Good as Gold on Dog Walks Pet Sitting Services

04/10/2023

04/10/2023

On Monday evening we received the sad news that little Rosie, Rosie Lea, Cup of Tea, Little Lady Teapot, had joined her brother, Frank, at Rainbow Bridge earlier that day. Rosie and Frank had been with us for 5 1/2 years and were, more often than not, one of our first walks of the day. This morning was one of the emptiest and saddest since setting up business 9 years ago. To have two dogs pass away so closely in time is doubly saddening. Our deepest heart felt condolences go out to Rosie and Frank's human family. R.I.P our beautiful Little Lady Teapot. 💔 🌈 😢

04/10/2023

03/09/2023

It was this old boy’s 11th birthday a couple weeks ago so we donned the rucksack with plenty or treats, bottles of water and small picnic for the hoomins to venture out to our favourite countryside walks. Those plans went AWOL when the birthday boy decided he’d take us on a long bus ride instead, all around Leicester. The bus rides were not of the hoomin’s choosing 🤣 . Well, it was his pawty after all 🎉 🎊

04/08/2023

For security purposes we rarely publicise photos of our client’s fur families but feel on this occasion a tribute is appropriate. Last Saturday evening, beautiful Lord of the Manor Frank, Francis, Frankie Doo Dah Day went to sleep for the the last time in the presence of his human family. It’s been a difficult week for all of us who knew beautiful Frankie Boy. We’ve had the honour, and pleasure, of walking him with his little house sister for 5 1/2 years. Frankie Doo Dah has left huge paw prints on our hearts and we shall miss him deeply for quite some time. The happy memories held will be of him howling his singing welcomes as her outdoors arrived at his front door. He would run and fetch his little sister to tell her, excitedly, their dog walk fur had arrived. He was such a beautiful, gentle, and loving soul who hadn’t the best start in his life but was nurtured with as much love a rescuer could ever give by his new human family. Our hearts go out to them while we also mourn with deepest and heart felt condolences. R.I.P beautiful Frankie Doo Dah Day. 🌈

22/01/2023

If you use a slip lead you’re also using a choke chain. Another great article with a diagram in the comments feed giving a good example of why neither should ever be used. We always using harnesses.

16/01/2023

Dogs trained with aversive methods are less likely to show a ‘secure base’ effect.

16/01/2023

Training your dog to not pull on the leash, or to get off the couch, or to sit still to harness him does not have to involve force. Learn more.

14/01/2023

Something to lighten the mood…

14/01/2023

😂

14/01/2023

Just because you're okay with someone petting your dog, doesn't mean your dog is giving consent. Here's how and when to respectfully pet a dog.

31/12/2022

We usually send our clients a Christmas and New Year’s greeting but this year her outdoors has been laid up with the flu since Christmas Eve. As a small business we’ve also had another year of post Covid struggles only just managing to keep our little business from sinking into oblivion but her outdoors isn’t one to be giving up so easily. If you’ve had your problems this year take a look at this post by one of our favourite Doggy Behaviourists. Wise words indeed, filled with lots of positivity. We’ll let him speak on our behalf’s to all of you this year while we all look forward to a better 2023.

24/12/2022

What a fabulous idea. Please donate if you can and save a family from heartache and their dog from loneliness and wondering “why, and where have they gone!”

Can you help us Keep Hounds in Homes?

We are seeing an increasing number of people approaching us to surrender dogs due to the rising cost of living.

Although in some cases there may be no alternative, it is often the case that by providing a bit of short-term support, we can keep hounds in their existing homes. It is better for the dog, better for the owners and better for Greyhound Rescue Wales.

By sending dog food to their homes or contributing towards the cost of vet treatment, Keeping Hounds in Homes can help sighthounds stay with their loving families.

Please consider donating today, and helping a family in need: https://greyhoundrescuewales.co.uk/keeping-hounds-in-homes/

17/12/2022

Something to watch after the results have come through. What about a new show? Strictly Dog Dancing 💃🏽 In the Latin section there would be the chewah chewah chewah. In the ballroom section there would be the Fango.

In 2014, 60 Minutes first attempted to answer the age-old question: does your dog really love you? "60 Minutes" is the most successful te...

13/12/2022

Whole Dog Journal‘s mission is to provide dog guardians with in-depth information on dog food, training, behavior, health, and more.

10/12/2022

Yes!

10/12/2022

😹

Cats are royalty. We are their willing servants. Bohemian Catsody - enjoy a parody song of the Queen classic, Bohemian Rhapsody, this time, all about CATS! O...

27/11/2022

Your dog may stare at you for many reasons. A dog may stare to get your attention, to communicate with you, or she may use a creepy stare to warn you to “back off.” To understand why your dog stares, read her body language.

27/11/2022

🐶🐕🐠🦋🐰🐭🐷🐮🐤😀❤️

Cats "talk" to us, even if they don't to each other.

21/11/2022

They likely do "show off" and might well be proud of what they're doing.

20/11/2022

19/11/2022

🤣

02/11/2022

Thank you 🙏

30/10/2022

Why do dogs eat grass doesn’t have an easy answer and can be anywhere from they just like it, to wanting more fiber to boredom or upset stomach.

