Muddy Paws & Waggy Tails

23/03/2024

National Puppy Day, - please post of your gorgeous Pup's - yongborvold, there still ou Pups
I'll start you off

20/01/2024

Rachel Elisabeth Prout
Valentine’s Dog Grooming Salon
Polly Valentine

20/01/2024

Want to know a secret about your dog walker / trainer?

Sometimes we lie awake at night thinking about or worrying about a dog in our care.

Sometimes I might suggest your dog see's a vet. Sometimes I might recommend extra training or management to stop a dog practicing a behaviour. You might feel like I'm mentioning every little thing your dog does or doesn't do.

Firstly I don't care if your dogs behaviour is causing me a problem, it's nothing I haven't seen before. I care that your dog is having a hard time and suffering the emotional consequences of that.

I'm never criticising you or your care. I'm simply opening lines of communication so that we can work as a team to help your dog.

If I won't walk your dog in a group its not because I want to charge you extra, its because I believe your dog will benefit from the extra care.

When you invest in me, I invest in your dog. Not just physically but emotionally. They become part of my extended family. I treat them with the same love and care I give my own dogs.

You don't have to follow my advise, though I promise your dog will thank you if you do. I'm always happy to have open honest discussions. But you do need to know it comes from a good place, a person who cares and wants to help.

This isn't just me. I have many wonderful friends who are dog professionals that also have sleepless nights.

So remember, you might be paying us for a service but this isn't just a job to us. It's something much bigger.

(Written by a fellow Dog walker/professional)

20/01/2024

So true

20/01/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/9v2y91FkS8JsbCDf/

Want to know a secret about your dog walker / trainer?

Sometimes we lie awake at night thinking about or worrying about a dog in our care.

Sometimes I might suggest your dog see's a vet. Sometimes I might recommend extra training or management to stop a dog practicing a behaviour. You might feel like I'm mentioning every little thing your dog does or doesn't do.

Firstly I don't care if your dogs behaviour is causing me a problem, it's nothing I haven't seen before. I care that your dog is having a hard time and suffering the emotional consequences of that.

I'm never criticising you or your care. I'm simply opening lines of communication so that we can work as a team to help your dog.

If I won't walk your dog in a group its not because I want to charge you extra, its because I believe your dog will benefit from the extra care.

When you invest in me, I invest in your dog. Not just physically but emotionally. They become part of my extended family. I treat them with the same love and care I give my own dogs.

You don't have to follow my advise, though I promise your dog will thank you if you do. I'm always happy to have open honest discussions. But you do need to know it comes from a good place, a person who cares and wants to help.

This isn't just me. I have many wonderful friends who are dog professionals that also have sleepless nights.

So remember, you might be paying us for a service but this isn't just a job to us. It's something much bigger.

01/01/2024

Happy New Year

01/01/2024

📸 Look at this post on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/100079226721450/posts/357567470227474/?sfnsn=scwspmo

11/11/2023

From A fellow dog walker & Local Home Border.

The post I sent absolutely correct.

11/11/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=828961332567449&id=100063607692290&sfnsn=scwspmo

10/11/2023

04/10/2023

If its like the Bude open evenings - Definitely worth a visit

We have an exciting event coming up at our Holsworthy branch and we hope you can join us! Penbode Pets Holsworthy is hosting an Open Evening on the 12th of October 2023.

This is a great opportunity for you to get a behind-the-scenes look at our clinic. You'll get to see where our dedicated team work tirelessly, using the latest diagnostic and surgical equipment, to give your pets the best care possible.

You can choose to join us either from 7pm to 8pm or from 8pm to 9pm.
Interested? Give us a call at the Holsworthy branch on 01409 253822 or chat with one of our team members to book your spot.

Hurry though, as spaces are limited!

We look forward to seeing you there, for an interesting and insightful evening!

30/09/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10228176724596650&id=1632578907&sfnsn=scwspmo

17/08/2023

https://www.facebook.com/735126246/posts/10159815635096247/?sfnsn=scwspmo

05/07/2023

Please come and support our family dog show on the 16th July, helping to raise funds for Born to be Wild. run by our amazing receptionist Sue 🐶 ⭐️ ❤️

05/07/2023

16/06/2023

Dogs, the heat, and common sense.

At this time of year, we see social media post after post about how atrocious people are walking their dogs in hot weather, leaving their dogs in vehicles, how stepping outside the house in the summer will cause dogs to instantly burst into flames etc.

Look, I really get spreading safety information. I don’t love the constant blaming and shaming.

