Doghampton

20/12/2024

🌟 tonight’s trailing session through the Christmas lights was magical… until the fireworks started! 🎆
This was a perfect reminder that working in live environments means anything can happen. Asking a dog who is upset by fireworks to keep working isn’t fair and can damage the bond you’ve worked so hard to build.
Understanding your dog’s limits and working within them is crucial. At the same time, it’s equally important to gently guide them outside their comfort zone in a controlled and positive way.
To end the session on a high note, we made sure the final trail was fun and easy, helping the dogs recover and finish with a wag in their tails! 🐾✨

20/12/2024

Did You Know?
• In England, there were over 8,800 hospital admissions for dog-related injuries in 2021-2022 a shocking 88% increase since 2007. And these are even more likely to happen at Christmas (bma)

• The holidays are a high-risk time for bites and stress-related incidents, as dogs often struggle with crowded homes, unfamiliar faces, and extra excitement.

A little preparation can make all the difference.

“I Need Your Help This Christmas”
Hi, it’s me—your dog.
I love being by your side, especially during the holidays. But sometimes, all the noise, people, and excitement can be a little too much for me. I’m not trying to be difficult I just get overwhelmed and don’t know how to handle it all. That’s why I’m asking for your help.

How You Can Help
It doesn’t need to be complicated just a quiet corner where I can rest. Maybe the room where I like to nap, with my favorite blanket or a toy that smells like you. If you can keep it off limits to visitors or little humans, I’ll feel safe there.

You could sit with me for a bit at first, so I know it’s okay. It’s not about being left out; it’s about having a retreat when I need it, so I don’t feel overwhelmed or scared.

Why??
When things get too much, I might bark, hide, or react in a way that causes trouble, not because I want to, but because I’m scared. If I have my own space, I can relax, recharge, and come back to join the fun when I’m ready.

Please help me feel safe this Christmas. Thank you for loving me and understanding what I need even when I can’t say it out loud.
Love,
Your Dog

18/12/2024

Big changes are coming to Doghampton in 2025!
We’ve been working hard behind the scenes, and we’re excited to share something truly special with you all.
Stay tuned – we’ll be revealing more very soon!
🐾 A brighter future for you and your dogs is just around the corner.

#2025

16/12/2024

🌟 What a fantastic pop-up session today! 🌟

This morning, we focused on scent pick up, specifically teaching the dogs to pick up scent from a variety of sources. From hard articles to soft items and even some novel objects, our clever canines were tasked with identifying the correct scent and locating the right person.
It was a brilliant morning under the sun, with incredible teamwork and determination from both dogs and handlers. Well done, everyone! 🐾

Looking forward to the next session!

15/12/2024

🎄🐾 Santa’s Safe Thanks to Our Trailing Superstars! 🐾🎅

What a fantastic Christmas trailing session today! 🎉 Not only did we work on aged trails and tackle some unusual (and partially eaten 😅) scent articles, but we also managed to SAVE SANTA just in time for Christmas! 🎁

Our teams smashed it with their sniffing skills, and the holiday spirit was definitely in the air! Who knew saving Christmas could be so much fun? 🎄
Ready for more festive adventures? Stay tuned! 🎅🎉

13/12/2024

🌧️ Rain, Mud, Laughter, and a Touch of Adventure!
Today might have been gloomy and miserable, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of our incredible trailing teams! 🌟 Despite the muddy conditions and fog (which added an extra challenge by complicating the scent in the air), everyone brought their A-game and a whole lot of laughter.
Our teams tackled backtracks, and long complex trails across a variety of terrains proving once again that neither rain nor mud can stop us from having fun and building skills together.
And to top it off, we even had a few Indiana Jones moments!
Well done to all our handlers and dogs! 🐾

13/12/2024

Let’s see those festive searches

POST YOUR VIDEOS BELOW you have until Midnight

KONG Festive Challenge: Week 2 - The odd one out Search!
This week’s challenge is all about teamwork, adaptability, and catching that sneaky elf who’s been hiding things around Santa’s workshop! 🎄

🎁 Setup:
• Theme: Create “Santa’s Workshop after hours” with scattered objects to mimic a workspace in mild disarray.
16 items Include at least 3 unfestive items
• Hides: Conceal 2 small Kong pieces (0.5cm x 0.5cm) in the odd unfestive items These must be fully hidden inside or underneath objects, not visible from above. 1 off the floor!
let’s see some ready odd things!!