29/10/2022

We hope you’re all having a furbulous and cuddly weekend … 💙💖🐶🦮🐕‍🦺🐩

25/10/2022

A lovely write up, if you’re considering adopting a rescue doggo …

19/10/2022

16/10/2022

It’s pumpkin season! 🎃 If you're off to a pumpkin patch or picking up one or two from the supermarket, don't forget to get the dog one too! 🐕 This bowl (and bowel!) boosting superfood is highly beneficial for;
​🧡 Boosting immune health
​🧡 Improving skin & coat
​🧡 Regulating bowel movement
​🧡 Improve muscle health
​🧡 Boost hydration
​🧡 Reduce issues with diarrhea
​
Simply removing the seeds, steam or bake your pumpkin until the flesh is soft, scoop out the flesh and wait to cool before feeding. Freeze the rest into ice cube trays to use all winter!

15/10/2022

😂

Me for most of my life...until I really became one😂😂😂

13/10/2022

The ability of dogs to "sniff out" certain diseases including COVID-19 infection and cancer has been well documented over recent years. Now, a new study reveals dogs can detect a person's stress level by odor alone.

11/10/2022

Loose Lead Walking Tips...

I would like to add that you should always reward eye contact with a treat or praise AND do not hold the lead taut!




















📸 All Positive Dog Training

25/09/2022

Oh yes, and thank you!

PHRASES THAT RUFFLE TRAINERS' FEATHERS ... AND WHY!

So I came across an interesting post started on a dog trainer's personal FB page and it got me thinking. She asked "what words annoy you when you hear them?" She did state she didn't want the "why" of it just the words/phrases. As I scrolled down her comments I realized I agreed with many and thought - if a non-dog behavior expert was reading this they might think "why do these words bother so many trainers?!"

So, I decided to lay this out and explain the "why" to a lot of this.

Why trainers don't like the following phrases:

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: MY DOG IS STUBBORN!

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: I don't know how to communicate/train properly with my dog and she's not doing what I ask so I assume she's hard-headed.

💡 REALITY: I get it. Dog owners aren't usually dog trainers, hence why I have a job! So, you don't know what you don't know. However, if your dog isn't listening or "obeying" the reality is likely that the dog isn't listening because of one, several or all of these factors: hasn't been trained to understand what you are asking of him, is confused, has the incorrect motivation in that moment, is stressed, and/or has made a poor association with the thing you ask and therefore won't do it at all out of fear/stress/anxiety. Really this could be a lot of things!

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Training & some understanding of dog behavior will fix this label.

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: HE'S BEING DOMINANT!

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: I watch a lot of Cesar Milan but don't really know exactly what all that entails .... and/or I think if a dog is doing a pushy or bratty behavior it's because he's dominant and "thinks he's boss". OR Someone hasn't been in tune with up-to-date science and studies on dog behavior and training.

💡 REALITY: Your dog can't be "dominant" as a whole. It's not a personality trait. It's not like saying my brother is "out-going". Dominance is fluid and only happens in certain contexts. Usually over resources and a dog that is aggressive or insecure is reacting for other reasons that aren't even related to "dominance". I could go on and on about this topic. It's very sadly been used and misused by a lot of trainers. The truth is that science has shown other answers to what decades ago was always blamed for "dominance". You can read more on dominance in dogs here: http://bit.ly/2GElznQ

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Get to the root of the problem with a qualified professional (that doesn't adhere to the dominance/pack theory of yonder years.)

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: WE TRIED POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING, IT DIDN'T WORK.

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: We did that a couple times, didn't get immediate results so gave up and said it doesn't work.

💡 REALITY: The thing with positive reinforcement-based training is that it does, in fact, take work, consistency and dedication on your part. It's not magic and it never works if you only do it a few times or if you are inconsistent. You often see immediate results but for them to "stick", and for long-term goals like great leash work (no pulling on leash) and coming when called, you will need to be consistent and diligent in your training efforts.

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Don't give up. Listen to your well-educated, qualified, positive reinforcement trainer ... and stay consistent!

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: OH, HE'S KNOWS WHAT HE DID WAS WRONG!

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: My dog is trying my patience on purpose and doesn't listen just to spite me even though that's not the case because dogs aren't humans so they aren't spiteful and do things "on purpose".

💡 REALITY: Dogs that continually do things do so because it works and usually there is some kind of reward in it for them, even if just the satisfaction of chewing things or tearing something up ... or they had to potty so they did it on the floor because they just couldn't hold it ... or they were anxious when left alone and so they peed the floor from anxiety/stress (not uncommon at all).

Also, dogs that *appear* to have look of guilt are only doing this based on muscle memory --- the last time she entered the room and I was in this spot she was mad so I'll hang my head low in hopes she doesn't become confrontational --- or your body language, which dogs read far better than you can even realize. Remember dogs can smell a seizure so they can smell when your adrenaline is up and your mood is changing as well as your eyes, your face, everything.

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Your dog isn't plotting against you. He just needs proper guidance and training on what to do.

These are just a few things that dog trainers hear often and have different "meanings" for dog owners than they do for trainers.

If you need help finding a proper trainer read my blog post on this topic and tips on how to do this here: https://bit.ly/whattypedogpro

Happy training!

––
Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA
Sunshine Dog Training & Behavior
sunshinedog.com

16/09/2022

We don't charge a holiday surcharge for this either 😂

30/08/2022

Some light hearted humour 🤣