Doggie Do's

10/06/2024

🌟🌟🌟Boarding Info🌟🌟🌟

The next few months are mostly booked solid & so meet & greets/trials are extremely limited! (I have 1 or 2 left to schedule but that's pretty much it for Summer holiday time as I like to give my guests my full attention)
Thanks so much to everyone for keeping me so busy! I'm so looking forward to the busy Summer ahead!😁🐾🌞

Meet & greets/Trials and drop off/collection are by appointment only as I need to know it's 100% safe for me to have dogs out without someone calling unannounced. Many of my boarders are fearful around strangers/other dogs & so bringing them out for play time in the garden or quiet walks in our fields needs to be time for just them & me. The happiness & wellbeing of the dogs in my care is my top priority so I won't ever risk stressing them or putting them in a position where they feel the need to defend themselves. Some of the dogs I work with have a bite history & so it's not possible for people to drop in without notice. I need to ensure the safety of the dogs, myself & everyone else. These dogs trust me & have become comfortable with me & so I'll always put their needs 1st (as it should be❤️🐾).

Thanks so much to all my fab clients for always texting to arrange drop off/collection times-it makes life so much easier!🤣👏🐾

Looking forward to lots of fun with all my Doggie Do's guests over the coming months-can't wait!😁🐾🌞

(Photo of our ever growing family because they're gorgeous!🥰)

28/05/2024

⚠️𝕆𝕦𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕠𝕗𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕖⚠️

I'm "out of office" from today Tues 28th May-Tues 4th June so will reply to any messages sent during that time when I'm back to work.✈️

My doggos are extremely lucky to have 1 of their favourite people & her doggy crew move in for the week so they can feel safe & happy while we're gone. 🥰🐾

Our doggie crew & her crew will be enjoying their staycation so gates will be locked up for the week to allow them to enjoy the quiet here ahead of another busy Summer season!😎

1st holiday in 6 years!!! Roll on Santorini sun, cocktails & my friend's wedding celebrations!😎🎉🍹

25/04/2024

📣📣📣𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙤𝙜 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚, 𝙏𝙪𝙖𝙢, 𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮 & 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙... 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚!📣📣📣

Teresa from Redline Canine has kindly agreed to come to Doggie Do's to do an intro to mantrailing. It's an amazing activity to do with your dog, helps strengthen your bond and gives them an outlet to put their nose to work! I'll definitely be booking a space!👌

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜?

🐾Training dogs to find people as a sport
🐾 All dogs are worked separately and are on lead at all times
🐾 Great for reactive dogs
🐾 Great for anxious and nervous dogs
🐾 Great for all breeds, all ages!

If you'd be interested in attending we'll set up a date & send on more info. Please DM if you think you'd like to attend. Places are very limited so be sure to contact me soon if you're interested. 😊🐾

I said in my earlier post that I trust very few people with my dogs... Teresa is one of the chosen ones! Having worked with her in MADRA I can 100% say she's extremely kind, ethical & her knowledge about dog behaviour is astounding!

⚠️Don't miss out!⚠️

25/04/2024

Love this by Good Guardianship!👏👏👏

There are very few people I trust to care for my dogs & when choosing your trainer please make sure that their ethics are in line with your own. We want our dogs to feel safe with us, to build trust & build a bond with them & it's so important that training ties in with that!

I recently took in a fab foster girl who had little to no training, was quite jumpy/overexcited & was very fearful of strangers/men. Through rewards based training alone she has blossomed-she has lots of cues & has calmed so much. She loves to show off her tricks & will often offer up a "sit" or a "down" without being asked & look at my treat pouch because she knows she'll get rewarded. She does the same thing with toileting - she could be at the other end of the garden & will return to me once she's toileted as she knows she'll get praised. (In order to keep her @ a healthy weight I factor her training food into her overall intake of food.)

I can't imagine she'd be so eager to return to me if I had treated her harshly, been forceful or used aversives! She has only had positive interactions with me & so if she's unsure of something or even if she just wants a little rub she doesn't hesitate to run straight over to me. Isn't that what we want?!🤷🏼‍♀️🥰

I know I much prefer that she runs towards me than away from me! (Something that proved very helpful when her lead snapped on a walk & she ran straight back to me🥹💜)

If you need recommendations for ethical trainers feel free to DM, there are 3 or 4 based in county Galway who are amazing!

