DG_walkies

16/12/2024

I love using Copilot AI to create cartoon images for my canine customers' birthdays. 💜

Happy Birthday to teenager, Hucks, and to Princess Lily xx🎉🐾🎂💜

07/12/2024

Think Ted has got the right idea! Stay warm and safe

Good night lovely people.
Hooray for being cosy.
Sleep well and sweet dreams.
I hope that you have a really wonderful weekend.

06/12/2024

I'm taking bookings for 2025. My new doggy diary is more of a back up, but it's far cuter than my online calendar! 🐶🐾🗓 Drop me a line if you'd like to book in a free Meet & Greet before this year is out.

03/12/2024

Beware of pesky pine needles... 🎄

Whether real or artificial, pine needles can cause some serious issues for our pets.

While they’re not toxic, they can still be dangerous, causing:

😣 Throat irritation – Sharp needles can scratch or irritate the throat if swallowed.

🦶 Stuck in paws – Pine needles can get lodged in your pet’s paws, causing discomfort or injury.

💩 Gastrointestinal issues – If ingested, they can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, or abdominal discomfort.

⚠️ Choking hazard – Especially for small pets, pine needles can get stuck in their throat or airways, causing choking.

If you’re going for a real tree this year, choose one with low needle drop to reduce the risk for your pet.

If your pet has been playing with or eating pine needles or is showing signs of vomiting, contact us immediately for advice.

Remember, most Christmas trees aren’t toxic to dogs, but chewing or swallowing branches and needles can cause them harm.

02/12/2024

My excuse for running slightly late today? It's - again?! (apparently it happens twice a year). And our mutt decided he would add some bird poo 💩 into his Cockapoo crossbreed this morning!

Fortunately, as well rolling in cat, fox and other poo, Arlo loves baths. And he now let's me groom and brush him without biting me. But I could've done without the extra duty before walking dogs this morning.

29/11/2024

Happy Birthday to DG Walkies! 🎉🎂 It's 12 months this week since I got my very first commercial canine customer, Rupert 💜🐾 I've had a great time getting to know and walk lots of different breeds (although my AI image software obviously doesn't recognise all of them!)

Thanks to all my wonderful clients, my business is growing steadily, but I still have room for more regular waggy-tailed walks and drop-ins or ad hoc house and hound sitting.

Drop me a line if you're looking for someone to look after your pooch while you're at work or away.

friday 🐾

27/11/2024

Storms + dogs - there are a few things here that you probably don't think about

⛈️STORM WARNING⛈️

As a dog owner, it’s important to be prepared so that you can protect your dog and keep them calm during harsh or noisy weather.

There are a number of steps you can take to help keep your dog safe and make your dog feel more at ease.

1. Top up your dog’s water bowl. Dogs that are nervous or stressed pant more and become thirsty.

2. Feed your dog before the storm is due to arrive. Once the wind and the rain begin, your dog may be too anxious to eat.

3. Walk your dog well before the storm is due as it may be some time before it’s safe for your dog to venture outside and relieve themselves.

4. Always ensure your dog wears a collar with an ID tag on it in case they manage to escape. You should also check that their microchip details are up to date too.

5. The key to keeping your dog calm is to remain calm yourself, or at least to act in a calm way. By keeping your body language relaxed and confident, you show your dog that that they have nothing to worry about.

6. Before a storm starts, close all windows and curtains, so any unsettling sounds and sights from outside are hidden.

7. Make a safe den for your dog to retreat to if they feel scared. You could drape a thick duvet over the top of it to make it more sound proof, but make sure that the duvet is secure and can’t fall on to your dog. Fill the den with their favourite blankets, toys, or an item of unwashed clothing to help them feel more secure.

8. If you’re out walking and get caught in a storm, remember to keep your dog on their lead and get home as quickly as possible

23/11/2024

Sound advice 🐾👍💜

Looking for a good dog walker? 🐾 Here's just a few things we reccomend you consider during your search:
• What training do they have?
• Do they have insurance and what does their policy cover?
• Do they have references or reviews?

