Olive and Oscar's Academy

03/08/2023

Hi all! Oscar and I are taking a much needed break and hopefully we'll get some sun 🤞 I will be back to work on the 18th but will respond to messages when I can. Lovely Ollie will be walking all the doggies, however she is now fully booked. Feel free to message Ollie if you have any queries 🐶🐾

LOTS OF THINGS TO UPDATE YOU UPON MY RETURN! Get those tails wagging 🐕

01/06/2023

31/05/2023

Choosing the right dog walker for your four-legged companion requires careful consideration. You want someone who not only enjoys spending time with dogs, but also follows high ethical standards. Here are the key factors you should consider ensuring that you're entrusting your canine friend to an ethical dog walker:

Understanding Your Dog's Unique Needs:

A considerate dog walker understands that every dog is an individual, with their own temperament, physical abilities, and personal comfort zones. They should be prepared to adapt their approach to suit your dog's specific needs, considering things like walking pace, distance, and any behavioural tendencies.

Considerate Group Sizes:

An ethical dog walker will limit the number of dogs they walk at the same time. This shows their commitment to offering each dog the attention and care they require, placing the welfare of the dogs above the potential to earn more by walking larger groups.

Commitment to Safety:

Look for a dog walker who prioritises safety. They should use suitable and secure equipment, such as robust leads and secure harnesses. Additionally, they should assure you that your dog will be safely fastened during transport and that they always follow road rules. The presence of a first aid kit is also a good indicator of their preparedness for emergencies.

Professionalism and Honesty:

A professional dog walker should maintain transparency with their clients. This means they're willing to discuss any incidents or issues that occur during the walk. They should also be clear about their services, fees, and any changes to schedules or plans.

Up-to-Date Canine Knowledge:

A responsible dog walker should keep updating their knowledge about dog behaviour, health concerns, breed-specific traits, and the latest developments in their field. This ongoing commitment to learning reflects their dedication to their profession and ability to provide optimal care for your dog.

By using these guidelines, you can find an ethical dog walker who not only provides a professional service but also genuinely cares for the well-being of your dog.

01/05/2023

Happy Bank Holiday! Here's some pictures from this week

18/04/2023

Happy Tuesday 🐾

18/04/2023

TELL ME WHEN I GET IT RIGHT!

Imagine this – You work for someone who continually reprimands you. You never know from one day to the next if there is anything this person is happy with, because the only feedback you receive from them is what you are doing wrong – it’s all just so negative!

You are never thanked for a job well done, never given any positive feedback, recognition or encouragement.

This leaves you feeling demotivated, confused, insecure and unhappy. You have no idea what this person really expects of you or wants from you.

Surely you must be doing something right, some of the time? If only you had more feedback about what that was – you could do more of that and you would both be in a happier place.

We often treat our dogs this way, only focusing or providing feedback on the “wrong” behaviour and neglecting to provide feedback and encouragement for the “right” behaviour.

Rewarding, reinforcing and encouraging a dog for whatever they are doing right is an effective, scientifically proven way to communicate, teach, create trust, build confidence, security and build a strong bond in a positive, force-free way.

Just like us, when a dog does something that results in something good happening, they’re far more likely to keep repeating that behaviour.

Reinforcement or rewards don’t always have to be food or treats – it all depends on what that particular dog finds more rewarding – lots of praise, a favourite toy, playing a game or anything else a dog really enjoys can be rewarding.

Keep telling your dog when they get it right and very soon, they will be doing less of the wrong thing and more of the right thing.

Stop focusing on the unwanted behaviour and communicate to your dog that they are getting it right by rewarding the behaviour you are looking for.

17/04/2023

Watch out for adders!

As the weather warms up, these venomous snakes wake up from hibernation. Inquisitive dogs are most at risk, with many being bitten on the face.

Find out what to do if your dog is bitten at thekennelclub.org.uk/adders.

