Happy Paws in the Shire - Dog Walking & Pet Services

11/07/2024

We have 3 spaces opening up for new dogs to join our fabulous enriching adventure group walks please message if you would like more info x 🐾

21/06/2024

Looking at the great British forecast walks will be much earlier Monday and Tuesday next week. X

22/05/2024

Please note that I will be on holiday from the 12-19th June. The majority of walks will still be covered where possible I will confirm individually x

09/03/2024

🎉 A big happy welcome to lovely Amber who joins the happy paws clan to help with walking, pet sitting and puppy/cat care! 🐾
Amber has several years experience and has her own beautiful dogs Una, Diesel and Nelly!
When amber isn’t working with dogs she is working at the wildlife trust! She looks forward to
Meeting you all xx 🐶 🐱 ❤️

21/12/2023

T minus one day and that’s a wrap! 🎉 Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a wonderful, fun and happy 2024! With love, woofs and kisses 🐾 ❤️Sophie, Kay, Abi, Anita, Lynn, Rosie, Louise, Emma, Sophie A, Sophie F, and the furry gang! Have a good one! Xx 🎄 🥂 🎅

15/12/2023

🎁 We shall be closing from the 23rd returning on Wednesday 3rd January xx 🎄 🎅

16/11/2023

Our darling Tilly one of happy paws first little dogs 🌈 we shall fondly remember you with your beautiful stubborn ways and love for chasing cat! You brightened up every day! The most beautiful loved girl in every single way.. fly high angel xx ❤️❤️

21/09/2023

Gentle reminder that I will be on holiday from the 30th September returning to work on Tuesday 17th October.
Walking Cover already agreed will still be provided. Any queries please pm me thank you! X

08/08/2023

🐾 🐾Sunday 13th August🐾🐾

🌟”Find My Keys” 9-11am
A fun workshop using scentwork to teach your dog to “Find My Keys”.
Suitable for any any breed or age of dog no scentwork experience needed.
Reactive and nervous dogs welcome.
£40 (£20 deposit).

🌟Trick Training Club
11.30-1.30pm
Suitable for any level, age and breed of dog we will tailor the class to everyone.
Reactive and nervous dogs welcome a great way to focus and increase your bond with your dog.
£25 (£10 deposit).

All classes and workshops held at Clifford Business Park CV37 8HW.
Classes will be subject to weather and may be rearranged if to hot/wet.
For more info or to book on contact Debbie
07974748961 or [email protected]

13/06/2023

Gentle reminder that we are closed for holiday from June 14th returning to work Friday 23rd. (Aside from already organised regular and cover walks with Abi Lynn and Anita) Any emails and enquiries will be answered on my return! ✈️ xx

09/06/2023

It’s looking like next week is going to be a scorcher! Dog walks will be earlier where possible and shortened/let outs if too hot to ensure the safety and well Being of all our doggos. X

26/05/2023

We will be closed for holidays from 14th-23rd June. X 😎

06/04/2023

⭐️ New Home needed ⭐️This darling girl 2 years old is in need of a new loving home.. She is a very relaxed dog around the house if given plenty of exercise. Very affectionate and likes to be close to humans, so ideally someone that works from home. Good recall but she has a strong prey drive (like most GSP’s), so you have to be focused with her when off the lead. Secure garden needed.
Please message me for info x

31/01/2023

Highly recommend xx

Scentwork for pet dogs

A great form of enrichment, stimulation and exercise for any breed or size

27/01/2023

Happy Paws are recruiting for a fabulous full time
Dog walker and Pet Sitters 🐶 🐱 Please contact Sophie at [email protected] for further information ⭐️ x (Full UK driving license, DBS check and references will apply)

25/11/2022

Our darling maxi boy … 💜 fly high our angel boy … Our fourth musketeer… So lucky to have had you in our lives … We will always love you and the licki mats will live on forever .. 💔💔🌈🌈🌈☀️☀️🙏🙏

04/11/2022

FIREWORKS, THUNDER, GUNSHOTS, STORMS

Keeping your dog content during this time takes multi level approach.

Step 1.

Create a safe space.
This may be a covered crate, a cosy corner, under a table, on a comfy chair or (and this is more common than you might think) in the shower cubicle.
Using soft furnishings, blankets, sound proofing foam and deep fluffy beds help to reduce or muffle sounds.
Prepare your safe space well in advance and condition you dog to recognise the space as a place of calm and safety. Pet remedy is good for this, a good spritz about the home and in the safe space works wonders. Condition this smell too, use it at bedtime in the run up.

Step 2

Happy sounds.
Study shows reggae music to elicit the strongest calming response in dogs. Some dogs fo respond well to calming classical music, but actually a strong and technical drum beat is more successful in masking the sound of fireworks. In particular Taiko Drumming has been found to be therapeutic for humans suffering combat PTSD, who also struggle wirh fireworks. Condition your dog to associate your chosen music or soundscape with rest by playing it at bed time. That way when you need to play music to drown out the sound of fireworks there's already a positive association, not "omg, this is the music that plays when bad s**t is happening".
A little portable bluetooth speaker off Amazon won't cost the earth, try and get music or tv on throughout the house, to stop the bad sounds travelling. Take this opportunity to be as inconsiderate as those who think fireworks are exciting, drown out the bangs with your own noise, turn it up as loud as your dog is comfortable with.
Also recommended - Taiko drumming on youtube. https://youtu.be/-LFgMb-qN8U
Bob Ross 8 hours painting with rain sounds on YouTube.
432 Hertz relaxation frequency music.