More dog owners are using dog walking services but nearly 60% have no contract or legal agreement in place. You can read what that contract might include here: https://bit.ly/3CCPvyD

[Image description: A large slender black dog wearing a coat, lead and harness is standing in snow with their human friend behind them.]

21/11/2024

Tug-E-Nuff toys are the best! Loved by so many of my dogs 💜

20/11/2024

In addition to dog walking, did you know I also provide short-term dog sitting in your home? Daytime and/or sleepovers.
And, as recommended in this article, the following are all part and parcel of my "House & Hound" service:
• DBS certification
• Dog sitting and public liability insurance
• Canine First Aid training
• Free Meet & Greet
• Full written contract with emergency info and tailored dog instructions.

Please get in touch for more details.

From practical costs such as insurance to body language when meeting in person, steps to help you get right care

20/11/2024

Brilliant advice, as always ❄️🐾💜

There are several things to consider when walking dogs in cold weather, so how can you keep your best four legged friend happy this winter?

🔸BEWARE OF POTENTIAL DANGERS ON WALKS🔸

A thick blanket of snow can hide a lot of potentially dangerous areas which may cause harm to your dog if they are off lead.

Ponds, lakes, and streams could also freeze over and may look solid, but the thin ice layer can cover deep and potentially fatal freezing water

For both of these reasons it is a good idea to keep your dog on the lead while out on walks in the freezing weather.

🔹CLEAN UP AND WARM UP WHEN YOU GET HOME🔹

If your usual walking route involves walking on roads, pavements, or paths, then there is a good chance that salt has been spread on them to melt any ice and reduce the risk of anyone slipping and hurting themselves. If your walk involves any of these surfaces then you should rinse your dog’s paws with warm water when you get home, as the salt can cause skin irritation.

Some dogs with longer coats may collect snowballs on their fur as they play and roll in the snow. If this happens to your dog, try your best to dust them off as they collect on your walk, but failing that rinse them off with warm water when you get home to melt them away

🔸CONSIDER INVESTING IN WINTER CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES🔸

Some smaller or short coated dogs feel cold in the winter nip, so it may be a good idea to buy a well fitting coat that will help keep them warm and dry on walks.

Road traffic accidents are common in the winter and there are a number of steps to be safe. Check to make sure that your dog is microchipped and that they are wearing ID tags incase they get lost after dark.

Reflective collars and jackets are a good idea, and there are even some bright LED collars and tags available to help make your dog easier to see by other walkers and road users.

Make sure your dog has a cosy dry space to stay warm when they get home, and if they are damp or wet check to make sure they aren’t getting too chilled as they dry off.

17/11/2024

OTIS IS STILL MISSING⚠️ FINDERS FEE FOR SAFE RETURN - NO QUESTIONS ASKED‼️
Hi everyone, we wanted to update you all as we are receiving a lot of questions on Otis.
Our beloved Otis is STILL missing 💔
He went missing on 05/11/2024 & has not been seen since‼️
As you can imagine this is a living nightmare, something you never believe would happen to you, but here we are scratching our heads wondering where he must be.
Our house is empty & our hearts even more so.
We firmly believe he has been STOLEN from us, likely to be sold as a Working or Gun dog. Otis is CHEMICALLY NEUTERED so he can not be used as a STUD, however they may still try to advertise him as so. ⚠️
Please everyone keep a look out for him we desperately want to be reunited🤞
Has your neighbour got a new dog that could be Otis? Is there a new dog on a local shoot? Perhaps the farmer got a new dog? Maybe you see him whilst out for a walk or in your local park… By now he could be ANYWHERE. We now need to search nationwide & BRING OUR OTIS HOME!
We really appreciate the love & support we have been shown in the past few weeks & please continue to share Otis’ image across your local communities.
It means the world to us & shows how loved Otis is, not only by his family but also within the community 💔
With love from us all x
John Righton - 07974487861
Grace Righton - 07583947050

15/11/2024