Walkies with Una

01/01/2026

We want to celebrate the new year with a little give away!

I say little but I have 5 online courses to give away….. they are normally £80 each.

Fancy a preview?
https://schoolfordogs.teachable.com/p/walkies-with-una-level-1

I want to hear what your goals are with your dogs this year.

Maybe you have a pup and you want them to to learn the basics.

Maybe you have a golden oldie and it’s about making their time as perfect as it can be.

Maybe you are trying to juggle it all and you want to find a balance.

Maybe you want your dog to have the most incredible lead walking or recall to make other wonder what magic you are working.

Winners will be drawn on Sunday 11th of Jan at 6pm

To enter comment below with the goals that you have with your dog this year.

What would you like to achieve or over come.

You will be given a number and these will be drawn at random on 11th of Jan

If you would like to stay up to date with what’s going on at walkies with Una don’t forget to sign up to the newsletter on the website.

🎊happy new year to you all. 🎊

Welcome to GOOD DOG - LEVEL 1 where your dog can learn all the skills necessary to thrive with their human families. Whilst dogs have been bred to live with us for many, many years we can’t discount the fact they were once wild scavengers and still enjoy hobbies like bin raiding, people drag racin...

20/12/2025

Happy 12th birthday Sheba!

A bittersweet day. A day that I never thought I would get to share with Sheba.

You see at 18months old we were informed by the vet that unless she had a double elbow replacement. Don't expect her to make it much past 5 years old.

We decided that it wasn't the best option for her. Its too long to add to this post. But I know my dog and decided that we would let her live a full and happy life for as long as we had her but not do the surgery.

We managed her activity and weight. She's made it to 12 so far. I'm under no illusion that this could be her last birthday. That's bittersweet. I'm so blessed to still have the girl that made me. So many aren't blessed with as much time with their dogs.
She has taught me things that no course ever could.
She always has, even from a pup, been incredible with my children and any other children that meet her.

Today she went to petsathomeuk to pick some birthday presents.

Happy birthday my wonderful, most perfect dog.

20/12/2025

Although our team often bump into each other on walks. We talk daily in our staff chat. The only time we all get together is Christmas. Sadly Jo wasn't feeling great so she was missed. But was lovely having everyone together.

Seeing people look human and not resemble drowned rats… that has been our recent trend, is always a surprise too 😂

Merry Christmas guys, I hope you all have a wonder break.

X x x

18/12/2025

Well will you look at that!

Our team work incredibly hard, they go above and beyond. I want to win this for them. For their dedication, commitment and generally being the all round super stars that they are.

There is no way that this company would be where it is without them.

Thank you for the nomination.

Now we need people to vote!

There's the link

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/vote-for-your-favourite-small-business-2/

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

11/12/2025

Una set Maisie and me a challenge this week 😊
Maisie loves the ball it is used as one of her highest rewards she can’t resist them our challenge was for her to resist whilst I threw numerous balls her way this is going against everything her instincts are telling her to do but she’s only gone and done it 🙏🏻💪🏻

11/12/2025

When you think that positive reinforcement doesn't work…..

I've been applying eye oinment to a pony this week….

Reward based.

He started the treatment on Saturday afternoon.

Today I managed to apply without tying him up.

Just loose in his stable.

Anyone applying eye ointment knows what a s**t it is to apply. No matter to a pony who could seriously injure you if they wanted.

March 2023 he came to us pretty much unhandled.

You don't get the same amount of handling with a horse compared to a dog. Just down to location.

It's easier with a dog as you live with them.

So let this be a lesson to you…. Do the home work 😂

As if Hugo can learn to have ointment put in his eye, there's no excuse for teaching dogs the basics!

A pic of Hugo when his eye was bad. Looks grand now and vet up tomorrow to hopefully tell me that it's all healed.

09/12/2025

Take note…..

⚠️ Important new legislation incoming that includes horses! ⚠️

UK law is being significantly updated in England and Wales through the new "Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill" to tackle dog attacks on livestock, including horses!

The new legislation has just been given final approval by the House of Lords, allowing it to be sent to the King for Royal Assent and finally being enshrined on the Statute Book.

Here is an overview of the changes....

