Murphy&Co

02/08/2024

29/07/2024

Yes!!
I love this! Not all food needs to be worked for it must remain fun for them to engage in challenges!

Murph used to be fed in puzzle feeders all the time and became really grumpy around food. Now that I give him two bowls of 'free' food each day he gets so much more enjoyment out of his occasional puzzle feeders!

Prawns made me think about frustration in dogs today. Here's why it's important for you to think about.

For context, I went out with some friends for a meal tonight focused around prawns. I had never eaten prawns 'properly' before, and so it was a new experience. For those of you who are uninitiated, to eat a prawns you have to remove it's head, pull off the front legs, then pull off the rest of the shell to get to the edible bit inside (please accept my apologies if I got anything wrong, prawn purists).

This was fine, and the food was good, but it could be thinking about the amount of effort it took to actually obtain a single morsel of food. If I had to work this hard for every meal to get just a little bit to eat, I'd get annoyed by day two.

So, what's this got to do with dogs?

Three points.

Firstly, consider what enrichment should be - enriching. Very often I'll hear caregivers deliver all their dogs meals via training and/or enrichment toys. In moderation this is fine, but imagine having to work for every single bit of food to eat, for every single meal? That can actually build frustration.

Secondly, enrichment should be challenging, but not difficult. If your dog is having to work really hard to access it, I'd argue it's a training challenge, not an enrichment tool. Reading a book, watching a movie or playing a game needs to be more accessible than tricky if we actually want it to be beneficial. It's the same for our dogs.

Thirdly, think of how much our dogs have to do to access rewards in their day to day life. How much do you push your dog before you give them food, or toys, or sniffs, or fuss? If you're always pushing them to the next level, frustration can build. Focus is built by consistency, not by raising the stakes. Feed well, play often!

Not everything needs to be a challenge, and not everything needs something in order to access it. Not every meal has to be prawns.

29/07/2024

Ooof gosh it's warm!

Remember to keep your doggies safe and if you absolutely have to go out (apartment living etc) make it short toilet only walks and in shaded areas with plenty of water access!

It's a good idea to dampen their fur down before walking too to help keep them cool, bring water with you and check the ground before they walk on it - the best time to walk is before 8am and after 8pm 👍

The threat really is a concern even if it's never happened to you before, all it takes is one walk in too hot weather and you can lose your best friend! Anything over 25° is a concern for most dogs but anything over 20° (believe it or not) can be dangerous for puppies, oldies and dogs with short snouts 🐽

Stay safe out there! ☀️☀️☀️

25/07/2024

🐾STILL L👀KING🐾 PLEASE HELP HIM FIND HIS FOREVER HOME BEFORE KENNELS BECOME HIS ONLY OPTION.

*UPDATE*
Sorry for lack of response today...work!
We are totally overwhelmed by the response. I am only his dog walker and as such have needed to go back and forth in order to answer questions. As I'm sure you understand this is a really difficult time.

I will put as many answers here as i can, if you still feel you're in a position to help then please message and we can look to move forward, it must be right for you and him, he needs a happy forever home.

*INFO*
He is great with people, big and small.
He is anxious around new dogs, but is happy with dogs he knows.
Never been around cats, so unsure on this.
House trained.
He can be quite anxious.
He has a heart condition that stemmed from lung worm about a year ago and its being managed by medication that's easily available.
He's extremely loving.

I believe that in the right home the behaviours can be sorted, his owner was very sick for a long time and unable to address them.

*ORIGINAL POST*
I've been walking this lovely lad for almost a year for his very poorly owner. However yesterday I recieved a call to say that his owner died on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately that leaves this 9 year old male, neutered Staffy with no-one. There is no family. Could you, or do you know anyone that could give this boy a loving, decent home. Otherwise there may be no other choice than to place him in kennels.
Thank you for reading this 💔

24/07/2024

This gorgeous girl 😍

22/07/2024

Happy 15th Birthday, Dudley!!

Such a gentleman of a dog, I love our little walks Duddy ❤️ have a great day!

19/07/2024

As suspected all afternoon walks had to be cancelled and changed to pop ins today!

