Wonder Walkies

01/07/2022

It has been such an honour and pleasure to have been with the Wonder Paws Puppy School & Family Dog Training team from the very beginning of this adventure.
I would like to thank Cathy Matthews for her faith in me to drive and develop the ´Reactive Rover, Aggression in Dogs’ programme - I certainly found my niche!
Thank you Cathy for facilitating access to fabulous mentors and for the continuous top notch education.
Because of you Cathy, and all the dogs and their owners we have helped, I am looking forward with confidence to my next chapter as as a dog trainer, after 10 years working in a such progressive organisation.
Finally, thank you to the whole team for the fun and supportive environment you have created. xx

On 16 July 2022, after 10 years of serving puppies & their families we closed our doors. Thank you to all the thousands of families that entrusted us with their puppies, adult dogs and rescues in the time. We have loved working with each and every one of you.

A massive THANK YOU to Magali, Olivia, Orlagh, Joe, Sheena, Kathryn, Sharon and Damian and our family of trainers over the years who are passionate about their education and sharing that knowledge to help improve the lives of the dogs you love and brought into your families.

To our mentors and teachers Chirag, Suzanne Clothier, Theresa McKeown, Anne Rogers AniEd to name just a few… THANK YOU for sharing your incredible depth of knowledge with us.

Thank you to Jill, Andrea, Ann, Joey, Selina and all the team at Festina Lente for hosting us for 8 of the 10 years, it was such a nurturing and peaceful environment to train in.

To all the rescues and rehoming centres who we worked with and recommended us thank you…. Wicklow Animal Welfare/Traveller Animal Welfare, Dogs Trust Ireland, Dogs in Distress, Ash Animal Rescue etc etc. Our goal was to support new adopters, reduce return numbers and help young dogs from being surrendered by overwhelmed families 💙💙💙

And finally…..THANK YOU to all the wonderful like-minded veterinary professionals who recommended us to their clients over the years, namely Ark Vetcare, Brayvet, Petcare Vets, Blacklion Pet Hospital - The Greystones Pet Vet, Blackrock Veterinary Clinic, Primrose Hill Veterinary Clinic, Kilcoole Vets etc etc

Our training services are fully booked till 16 July.

Wonder Paws Dog Adventure Park and The Grooming Shed at Wonder Paws will remain open for business as usual

Cathy 💙

05/12/2021

Really enjoying this 2 days Aggression in Dogs - Defensive Handling and Training workshop! Thanks to Michael Shikashio and Trish McMillan.
Thanks to The Loose Leash Academy for organising!

The livestream version is sold out, BUT YOU CAN STILL BUY THE RECORDINGS

This is the LAST Aggression in Dogs: Defensive Handling and Training workshop with Michael Shikashio and Trish McMillan on the books.

If you have not yet attended this workshop, you don't want to miss it!

Follow the link to claim your spot now!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/113541363274

04/08/2021

https://www.facebook.com/1235120786522842/posts/4462468430454712/?vh=e

01/08/2021

In dog Training a new era is coming, a shift is happening. It is time to review our dog’s behaviour expectations and ask
“What is my dog experiencing right now?”

https://rockymountaindogtraining.com/blogs/rmdt-dog-blog/the-new-era-of-dog-training?fbclid=IwAR1q2h49UGjwye6Jy16zrlp8dfnfJxTXq5c4tOX4UOznEH-cOfF6s1XvttY

The state of dog training, with all the advancements in the field still has an element missing that is creating welfare implications and unattainable expectations for our dogs and ourselves. How did we get here? Let's explore.

21/05/2021

The excitement is real... I just registered for the Kim Brophey L.E.G.S® Applied Ethology Course and can't wait to start.

If you're not familiar with Kim Brophey and her book "Meet your Dog", her TEDx talk is a good place to start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46ND3suK1y8&t=10s

Applied Ethologist and Dog Behavior Specialist, Kim Brophey, analyzes the issues with the pet industry and outlines a new dog training program that values a ...

