The Nose Knows

03/12/2024

01/12/2024

I've had an *amazing* week, and it's obscene just how rich I am.

I'm extraordinarily rich in memories, happiness, joy, and connection. So much so that my cup isn't full, it's overflowing!

Words simply cannot express how grateful I am to all my clients, people I meet, the connections I've made, all the dogs in my life that are either in my care, or that I meet in passing.

Thank you all for contributing to my wealth of happiness, and memories. I never imagined I could be so filled with warmth, joy, happiness, and memories.

Truly, I am grateful, I am blessed.

Here's some of what I got up to today, in photos!

30/11/2024

Photos cannot describe what an *AMAZING* day I've had!

Early start in West Oxford Dog Fields with some gorgeous dogs.

Delicious homemade, Bangladeshi chai, and Street food from The Meet Point Coffee.

Met numerous people there for coffee, their dogs, and had a wonderful time.

Popped in to see the arts and crafts fare that is going on, and was absolutely blown away!

Such extraordinary handmade, creative pieces all by local, and very talented artists, and creative people. I certainly bought a number of items for myself, and gifts for others.

Finally, a good long walk in the local fields in the company of more wonderful dogs.

I couldn't be happier, and am truly blessed.

Looking forward to returning to the arts and crafts fare tomorrow for more cool items, and of course, the best coffee, and chai at the meet point coffee.

Do drop by and say hello tomorrow afternoon. I'd love to meet you!

28/11/2024

Some people wonder what powers me aside from my unwavering love, and devotion for dogs...

25/11/2024

Just a bit windy!

Stay safe guys, and if you need anything at all please get in touch.

We're happy to pop over for a cuppa, or get any supplies if needed.

24/11/2024

When the weather is like this, it can be really difficult not to get down, depressed, and generally feel rubbish.

BUT! This is the time when it's REALLY important to celebrate the small things in life, find happiness, and joy, wherever you can. Most of all, DO silly things to make yourself feel better!

Strike a superhero pose! Cuddle dogs, make terrible jokes, enjoy a warming cup of tea [chai!] or coffee. Do something small for yourself that makes you feel better.

Think about what you are grateful for?

I'm grateful for all my clients, dogs, the wonderful village, and community that we belong to, and so much more!

What can we do when the weather is terrible, and neither us nor our dogs want to go outside?

Put on some cool lo-fi beats. Then...

Scent work! Hide small tasty treats around the house and encourage your dog to find them.

Put treats in a towel, roll it up slowly like a sausage, and encourage your dogs to find them.

Hide treats in bedding, sheets, how about in packing paper and scrunch it up? Egg boxes, and toilet rolls, too!

Bring some leaves inside for your dogs to sniff!

If you'd like more enrichment, and scent work ideas, I am all too happy to help.

Despite the weather, strike a superhero pose, tell yourself that you are amazing, play with your dog, and enjoy a warming hot drink.

All the love in the world, from Maja, and I.

19/11/2024

Mabel was very excited to see her first snow shower this morning!

Maja, and I hope everyone manages to stay safe, today.

If anyone needs assistance in any way, please get in touch.

14/11/2024

Public safety announcement:

Not dog related but important nevertheless.

In low light conditions, times of poor visibility, and in the dark especially, it's REALLY important to see, and be seen!

A high visibility vest or jacket doesn't cost much money at all, but greatly improves visibility.

Help yourself, and others, by making yourself as visible as possible.

12/11/2024

Make use of the autumn leaves while they're here!

Scent work for dogs is:

Mentally stimulating.

Physically tiring without the need for physical exercise. 140-200 breaths per minute!

Promotes confidence building, and calmness.

Leaves them feeling deeply satisfied and sated.

Plus many many more benefits.

09/11/2024

Some say The Nose Knows is a woman.

All I know is... He's extraordinary with dogs!

07/11/2024

It is, unfortunately, fireworks season, and for a lot of pets, and their owners, this can be an incredibly stressful time!

Here are some tips on how to best help you cope. This is primarily aimed at dogs, but may be of use to other pets within the home, too.

Create a safe space or a den for them.

Is there an area that you can create a den (remember building a fort as a kid?!) for them? Something covered, easy access, insulated from outside noise if possible, and in the quietest part of the home. Put their bedding, blankets, toys, and familiar items in there for them.

Stay with your dog in the home, and comfort them as much as possible! Stay with them after dark, sit with, and comfort them as much as possible. Just being together will give them an immeasurable amount of comfort.