Stay safe out there pups! 🐾🌊

17/07/2024

The turmoil he was under today when he found a rouge ball... He eventually settled for his own birthday cake decorated one 🎂

I never play fetch with him, but in true spaniel style he still enjoys carrying them around squeaking 🤣

28/06/2024

Sound on 🔊

My business partner. My best friend. My therapist. My soul dog. My everything.

Nobody, not even you, will ever truly understand just how special you are to me 🥹
You will always be 'the dog I got in my 20s'. There will never be another you... Please don't ever leave me, we have a deal right?

Happy 4th birthday, chocolate chip.
I love you with my whole heart and soul 🤎🩵

15/06/2024

A nervous dog will not just get over it!

This applies to all dogs but especially nervous dogs adopted from overseas who have never lived in a home environment.

For a nervous dog to successfully adapt to their surroundings and learn about their new life, first they need to feel safe.

For a nervous dog to feel safe in their new home, first they need to trust that the people around them are not a threat. Keeping themselves safe is priority.

A nervous dog will take time to trust. Your actions will play a big part in this process. Use your time wisely and give your dog reasons to trust you.

https://thedogwithin.co.uk/behaviour-support

15/06/2024

Oh no, I can't believe I forgot to put this up yesterday!

Happy 1st birthday to little Kraken!!!

I've adored watching you grow up, you're such a good boy! We love you to pieces 🩵

13/06/2024

Cooper was not okay about the rain today... Practically begged me to come in for a cup of tea instead..

Marlow on the other hand didn't realise there was anything different 🤣




!

12/06/2024

Happy 4th Birthday, Eugene!! 🎈🥳🎂

We were so honoured to have you for your birthday walkies today!

You beautiful boy, have a great birthday 🥳

Apologies about the birthday crown but it has to be done I'm afraid 🤣

11/06/2024

The warmest of welcomes to our new friend, Dudley!

He is an amazing 15 years old (in July) and still loves a little plod around 🥰

10/06/2024

Happy doggies today 😍🐾

07/06/2024

I think my car has now been thoroughly christened by these lot 🥰🚘

We only transport (and walk) 3-4 dogs at once so this is proving to be a very cosy trip for these guys!
In the last few weeks we've had plenty of naps in transit! (Of course only the dogs are napping 🤣)

04/06/2024

Oh this is me 🫣🤣

True words of wisdom! This really is a thing!

:-)

03/06/2024

And we're back!

I'd love to think these guys missed, I certainly missed them 😍

23/05/2024

These two 🥹💙

21/05/2024

Rex's best impression of a duck 🦆

19/05/2024

Happy birthday, Chewie!!

You beautiful girly, hope you've been thoroughly spoilt today! You deserve the world 🩷🐾

16/05/2024

"I think I've got something in my teeth, Marls can you have a look for me?"

(Please don't worry, both dogs were in mid play at the time, no one was upset)

15/05/2024

These two having the time of their lives today 😍

I love the "ah bored now... Where's the treat lady gone?" moment 😂 I love my job 🥹

13/05/2024

Happy 3rd Birthday, Coops!!!!

Oh we are so lucky to have you for your birthday walkies today! We've only known you since January but you are very quickly becoming a friend to all 😍

You are such a sweetheart, I adore being greeted by you when I come to pick you up, always so delighted to see me 🥹

Hope your day has been cracking! 🎂🎈

08/05/2024

I swear this looks like an advert for joint supplements 🤣

07/05/2024

Does anyone else's poochie do this still? 🤣

06/05/2024

05/05/2024

Happy 2nd(?!) 'Murphy&Co' Anniversary, Eugene!!

Eugey!! I cannot believe it's only been two years since your first ever walk with us! We feel like we've known you forever and cannot imagine life without you!

Murphy's best friend from the day you met, you are definitely more like his brother than a friend.
You are such a happy go lucky character with the most positive attitude to everything - we love coming to collect you for walks, it's always so much fun!

Plus extremely hilarious yet horrifying how little mud needs to be around and yet you still end up covered in it 😂 wouldn't have you any other way though!

Love you, Eugeybo! 💙

02/05/2024

This is worth knowing about!!

Thank you, The Dog Walker! 🐾

01/05/2024

So some of the poochies went in style today after my car broke down... Again. As you can see they were clearly thrilled 🤣

Hopefully we will sort ourselves a new dog mobile soon as, as you can see, this one isn't quite what we need, was lovely to drive though 🤣