Canine Friend

13/08/2024

Lots of snoozing going on today for my day and night boarders 💤❤️🐾

28/07/2024

My boarders chilling in the shade 🌞😎❤️

24/07/2024

Another beautiful walk from Kithurst this morning 😍

23/07/2024

This handsome chap comes to mine for daycare a couple of times a week so whilst his family are away on holiday, he overnight boards with me.

A truly home from home experience for this lucky dog ❤️

18/07/2024

My love chair is full tonight, that’s me in the corner in white 😂

17/07/2024

For all your hair and scattered poos, your a beautiful boy Jackson and it’s been a pleasure to look after you the past 10 days ❤

03/07/2024

Minnie & Dotty have successfully passed a trial sleepover. We look forward to seeing them again soon ❤️

24/06/2024

Doggies an I enjoying a little bit of shaded time in the garden this afternoon 🌞

21/06/2024

Definitely missing home ❤️

20/06/2024

Milo watching England play 🥱😂

13/06/2024

Love this time of the year on the South Downs ❤️

07/06/2024

Brilliant post 👏

I was having this conversation today with a client and I thought it was worth outlining here for anyone else who needs to hear this:

IT IS NORMAL (AND RESPONSIBLE) TO HAVE TO MANAGE YOUR DOG IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

What do we mean by 'manage'? We mean by changing their environment or limiting their interaction within an environment in order to keep them from "behaving inappropriately" (in our eyes).

Very typical examples:

🐾 Using a long line on walks
🐾 Shutting dogs away when deliveries come
🐾 Leaving your dog at home when you go somewhere
🐾 Keeping them on lead in some situations
🐾 Keeping them away from the table at meal times
🐾 Keeping them from approaching certain dogs
🐾 Not giving them their ball with other dogs around
🐾 Not putting their food bowl near anothers
🐾 Keeping them on lead around kids

The list could go on and on and on.

I don't know a single person who doesn't have to manage their dog in certain situations because dogs are DOGS. They aren't mini humans who can be reasoned with: "just share your toys with your friend, they're not going to take them away". Dogs are a straight thinking species: I want this, I don't want that, I need this, I am scared of losing that and so on.

It's a real error to assume that our dogs showing any degree of discomfort in a situation is a dog that needs to be "fixed". They're not broken! They're just being their real selves in a world that has REALLY HIGH expectations of them.

It's an even bigger error to assume that adding food to a situation will change anything. In some situations it can make it worse. Counter conditioning is NOT always the answer. Many of my clients have found that out the hard way from previous well meaning advice.

Don't feel ashamed if your dog can't do something that Joe Blogg's dog down the street can do. I bet you Joe Blogg's dog down the street can't do something your dog CAN!

Dogs are so painfully real and honest. They aren't perfect and they never ever pretend to be.

👇🏻 Name a situation where you need to manage your dogs! I'll start:

Lucy: has to be managed around young children with leads and gates
Raggy: has to be managed around stranger dogs as has low tolerance of bounciness
River: has to be managed in the outside world altogether using a long line
Alby: has to be managed around the house as will toilet inappropriately if given the chance.

MANAGEMENT IS AS NORMAL AS SOCKS AND HOT DINNERS.

Spread the word 🐾💜

25/05/2024

Come on, we’ve waited long enough 🌭🐕😋

18/05/2024

An early morning walk for the Poodles at Box Hill

14/05/2024

Just to say, I’ve found some Ticks just now drying off the doggies. What I have learnt over the years from walking on the Downs is that ticks love heat and rain so as we’ve had both in the past few days I’d take some time to check your pups after there walks. I use Advocate on my dogs to prevent fleas etc. however, Advocate doesn’t protect against ticks so be extra vigilant if you also use Advocate or switch to something which does cover ticks during the summer months. One thing to add, Billy No Mates (a herbal alternative to prevent fleas and ticks) isn’t effective enough against ticks in my personal experience so I’d be mindful of this if you use this on your dogs. Hope this helps x

07/05/2024

Some photos from my late morning walk today 🌞

05/05/2024

Canine friend turned into feline friend this afternoon as I very sadly witnessed a cat being hit by a car. It all happened so quickly and whilst the driver didn't stand a chance they also never stopped. As the driver directly behind them and without hesitation, I stopped and scooped the poor cat up from the busy main road, it was heartbreaking but also in this moment I was thinking "what am I going to do now"? I was so grateful that South Downs Emergency Vets popped into my head and I was met with a plan at the very least to be able to take the situation to the next step. My point here is, Storrington is a relatively small rural village, yet we have an animal hospital right on our doorstep, how brilliant is that? In the last minutes of this beautiful cat's life there was a dignified way to care for him and importantly let his family know what had happened. RIP gorgeous cat ###

01/05/2024

A few photos from todays walks ❤️

30/04/2024

A couple more photos from todays walks 🌞❤️

30/04/2024

Blue sky 😍 And beautiful doggies ❤️

28/04/2024

Doggy bunk bed 🐩❤️🐩❤️

25/04/2024

Whoof whoof 🤣🐶❤️

24/04/2024

Spot the difference?

02/04/2024

Afternoon walkies @ Sullington Warren ❤️ Lulu was having none of it 🤣

26/03/2024

Morning from Amberley Brooks ❤️

25/03/2024

Smashed Sardine lickmats for lunch today🐟😋🐶❤️
Doggy Daycare @ it’s best 👌

23/03/2024

An early Saturday morning walk @ Lords Piece for my weekend boarders 🐶🐩❤️

21/03/2024

Thank you Bear for sharing your delicious Birthday cake. Happy 3rd Birthday 🎂🐶❤️🐩🎈###

21/03/2024

My late Thursday morning charges 🐶❤️