Training should never make those involved uncomfortable, anxious, or scared. That includes both human and dog.

It can sadly be easy to assume that a trainer is giving the best advice because they are a professional and so must know what they are doing.

The thing is that there are trainers who have not kept up to date with how our knowledge and understanding of how dogs learn and their emotional capacity over the last few decades and so, although they think they are doing things correctly, they are causing fear and discomfort to dogs and showing caregivers out of date advice that might harm the relationship between human and dog.

Even worse there are those who don't care. They market themselves based on 'quick fixes' and appealing to ego, talking about dominance, needing to be the boss, the 'alpha' or the 'pack leader'. They claim that they are imitating natural behaviour and treating dogs like the 'tame wolves that they are'.

Dogs are not wolves - related, yes, but with thousands of years of evolution to live alongside humans that distance them from their modern cousins. Dogs do not operate a strict hierarchy, there is no set breeding pair (which is what in fact defines the alpha wolves in wolf packs) and, perhaps most importantly, dogs know that we are not dogs.

We are a part of a family unit together, but we are not the same, so dogs do not think of us in those terms. And, if we look at the definition of dominance as being the one in charge, the one who controls access to food and other resources, it quickly becomes clear that in human homes, we are most definitely the dominant individuals.

Our dogs' lives are short and our time with them precious, so if you find your trainer is making either of you uncomfortable, walk away. Find a trainer who works with behaviour in a gentle way, not using fear and suppression behaviours by force, but who shows the dog what we would like instead.

31/01/2024

⚠️⚠️⚠️URGENT⚠️⚠️⚠️

Resharing for a fellow groomer who is trying to help these 4 gorgeous Beagles find new homes before their time is up!💔

They are all beagles ranging from 4 yrs to 8yrs & they desperately need to be rehomed, otherwise all 4 will be put down next week!⚠️

If anyone is in a position to take 1 please let me know & I'll pass along the number for the groomer who's trying his best to help them. 🙏

Please share🤞🤞

05/01/2024

🚫𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙗𝙖𝙣 𝙚-𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙨🚫

🎉Happy New Year🎉-here's a way you can help 2024 be the year that we all take a stand against tools that are used to harm dogs.

There's info here for anyone who would like to email to support a ban on e-collars. I've seen some dogs with horrendous injuries caused by these collars. 1 little old Bichon girl arrived for her groom a few years ago with 2 deep holes burned through her neck from wearing one of these!💔

The collars not only fail to properly train the dogs (in spite of what some old fashioned, punishment based trainers try to convince people they do🙄🤯), they are also quite unreliable and can actually cause dogs to be more fearful and reactive as a result of the stress they endure whilst wearing one. This may even be linked to an increase in dog bites as dogs who may have previously communicated their discomfort or unease by growling/barking now cannot do so as they are shocked when they do and so they are forced to skip those steps on the ladder of communication/aggression which may encourage things to quickly escalate to a snap or bite⚠️

This is a great opportunity to make a stand against the use of remote control e-collars to prevent things getting any worse.

➡️Email : [email protected]

(Pics attached are e-collar injuries I found online)

31/12/2023

🎉🐾𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫!🐾🎉

Wishing you all a very happy new year! Thanks so much to all my amazing customers who have trusted me to care for their dogs in 2023! For some it was a HUGE step and I've absolutely loved watching some dogs overcome some fears, grow in confidence and truly feel safe & secure when they are here. To see dogs who previously were a little unsure now happily run in the gate each time they are here is fantastic and I really do have to pinch myself at times as I have the BEST job in the world! 🥹

I'm so looking forward to the year ahead & I have some very big plans to make Doggie Do's better than ever! 🤩

Fingers crossed for less rain in the new year too! 🤣🙈☔️

Happy NYE,
🐾Louise, Coco, Izzy, Akoya & Parky🐾

04/12/2023

🤫🐾𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠!🐾🤫

Cocopop has been my right hand woman on many secret missions over the last few weeks & today she once again accompanied me for a quick visit to her new fave place! (She LOVES going in the car🚘❤️)

All will be revealed in the next few weeks!🤫🐾❤️🌟

(Some of my regulars already know and are super excited!)

