Finchley Dog Walker

26/11/2024

🦃🍂 Wishing a very Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and customers who celebrate! 🍂🦃

As you enjoy your thanksgiving meal and all the trimmings, don’t forget to keep those bones, stuffing, and rich trimmings away from your dog! While it’s tempting to share, they can be tough on their tummies (and bones can be dangerous!).

Instead try some of these dog safe homemade treats https://peaceloveandfrenchiefarts.com/homemade-thanksgiving-dog-treats/

24/11/2024

23/11/2024

💬 Have questions about dog walking, house-sitting, or anything dog-related? I’m here to help!

Feel free to drop your questions in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to answer them. Whether it’s about keeping your dog safe, tips for winter walks, or anything else, 🐾

Looking forward to hearing from you! 😊

Del
Finchley Dog Walker
Est. 2011

22/11/2024

As the temperatures drop, staying warm and comfortable during our dog walks is essential. Layering is key to maintaining warmth and flexibility. Here's how I approach it:

-Base Layer: I start with a moisture-wicking thermal top to keep sweat from my skin.

- Mid-Layer I add a fleece or wool jumper for insulation.

-Outer Layer Finally, a waterproof and windproof jacket protects against the elements.

Remember to bring a hat and gloves to keep your extremities warm. Proper footwear is also crucial; I wear sturdy army boots with waterproof soles to navigate wet and muddy paths.

For more detailed tips on winter dog walking attire, check out this helpful guide:

Stay warm and enjoy those crisp walks!

19/11/2024

Brrr, it’s getting chilly out there! With heating costs rising, keeping ourselves and our dogs warm this winter is more important than ever. Dogs can feel the cold just like we do; if they get too cold, they could develop hypothermia – a severe condition we all want to avoid.

When heading out for walks, pop a coat on your dog if they need one – it’ll keep them snug and comfy in the winter weather.

Why not poor some warm (not hot) water over their kibble? It’s like a cosy bowl of stew for them – because who doesn’t love a warm meal when it’s freezing outside?

And one more tip: before heading out for a walk, leave their coat handy so they’re always ready for whatever the weather brings. Let’s all keep safe and warm this winter – for us and our dogs

19/11/2024

**Looking for pet care services? Here’s what you need to know. 🐾**

When it comes to trusting someone with your beloved dog, it’s essential to choose carefully and do your homework. Unfortunately, many pet care providers operate without proper checks, qualifications, or insurance—putting your dog at serious risk.

Did you know it’s likely a criminal offence to offer home boarding or daycare services for payment without a licence from the local council? Not only does this put your pet’s safety at risk, but any insurance they claim to have could also be invalid, leaving you unprotected if something goes wrong.

Licensed providers, however, are rigorously vetted, regularly inspected, and fully insured, ensuring they meet strict standards to keep your pet safe. Always ask to see a valid council licence for any home boarding or daycare services.

Here at Finchley Dog Walker, Del offers fully insured, one-to-one dog walking and house-sitting services. With an enhanced DBS check through the Scouts and canine first-aid training, you can trust your dog is in safe hands. While dog walking and house-sitting don’t require licensing, doing your homework and asking for these credentials can give you peace of mind.

👉 Want to ensure you’re using a licensed home boarder? Contact your local council for a list of approved providers. Let’s prioritise safety and make responsible choices for our furry friends!

Got any questions? Drop them below—we’re happy to help! 🐕

18/11/2024

Just a reminder about how important it is to teach dogs a good leave it

Do you know what your dog eats on their walk?
Foraging for mushrooms isn't the best hobby for your dog, it can pose quite a risk to their health! 🍄

What are the signs of fungi poisoning?
- An upset stomach
- Bloody vomit or stools
- Hallucinations or seizures
- Kidney or Liver failure

What do to?
- See your vet immediately
- Take a piece of the mushroom with you
- Picture the location of the mushroom

This can help your vet identify the issue.
Share this message to raise awareness this autumn.

18/11/2024

🚶‍♂️🐾 With the nights now starting to get dark around 4 pm, keeping our dogs safe around roads is more important than ever! Here are some top tips to help protect our dogs when we are out and about for our evening walks

- Plan your route to avoid roads without pavements whenever possible.
- Always use a short lead for better control (avoid extendable leads near roads; in fact avoid them totally).
- Equip your dog with a reflective lead, high-visibility coat, or LED collar so they’re seen, even in low light.
- Teach basic commands like “sit” and “wait,” and consider an emergency command like “stop” to help in tricky situations.

Let’s keep our dogs safe, happy, and visible as the evenings draw in! 🐶💛

18/11/2024

❄️ **Cold Weather Reminder: Protect Your Dog's Paws!** ❄️

With temperatures dropping to zero this week and the chance of sleet or snow, the gritters will likely be out in full force. While gritting helps keep roads and pavements safe for us, it can pose risks to our dogs.

Rock salt on icy surfaces can irritate your dog's paws and, if licked, can upset their stomach or even lead to more severe issues.

To keep your dog safe:
👉 Always wipe their paws thoroughly when you return from a walk.
👉 Check for any irritation or redness between their pads.

Extra care can go a long way in keeping your dog healthy and comfortable this winter! 🐾

How do you protect your dog in cold weather? Let us know in the comments! ⛄

16/11/2024

🍟 Did you know that, just like us, dogs can be tempted by fast food? Roxy loves the occasional chicken nugget from KFC or McDonald's! But while it might make her tail wag, it’s best to keep fast food as a rare treat for special occasions like birthday and christmas

Most fast food is high in salt, fats, and seasonings that can upset a dog’s stomach and even lead to long-term health issues. If you want to treat your dog, there are healthier ways—like plain, unseasoned chicken, veggies, or dog-friendly treats that are just as tasty (and much better for them!).

Remember, a healthy dog is a happy dog! However, we all give our dogs that naughty treat so whats is your dogs “guilty pleasure”?

15/11/2024

There are many leaves to sniff, and they contain treats.

Just one of the games we play on Walks

15/11/2024

Authorities say they are investigating allegations of animal abuse after a cat was shown writhing on the ground in a television drama.

15/11/2024

Let’s talk about the four levels of pet hair:

1. Light Shedding – A few stray hairs here and there. Easy to ignore… for now!
2. Moderate Coating – Hair on your clothes, but nothing a lint roller can’t handle.
3. Heavy Shedding – Fur tumbleweeds rolling across the floor, no matter how much you vacuum.
4 Full Furry Takeover – Hair is officially part of the decor, wardrobe, and possibly every meal.

So, what level are you currently at? 🐾😆

13/11/2024

Just petting him

13/11/2024

Fireworks have become a huge part of our annual celebrations, but behind the bangs and dazzling lights are thousands of pets, livestock and wildlife who struggle through the firework season.

This , we want to see the UK Government introduce firework control zones to protect vulnerable animals, making fireworks banned near animal centres, horse habitats, zoos and farms 🚜

and encourage your local MP to take action by implementing our recommendations: https://bit.ly/4fiHjBT

13/11/2024

It's midweek, and we could all use a good laugh! 😂 Tell us about your pet's most hilariously embarrassing escapades—let’s hear those stories that still make you chuckle (or cringe)! 🐾🙈

12/11/2024

Not every cat will die as a result of being hit by your car so never drive on thinking there is nothing you can do. Even if the cat does pass away roadside, you can still comfort the cat in their final moments, as well as help the cat home so their family can have closure and say goodbye. Check out our website where you can find out how you can help a cat you have hit, and how to help them out of hours or if they flee the scene. Also learn prevention tips, how to help keep your cat road safe and roadside first aid; https://www.catsmatter.org/what-to-do