K9 Adventure Club

07/08/2024

At last.. we've lower temperatures and back on an adventure walk.
We had, Eric, Barney and Sophie. No Aubrey as she's in season. We told her this weeks adventure is to the groomers and vets so she was happy to sit this one out.

This was Sofs first adventure walk and she was awesome.

11/07/2024

Now I don't want to jinx it, but its actually warm and the yellow thing is out in the sky.

This is really for us dog walkers or owners who walk dogs in groups.

The only way we can keep our dogs safe from potential heat injury or heat stroke is to learn to read them.

Such as

• Shade seeking (maybe your shade)
• Not responding to cues
• Delayed return to handler/owner
• Slower gait
• Seeking water
• Squinting of the eyes
• Progressive elongation of the tongue
• Paddle/Spade tongue, it often changes shape looking like a spade, may even scoop or curl around the edges
• Tongue hanging out and "floppy" (look for subtle loss of muscle tone in the tongue)

• Panting Smile, as heat and panting increases the mouth opens more exposing more of the back molars (this is to expose more of the mucous membranes and so maximize surface area and airway area to increase evaporative cooling and dissipation of heat)

• Panting Control - is the dog able to stop panting? If you show him a reward toy or a treat or gently blow on his nose does he stop panting? If he does, even if only for a split second then he still has control of his panting. If he can't stop then he doesn't have control and is too hot as his body is really trying hard to maximize cooling

Now, when dogs are together, running and playing their acknowledgment of their own safety goes out the window, theor arousal is high and their loving life. To many it would like all is fine, its up to us to say hey, lets take a break, have a drink and find shade.

As walkers its our job to keep them safe, we've knowledge to do just that. There are many I sit with when its to hot to walk. Depending on the heat will depend on what we do. Scent work for instance is great one to bare in mind as it actually is very thirsty work.

Make sure you know if the dog is on any specific meds, health status and even if you are concerned the dog is overweight as all affect their coping abilities in this warm weather.

These signs are the signs we'll see if we're to late and if we miss the warnings above.

• Excessive uncontrollable panting
• Wobbly in the rear end
• Stumbling/staggered gait
• Excessive drooling
• Glazed over eyes
• Collapse
• Non responsive
• Bloody diarrhea
• Seizures
• Shock

Have a look at this post for indepth details about heatinjury and heatstroke.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/8ibriQguLTEW6mjf/

FREE Heat Injury in Working Dogs Webinar from Veterinary Tactical Group

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10/07/2024

A reminder to check for fleas, ticks and grass seeds.
Check paws, ears and comb through their coats.
I saw a picture of a tick burrowing inside a dogs mouth earlier.

If you need any help with cooperative care Parker's Canine Training can help.

02/07/2024

Those eyes!

01/07/2024

Such a handsome boy.

24/06/2024

I mean... what more could anyone ask for in life . Getting to spend time with this bunch is perfect

20/06/2024

This is pure enrichment!! Enrichment means something that enriches your own life, for us it may be going out to eat, meeting friends, reading a book, studying, fishing anything thay adds to the quality of your life and improves your well-being.

Our dogs in the K9 Adventure Cub get to do what ever they want, what ever they feel will offer them enrichment. They may sniff, wander, run, swim, investigate, interact with others or humans.
The best thing about it is they’re free to choose / do any of the above at any moment.
Yes we're safe and will keep them on leads around areas where adders or low nesting birds are likely to be, but we aim for areas where they can experience off lead time.

Topping it off of course with our tradition of hard boiled eggs.

20/06/2024

Its that time of year again.
This lovely lady is a client of mine and annually takes part in the National Garden for Charity scheme.
Now this garden is extra special, whilst taking the tour you my come across many familiar faces.

Feel free to bring a picnic as honestly you won't want to rush off.
.just be careful of the crocodile.. don't fall for his smile, definitely don't take a stick and poke him.

18/06/2024

Pre flight checks done, flight path clear, speed is optimal.. take off is imminent..

17/06/2024

Beautiful lady, such a lovely nature too.

14/06/2024

After each Adventure Walk, I have a little tradition of sharing out hard boiled eggs. On this weeks Adventure Walk we had a little sea side picnic.

13/06/2024

This handsome boy is looking extra handsome after his trip to Shampooch yesterday.
His owner couldn't be happier.. well she'd rather I kept him cleaner for longer 🙈

04/06/2024

What happens on Adventure Walks during half term... alot of wet paws and feet!!!!!!
But very happy doggies and humans

01/05/2024

01/05/2024

Picked up all our Adventure Club gang and we're off!!!
New member in the club today.