04/02/2021

I'm so thrilled to have completed the Master Course - Aggression in Dogs. https://aggressivedog.thinkific.com/certificates/qwnjltijkx

Aggression in Dogs Master Course

15/12/2020

I just finished taking this course, Understanding Dog Aggression! https://aggressivedog.thinkific.com/courses/understanding-dog-aggression

19/11/2020

So many times I hear “we didn’t know!”
This is the reality behind too many of those cute puppy pics you find on the web, when you are shopping for you next 4legs best friend in Ireland. Watch the documentary, unfortunately still today’s reality, look for professional advices(dog trainers, Vets, rescue centres...) and make a conscience choice.
And please sign the petition.

14/10/2020

03/10/2020

Awareness help us to make an ethic choice and creates the opportunity to make changes. Choose to be aware! 🐶

Cockapoos, cavapoos, maltipoos, puggles, etc etc etc! There are new ones being invented and sold every day for stupid money to buyers who don't care where their puppy comes from. This is where they came from before being sold.

The red box you see can be filled with enough food and water to last 7 days. That means the puppy breeder can stock those, walk away and they won't have to return for a week. A lot of owners turn the lights off in that shed so they don't lose money on electricity.

But buyers wont see this. They will see an advert for a cute puppy on DoneDeal or wherever and will convince themselves that somehow this is different. Its not. Irelands' welfare laws allow these breeders to exist and for these puppies to be bought and sold.

There is nothing ethical or kind here. Its all just money and the dogs are the product . That is NOT OK.

22/09/2020

Puppy vaccination and socialisation.

17/08/2020

If you are thinking of getting a puppy, this is a must to read guideline to get the healthiest puppy and from the most ethical breeder.

When looking for an ethical breeder, its important to do your due-diligence. On this page you can cross-check a registered breeder against each Council's register of Dog Breeding Establishments and see how many breeding bi***es each one is registered for, enabling you to make informed choices

14/07/2019

https://www.facebook.com/199909160050339/posts/3082148748493018/

PLEASE SHARE Fun for all the Family (even the dog) at the Kilmacanogue Horse Show.

28/12/2018

FOUND 😘

Here’s the story, written up in Bray People. Thanks all again!

Message from Cobweb and Philip: we would like to announce we are back together again after Cobweb’s Jolly Big Adventure. Cobweb is looking forward to hitting the couch & Philip to a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.
An enormous thank you to everyone who got it touch with sightings and advice. We’re overwhelmed at the huge level of support!
And a very Happy Doggy New Year to you all !

27/12/2018

Please share!! Cobweb is one of my recent graduate. Sweet boy.

https://www.facebook.com/431545746941751/posts/1983778748385102/

Please share!! Cobweb is one of our recent graduates. Lost on the 26th. Dec.

Hi my blue greyhound bolted in fear & went missing near the Greystones end of the cliff walk to Bray this morning. Have you seen him? (Pink collar, not wearing the coat in photo, chipped & my phone number on his collar). Thanks! Philip

22/11/2018

Councils in the Irish Republic Dog Breeding Establishment Breed and Numbers Type Licence Conditions Petshop Carlow 1) Michael Moloney, Rathrush Ballon, Co Carlow 99 breeding bi***es 2) Thomas James…

23/10/2018

08/10/2018

Please read and share for the love and welfare of our 4 legged friends.

We're posting this piece in support of our friends in Fingal Dog Owners Group campaigning for changes to 2017 bye-laws that restrict off-leash dogs in shared public parks. Hitherto, Fingal bye-laws obliged owners to keep dogs under effectual control as per the Control of Dogs Act. The following statement was endorsed by vets & dog behaviourists in 2012, prior to liberalisation of leash only beach bye-laws in DLR County enacted in January 2013.

The following statement is endorsed by:
Pete Wedderburn, Vet and broadcaster/writer, BrayVet
Mike Woods, Vet, Primrose Hill Veterinary Hospital
Jim Stephens, Companion Animal Behaviour Counsellor and broadcaster
Kevin Glynn, Paul McCarthy and Jim Walsh, Vets, Ark VetCare
Malcolm Argyle, Vet, Argyle & Bainbridge, Dundrum and Stillorgan
Eamonn Moore, Vet, Blackrock Veterinary Clinic
Peter Lynch, Vet, Cherrywood Veterinary Clinic
Tom Mullany, Vet, Nutgrove Veterinary Hospital

• Dogs need to be exercised off leash for their health and well-being, both physical and mental. They need to run and socialise freely with other dogs.