🐾 Challenge Rules:
1. Starting Position: The dog begins outside the search area, and the handler stays outside the boundary during the search.
2. Each indication should be clear and recognisable.
3. Time Bonus: Once a one hide is found, the object can be removed, and the dog can continue searching for the second hide.
4. Creative Flair: Use festive decorations or holiday props to set the scene. Extra points for Christmas lights, stockings, or anything that says “Santa was here!”

⏳ Time Limit:

2 minutes to find both hides.

We can’t wait to see your holiday-themed setups, creative decorations, and your amazing dogs sniffing out those sneaky Kong pieces! 🌟

🎅🐾 Let’s find that naughty elf and spread some Christmas cheer with our dogs! Good luck, everyone! 🎄

09/12/2024

❄️ Today’s Mantrailing session at Delapré Abbey was a masterclass in skill and focus for our advanced teams! With the Christmas market and trail of lights in setting up, the area was buzzing with activity stalls being set up, increased foot traffic, and plenty of distractions added a whole new layer of complexity to our trails.
🌟 For our advanced teams were set challenging start scenarios designed to push their problem solving and scent discrimination skills to the next level. Despite the added difficulty, every team rose to the occasion, showcasing incredible teamwork and determination.

🎄 While the session was all about refining skills in a festive environment, fun always remains at the heart of everything we do. Well done to everyone involved it’s always inspiring to see how much our teams grow! 🐾

09/12/2024

🎄🐾 A huge thank you to everyone who joined our Doghampton competition and festive get-together! We hope you all had a fabulous time celebrating with us.

🎉 Big congratulations to our winners:
🥇 Mel & Such for taking 1st place
🥈 Mowing & Saffie for 2nd place
🥉 Deborah & Jonsey for 3rd place

We may have lost a couple of snowmen and some gonk along the way, but it was all part of the fun! 🌟 The morning was full of festive cheer, lots of laughs, and hopefully a little learning too.

Thanks for making it such a special event we couldn’t have done it without you! 🐶❤️✨

08/12/2024

Who in for this week’s challenge

KONG Festive Challenge: Week 2 - The odd one out Search!
This week’s challenge is all about teamwork, adaptability, and catching that sneaky elf who’s been hiding things around Santa’s workshop! 🎄

🎁 Setup:
• Theme: Create “Santa’s Workshop after hours” with scattered objects to mimic a workspace in mild disarray.
16 items Include at least 3 unfestive items
• Hides: Conceal 2 small Kong pieces (0.5cm x 0.5cm) in the odd unfestive items These must be fully hidden inside or underneath objects, not visible from above. 1 off the floor!
let’s see some ready odd things!!

🐾 Challenge Rules:
1. Starting Position: The dog begins outside the search area, and the handler stays outside the boundary during the search.
2. Each indication should be clear and recognisable.
3. Time Bonus: Once a one hide is found, the object can be removed, and the dog can continue searching for the second hide.
4. Creative Flair: Use festive decorations or holiday props to set the scene. Extra points for Christmas lights, stockings, or anything that says “Santa was here!”

⏳ Time Limit:

2 minutes to find both hides.

We can’t wait to see your holiday-themed setups, creative decorations, and your amazing dogs sniffing out those sneaky Kong pieces! 🌟

🎅🐾 Let’s find that naughty elf and spread some Christmas cheer with our dogs! Good luck, everyone! 🎄

08/12/2024

A huge thank you to everyone who braved the storm last night to join the party it was such a fantastic evening filled with laughter and fun! For those who couldn’t make it, don’t worry you’re welcome to drop by our Scent Detection competition in bugbrooke tomorrow. We’ll be there from 9 AM, and there’s no obligation to compete or pay just come along to socialise! We’ve booked two rooms and will have mince pies, hot chocolate, and some leftovers from the party. Let’s make up for missing out last night, and boo to the storm!