Step 3
Chill the fluff out with herbs.
Chamomile, lemon balm, vervain, passion flower are all herbs I use or are contained in supplements I'd recommend. I've missed valerian and skullcap off this list as in very fearful dogs I believe they can make the problem worse. With the exception of Pukka herbs bedtime tea, which only has a very small amount of valerian in it.
I tend to use a loading dose around four days before and for two days after bonfire night.
That's said some dogs respond well to valerian and skullcap, you should aim to know what helps your dog in advance.

Chamomile:
One teaspoon per 5kg
Lemon balm:
Half a teaspoon per 5kg
Vervain:
Half a teaspoon per 5kg
Passion flower tincture:
5 drops per 5kg

Feed one or two of these approximately 3 hours before you need them to take effect

Step 4
Carbs
Carbohydrates can help with the release of tryptophan, a serotonin precursor, tryptophan will not uptake in the presence of protein. So a small carby meal of mashed sweet potato flavoured with a little butter, just before settling down might be helpful.

Step 5
Calm your s**t.
Your dog doesn't need you getting worked up and flapping about like the world is ending. So do a bit of yoga, meditation, 5-7-8 breathing, eat a slab of cake or down a gin. Whatever you need to do to relax, then do it.

Step 6 (optional)
Do none of this, put your dogs in the car, drive to the arse end of nowhere, park up, read a book for a few hours, return home when you think it's safe.

Don't assume your dog is going to be scared of these things if they haven't experienced them before. If this is your first fireworks rodeo use food, games and play to make it a positive experience.

Your dog may be severely phobic and need vet medication to get through. There is nothing wrong with medication and don't let anyone make you feel s**t for using it.

Other helpful things are thunder shirts and happy hoodie. I really like happy hoodie personally.
You can do a calming wrap around your dog's body using a horse tail bandage.
You can make a noise cancelling snood for your dog using a section of the leg from a cut up pair of tights and two big wads of cotton wool.

03/09/2022

31/08/2022

If anyone would like to swap or add a walk to the Monday lunchtime group I have a couple of slots coming up from next week please pm me. X

22/08/2022

House sitting dates just available 29th august - 8th September due to a cancellation. Please contact me if you would like to book the dates. X

02/08/2022

01/08/2022

My lovely JJ had just completed his 6 week scent work training and absolutely loved it !!! It’s really great for all those working breeds. Highly recommend. X

If you fancied the scentwork classes these are the next dates 🙂

Fun classes suitable for any dog, any age, breed or size. The course will teach scent detection but is designed for Pet Dogs as a form of enrichment and bonding with your dog.

Classes will be running

Tuesday evenings 6.30-7.30
Starting Tuesday 9th August,
16th August, (miss a week), 30th August,
6th September, 13th September and the trial/ fun competition on 20th September.
**limited spaces**

Or

Sundays 10-11.30 or 11.45- 1.15
Sunday 4th september
Sunday 11th september
Miss a week
Sunday 25th september
Miss a week
Trial/ competition on Sunday 9th October

Courses are all £60

Numbers are limited so will be first come basis but I will be running more courses later in the year. Let me know asap if you want to book on.

Deb 🐾

19/07/2022

Back to normal tomorrow I think?! .. thanks everyone for your early wake up
Calls this week ☀️

10/07/2022

Happy pawparents Monday pick ups will be between 7-830am due to the heat. ☀️ x

06/07/2022

Puppy visits are the perfect solution for young pups needing care love cuddles feeding and puppy walk :) Anita our head puppy cuddler is the bees knees and your pup
Will love her she gets the paws up
from Bailey! a 🐶 🐾

05/07/2022

😆 🐶 ..

05/07/2022

A big squishy welcome to our handsome Henry who joins us for walkies 🐾 Welcome to the pack gorgeous boy we love you already 💕💕

29/06/2022

Tiny gorgeous little Tink joins the gang for fun walkies 🐾 welcome little darling. X 💕💕 🐾

29/06/2022

Highly recommend xx

Welcome to AVONSIDE CANINE HYDROTHERAPY. Based just outside Bidford-on-Avon on the road to Honeybourne, our pool offers a complimentary therapy in canine care. Used for post and pre operative care, to increase joint strength and general all round fitness in a low impact environment. It is also great...

23/06/2022

🎉 A BIG warm welcome to our lovely Anita who joins the Happy Paws team after 36 years in the NHS.

She has now decided to turn her attention towards providing the same love and attention to our doggies! She is highly experienced in providing a calming and reassuring environment in all situations. Anita has her own dog, Maggie (featured in the picture) and has owned dogs for much of her life. We are thrilled to have Anita on the team! 🐶 🐾 💕 💫