• Some dogs may develop nervous and/or aggressive behaviour when kept on a leash all the time. Frustration at not being able to interact freely can also result in aggression either towards other dogs or other species.

• Allowing dogs off leash in enclosed spaces (dog pens) does not suit all types of dog. The mixture of large versus small dogs, some timid and others boisterous, can lead to nervous and aggressive behaviour developing. Such dog pens can play a role (e.g. for dogs not yet fully trained), but only in addition to – not substituting for – free off-leash exercise.

• The building of dog pens in four public parks to date seems to have been done with little consultation with dog owners, who should have a say in their location within the parks, as well as their size and terrain (small flat grassy areas are not suitable for dogs, who need varied grounds for exercise, water in which to swim and different scents for stimulation). Given the size of some public parks such as Marlay or Shanganagh, we see no reason why a much larger area of varied terrain could not be dedicated to dog walkers as an additional facility.

• The use of dog pens as the only areas in which dogs can be let off leash is potentially dangerous from a health point of view since with such concentrated usage all year round, disease and parasites (e.g. ticks and worms) can build up in the soil and the area act as a breeding ground for diseases, such as kennel cough.

• We encourage all owners to clean up after their dogs. Those who do not are making life difficult for all responsible dog owners.

• EU policy on animal welfare is centred on providing animals under our care with 5 ‘freedoms’, the 4th of which is – Freedom to express normal behaviour, with adequate space and facilities, and suitable company.

• For all the above reasons, it is our opinion as vets of many years' experience that the current bye-laws for both Parks and Beaches in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County need to be amended so that dogs can be off leash at certain times of the day throughout the year, and under the effective control of their owners. This would be fair and reasonable, and in line with other neighbouring Councils, such as Fingal County and Dublin City.

06/09/2018

PLEASE SHARE
We are urgently looking for loving families to foster our puppies and fill them with love and confidence, so that they can grow up to become life changing assistance dogs.
None of our work is possible without YOU.....
email [email protected] for more info

12/10/2017

We are minding this sweet boy for a few days to give his family and himself a break. A teenage dog can be challenging and overwhelming for owners.

19/06/2017

https://vimeo.com/222081987

Learn how to read dog body language to keep your friends and family from becoming a dog bite statistic.

14/06/2017

Meet and learn with Suzanne Clothier at her first Irish seminar at Wonder Paws on July 15th. The day is jam packed with presentations and practical training sessions PLUS an evening workshop on Suzanne's Enriched Puppy Protocol. 10am-9pm with lunch and tea included €175. Limited places still available. Book online now at http://www.wonderpaws.ie/suzanneclothierdublin

Researchers have recently located mutations in dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) exon 3 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) that correspond to higher levels of activity, inattention and impulsiveness in Siberian Huskies. These mutations alter the way dopamine and its precursor L-DOPA are synthesized. Dopamine f...

03/06/2017

Join us this Monday!

27/05/2017

Dances With Dogs

25/02/2017

We won't say it enough, socialisation during the first 16 weeks of your puppy is crucial to get a well balanced and confident adulthood.

Why is it so important to socialize puppies properly? A look at some classic research on the sensitive period.

23/02/2017

Proper Irish weather today....

22/02/2017

Sand effects! 😂

http://youtu.be/Q7MwavS2GN0

via YouTube Capture

17/02/2017

We lost the ball so we used the good old stick as back up... Guess what?.... It doesn't work the same.... Milly catched it first!! 😂

17/02/2017

We met a Jack Russell that everyone was fond off and wanted to play with.

16/02/2017

Fingal County Council has issued a warning for people to be vigilant for ‘Palm Oil Fatbergs’ which may be washed up along the coast as they can be particularly dangerous to dogs.

https://www.facebook.com/jac.nash.37/posts/782139381961432

Fingal County Council has issued a warning for people to be vigilant for ‘Palm Oil Fatbergs’ which may be washed up along the coast as they can be particularly dangerous to dogs.
Read more at http://bit.ly/2kK9ChD