07/12/2024

Party time

05/12/2024

🎄 Christmas Foods Toxic to Dogs 🎄

As we dive into the festive season, it’s important to keep our dogs safe! Many popular Christmas treats are harmful and sometimes even deadly—for dogs. Here’s a quick list of Christmas foods toxic to dogs to watch out for:

🚫 Blue Cheeses: The mould in blue cheese can cause severe reactions.
🚫 Raisins & Currants: Found in mince pies and Christmas cake, these can lead to kidney failure.
🚫 Cooked Bones: They can splinter, causing internal injuries.
🚫 Xylitol: A sweetener found in sugar-free treats, extremely toxic to dogs.
🚫 Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which is harmful to dogs.
🚫 Onion: Can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
🚫 Mince Pies & Christmas Cake: Packed with toxic raisins and sometimes alcohol.
🚫 Alcohol: Even small amounts can cause poisoning.
🚫 Macadamia Nuts: Highly toxic and can lead to vomiting, tremors, or even paralysis.
🚫 Chestnuts: Difficult to digest and can cause blockages.

What Can You Do?
• Avoid leaving these foods within reach of your dog.
• Educate your family and guests to prevent accidental feeding.
• If your dog ingests any of these, contact your vet immediately.

Let’s keep the holidays merry for everyone, including our four-legged family members! 🐾 Stay safe and enjoy the festive season!

04/12/2024

🎄✨ Doghampton’s Big Christmas Weekend is Here! ✨🎄

Get ready for a festive weekend packed with activities to celebrate the season with your dogs! Here’s what we have lined up:

📍 Friday: We kick things off with Trailing in Northampton. Let’s hit the trails and get those noses working!
Don’t forget! Friday is also the deadline for submissions to the UK Scent Sport Online Competition get your entries in!

📍 Saturday: More Trailing in Daventry during the day. Then, join us for our Christmas Party in the evening, where we’ll have festive fun, delicious food, and some BIG announcements about what’s coming in 2025!

📍 Sunday: It’s time for our Christmas Scent Detection Competition! A fun-filled morning with mince pies and hot chocolate where dogs of all levels can put their skills to the test. Suitable for all levels!

📍 Monday: Wrap up the weekend with Trailing at Delapré, weaving through the Christmas Market dodging all the food carts.

If this doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit, we don’t know what will! 🎅🐾

📅 Book your spots now and let’s make this a weekend to remember! 🎁

https://bookwhen.com/doghampton

03/12/2024

🌟 Wrapping Up Our Last Scent Detection Progression Class of the Year! 🌟

Yesterday, we held our final Scent Detection Progression Class for 2024, and what a fantastic way to end the year! 🎉

The focus was on problem-solving. Our handlers and their dogs tackled some challenging hides, working through tricky setups to build confidence, precision, and teamwork. Watching each dog problem solve and push themselves to new heights is the best part of my job.
We’re so proud of the progress everyone has made, and it’s been a privilege to watch the bond between handler and dog grow stronger with every session.

A massive thank you to all our participants for your dedication and effort this year. Your hard work is what makes these classes such a success! 🐾

We can’t wait to kick off more exciting scent detection adventures in 2025. Until then, keep practicing and celebrating those small wins with your dogs.

02/12/2024

This Morning’s Pop-Up Scent Detection Session
Today’s pop-up Scent Detection session brought an exciting new challenge as we explored a brand new venue. The locker rooms provided the perfect opportunity to set up some truly sneaky hides, testing both the dogs’ scenting skills and the handlers’ ability to read their dogs in odour.
It was fantastic to see the teams working through the spaces, and we discussed splitting the search areas into manageable sections to systematically cover the space and spot those subtle changes in behaviour that show when the dogs are in odour.

These sessions are such a great way to shake up training, building confidence and skill for both dogs and handlers alike. Well done to everyone who came along you smashed it!
Stay tuned for more pop-ups coming soon! 🐾