Heart bursting moment
Does a moment like this make your heart burst?š„šāļøOur dogs taking in a view, a minute of contemplation or even just a quiet moment when you know they are as content & happy as you are can be SO beautiful!Next time youāre on a walk maybe just take one of these moments to soak it all in and youāll notice your dog do the same! It is after all these small things that bring us the most joyāØHappy Sunday everyone - hope itās been a glorious few days for you too!
February can feel like a hard month and our mental health can be impacted by the cold, relentless grey, mud, everything looking bare & fighting lurgies!Just a gentle reminder that brighter days will be coming and soon we will see the seasons change, the days getting longer and the trees and flowers will bloom once morešø and donāt forget until then try and do something each day that brings you some warmth and light. Our beloved pets bring much needed comfort and allowing them to bring us some strength and motivation at this time of year can be the very thing that gets us from one day to the next.Sending everyone love for the weekendš„°
Happy Saturday everyone! This made me laugh yesterday - Skye likes to play hide and seek but her hot breath gave her away this timeš¤£ hasnāt it been chilly!
Hoping the grey skies turn brighter tomorrow so we can end our weekend with a walk in some lightš hope your all having a lovely weekend whatever your getting up to
Weekend!
Happy Saturday everyone! This made me laugh yesterday - Skye likes to play hide and seek but her hot breath gave her away this timeš¤£ hasnāt it been chilly!
Hoping the grey skies turn brighter tomorrow so we can end our weekend with a walk in some lightš hope your all having a lovely weekend whatever your getting up to!
The small wins are the biggest!
Meet Gigi! Gigi has always allowed me to be present with her whilst she has played but itās only today that she has played WITH me! Good things come to those who waitš„°
As an experienced dog walker and also working with behavioural issues, I always allow the dog to show me when they are ready and itās an amazing feeling when that pays off. Trust is gradually built and I treasure every bond I have!
The small wins really are the biggest!š¤©
Why is sniffing so important? Dogs gather information and make sense of their world through their noses! Dogs noses have more than 200 million scent receptors and sniff five to ten times a second! There is a lot going on!You might find it frustrating when it feels like your dog is stopping you every few paces to smell but it is their way of working out their territory and processing a rush of information. Allowing your dog this time is enriching and hugely important to their well being.A scent walk can be a lovely way of allowing your dog to take the lead on what they what to smell, allowing them to take their time and take the pressure off. This can be particularly helpful to dogs who tend to be more anxious or fearful. Sniffing can reduce pulse rate and release the mood boosting hormone dopamine so itās helpful for all our furry friendsš¾
Does your dog act differently on a windy day?
If the answer is yes itās helpful to know why! Todayās storms brought up to 80mph winds and whilst I hope you didnāt need to brave the weather, I appreciate that many of dogs will have still had a walk.
Winds can bring lots of unfamiliar sounds which can make your dog anxious or worried. Snapping tree branches, rustling leaves, howling winds, different scents and flying debris can make even the most brave dogs feel unsettled. They can also be in physical discomfort with their eyes or ears because of strong winds.
You might notice your dog barking more, whining, pacing or trying to hide.
Itās super important to give your dog reassurance when this happens and for you to stay calm so you can be a steady comfort. Ideally keep your walks shorter or head to more sheltered areas and consider keeping your dog indoors with lots of mental stimulation to keep them distracted from any noises they donāt like. Creating a cosy, quiet space indoors will also reduce worry and anxiety.
Let me know if you have headed out today and if your dog was ok!
Does your dog have recall?
Do you worry about letting your dog off lead?
Does your dog get easily distracted by noises, other animals and people?
Teaching recall is essential if you want to enjoy letting your dog off their leash safely. The first step in achieving this is teaching your dog that coming back is a GOOD thing!
Try following these few steps to teach your dog to come back to you regardless of distractions:
šāš¦ŗstart with their name! Teaching your dog their name means you can always get their attention before you add a recall cue.
š¾ the recall clue can be a simple word such as ācomeā or āhereā or a whistle if you prefer. Also add a visual clue such as having your arms open in case they canāt hear you.
š¦“reward, reward, reward! When your dog returns to you always praise them and give them a high reward treat. If rewards are exciting and tempting it increases the likelihood of them returning to you no matter what else is going on. You can start your training indoors or in an enclosed outdoor space.
As you gain confidence you can increase the amount of distance between you and your dog when you head outdoors - if you have a blip stay calm and focused and keep working on the positive association with returning.
Let me know how you find your recall with your dog? Easy or a struggle?
Sunday Funday! These two with their waggy tails remind you everyday can be fundayš¤©
It might be grey and cold today but these two never fail to make me smile - have you seen how they share their ball with each other tooš„°
I would love to know what your favourite part of today has been with your š¶? A winter walk, asleep in the pub or games in the house?
Winter doesnāt have to be blue
Winter can be a slog canāt it but putting these clips together has reminded me that there are lots of beautiful moments that can make winter feel pretty special.
The way our dogs enjoy all the seasons is another reminder to enjoy the small and simple things whenever we canš