Do walk them in the day, earlier than normal, as well as feeding them earlier, too.

Practice things that they are good at, and that they enjoy. This could be some tricks that they know, cues to behaviour. Keep the criteria easy to achieve and the rate of rewards high so everyone feels like a superhero!

Scent work! Scent work is a naturally calming, rewarding behaviour, and dogs love sniffing! Hide their biscuits or tasty morsels around the house for them to find, follow, and congratulate them on every piece they find.

You can also hide treats in sheets, towels, egg boxes, toilet rolls, cardboard boxes. If they shred the latter, that's fine, and this can help calm them.

If you have a smart TV, computer monitor, and speakers? Put on some music! Classical, gentle reggae, story time for dogs, experiment and see what your dogs like.

I am a big fan of Monterey bay aquarium, and they pair lo-fi beats to their aquatic organisms. Its a favourite of mine, and it helps calm my beloved, Maja, somewhat. Dogs can see hues of blue, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M5kukiPjMQ

DO check, and ensure that your property is secure, and escape proof. Check garden, fences, boundaries. Ensure there aren’t any ways to escape, and block them up if possible. Make sure entrances/exits are locked, and secure.

Take your dog out to do their business early!

Stay as calm as possible, and try not to react to the fireworks yourself. Dogs are incredibly perceptive and can sense if you're behaving unusually.

Give your dog a deeply satisfying chew, beforehand! Chewing is a natural, relaxing behaviour with a whole host of benefits.

Make sure that your dogs are microchipped and that their microchip details are up to date. For residents within, and local to Eynsham, I am happy to provide “The Nose Knows” identification tags, and to be an emergency point of contact!
Practice this routine so dogs see it as something normal, as opposed to unusual behaviour, and something to be alert about.

Speak to your vet about medication, and how this may help your dog.

Give your dog even more love than normal, and try to comfort them as much as possible.

In the event of an emergency, please call me. We will take your pet to an our of hours veterinary practice!

I am available via video call or in person to explain things in more detail, give ideas, suggestions, demonstrate, and practice with you.

We will get through this.

All the love in the world.

Maja, and I.

03/11/2024

The happiness you feel when you have great dogs, and amazing Scentastic Adventures™ all weekend!

We've been having an incredible time exploring, off lead time in the private fields, and generally enjoying life together.

I cannot describe the happiness I feel having dogs in my company. A video speaks louder than words?

19/10/2024

When you leave your dogs in my care, my objective is to always encourage natural behaviours as much as possible. To see, smell, sense, taste, explore, feel, varied, and rich environments. To boldly take your dog to places they have never been before!

These are the Scentastic Adventures and tales (tails?!) of The Nose Knows.

Points to anyone who got the Star Trek reference!

Whatever your needs, I can help.

I teach with compassion, understanding, and care. To work at your dogs pace, and always use rewards be it food, love, play.

Dogs are extraordinary, and I always celebrate them for being so.

12/10/2024

Good morning!

Come join us at Meetpointcoffee Summertown for chai. Bring your dogs for 100% kangaroo treats, and all the love in the world!

Great coffee, chai, Street food. Stay for the good vibes.

I hope to see you soon.

09/10/2024

Like Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey, I will tell you tales of your dog's Scentastic Adventures.™

I strive to be as creative as possible in all that I do with your dog, and where I take them. Ensuring that they are happy, content, and safe at all times in my care. Everything is tailored to your dog's needs, and I do so with all the care, love, adoration, and devotion that I can muster.

It is my fervent wish to develop a deep bond with your dog, and that we have a long-lasting relationship together. One built on communication, trust, joy, and deep love of one another. That whatever we do, we do it together, and that I will always be by their side. Their advocate, guardian, confidant.

I devote myself utterly to dogs, to understand, and communicate with them in their rich, vibrant language.

Nothing brings me greater pleasure than the company spent with dogs. To all my clients of the past, and present, I am grateful.

Will you be our future?

06/10/2024

We're helping out at the grand opening of Meetpointcoffee Summertown this weekend.

Come in for the best coffee in town, amazing home made Indian street food, and CHAI of course!

Dogs are more than welcome, complimentary 100% kangaroo treats from yours truly.

Hope to see you soon ❤️

26/09/2024

It's really important to not only reward the dogs in my care with the very best treats, but the owners too.

This time, it's cardamom, pistachio, and orange cake.

Thank you for entrusting your dogs to my care. I enjoy every minute ❤️