Harpers Hounds

04/09/2025

Catch Ups with the Golden Crew 💛💛💛

Alarmingly, I have been rushed at by three off lead dogs over the last two days.

Andrea was getting the dogs out of her ute, and I was in the process of getting Keira and Charlie out to join the other three.

A man had his two dogs off lead and they approached us. I didn't see because I was busy leashing up. A man drove into the driveway and said, Watch Out Miss! And then he proceeded to ream the dog owner for his behaviour. I still had to ward off the dog, as the owner thought it was funny.

I completely understand people see this many dogs and assume they are all friendly, but leashed vs unleashed changes the dynamic completely, especially when the dog in question had its heckles up and looked extremely uncomfortable with the situation.

If the dog was on lead, there would have been zero issues. Let's all do better and respect each others space and other peoples dogs. I also appreciate the man who stopped, because he was a bloody legend as it's rare that somebody stops to help 💪

29/08/2025

SQUISH 😘😘😘

27/08/2025

Today I received this message from a member of the public. They were greatly concerned about the dog in my boot.

As you all know, I take dog safety very, very seriously, and I wanted to explain how I transport and care for my dogs.

My car is split up into three gated sections. The dog in question was in the boot as she has a bite history. She doesn’t travel well in the car and for safety purposes she is separated from the others.

I only walk six dogs at a time. My car is set up for six dogs – one in the passenger seat, three in the back seat, and two in the boot.

I also carry in my boot my training kit. It is a set of plastic drawers that contain items essential for me to do my job. In it is my first aid kit (for me and the dogs), my wet weather items, items like business cards, my microchip reader, spare poo bags, and my muzzles which take up a lot of space.

If there is only one dog going in my boot, the drawers stay in. Dogs can lie down in, and turn around in the space. If I have two dogs in the boot, I take the drawers out and leave it at my clients house. I have attached a photo of the set up for clarification.

The dogs will pant after a walk. That is completely normal and unavoidable. I start at 7am most days, to ensure my last walk is finished before the hot weather comes out. When transporting the dogs, I have the air con on high, especially on a warm day, and most certainly after a walk. I do not roll the windows down for safety reasons. I prefer the dogs to stay in the car when I am driving.

The dogs are in my car for a maximum of thirty minutes. Being in a confined space, such as my car, is a given. I have to transport them somehow – and I liken it to a crate.

This post is not intended to shame the person who messaged. Any comments saying anything rude will be deleted. It is about transparency and to educate everyone – clients, members of the public, that I take dog safety incredibly seriously.

A fellow dogwalker suggested tints to help keep the sun out. I used to have tints – the dog dribble on the windows destroyed them, but I could look into other options.

I think I do things pretty well, but if anybody has any suggestions I am always listening, as receiving these types of messages is an opportunity to learn and improve.

24/08/2025

Photo Catch Ups 💜

With Willow, Mac, Charlie, Ollie, Mozart, Charlie, Rocco, Horse, Keira and Beau.

19/08/2025

Congratulations to the lucky winner, Miss Fern! 💜

Thank you so much to everybody who entered! I wish everyone could win, but sadly there can only be one.

Ferny will receive a lovely new jacket, a massage, an Animates voucher and her supplements 😊

Ferny is a big girl so finding jackets that fit her is impossible, so I am excited to be able to get her a custom fit one.

We will post a picture of her in it 😍

18/08/2025

Thor says, the Giveaway Winner will be drawn tomorrow night! 🎉

If anyone has any last entries, now is your chance 😊

Thor is also modelling his new Lightning Bolt fleece coat from ⚡

07/08/2025

06/08/2025

Happy Birthday to ME 🎉🎉🎉

To celebrate an amazing five years in business, Harpers Hounds is running a little giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive:

1. A custom made Ruffles Pet Wear Coat for your dog

2. A voucher for a Canine Remedial Massage with Lauri

3. A 50ml bottle of 4Cyte

4. A 250g tub of Sashas Blend Joint Health

5. A $50 Animates voucher

TO ENTER 🎫

Simply like and share this post and also comment a picture of your dog and why they deserve this prize 😊

Note. They all deserve it, but there can only be one winner!

06/08/2025

03/08/2025

Last week, I was informed of a dog running across River Road and almost getting hit by multiple cars. Turned out, it was a dog in a pack walkers care. I was a minute away from witnessing it myself, which is a shame because I have a dash cam.

Yesterday, I learned another dog got mauled to death while out with another pack walker.

It all gets swept under the rug. Nobody knows, and nobody cares. Dogs are dying, getting lost, getting abused, and nothing changes.
You aren't even allowed to name and shame without getting taken to court, or abused online, so don't ask me who it was. It's all wrong.

As somebody who actually loves dogs, and doesn't do it for the money, it's actually disgusting how some of these other "professionals" run their businesses, with owners being none the wiser.

That is why I stand by how I walk my dogs. Yes, they are on lead only. Off lead will always pose a greater risk. Is on lead only boring? Yes, if that is all the dog is getting all of the time. But that is what I offer. It is up to the owners to spend time with their dogs off lead. But on lead through the streets is better than nothing at all, and on lead through the streets is a vital skill all dogs should possess.

Some walks I have six dogs. Some are five, four, three, two and one.
Depends on the dogs and where they are at in their training. I don't rush the process. Rushing leads to mistakes and risks the dogs safety. Everything I do ensures your dog comes home alive and unharmed.

I muzzle dogs. If there is a history, or if I just don't like their vibe, they get muzzled. Proper muzzles too, not the weak plastic ones. It cost me an absolute fortune to have a variety of sizes, but it means I can cater to all dogs.

My car is set up to separate the dogs. The video I promised is on the way. I am very particular about who goes where.

I will also be doing a video to show people exactly how I operate. It is easy to hide behind social media and only post what looks good.
I want to show it all. What happens when a roaming dog approaches. What happens when the dogs won't settle. What my techniques are. How I get them out of the car. How I correct a dog and why. What the rules are for my walks.

I am so careful and pro safety, because even when you do all of the right things, it can all go wrong. For me, it's roaming dogs and the danger they pose to my guys. But if I ever had a dog die in my care, that's Harpers Hounds over. I would hang up my leads and accept there's no coming back from that.

Reputation over.

21/07/2025

A long awaited post! 💖 Welcome to HH, Stormy the Husky 💟

I have been walking Storm for months, but haven't been able to post about her up until now.

She is a wonderful addition to the crew - loves her walks, and is super dog/people/traffic neutral.

Although the Storm and Storm dynamic is a tad confusing, it is also a little bit cute to see them trotting next to each other.

She has made solid friends with Stella, Storm and Toby, loves to sing in my car, and is pretty much just a husky version of my Storm 😂