09/11/2023

Please share for Galway SPCA.
If you see Alice don't chase, shout or try to approach her, just call Emma on the number in the post. 🙏🐾

06/11/2023

✨️🎄Xmas Gift Sets🎄✨️

I have a limited amount of doggie pamper sets for Xmas this year. 🎁🎄🐾

They're €15 each & contain:
🐾100ml Baby Fresh cologne spray
🐾250ml Baby Fresh shampoo

This is by far the most popular scent as it's long lasting but also gentle on the skin & coat. 🐾🐶🎄

Feel free to private message or text/whatsapp 0858503530 if you'd like to get one.👌🎁🎄🐾

01/11/2023

Just a reminder that from now until after Xmas is hectic so please make sure you have your dog booked in to avoid disappointment. 👌🐾🧡

27/10/2023

So like my Izzy (also a Shih Tzu x from GSPCA)!🥰

For anyone looking to add a new little bestie to your home Dango & her sister Mochi are both looking for their forever homes! 🥰

People often tell me they'd love a little Izzy of their own... well now's your chance!🥰🐾🧡

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=736215425217895&id=100064883314425&sfnsn=mo

27/10/2023

𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙭𝙚𝙙?!🤣🥰🐾

She started her day off with lots of sniffing & exploring in the garden, a little bit of sheep watching & is making sure to get lots of rubs today before curling up beside Parky for a nap!🥰

Too cute!🥰🐾

25/10/2023

📚🐾✨️𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪!✨️🐾📚

Huge thanks to all the amazing stockists of my book for helping raise some much needed funds for MADRA - Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption & GalwaySPCA! 🥰🐾

Thanks also to all who have bought it-ye've all helped support 2 very worthy rescues!🥰

3 of our 4 dogs-Izzy, Akoya & the main man Parky were all GSPCA dogs & I'm a huge admirer of the work that they do & the work that MADRA do too. I've been involved with both rescues for a number of years now & things are extremely tough for both rescues at the moment! Rescues all over Ireland are struggling since lockdown & things only appear to be getting worse so I'm hoping the funds raised may help them out.💔

𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒚 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒂 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒆 is available at:

Galway SPCA Shop, Briarhill
GSPCA Shop, Athenry
GSPCA Shop, Ballinasloe
MADRA Charity Shops, Moycullen
Pet Haven, Tuam
The Fancy Nest, Claregalway
Petstop, Knocknacarra
Petworld Terryland Galway
A Country Practice Vet Clinic, Nenagh
Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, Galway
Tribes Press, Castlegar
Vanity Hair and Beauty Salon, Tuam

It's also available online⬇️:

https://www.madra.ie/online-store/Parky-Finds-a-New-Home-Hardback-p583253343

24/10/2023

🧡𝙀𝙣𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩🧡

There are so many different options when looking to add a little enrichment to your dog's life that some people can find it overwhelming. Pet shops have such a wide range of enrichment feeders & puzzles that you may not know where to start! 😵‍💫

Budget can also be an issue as with the ever-increasing cost of living it may be hard to find the extra money to splurge on a few new toys...but enrichment doesn't have to be expensive!👌

While I LOVE the shop bought interactive feeders (kong/lickimat/k9 connectables/puzzles etc...all of which are overflowing in my kitchen island 🤣) I often find that dogs get just as much enjoyment from simple things like scatter-feeding their meal or some high value treats in the grass & letting them use their nose to sniff them out. This is such a calming activity & it's completely free!🙂

Another fab option that all my doggie guests love are destruction boxes/destruction parcels. I usually use packing paper we get in our monthly Naturo order-it's ideal for enrichment & destruction boxes/parcels!
I scattered a few bits of hot dog & dried fish on the paper, rolled & scrunched it up into little parcels and the dogs get to sniff & tear it apart to find the hidden treats! This gives them a safe outlet for their need to shred things & they love it!
This evening Watson had some destruction parcels & he had the best time!

(Watson was so eager to tear in to the parcels he still had his lead on! It was removed afterwards👌)

23/10/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100064402940841/posts/726898009466957/?sfnsn=mo

Do you need financial help towards neutering your dog?
Dogs Trust has a small number of vouchers to help with the cost.

