up to date and your pet is lost/found. June is National Microchipping month, so it's a great annual reminder to check that your phone number and address details are up to date.

Also the school summer holidays are a popular time for families to get a new dog or pet as the whole family normally ]has plenty of time off to bond with the pet. If you oget them from a breeder or rescue make sure you get the microchip details updated to your details.

19/06/2024

Item 6 on our summer ready checklist is - Insurance

Most holiday insurance (for humans) will not cover you if you have to cancel your holiday because your pet is ill or your pet care plans fall through.

Most pet insurance will only cover the medical bills for your pet or a 3rd party, if there is a dog fight/bite incident but not cancelled human holiday plans if the human or dog becomes ill.

Also most pet care providers like kennels, home boarders and houseistters have a cancellation fee if you cancel at short notice, as they don't want to be losing income if they can't fill the spaces. This might feel harsh, but if they can't fill the spot then they are losing money and if it happens too much they might not be in business next time you need them.

18/06/2024

A lot can happen between the time we book a holiday and the time actually coming for the holiday to take place so item 5 on our summer ready checklist is to confirm your bookings for your dogs care, be it kennels, home boarding or family/friends.

Demand for kennels and homeboarding is at its highest at this time of year (I totally forgot to include housesitting as well in this), so if your care plans fall through at the last moment then you may really struggle to get appropriate care for your dog.

It is important to check that if it is a kennels or homeboarding establishment that they have your booking all in the diary and nothing has changed. Remember if your dogs health or medication/exercise needs have changed they need to be made aware.

Unlike cats, dog should not be left in the home overnight without someone there, so just making do with someone popping in to walk and feed your dog whilst you are away on holidiay is not acceptable. Dogs are generally much more socialable animals so need the extra human company.

18/06/2024

𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗜 𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗔 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗥

The dog was being walked on a pavement next to a road....

On a retractable lead

The dog suddenly leapt into the road

Luckily due to my lightning reflexes ⚡ I swerved my car just in time

Thankfully there was no other vehicles coming towards me in the opposite direction. Thankfully as I was able to swerve rather than suddenly brake I avoided the possibility of the car behind colliding with mine

There could have been 1 dead dog, a devastated owner, a traumatized me (and other driver) and two damaged cars. All because someone chose to use a retractable lead next to a road

I'm shaken

The owner got angry with his dog and gave it a big tug with the lead and shouted. I understand the frustration, especially when a dog that usually keeps to the pavement suddenly does the unexpected, but the dog didn't deserve a telling off because the dog was just being a dog

This could have been avoided by clipping the dog onto a short lead

Now I'm not against retractable leads unlike most dog professionals. I do actually think they a few specific and appropriate uses. But we must put safety first and consider others around us

A retractable lead is not the right lead choice while walking along the pavement. If you use the extension of the lead in an open area then you need to carry the retractable lead with you, and attach your dog onto a short lead while you walk to that destination.

PLEASE if you use a retractable lead, you need to do a quick risk assessment. Is the environment an appropriate place to use this lead? What could go wrong? If you are near a road then the answer is no and you could be risking your dog's life

There are people that will be reading this that will think it won't happen to them and that I am being dramatic. Surely nobody thinks it'll happen to their dog? Nobody attaches their dog to a retractable lead, walks near a road and expects their dog to jump into oncoming traffic

I actually know two dogs that lost their lives by being hit by cars due to inappropriate use of a retractable lead. Those people didn't think it would happen to them either.

The truth is this can happen to any dog. Dogs are unpredictable, even he most 'obedient' and well trained dog. The dog I nearly hit today was simply SNIFFING something interesting in the road

No dog is a robot

Dogs get startled

Dogs instincts take over

Don't risk it. Not only is it not fair on your dog to put them at risk like this, it is not fair for road users

17/06/2024

Item 4 on our summer ready checklist is lead walking and recall refresher training.

Not everywhere you go this summer will let you have your dog off lead, and it will ruin your day if you are being pulled from lamp post to tree trunk so your dog can sniff everything in each new place you go. So going back to basics (like when they were a puppy) and getting them used to walkign nicely on lead is a great idea. Also if it is not somethign you do with them regularly this training will help mentally stimulate them and build a better bond between you and your dog.

Even if the places you go allow for dogs to be off lead, you don't want to be the dog owner whose dog is runnig over to everyone and their dog and the only thing you can say is don't worry they are friendly. If the other dog isn't or has had a bad experience it could cause issues. Practising recall in a quite area and slowly movign to busier areas with more distractions is a great way to teach your dog to come when called and that when they do it first time the rewards are so much better.

If you are struggling and need help then I would suggest you contact a local trainer and make an appointment.