09/04/2024

Just saw an awful crash on a dog walking forum, the vehicle came off the road and flipped. Thankfully driver OK and no dogs onboard.
Accidents do not discriminate, they can happen to anyone at anytime.

We've a sticker to let emergency services know we're carrying animals with doors on both sides of the crate.
We've also disabled our Auto locking so if I can't open doors from the inside someone can from the out.
All dogs are used to going in and out both sides.
Our first aid kit is brimming and I am first aid trained.

04/04/2024

Very photogenic 😍😍😍.

No ball throwing, he just carries them.

03/04/2024

The lovely Barney had his first walk with Aubrey last week. Safe to say this was a successful outing.
Both Rose and Barney had fun splashing in the brook.
We also climbed a few trees, Aubrey dug a hole. Definitely ticked off the preferred enriching activities for the three of them.

02/04/2024

This sums up my walks this last couple of weeks.
Head off in warm sunshine and return all rather soggy.
Walking this part of the world in any weather is fine by me.. look at these views!

I've a mini pressure washer and loads of towels so the dogs go back home not quite as clean and dry as they left 😅 but acceptable lol.

Albama Rot is around, so avoid stagnant water and always wash legs and paws especially if walking through the woods.

13/03/2024

We went to the sugar loaf today and had a brilliant adventure.
We headed back to the van to have our tradition of hard boiled eggs.
Donnie the beagle had a tracker on for peace of mind.... just in case! He throughly enjoyed his adventure and didn't stray to far at all.

Adventure days are brilliant as a one off outing or once a month or to replace a day board in a kennels or even every week.
Enrichment is vital for our dogs wellbeing..

07/03/2024

Pleasure to walk this extremely handsome boy today.
He had a 2 hour solo slot. Which just means we don't have to rush or we can go slightly further afield then normal.
He has been having reactivity sessions with Sarah's Parker's Canine Training.

26/02/2024

Our Adventure Day’s are an exciting trip out a bit further afield to a new and exciting destination to explore, somewhere we aren't usually able to take the dogs due to tight time constraints in a normal walking day. We are strong believers that enrichment is a vital aspect of any dogs life and are proud to offer this exclusive service. Our adventure walks aim to be a physical and sensory dream and are tailored to our more active dogs due to the nature and length of the walk involved.

DISCOVER
Your dog will be out of the house for up to 5 hours, starting with an morning collection from your home. Each adventure includes over two hours of walking and your dog will come home well-stimulated and ready to relax!

EXPERIENCE
We don't just march for hours on end. Our adventure walks are packed full of enriching activities, water and rest breaks and plenty of treat stops. With a day of new places, new smells, new terrains and obstacles our adventure days come with a tired and happy dog guarantee!

ENJOY
If we think a dog needs it we can attach a GPS tracker to your dog before our Adventure day. This also gives you the peace of mind that they’ll be safe with us.

TRAVEL
You can rest assured your dog will be transported in securely fitted Trans K9 crates. The Van has temperature gauges in each crate so we can be sure your dog is comfortable.

20/02/2024

The extremely handsome Houdini. 1 year old Giant Schnauzer.
Not for the faint hearted.
If you notice he has a Martingale type collar. I don't clip the lead to the bit that tightens. I use it as a proper collar. We don't use tools that can risk creating a negative association.

15/02/2024

One of our clients has gone to spain!!! Very lucky Lexi, enjoy the sun.

11/02/2024

Ruby and Purdy on a walk with Aubrey, Who is a larger version of Ruby.
Also a few of them meeting Rook and Clara. Sarah used to walk Rook and Clara, they are very welcoming when new dogs join the club.

Rook used to live with a Purdy, sadly she passed last year. I wander if hearing the name would trigger anything for Rook.

09/02/2024

Rook and Clara having a splashing time 🙈. We've 3 giant schnauzer on the books. All absolutely love water, Clara the most, I do have a rule, she's not allowed to wollow in stagnant water and she's sprayed clean at the end of the walk. Alabama rot is and will stay around. Best to always air on the side of caution around water.
It seems to be prevalent around main water ways with fish. New research will be out soon.

06/02/2024

Looks like Sen but not. This is Idi, the 2nd Kelpie on the books.
He's quite nervous of the crate and van so we do short journeys with chill out time in the van before and after. We play treat and retreat with the crate, take a few selfies and eat a few treats. Journey's will get longer the more confident he feels.
Taking a dog out regardless of how they feel about the outing is more detrimental than not walking them.