16/04/2023

Oscar and his good friend Bertie enjoy themselves at the All About Dogs Show Newbury 2023 🐾 🐕

Unfortunately, they didn't win the most handsome 😔

13/04/2023

Hello everyone,
Here is some happy faces 😀

Dog social is back tomorrow at 1:30 at hermitage.
Everyone is welcome 🐾
Message me for more details ✨️

See you all tomorrow 🐕

24/03/2023

Dog social is happening today at 1:30. Everyone is welcome 🐾

Message me for details ✨️

23/03/2023

Thank you for all the support I've had from my clients.
Due to such a high demand I feel as through it's the right time for someone else to come join my team. This is so I can focus more on training and doggies that need that little extra attention.
Please feel free to share this post and message me for more details ✨️ 🐾

Dog walker and pet sitter wanted:



Full-time and part-time positions available (see detail below re: hours)
Should be comfortable and capable handling large dogs
Must have clean driving licence with appropriate car (We will provide dog safety equipment)
Formal qualification in animal behaviour / animal management (or actively working towards one or qualified by experience) desirable
All clients within a five mile radius of Newbury town centre
Opportunities for additional income with pet sitting


The role comprises:

A typical full-time day of 8 hours (4 hours of walks and the rest of the time collecting and dropping off clients or having a cup of tea!)
Walking groups of up to four dogs at a time
Up to four hours of walks per day


We provide:

Fuel expenses
Training on handling our regular doggy clients
Online dog walking diploma and first aid course
Training in dog psychology




If you think that you would be a good match, please get in touch for an informal chat and a walk with a few dogs to see how we get on.

23/03/2023

Anyone struggling with recall give this a little read 🐾

ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?

There are many reasons why dogs don’t come back when you want them to. A dog’s genetics play a big role in this when an environment is far more stimulating and exciting and listening and coming back to you disappear into the background as genetic instinct takes over.

An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to you.

Genetics aside, a common reason why dogs don’t come back when called is because it’s not a positive experience for them.

I often cringe when I watch owners trying to get their dogs to come to them when they call.
They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.

When their dog eventually does come back, or has been chased and "captured” by their owner, they get screamed at, yanked about, smacked or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening. Why would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!

Make coming back to you worth it by always making it a rewarding experience.

Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.

There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it rewarding will greatly improve the rate of success.

22/03/2023

Hello,

I've been extremely busy but absolutely still loving my job. I love all my doggies and enjoy every minute of each day with these dogs. They're all different and have such personalities.

Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks.

I'm very excited for the next couple of months. Big and exciting things are on the way.

See you all soon 🐾 ❤️

01/03/2023

Hello everyone,

Dog social is on tomorrow at 1:30.

Message me for details.

See you there 🐾 🐶

12/02/2023

When you hire a professional, trusted dog walker it is MUCH more than an hour of their time...

They have worked relentlessly to become experienced, skilled and have a unique understanding of dogs.

It's more than just a job, or simply making money.

It's their passion, their life. They are taking care of a living breathing creature.

They are dedicated. Provide a high quality service.

To trust someone with your dog is an honour. I know I wouldn't trust just anyone.

Dog walkers do much more than simply walk dogs and as above it's not just an hour of their time. So we please ask dog owners to consider this when hiring a professional.

Pet Professional Network

Helen and Team PPN

'Together we are stronger'

08/02/2023

Dog social this week

Thursday and Friday at 1:30

Message me for details 🐾🐶

04/02/2023

Please give this a read!!

It’s very interesting, a lot of dogs do not like strangers touching them or putting a hand in their face. Every dog is different.

Please please also ask the owner first and then allow the dog to come to you. If that dog does not approach you please never touch the dog 🐶 Dogs show when they feel uncomfortable, we as humans need to learn the signals.

All Dogs Love Me.

I've slapped people's arms. I've said clearly "she does not want you to pat her." I've stepped between people and her. I've said "please don't pat her." I have tied yellow ribbons on her leash, I have bought her a bandana that says "Do not pet." I have been her advocate.

"Can I pat your dog?"
"No"
Meanwhile, the hand is already extended towards the dog.

It is frustrating how people don't listen, to dogs or to other people.

This dog will bite. She ended up with us because she did.

But the beautiful thing is she communicates VERY CLEARLY that she does not want to be patted by strangers. She is clear on her boundaries but because "you" are not listening to her she will bite you when you pat her despite her giving you several signs she does not want to be patted. Despite me telling "you" not to pat her.