Dog owners & walkers: livestock worrying law important update

The law on dogs and livestock worrying has recently been updated in Britain. These changes matter and they apply even on public footpaths and rights of way.

This post explains:
• what has changed
• what counts as evidence
• what “under proper control” actually means
• whether seized dogs are killed

What has changed in the law

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) legislation has been modernised. Key points:

➡️ Unlimited fines
The old £1,000 cap has gone. Courts can now impose unlimited fines reflecting the real harm caused.

➡️ More animals protected
'Livestock' now clearly includes alpacas and llamas, as well as sheep, cattle, goats, pigs and others.

➡️ More places covered
The law applies:
– in fields and enclosures
– on public footpaths
– on roads
– while livestock are being moved

➡️ Stronger police powers
Police can now:
– seize and detain dogs
– enter premises with a warrant
– collect forensic evidence

🔴 Worrying vs attacking livestock
This is crucial.

➡️ 'Worrying livestock' includes:
• chasing
• running at
• harassing
• causing fear or panic
• being loose among livestock and not under proper control

No injury or physical contact is needed.
Stress alone is legally recognised harm. It can cause:
• miscarriages
• mis-mothering
• exhaustion
• broken limbs from fleeing
• long-term fear responses

➡️ Attacking livestock involves:
• biting
• grabbing
• injuring
• killing

⚠️Both worrying and attacking are criminal offences.⚠️

What counts as evidence now…
Livestock worrying often happens out of sight. The law now reflects that.

🔴 Evidence may include:
• Injuries to livestock (including stress-related harm)
• Bite marks, wounds, post-mortems
• Blood, tissue, or DNA
• Evidence from the dog (blood, saliva, bite patterns)
• Collars, leads, towels or other items
• Disturbed ground, damaged fencing
• Witness statements
• Livestock behaviour (panic, scattering, distress)
• The dog itself, which may be seized for examination

⚠️ A case does not need someone to witness the moment of chasing if evidence supports what happened.⚠️

What “under proper control” REALLY means
This is the most misunderstood part of the law.

🔴 A dog is under proper control only if the handler can PREVENT it from worrying livestock at all times.

That means the handler must be able to:
• stop the dog before it approaches livestock
• prevent any chasing or rushing
• act instantly not “afterwards”
• maintain control even if animals move or run
If the dog is stopped after it has approached or chased livestock, control was already lost.

➡️ On a lead
A dog on a lead is usually under control only if
• the lead is short enough
• the handler can physically restrain the dog
• the handler is paying attention
Flexi leads, long lines, or dragging leads in livestock areas are often not considered proper control.

➡️ Off lead
A dog can be under proper control off lead but the bar is very high.
If a dog:
• runs towards livestock
• hesitates before recall
• “only chases for a bit”
• comes back after animals flee.......it is not under proper control.
“Friendly”, “well trained”, or “never done it before” makes no difference in law.

⚠️NB Presence alone can be an offence⚠️
A loose dog among livestock, fence-running, or stalking can already count as worrying, even without a chase.
The law is about risk and stress, not intent.
A practical rule used in policing: If a reasonable livestock keeper would feel at risk with that dog there, it is not under proper control.

⚠️ Are seized dogs killed?⚠️
No not usually, dogs are not automatically destroyed under livestock worrying law.

Dogs may be seized:
• to prevent repeat incidents
• to gather evidence
• during investigation

Courts usually focus on owner responsibility, not punishing the dog. Destruction orders are rare and would only arise under other legislation if a dog posed an unmanaged, serious risk.

In short
⚠️ Livestock do not need to be bitten for an offence
⚠️ Stress and chasing are recognised harm
⚠️ Evidence can be physical and forensic
⚠️ “Proper control” means preventing risk, not recalling afterwards
⚠️ Responsibility rests with the handler

🔴 Please feel free to share as clarity prevents heartbreak. 🔴

*This post is a general summary of current UK livestock-worrying law and practice, based on publicly available legislation and guidance. It is not legal advice and cannot account for individual circumstances.*

07/12/2025

05/12/2025

It’s always so lovely when you see dogs moving in the right direction. There was a time when this would have been a real challenge with the boys. But they are smashing it ❤️