Petopia

I am a certified Canine Behaviourist and trainer with an array of qualifications and certificates. Please phone or email to discuss your individual needs.

If you are out or away, at work or in hospital, I will walk your dog, feed your pets, look after your plants etc, and if I can't personally do it, I will know someone who can.

26/06/2025

Over the last century, selective breeding has significantly altered the Bull Terrier's anatomy. Early 1900s Bull Terriers had proportionate skulls, lean bodies, and long legs—traits suited for agility and function. Modern Bull Terriers, bred for show standards, now display an arched "egg-shaped" skull, shortened snout, thicker neck, deep chest, and a stockier build. These changes, driven by aesthetic preferences, have introduced health issues like dental misalignments, breathing difficulties, and skeletal stress. The transformation is a clear example of how human-directed breeding can reshape a species' biology, often at the cost of functionality and health.

25/06/2025

Yesterday I got up to an empty punnet of grapes. I suspected Delilah as she is the greediest and most agile of all my dogs, and I was right. I took her to the vet who gave her a sickness injection and she brought them all up. They were mainly swallowed whole, but because she could have eaten them more than 2 hours before she got to the vet she had to be on a drip all day and have blood tests. A few hundred pounds later she came home. Thank goodness she is insured.

Grapes can be poisonous to some dogs but not all. So can raisins. One grape has been known to kill a large dog and yet a lot of grapes may have no effect on a smaller dog. Why this is the case is currently unknown but research suggests it may be tartaric acid, which is a naturally occurring organic acid found in tamarind and cream of tartar. This can potentially cause kidney failure.

The moral of the story is, if you have a greedy dog like mine, keep your grapes well out of the way!! I thought mine were, but she’s greedier and more determined than I ever thought she was. I’ve learnt my lesson !

02/06/2025

This is one of the most common things I get asked...

“What do I do if my dog’s not interested in treats when training them?”

Before you resort to finding other methods to reward your dog like throwing a ball or praise... consider these reasons that are very likely to be the real reason your dog isn’t interested in food during training.

1. Your dog might be too hyped or too nervous.
When dogs get excited or anxious, their brain goes into overdrive — and suddenly, food is the last thing on their mind. Imagine trying to enjoy a snack while riding a rollercoaster!

2. The challenge might be too much.
If the task feels overwhelming or confusing, your dog might just give up and tune out. It’s like being handed a maths test when you were expecting a coloring book.

3. The treat just isn’t worth it.
Dry kibble might work in your quiet kitchen, but outside where the grass smells like rabbit heaven, it just can’t compete!

4. They’re simply not that hungry.
If your dog just had dinner, don’t expect them to jump through hoops for a snack. A full stomach is a fast track to “I think I’ll pass.”

20/05/2025

🐾 Hey Pet Parents! 🐾
We’re wagging our tails with excitement over here at Petopia! 🐶✨ Carol – your friendly neighbourhood dog trainer and behaviourist – has just rolled out her brand-new promo video, and we couldn’t wait to share it with you.

Whether your pup is mastering their sit, conquering the art of loose-lead walking, or simply learning to chill out around new friends, Petopia is here to make training fun, rewarding, and stress-free. 🎉

Tailored one-on-one sessions 🐕‍🦺
Happy canine students (and their relieved humans!) 😊
Carol’s gentle, reward-based approach 🦴
No gimmicks. No shouting. Just pawsitive progress and a whole lot of happy barks. 🐕💕

If you love what you see, give us a ❤️, share with a fellow dog lover, or drop us a comment below. Let’s celebrate all the small wins together!

Here’s to calmer dogs and happier homes! 🏡🐾

— Carol & the Petopia Pack

17/05/2025

Celebrating my 9th year as Petopia. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

14/05/2025

After lots of hard work behind the scenes (and a few cups of tea!), we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new website! 🎉

Whether you’re looking for expert dog training, behaviour support, or just want to learn a bit more about what we do, it’s all now in one happy, tail-wagging place.

Take a look around, and let us know what you think!
📍 https://www.petopianorwich.co.uk

Thanks for all your support – we couldn’t have done it without our amazing community. 🐶💛

12/05/2025

This made me laugh. Dalmations are as greedy as labs in my opinion and a whole lot naughtier!

08/05/2025

I saw the lovely Moose for the second time. We concentrated on some calming exercises as he is a little reactive to other dogs, and also some loose lead walking being a bully breed he is very strong! He is coming along really well !

08/05/2025

Today on VE Day, we honor not only the heroes in uniform, but also the loyal service dogs who served bravely by their side. 🐾🇬🇧

07/05/2025

Happy 7th birthday to Bramble.

04/05/2025

My client yesterday was a Pug x King Charles spaniel but I’m sure he has beagle and/or another breed in him. Lovely boy but he’s a bit of a puller - he’s only one years old so we were working on some strategies to save the owners arm !!!

01/05/2025

It’s so much cooler walking your dogs in the woods when the temperatures get high.
Found a lovely walk where the dogs could dip their feet in the stream. In fact the two smaller dogs went in as well and I’ve never seen them go in water before. Lots of wild garlic too !

Address

Norwich
NR1

Telephone

+447703775671

Website

http://www.petopianorwich.co.uk/

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