For more information, please contact Galway City Dog Pound (091) 757 094

23/10/2023

✨️𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤/𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨✨️

Hey everyone, just a quick post to say there are 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙚𝙬 boarding spaces left for the rest of 2023⚠️🙈

Peak times such as mid-term breaks/bank hols etc are often booked up months in advance so if you're thinking of booking your dog's stay please be sure to text/whatsapp/private message in plenty of time.

(If your dog hasn't been here before please provide as much info as possible such as your name, dates required & relevant info about your dog/dogs & I'll get back to you ASAP)👌

For anyone looking to book a little meet & greet visit/boarding trial I have very few spots left this year as things are so busy so please make sure to book these well in advance of a boarding stay. (For some dogs that I know through grooming etc there may not be a need for a visit but an overnight trial is almost always recommended-we can discuss what's best🙂)

Thanks everyone for keeping me so busy-it's so amazing to get to spend quality time with your fantastic dogs-even the rainy days are enjoyable with my amazing guests(though we much prefer the good weather!🤣)!

🐾Louise🐾

20/10/2023

If you're going to Pet Expo this weekend be sure to pop over to the GSPCA stand-they have lots of fantastic things for sale & all for a good cause!🐾✨️👌

https://www.facebook.com/100064883314425/posts/731903305649107/?sfnsn=mo

20/10/2023

✨️🐾𝘽𝙤𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙮?🐾✨️

Love this very informative post by Dogs Disclosed!

It's so important that dogs are given the correct outlet for their energy & needs. When thinking of adding a dog to your family it's so important to research the breed to ensure you can provide a suitable environment. 🐾

I remember when Coco was a pup & was shaking her teddy frantically from side to side my Dad told me that's what she'd do if she caught a rat/prey. (I knew NOTHING about dogs at the time, only that I loved them. I was working in childcare so hadn't read up on genetics, prey drive, breeds etc) and I was horrified! 🙈

"My Coco would never do that!" I said in complete shock!🙈🤣

It's crazy to think how clueless I was & I hadn't researched her breeds (yorkie x Jack Russell) or their individual needs-I just fell in love as soon as I saw her & took her home. (Exactly what you shouldn't do!)

Luckily it's worked out & she regularly catches & kills her teddies which keeps her happy when she's not busy giving visitors the side eye from the window!🤣

She has no interest at all in digging, which a lot of terriers love, but will occasionally dig the blankets to burrow herself in to get comfy!

Each dog is an individual & their environment & life experiences all help influence who they become but it's so important to consider what they were originally bred for to ensure you're meeting their needs. 🥰🐾

BORN THIS WAY?
Why is a dog the way they are? Why do they behave that way? Are they just born that way?

Genetics certainly play a part, but it’s so much more than that. Genetics, environment, life experiences and individuality all play a role in their behaviour and who they are.

Dogs are unique individuals, each with their own personalities, emotions, likes and dislikes, sociability, preferences or different health issues. These can also change over time.

Just as we learn through our life experiences, so do dogs. Negative or positive life experiences, trauma, stress, learned habits, training methods, trust, feeling safe and secure, predictability and stability are all part of how life experiences affect their behaviour.

Many dogs live in environments that are not compatible with their genetics or are not meeting their needs.

Genetics are not always predictive, but they can provide insight as to what to expect.

We selectively bred dogs to do important jobs like guarding, herding, hunting, pointing, scenting, tracking or companionship. When dogs that were bred for specific jobs, find themselves “unemployed” and have no outlet for what they were originally bred to do, this often leads to pent up frustration and behaviour problems.

Conflict between the environment and a dog’s genetics are an increasingly common reason for behaviour problems in our times.

Yes, a dog may have just been “born this way”, but always look at the whole picture to understand the why of behaviour.

Genetics, environment, individuality and experiences – they all matter.

