Katie Burnell Dog Training

31/07/2025

NO!

I’ve recently been staying with my parents and thought I’d be helpful and pop the hoover round for them. I stopped halfway through to empty the cylinder. Some of you may know that I’m far from a domestic goddess so I was chuffed that I’d managed to remove the cylinder successfully without emptying it all over the floor. Putting it back on however was not so straightforward. As I tried the angle I thought was going to work,
Dad who was sitting on the sofa, very helpfully piped up with ‘No!’ so I readjusted my angle of approach, to which he repeated ‘No!’
Not to be beaten I tried again, ‘No!’
‘What?’ I grunted, frustration building, now forcibly trying to get the stupid cylinder back where it came from. I was met with an equally grumpy, frustrated and louder ‘NO!’ Dad got up from the sofa and reassembled the hoover for me. Meanwhile Mum, ever the satirist asked if I now knew how to do it!

‘NO!’

Now at this point I had enlightenment, not in how to reassemble the hoover, but instead how it must feel for our dogs when they get something wrong and we say No!

If I had been given clear instruction as to what was required (squeezing some silly flimsy clips that I couldn’t see!) then we could have avoided both my frustration at not being able to complete a simple task and my Dads frustration (of me not being able to complete a simple task!)
If you happen to say ‘No’ to your dog, please follow it up with clear instruction as to what is required of them and don’t leave them floundering as I was this morning!

19/06/2025

Does anyone else think their dogs paw prints look like mini teddy bears 🧸 or is this heat getting to me?!

17/06/2025

It is a privilege to touch a dog not a right.
So please don’t be offended if I don’t stroke your dog!
On meeting a dog I am constantly observing their body language, as this is how they communicate. Only if they ask to be stroked will I do so and I always provide opportunities for them to end the interaction.

16/06/2025

With temperatures forecast to soar over the next week or two, the conditions for blooms of blue-green algae increase. These blooms can be extremely toxic to dogs that swim or drink the contaminated water and symptoms can appear in as little as fifteen minutes after to several days later. Be extra careful around stagnant water and never allow your dog to swim in or drink from water which has dead fish in it.
Symptoms are often vague and can include vomiting, diarrhoea, twitching, seizures, breathing difficulties, collapse. If you suspect your dog has been exposed to blue-green algae contact your vet immediately.

06/06/2025

After a devastating start to 2025, we now embark on a new chapter introducing another rescue dog into our home.
It has been both fascinating and rewarding to have the privilege of helping him to settle into a new life with us. As his fourth home (and final home), he understandably comes with a lot of baggage to unpack.
Rescue dogs go through three distinct stages when settling into a new home:
1. Relaxing a little, getting to know their new companions.
2. Settling in, beginning to be comfortable in the home environment and becoming able to start exploring beyond the home.
3. Feeling fully comfortable in their new surroundings and connected to their companions.
All this takes time and is individual to each and every dog. If you are considering taking on a rescue dog or have recently added one into your family and would like some support do get in touch to see the services I offer.

04/05/2025

At this time of year, we start to notice lots of posts circulating social media regarding rapeseed; these posts are shared extensively and can understandably worry many dog owners. The posts usually state that rapeseed is highly poisonous to dogs, and can cause signs including haemolytic anaemia, blindness, damaged nervous system, digestive disorders and breathing problems.
These posts are misinformation.

The signs mentioned are typically only seen in grazing animals, and most dogs actually remain asymptomatic after exposure to rapeseed. Dogs can develop gastrointestinal upset if they have ingested some of the plant, and there have been reports of skin reactions which resemble burns, but this is extremely rare and does not happen to every dog which comes into contact with it.

18/04/2025

Spring is here! Be careful to keep your spring bulbs away from your pups as most are poisonous to them if eaten, causing gastric upset through to potentially more concerning effects.
If you are an avid gardener and are looking for dog friendly gardening inspiration then check out Monty Don’s dog friendly garden at Chelsea Flower Show this year designed with your four legged friend in mind! 🐾

03/04/2025

As the weather is set to warm up adders are likely to be lurking in the undergrowth. Know what to do if your dog gets bitten by an adder.