She does not approach people, she moves away or sits off to the side behind me or beside me, she puts her ears back, she lifts her lip, she wall eyes. She may as well have a neon sign flashing that says "LEAVE ME ALONE". But you know what? No one does.

"I've been around dogs all my life, they all love me."
"No sir, this one does not, and she's telling you it quite clearly."

Then there's the treat people. "I'll just give her a treat so she knows I am nice, she was probably abused."

No ma'am, she doesn't want your treat. You can't bribe her to like you. And it doesn't matter if she was abused, it doesn't matter what her past or present was, she doesn't want to be patted. "You" and your treats aren't going to be a magic pill to fix that.

So, she's muzzle trained. And she wears one in public. And as much as I am pro muzzle, she should not have to.

She should not have to wear a muzzle because people should respect her signals that she doesn't want to be patted (especially those who have had dogs all their lives and think all dogs love them). People should listen when I say not to pat her. But they don't. So she wears a muzzle so she can't bite people when they push past me, ignore me and ignore her signals that she doesn't want them in her space. I protect her, to the best of my ability, but she wears the muzzle because if that "dogs love me" dude pushes past me fast enough and shoves his hand in her face, I know he's going to be the first person to say she's vicious and blame her for the bite.

If your dog isn't comfortable being patted by strangers, then don't make it. If your dog doesn't like company in your house, then leave your dog in a safe place away from visitors. Don't approach people's dogs without their permission.

Learn and understand dog communication skills and respect them. We get a lot of emails asking us to take dogs that 'suddenly' turned on the owner/family member and bit them - in almost 100% of cases the dog warned the person, but they ignored the warning.

Dogs have boundaries. They need to learn to accept care related handling, which is best achieved by making nail trims, grooming and body checks low stress and positive. They do not need to accept hugs, kisses, patting from strangers or family members. As owners/handlers we need to advocate for them, to protect them from those who don't listen. Train them to be comfortable in muzzles, because when no one listens, muzzles protect them from being blamed for making the wrong choice - in many municipalities a minor bite is enough for a dog to be reported to the authorities. While I know my dog would not be wrong for biting, it's my responsibility to protect her from those who refuse to listen.

I also don't want random strangers patting my friendly dogs. My older girl was a therapy dog, but I still don't want you to pat her without my permission. I work with dogs and I don’t pat every one and I listen to them and respect what kind of interaction they want. So, listen to dogs, your own and other people's.

03/02/2023

18/01/2023

Hello,

It’s this time of the week again!
Dog social is happening Thursday and Friday at 1:30 🐾 🐕

Feel free to message me for details and come join the fun 🤩 ❤️

18/01/2023

11/01/2023

Hello Everyone,

Dog social is Thursday and Friday at 1:30

All doggies are welcome 🐾

06/12/2022

17/11/2022

When two dog walkers get together ❤️😍

This mornings walk was lovely 😍 All dogs were full of beans, happy and listened.

Each pack walk is different. These dogs have known each other for a while now. Apart from the two GSBs but they got on straight away.

Feel free to message me about pack walks or help with recall. Pack walks are a great way for your dog to learn of others in a positive way.

Speak soon,
Olive 🐾

16/11/2022

Good evening,

Dog social this week is Thursday and Friday at 1:30.

See you there xx

10/11/2022

Getting the right harness is so important for our dogs wellbeing, and this image shows where your dogs shoulder is and how it needs to be free from restrictions when wearing a harness. For more information visit my Harness Guide page: https://www.caninesupport.co.uk/harnessguide

10/11/2022

Dog social tomorrow at 1:30

Come join for a good run around

See you there 🐾

08/11/2022

Finely and Skylar 😍

This happened today after the heavy down pour 🌧 made it a little better.

These two enjoy an individual walk as Skylar likes her space around other dogs. They both have such amazing characters. Although both aren't keen on the rain.

Message me for more details about reactive dogs or individual walkies. Happy to help ☺️

24/10/2022

Hello,
We're back 😊 🐕
I've had an amazing holiday and Oscar has had a break eating as much as possible 🙃 😅

Social is back this week Thursday and Friday at 1:30

See you all soon xx