Polite Paws Ireland

11/06/2025

Our parks, nature reserves and coastlines are vital havens for biodiversity, but did you know that your dog could be putting these at risk?
A 2022 study from Belgium, a 2022 study from Dublin and a 2013 study from Italy all show devastating effects on the environment from our dogs.

But there’s good news: we can fix this. If you’re a dog owner:

✔ Always pick up poo—no excuses.
✔ Use any bin ( ).
✔ Keep dogs on leads in sensitive areas.

Everyone can help! Ask your council for:

• More bins on beaches and walking routes.
• Better enforcement of fines.
• Public awareness campaigns.

Protecting nature starts with small actions. By cleaning up after our pets, we safeguard ecosystems, water quality, and public health—so everyone can enjoy the outdoors safely.

De Frenne, P., Zellweger, F., Rodríguez-Sánchez, F., Hylander, K., Janssens, I. A., & Hedwall, P.-O. (2022). Nutrient fertilization by dogs in peri‐urban ecosystems. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 3(1), e12100.

Martin, N. A., Stephens, J., & Meijer, W. (2021). The Impact of Dog Fouling on Bathing Water Quality in Dublin Bay. UCD Acclimatize Project Interim Report. University College Dublin.

Cinquepalmi, V., Monno, R., Fumarola, L., Ventrella, G., Calia, C., Greco, M. F., de Vito, D., & Soleo, L. (2013). Environmental contamination by dog’s faeces: A public health problem? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(1), 72–84.

05/06/2025

💩 Poo bags! 💩

Spare poo bags next to the bins. How lovely is that?! I have a sneaking suspicion have left these here, as they had some giveaway days recently handing out poo bags to locals.

There's no excuses and even less so now; clean up after your dog!

03/06/2025

✨️Let us introduce ourselves...✨️

It's been a while since we checked in here and shared who we are!

I'm Niamh, a 30 something plant-obsessed, sighthound-loving, tea addict (with oat milk because I'm a millennial.)

I live with a 12 year old greyhound called Ivy, and an 8 year old whippety lurcher called Kaylee. They are the best girls and feature in a lot of my content and videos.

I qualified as a Canine Behaviour & Training Technician (CBTT) with AniEd Ireland back in 2017, and have been working with people and their pups ever since. This includes a brief time period working in rescue.

Prior to dog behaviour, I actually qualified with a BSc. in Environmental Science & Health from DCU in 2013. I loved college, but not so much the pharmaceutical jobs I worked afterwards... I always dreamed of working with animals in some capacity.

Teaching people and their dogs is a gorgeous job, and it's one I feel incredibly lucky that I get to do.

🐾 If you want to learn more about dogs, follow along for advice, tips and guidance here, or check out our services, the link is in our bio 💕🐾

16/05/2025

Look who is TWO today! This funny, giddy, full of life pup. Have the best day, Lottie!

13/05/2025

😍😍😍

09/05/2025

Some of the buddies we got to hang with this week.

To check out our behaviour services, go to www.politepaws.ie/behaviour-training and see what might work for you! We also have a behaviour drop-in / walk service, which you can read all about here: www.politepaws.ie/dogwalking

08/05/2025

Great idea from Rush Tidy Towns 🐾🐕

One of the most common pieces of feedback we get is that there seems to be a lot of dog p**p on the footpaths in different parts of Rush. This is down to a small minority of.dog owners. So we decided to take a few steps to increase awareness and help by getting p**p bags into owners hands. Thanks to Fingal County Council for supporting us.
Rush Community Council
38th Rush Scout Group
Rush Tourism
Rush Needs You!
Rush Men's Shed
An Taisce National Spring Clean
Clean Coasts
Rush Senior Citizens - Nifty Over 50

28/04/2025

Play!
Do you know what play looks like? I mean really looks like?

Here's a snapshot of two dogs at play. Can you see how Buddy the cockapoo, who is quite tall, has laid down on the ground so that Archie is the right height for bitey-face? He's making himself more of an appropriate match for Archie; this self-hindrance is one way dogs adjust for their playmate.

Dogs will then swap roles; later on Archie was the one rolling on the ground whilst Buddy mouthed from above, still gentle and still loose and relaxed. Role-reversal, whatever form that takes, should be a part of play!

Their bodies will look floppy and loose, relaxed and limber. There shouldn't be lots of tension or intense biting and grabbing. It should look silly and open mouthed and wiggly and soft! It should look PLAYFUL!

Archie has his mouth open, soft cheeks, whilst Buddy has his head lowered and turned to the side. Neither dog was making much contact with the other, rather they were just sparring the air around each other's mouths 😂 true play won't have tonnes of full-on contact, dogs don't really like being bowled over, for the most part!

Play will also be a two-way street. It's not play if one dog isn't feeling it.

Young dogs need supervision to ensure that it stays happy and consensual.

28/04/2025

Like podcasts? 🎤 Love dogs? 🐩 (of course ya do!)
You'll love the Tuesday Talks with Ruby Reese Podcast!

We've been on it twice now; once last July talking all things Cats and Dogs, and then more recently with our Racing Greyhounds as pets episode!

Plenty of my amazing colleagues have also chatted to Killian all about dog-topics they love and know lots about, so be sure to check it out :)
https://open.spotify.com/show/1P7mHfPU3oUQksQyeIxyDl

24/04/2025

I hate it when my pals move house 😭 Gorgeous Connie has been with us for years, and is moving house and out of our area.
It's the worst part of this job, saying goodbye to gorgeous dogs and their people.
We will miss you, Connie. Enjoy your fab new home and all the garden zoomies!

19/02/2025

Kaylee in her new crate 😍 this little one needs a better den for firework season, and so this crate will hopefully fit down the side of the bed upstairs and be a safe space for her.

BUT, we first need to make it a safe space!

So far, the plan has been as follows:

- upon delivery of the crate, Kaylee got to sniff and explore the unopened package first.
- it sat unopened where she could access it for more sniffs for a few hours before I set it up.
- once set up, I moved it into an appropriate space and ensured lots of comfy blankets were inside.
- I've permanently left it open for now, and occasionally toss treats inside.
- we've then done one short training session on going in, and out, of the crate.
- the crate is left set up like this, and treats secretly thrown in every now and then.

I came downstairs after my shower to see this!

So far, so good 👍