19/10/2023

Izzy & I had a super morning with our friend Teresa from Redline Canine in Knocknacarra N.S. The kids were so interested in talking all things dogs & we highlighted the importance of responsible dog ownership & safe child-dog interactions. 👌

They all learned about canine body language & they were DELIGHTED to put their new safe handling tips to good use when meeting Izzy! She was equally delighted to get lots of treats for all her work!🥰🐾💖

(Izzy adores kids, having spent the 1st few months of her time with me in a crèche (my former job) & loves the attention so doesn't get stressed/uncomfortable with things like this)

Great to spread the word about rescue-there may have even been a few future dog rescuers/trainers/vets in the group! 🥰🐾💙

06/10/2023

The official book launch for Parky's book is tomorrow in Charlie Byrne's Bookshop so if anyone is around Galway City feel free to pop in. 😁🐾📚

The book will help raise some much needed funds for both GalwaySPCA & MADRA - Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption-2 very deserving rescues who do amazing work! 🥰🐾🧡

03/10/2023

Yay!!! Mantrailing is coming to Galway! Teresa at Redline Canine is amazing with dogs, and has a background in rescue & working with anxious/reactive dogs so I highly recommend her!

Can't wait to bring some of my gang to her for mantrailing! 🌟🌟🌟

https://www.facebook.com/100050846301544/posts/867887518249450/?sfnsn=mo

Mantrailing is coming to Oughterard, Galway! Recently qualified as an instructor with Mantrailing Global, I am very excited to be hosting workshops in the coming months.

What is it you ask?
Mantrailing is "Training Dogs to Find People"
It's a fast growing sport that not only builds a bond between you and your dog, but builds confidence too. This is great for any breed, any age! Dogs are kept on long lines so no need to worry about dogs that are still working on their recall!
Nervous/anxious and reactive dogs are very welcome!

Stay tuned for more info on why you and your dog need to try this.

01/10/2023

🎃🐾𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞!🐾🎃

Just a reminder that calls/texts are only answered during usual business hours so any messages will be replied to tomorrow👌

🐾Enjoy the rest of the weekend!🐾

24/09/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=707694318053993&id=100064402940841&sfnsn=mo

Do you need financial help towards neutering your dog?
Dogs Trust has a small number of vouchers to help with the cost.

For more information, please contact Galway City Dog Pound
(091) 757 094

16/09/2023

🤔𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝘽𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨?!🤔

These are the latest in a long line of breeds who have been singled out as "dangerous" and "posing a risk" to society!🙄

They tried it with the German Shepherds, then the Rotties, they blamed Dobermans & now the focus is firmly on Bully breeds(they don't always single out one Bully breed in particular as the ones calling for bans often haven't a clue & couldn't differentiate between them)!🤯

Of course there are some stories of Bullies biting, but the same can be said for all breeds! The issue with these dogs is their size & strength & the fact that they should have sensible handlers. (Though again that goes for all dogs regardless of their size!)

What we never see in the reports are the true backstories of what happened to cause the bite, other behavioural/medical issues, previous incidents leading up to the bite, the actions of the person before the bite & the environment the dogs were in. These dogs are unfortunately often used by some as a way to look "tough" & are trained using harsh methods which in turn can cause them to be uncomfortable in some situations. A lot of reports also say the dogs "are believed to be Bull breeds" without specifically naming which breed and articles are often followed by a stock photo of the first "intimidating" looking Bully the "news" outlet could find on Google!🙈

We were recently at an event with Parky & he absolutely LOVED meeting people, especially all his old friends from the sanctuary who cared for him before we took him home. He's a real social butterfly!🥰🐾 One little girl in particular was really smitten with him & Parky adored the attention! She had a Staffie too & told me how some people are scared of him too even though he's never given them a reason to be!💔

We also had friends over last week(kids too), some of whom he'd never met-and he was so happy to meet them! He wobbled straight over looking for rubs & to have a little sniff! 🥰

He's the first of my canine crew that I introduce to new boarders as he's just so easygoing & isn't at all fazed by new people/new dogs! Dogs who are normally unsure of dogs/reactive towards dogs are almost always absolutely fine with Parky because he's so calm. 💙

Those stories aren't half as scandalous as the ones we see plastered all over the media though so these things don't get reported on! 🙄

If you ask most reputable pet care professionals what breeds they see who display worrying behaviours I doubt any Bullies would be in their top 5. From speaking with other groomers/boarders the ones with the most worrying behaviours are often the typical "cute fluffies" who have come from unsuitable breeding establishments & have been completely undersocialised in their critical stages of development.

But again, that doesn't make for a good news story!🙈🙄

11/09/2023

https://fb.watch/m_U65DH2wC/