16/06/2024

A Sunday afternoon walk around the fields with Hector, Arthur , Hugo, Max and Purdy

16/06/2024

Item 3 on our summer ready checklist we posted a few days ago was lead, collar and harness servicability.

Some dog owners don't always check their leads, collars and harnesses for wear and tear, and if you have a chewer then it's more important than ever. You don't want o be out having a great time as a family and the dog escape because they have a wardrobe malfunction. The stress jut isn't worth it, so a quick and simple check that everythig is still fit for purpose and still fits your dog properly could save a lot of stress and panic.

I am also a big fan of regularly washing your dogs collar, lead and harness, because lets be honest no one likes to wear dirty, smelly clothes, so why make your dog do the same. Pop them in the washing machine on a 30 degree wash with a small amount of washing liquid/powder and you should be left with fresh and clean gear for your dogs next adventure. Just remember if your dog is prone to allergies to use a washing liquid/powder that you woudl normally use for their bedding.

15/06/2024

Well Saturday afternoon’s are for sleeping, well for everyone but Krumm and me!

15/06/2024

The second item on our summer ready checklist was a first aid kit!

Most of us have a first aid kit in our cars but they are tailored purely for us humans and don't necessarily have the items need to treat our dogs if it is them that gets an injury etc.

With this in mind below are a few items that you can add to your human first aid kit to make sure it meets the needs of your dog:

- cohesive bandage/vet wrap - this is great for helping to stop dirt get in to open cuts or grazes. The best bit is it doesn't stick to the dogs fur, only to itself so there won't be a bald patch left when you remove it.
- low adhesive dressings - these are just simple bits of padding that can be used under the cohesive bandage if the wond needs to be padded or blood needs to be absorbed.
- alcohol free wipes - as humans its not necessary that the wipes in our first aid kits are alcohol free, but lets be honest the alcohol stings so why risk your dog biting you when you are trying to clean out any wound they might have.
- tick tweazers/forks - these are so easy to use and can save a lot of time and stress if your dog picks up a hitchhiker in the form of a tick. Simply slide the fork under the tick, along the body of your dog and then twist in one direction and lift. If you are a customer and would like a set of tick forks (just £2.50) let us know and we will drop them off next time we pick up your dog for a walk.

14/06/2024

I think it’s safe to say the dogs have had a good day!

14/06/2024

Following on from yesterdays post about things to consider so that your dog is ready for the summer holidays and the adventures you will hopefully enjoy.

First on the list was - vaccinations, flea and worm treatments

- if your dog is going to be travelling with you in to Europe or beyond then they need to be fully up to date with all the necessary vaccinations and it is important that you make sure any additional vaccinations like Rabies are already in their pet passport.

- if you are putting your dog in to kennels or home boaridng then again check what vaccinations they need so that you don't end up being turned away if their vaccinations aren't up to date.

Remember if you are having to restart your dogs vaccinations then this needs to be done no less than 4 weeks before they are due to stay. Also kennel cough vaccinations may give your dog full coverage from 72hrs, but most kennels and home boarders require it to be administered not less than 2 weeks before their stay.

Flea and worm treatments are an essential to ensure your dog doesn't become susceptible to parasites on your adventures.

13/06/2024

After an early lunchtime walk around the fields with the Daxies, Max and Doris needed a nap to quickly recharge before their big group walk

13/06/2024

It might not seem like it with the weather at the moment but summer is around the corner, and there are a number of things it is worth thinking about before you set off on your summer adventures with or withou the dog!

- Vaccinations, Flea and Worm treatments
- Pet First Aid Kit
- Lead, Collar and Harness Serviceability
- Lead Walking and Recall Refresher
- Confirm Bookings with Kennels, Home Boarders or Friends
- Insurance
- Tags & Microchip Details
- Local Rules/Hazards

We will be exploring each of these in more detail over the coming few days, so look out for the posts.

11/06/2024

We are excited to announce that our new booking app is now live and taking bookings for walks from 17th June.

If you are an exisiting customer and have signed up please start booking your walks.

If you haven't yet downloaded the app, then scan the QR code below or in the email we sent out a couple of weeks ago and set up the profile for you and your dog.

Any problems please contact Sara by WhatsApp and we will work to get you on the app and up and running as soon as possible.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

09/06/2024

Well done Jasper!

06/06/2024

Today we did a large 3 walker group walk so we could all get cuddles and say goodbye to Milo and Oggy on their last walk with us.

They have both been a huge part of our Thursday group walks for a really long time.

We hope to see them out and about in the future.

06/06/2024

Post walk nap time for the dogs, but not for us humans there is more walking and admin work to do

06/06/2024

Yesterday was a good day of walks and wait until the dogs see what is happening today