Take it from somebody who has been accused of animal cruelty TWICE for leaving dogs in ‘hot’ vehicles. Once in December and once in March. One of these times it was cold and rainy and the other time it was so chilly my dogs were in coats inside my van. When I explained this, one of the people shouted “BUT THEY’LL RUN OUT OF OXYGEN”

So I get it, we are told dogs in cars = instant death, and I would be eternally grateful if for some reason we had a winter heatwave when my girls were in the van and somebody put a brick through my window to save them. But that’s where common sense comes in.

Because, equally, my sister has had to drag a dead dog out of a car before and attempt CPR on it because it had been left in a car during a heatwave. An overweight, brachycephalic breed at that. Dogs seriously do die in hot cars, it’s not just a motto people like to spurt.

But my dogs are currently in my van on a very hot day, in their crates with doors and windows open, on cooling mats, wearing their cool coats, with fresh water, fans and regular dunks in a water trough. They’re cooler in here than they’d probably be inside a house.

Similarly, I understand dragging dogs out on walks on super hot days is dangerous, but it carries more or less risk dependent on how it’s done: an overweight, old, dark-furred, fluffy, brachycephalic dog walked in full sun for hours is very different to a fit, lean, healthy dog being exercised somewhere shady and with water they can dunk themselves in. And just like people, dogs have varying tolerance to the heat dependent on the individual. Some really struggle, some are sun worshippers.

Last year somebody tried their best to (air-quotes) ‘cancel’ me for doing an agility run during the heatwave. An agility run I actually did in 24 degrees, in the evening, in the shade, surrounded by paddling pools, misters etc. Because the news said it was a heatwave, they had assumed that it was that hot everywhere at all times of the day, and that I put my dog in danger. And this is the part of it that I dislike- the blanket rules:

NO dog should be in a vehicle when it’s hot- but some vehicles are really cool on the inside

NO dog should be exercised when it’s hot- but some dogs cope well and can be exercised safely

ANYBODY seen breaking these rules should be publicly vindicated- even if you don’t know how long the dog has been outside, how well kitted out the vehicle is for dog safety, how sensible and appropriate the owner is being etc.

Be vigilant, know the signs of heatstroke, be sensible, don’t risk your dog’s safety. If a dog is really struggling in a vehicle, smash it to pieces if it saves that dog’s life, if a dog is showing signs of heatstroke on a walk, by all means tell the owner. But also have common sense, if the owner is present and a dog looks like it’s okay, chances are that it is.

13/06/2023

01/05/2023

So, last remaining spaces going for the below course.

Bring your dog, - you'll learn far more than on a stuffed toy.

Canine 1st Aid Course- for both the public and professionals

01/05/2023

Just 2 clarify peeps It's my Business Birthday 2day

5 years of being an Offical Dog Walker and offering animal care services and being registered with the tax office🤣

Just want 2 Thank all my clients, especially those from the start.

🐾🐾🎉🥳🥂🎂🎊🐾🐾
🐕🐈🐕‍🦺🦮🐈‍⬛🐔🐓🐦🐠🐟🐇🐰🐹🐀🐁🐭🦄

14/04/2023

Suitable for the General Public

29/03/2023

”My brother made these two quilts, and he is ashamed of being a seamstress, so I thought it would be interesting to post here in the group so that he feels more motivated to continue, because he has a lot of talent and I don't want him to stop.”
Credit: Shanny Pants

22/03/2023

When can I………… stop using treats?

This question comes up often in training

The short answer is never, but if you fancy a little read of my thoughts, here goes…..

Why are treats ( rewards) used in training?

We are actually using food as a reward for dogs for doing what we’ve asked them to do. ( a bit like when we go to work, we are paid for the tasks we are asked to complete ) food rewards are the easiest, fastest reinforcer.

A reinforcer is something that makes our dog more likely to repeat a behaviour, dogs repeat rewarding behaviours.

Some dogs may need a higher value reward especially in certain environments, and some may be more selective than others, which may require a little more effort to find the perfect reward for them, but food really is the easiest reward going, and our dogs are usually motivated by this.

A food reward, along with a marker word ‘yes’ shows them that’s right, well done

When a dog is rewarded repeatedly for a behaviour, the behaviour becomes more and more ingrained.
It becomes a habit or a reflex.

Now, once a great habit or reflex has been established we can start to fade some ‘treats’ out, however, don’t be too quick to do this.

There are certain behaviours that I would never stop rewarding. A great recall away from distraction will be heavily rewarded with praise, play, treats or all three.