After seeing our first patient with an adder bite this year we thought it would be a good time to remind you to keep your eyes open for adders that are coming out of hibernation and enjoying this lovely warm weather! ☀️🐍👀

We are all aware that our beautiful towans and grassy areas are in inhabited with adders, but the good news is that although potentially fatal, adder bites are fairly rare. The snakes generally only bite in self defence, meaning that dogs are often only bitten when they either step on them by mistake when running along in the long grass, or are curious and unintentionally provoke the adder into biting while giving it a sniff!

What to do if your dog gets bitten.....

🐍Firstly DON’T PANIC!
🐍Call your vet ASAP and let them know what has happened. They will ask you to make your way to them as soon as you can.
🐍Remove any collars or harnesses in case of swelling in that area
🐍If possible carry your pet to reduce the spread of venom around the body
🐍If available apply a cold compress to the affected area
🐍If you have one with you, give an antihistamine tablet ASAP (If you would like an adder kit to keep on you when out walking please contact the surgery and we can calculate the correct dose for your pet)

Please don’t let this post worry you, just be vigilant when out walking, and be confident that if your dog does get bitten that you know the correct actions to take to get your dog the urgent care it needs 😊

26/03/2025

A few of our clients have made us aware of a microchip scam that has been received recently.
An email will come from a company called PETCHIP and they will have all of the information that is registered on your chip, including the chip number and your name and contact information, however, this is NOT a legitimate company or request. The email usually asks for money to reinstate the microchip details. If you receive one of these emails, please do not click on the link or provide any bank information and please report this to your microchip company.

09/03/2025

In the heart of Barcelona, a sculpture stands silently, speaking volumes without uttering a word. The "Abandoned Dog," crafted by the talented Catalan sculptor Artur Aldomà Puig, is not just a piece of art—it is a powerful statement. The statue portrays a dog, its form radiating sadness and resilience, a tribute to the countless loyal companions who face abandonment and neglect.

The sculpture’s details are striking, capturing the essence of a dog’s unwavering loyalty even in the face of hardship. Its expression is heart-wrenching—a mixture of hope and despair. The eyes, carved with precision, seem to speak directly to those who gaze upon it. They tell a story of love, trust, and the betrayal felt when loyalty is met with abandonment.

Artur Aldomà Puig’s accompanying poem further deepens the emotional resonance of the piece. It speaks directly to the soul of the viewer, a lament for the voiceless and a call to recognize their silent suffering. The words, "Your race doesn’t matter, your name doesn’t matter," remind us of the unconditional love dogs offer, regardless of circumstances. It is a love free of judgment, pure in its intent, and steadfast even in adversity.

The statue serves as a reminder of the relationship between humans and animals, urging us to honor the loyalty and companionship they provide. It challenges society to rethink how we treat these sentient beings, who often rely entirely on human kindness for their survival. Every detail, from the dog’s poised stance to its soulful eyes, invites reflection on the plight of abandoned animals worldwide.

This sculpture has become a point of connection for those who have loved and lost their pets. Visitors often stop to reflect, some leaving flowers or tokens of remembrance for their own beloved companions. For many, it’s not just a statue but a representation of the unspoken bond between humans and their furry friends.

The "Abandoned Dog" is more than art; it’s a message. It calls for compassion, kindness, and action. It reminds us of the responsibility we bear when we take an animal into our lives, urging us to honor their love and loyalty with the care they deserve.

Artur Aldomà Puig’s work transcends cultural and geographic boundaries, speaking to anyone who has ever felt the profound connection that comes from looking into the eyes of a dog. It is a timeless piece, reminding us that even in their silence, animals have a voice—one that resonates deeply with those who choose to listen.

~Weird but True

12/07/2024

Art by Dave Coverly
www.instagram.com/speedbumpcomic