Happy Hounds Dog Services

What a week! Not so hot so we’ve had a bit more choice of walk locations . We’ve all enjoyed the change of scenery ! Have a great weekend one and all!

The power of a dogs nose . Super sniffing . By Albert

The power of a dogs nose ! Super sniffing . By Albert

Big brave balancing beauties! 🤣

We’ve all been practicing our balancing . This fallen tree is actually around 3’ high so it’s a big ask for them! They need to concentrate on where they’re putting their feet, not get silly or giddy or lick my face ideally . I’ve got my arm underneath them in case of a wobble I can hold them tight and support them with my body until they regain their balance . We’re practicing being handled too ( me lifting them off) in case they ever need to be carried for whatever reason ! (adder bite, injury etc) Excuse the excessive barking! 😳 Very noisy today 🤔

Here we are practicing “being still” while our Daisy “goes around” Very difficult for one of us! Daisy “going behind” is a hugely difficult distraction to manage! Good try puppers! 🥰

Tuesday troubles

We haven’t been up here for quite some time as it’s been so hot . Today the thrill of being here was a little too much for one of us . One of us couldn’t wait to get down the ‘bunny bank’ so headed off way ahead all on her own! I really need quick recalls no matter where you are or what you’re doing so I’m afraid the consequence of going of on your own little jolly is that you’re going to have to make your way all the way back before you actually get to go there! All’s well that ends well, our little explorer stayed close for the rest of the walk ! Just what I want ! Good work Bo! 👍

Have a great weekend everyone! 👋

“Under”

We love using the environment for a bit of body conditioning! Teaching your dogs to go “under” keeps them supple and flexible! Plus, it’s different and fun! Here’s Jackson, Inka, Lottie, Bella, Archie, Lil Monty, Mimi and Pinta!

Todays most amusing moment was watching Lil Monty doing some problem solving. Can we all appreciate his little ARM reaching out as far as he possibly can in vain to get the ham! He has jumped into this before to get the treat but obviously forgotten that that was a possibility. 🤔 I helped him in the end! 😂

Amazing what a cabbage can do for their attention!

Sometimes we talk too much to our dogs. 🙄 Sometimes, when we need them to come back to us, we call them over and over again, whilst they merrily carry on sniffing all the great sniffs!😏 When this happens, we're actively TRAINING THEM TO IGNORE us! 😱 Sometimes, I like to give them a bit of autonomy, independence, responsibility for themselves. When you call them frequently, giving them verbal instructions often, they don't need to think for themselves at all. It's tiring having to think for yourself!🤔 Five extra tired puppers went home today!🥱 Good work Bo, Millie, Pinta, Mimi and Lil Monty! 😍

Todays Dream Team! 😍

We all did gun dog stuff today involving a platform and a kong on a rope. Even those not of the gun dog variety did well. 😍

Wowsers! That was a hot one! 🥵 Your dogs have been great this week! Give them a big pat on the back . And perhaps a doggie ice cream as well!

Keeping cool 😎

Here’s us practicing being still and cool in the forest!

Happy Birthday Barlie!

Barlie had the best birthday! He had cottage pie for breakfast, went out on a jolly with his best friend Albus and his lovely dog walker Claire. He had a snack on his new WEST PAWfeast mat , another walk with his girl pals in the forest and did some balancing. We had birthday cake for dinner, plus an extra special licky yogurt pot from his Auntie Kathryn. Opened a crunchy crunchy Swiss roll enrichment toy and finished off the day with a roll around the garden, a sniffy walk round the block and a cuddle with his daddy … Perfection …

Meaty treats !

Today we needed to keep ourselves calm . One of the best ways to tire a dog without overheating them is to do some nosework in the shade with them . The easiest and most effective game ever!

Patience is a virtue!

If you live in a household with more than one dog , or your dog goes out with a dog walker, it’s important that they can master a few things . They need to know how to wait their turn, not to shove and push or yap in other dogs faces! It’s a hard one! Dogs are out to get what they want, when they want it ! Some breeds especially have less tolerance, or are naturally on the move so more likely to muscle in on other dogs prize more than others. Our Bella has been practicing sitting calmly, no woofing or jumping up or grabbing. At first I just put a couple of fingers inside her collar so that she knows to sit tight! She’s a clever girly and knows that’s what she needs to do very quickly! When I add more movement (throwing my arm up to cue buddy to “go around “) that’s a tricky time for her, along with when I throw his teeny tiny treat on the ground . Previously she’d just try to rush off to snuffle it up ! Very pleased with this progress! Keep it up Bella Bella Rockerfella!

Todays water babies

Todays water babies 💦

Under!

Ten things to do with a footstool. Number one-“under “ With Bo, Elsa, Pinta, Mimi, Bonnie, Barlie, Bella and Jackson 🥳

Wobble board!

Heres our Salty practicing his spins on the wobble board . Lack of decent tripod evident here… Super dooper new tripod has arrived ready for tomorrows escapades !

Hot hot hot! 🥵

So, us professional dog walkers get a lot of stick for taking our dogs out in the heat. We get accused of being money grabbing, not caring about the dogs and plenty of other stuff too! 😳 In an ideal world people wouldn’t need to go to work to pay their bills and so would have the option of taking their dogs out early morning and evenings . However, the reality is that most people have to leave their dogs in order that they can go to work . It would be nice if folks weren’t so judgmental, we all try our very best to do the right thing for our dogs . These guys are fit and healthy, we did slow training games all the way, didn’t walk far, stayed in the shade, had water stops , etc etc. The van has been well insulated so stays fairly cool for travelling . Yes these guys are panting but NOT excessively. All is well! 👌