Photo of the wonderful treat pot, courtesy of Elaine, who attended our puppy class last weekend. Good girl! 😉🤣

What treats or rewards do your woofers enjoy…..?

09/03/2023

Pawsitive Canine, Speak Dog with Ruth Haynes and Canis Concept have decided to collaborate together for the ultimate dog training giveaway! 🎉🤩

You could win the following:
Easy Peasy Doggy Squeezey Book
Lick it Mat
Dog Training Clicker
Natural Ostrich Bone
Collapsible Water Bowl
Forthglade Chicken Soft Bites
Feelwells Training Treats
Dog Training Treat Pouch
Tug-E-Nuff Pocket Fauxtastic Training Toy
Stan's Paws Training Treats
Bundle of Pet Remedy Wipes
Leucillin Pet Safe Antiseptic Spray
JR Pure Rabbit Sticks
Stan's Paws Chicken Chompers Treat Box
Octopus Mini Dog Toy worth
Two Tubes of Plaque Off
KONG Ballistic Treat Toy
JR Duck Pate
Sniffe & Likkit Paw Wax
Finger Style Dog Toothbrushes
Poo Bags and Holder
One month's free access to The Dog Geeks online dog training platform
£25 Speak Dog Training Voucher
£25 Canis Concept Training Voucher
£25 Pawsitive Canine Training Voucher

That's £250 worth of prizes for one lucky winner!

Here's the important part, you need to follow ALL the steps to be in with a chance of winning. We are all about supporting other dog trainers in the industry so you will need to share a bit of love to all 3 pages!

🐾 Share the competition post once from any page
🐾 Make sure you follow Speak Dog with Ruth Haynes & Canis Concept Ltd - Dog Training & Behaviour
🐾 On each business page there will be the competition post pinned on their page with a simple task to do. They are all different... Complete all 3 to enter!

Your task for this post is:
🐶 Tag a dog loving friend

--------------------
Competition winner will be announced Friday 31st March at 9pm. Winner must be able to collect prize from Chudleigh, Exeter, Crediton, Exmouth or surrounding areas.

24/02/2023

This was written by a fellow dog walker & what is written is soo true.

There was a post in a local fb group asking what do you look for in a top quality dog walking service. I thought I would share what I wrote. Pls feel free to add your own comments:

1) Can control all the dogs, control of dogs is more important than numbers. Just because a dog walker walks 1, 2 or 3 dogs, on or offlead does not necessarily mean they are a good walker and can control them.

2) knows how to recognise signs of Injury or illness and has procedures for all emergency situations.

3) Communicates any concerns with owners.

4) Understands and abides by The Countryside code of conduct

5) Strict on assessment criteria for accepting dogs

6) Only accepts dogs matched to their experience and/or qualifications, confidence & capabilities

5) cares and loves the dogs in their care

6) Does risk assessment before each walk and contually during the walk and acts on them as promptly as is reasonable to do so. Whether that be driving to a different walking location, cutting the walk short, changing route, putting a dog on a lead etc etc

7) Is reliable, hones, and trustworthy

8) Has knowledge of pet first ai and dog body language and has the knowledge and experience on preventing fights and dogs going missing. I would be questioning any dog walker or pet carer if there is more than 1 dog fight under her or his supervision and frequent incidences of dogs going missing under their care

9) Keeps uptodate with industry news

10) sends updates in the form of photos or videos of the dog in their care t the owner. With priority given to the walk in han, so knows when it's safe to take pics and videos and when sole attention is needed on the dogs in front of them.

11) Length of walk is not necessarily a reflection on price as qualitycaree means meeting the needs of the dogs in your care. An hrs walk may well not be in the best interests of a dogs welfare. Length of walk depends on weather, type of dog and ag, and any medical conditions.

12) Transports the dogs safely and legally and has infection control procedures to minimise the spread of disease or infection and insists all dogs in transport have regular flea and parasite prevention treatments

10/02/2023

Have 1 of these for sale open to sensible offers
Pm me as opposed to commenting on the post if u are interested.

29/10/2022

Guess it's about time we made this announcement 😊

Today will be the last day at the Split Bean takeaway until December and we will then only be open at weekends until the new year.

We are so excited to announce that we will be opening up our first sit in cafe on the wharf in Bude, just 2 mins walk from the takeaway so not far for you to go!

Please do follow us on our social media as we will be releasing the opening date very soon.

Thank you to everyone for your support over the last 18 months, its been a great adventure so far. We look forward to welcoming you all into our new cafe 😊

22/09/2022

If people say “It’s just a pet”, they really don’t understand.