Pets in Partnership

12/11/2024

‼️Warning:‼️ HIDE YOUR SOCKS! 🧦
The typical disguise of a sock thief is cute & fluffy. Beware they are everywhere! Do you know one? 😂🐶

07/11/2024

Dog skills ⭕️

05/11/2024

Some important tips for successful toilet training 🐶

05/11/2024

Some of you may have seen the worrying reports of some dangerous supplements from YuMove that are now subject to a product recall. A counterfeit batch on Amazon has been proven poisonous and sadly at least one dog has died from its use. We reached out directly to the company for further information and this is their response. Please share far and wide to help both reassure the majority and hopefully make aware anyone unfortunate enough to have been caught out by this scam

02/11/2024

Firework Season upon us once again. Some of our dogs are un-phased but for others this can be a tough season. Some dogs will respond to your supportive efforts; others simply can't think straight and take time to recover.

There are a handful of simple things you can do that can help many dogs at least a little bit. So we would like to share a few tips in the hope that some of you might benefit here or there.

1) Walk your dogs BEFORE it gets dark during this season. Close the curtains as it gets dark and it is good and fine for you to put TV or radio on to help cut across the sounds - this will help some. Classic FM often play music specifically for our dogs on Fireworks night itself.

2) What they need from you the most is for you to role model normality.
This means talking normally, going about doing things in the house normally. Be very careful in your efforts to try and make them feel okay because human style sympathy, the kind of reassurance we might give our young child, can go way off the mark for our dogs. If we look, sound, and act odd from their point of view, they can become even more alarmed. They look to us for security - they need to see you ignoring the fireworks yourself, behaving calmly (normally) and in control. Any stroking needs to be in a firm calm massage style at appropriate moments for the dogs. Touch will make some dogs worse whilst help others. Remember a stroke tells our dogs they are being good for something, so observe them carefully, I've watched shaking increase in dogs when being cuddled during fireworks and seen the shaking stop when the person walks away to do a chore. Preferably just go about your evening as if it is a night with no fireworks. We know it is distressing watching your dogs in distress, but if you get distressed you are adding to the stress!

3) If your dog has a permanent den i.e. a crate or a snug space they are used to going to and they want to be there, leave them there, don't try and encourage them out at any time; close doors, fully cover them, let them stay in hiding until they are ready to come out. If your dog has never had a crate or a den, don't set one up now - you are just adding something abnormal to a difficult situation which may cause further stress, however if your dog looks for a den when they don't normally have one, let them go into hiding where they are choosing and support that hiding place. You can look to setting them up with a proper long-term den that they can have a permanent positive relationship with at a later date.

4) If your dog is pacing, whining, barking, charging, climbing onto you trying to get into your skin, quietly go and get a lead, pop your dog on lead, bring a comfy bed next to where you are sitting and quietly but firmly tell them to settle on the bed, sit or down it doesn't matter, just try and take charge, don't let them get any sillier than they need to. They need your help to know how to handle themselves in the situation. They often need some confident and calm, decisive leadership and by stopping the pacing, you can reduce the adrenalin & cortisol levels even though they are still stressed. Just watch that you don't slip into mega human sympathy mode!

5) Bach Flower Rescue Remedy or Crystal Herbs Revival Remedy is a great natural aid for panic attacks and safe for dogs. It can help take the edge off. We put it in their water, their meals and give via treats. Number of drops depends on the breed of dog. I am always happy to guide.

6) If your dog will engage with some play during the evening, then please do play with them in an upbeat and fun way, but don't force it. If they will eat, give them something nice to settle down with.

If you have an increasing problem year on year, there are programmes of work out there to help de-sensitise dogs but for firework reactive dogs, it is better to work on these programmes during the spring and early summer when there is less likelihood of unpredictable interruptions.

The British phrase of ‘Stay Calm’ is very apt now, for your companions.

Rebecca Lawrence-Baker

01/11/2024

Some more doggies enjoying the spooky fun this week 🎃🕷️👻🐾

31/10/2024

It’s that time of year where we love to have some fun with our dogs. Today we set the challenge of “Paws on the Pumpkin” we have also been lucky to get some great photos sent in of dogs in action in their homes. Can your dog put paws on? Comment with your photos, we’d love to see them! 🐾🎃👻

30/10/2024

Practising left & right commands 🐶⬅️➡️ Want to know how to train this? A tutorial is now available on our Tik Tok page, head over & have a look 👀 let us know your results

28/10/2024

A few more photos from our spooky search yesterday. 🕷️👻🎃🐶

27/10/2024

Some photos from our first “ SPOOKY FUN SEARCH” and what a fab day everyone had! Well done to Liz, Marisa & Lee for all your hard work in making it such a great day for everyone involved. 😁🐶

12/10/2024

We have a team of experienced trainers ready to help you! Contact us for more information 🐾🐶

10/10/2024

The rain did not stop us having some hoop fun with our dogs today ☔️⭕️🐶 check out our latest TikTok for some more action 🐾🎬
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07/10/2024

First to take up the challenge from our newsletter! Who else has done it?

07/10/2024

Come and join us! Contact us for dates and to book your space. 🐶🐾

05/10/2024

04/10/2024

If this this is your dog’s first firework season, you might be wondering whether they will be scared and what you can do to help. Here are a few pointers…

Our dogs look to us or other dogs when experiencing something for the first time. Therefore our reactions give them very important information as to the threat level fireworks should be given. If we fuss and molly coddle our dogs, they will not perceive it as reassuring comfort, even though that is of course what we intend. They need us to role model. Calmly and quietly going about our business as normal is the only effective way of explaining to our dogs that there is nothing to worry about.
If it is possible to do so, avoid walking after dark on days where fireworks are very likely. That’s quite hard to do nowadays as their use can be so random but if for no other reason than we are likely to jump (poor role modelling!) if surprised on a walk, it’s worth doing. At home, try and have some background noise, curtains closed early and avoid peak time for a wee in the garden if possible. Allow them to snuggle down in a safe space if they wish.
Remember, startling is a normal, natural response to being surprised. Just as we can’t stop ourselves jumping, our dog’s may startle at a sudden noise. How they recover from that startle is the telling thing. If they continue to be worried, start anticipating the next bang, panting and pacing and you are already following this advice, then more help may be required. Reach out if you need to - your dog will thank you for it.

For extra help and tips, join our webinar on monday 14th october at 6.15pm .

03/10/2024

If you are worried and would like to connect.....

30/09/2024

Are you a new or recent puppy owner? Recently rehomed a dog? What are your training first goals with your newest family member?