Harpers Hounds

09/07/2025

If anyone deserves some help, it's Matt's Pack 😊

I have known Matt for nine years, and he legitimately cares about helping dogs, and saving dogs.

Most people would just put these dogs to sleep and be done with it. Not Matt and Jess though, and it takes a very special type of person to do that.

We all know how expensive food and vets bills are, so please donate if you are able to do so.

Even $5 goes a long way, and it is very appreciated.

Matt’s Pack needs your help

06/07/2025

06/07/2025

Happy 5th Birthday to this little rock star of a dude.

I remember when you were the size of a peanut.

Little dog, big personality and a fantastic HH crew member.

Love you long time Mr Horse.

01/07/2025

Photo Catch Ups 💜

Back to it after being dreadfully sick for a week. Working outside in the rain and the freezing cold sadly makes me more susceptible to winter bugs.

We also have new boy Rocco the cavoodle joining us on a Monday. He has done so well over the last month. He is a delight to have onboard, and even has his own page, so please give him a follow!

12/06/2025

A Stella update!

Stella was diagnosed in 2022 with elbow dysplasia and arthritis, and she had a big operation to remove a floating piece of bone from her right elbow.

Fast track to 2024, where I am noticing, as a dog walker, a dog trainer, and a dog owner, that little Miss Bee is not acting like her usual self.

Stella has always been my 2IC with other dogs. She was taught by the best, and she helped me launch and progress HH to what it is today. It is hard to do this job without a stable, balanced example of what a dog should be.

In a nutshell, she was bomb proof, and not reactive at all.

When she started reacting, not at every dog, mainly at dogs that got too close, or dogs that gave her a fright from behind a fence, I put it down to pain from her arthritis. She went on the best medication, Beransa, and the best supplements that money can buy.

She was still was reacting though. I had a lot of help and advice from other dog professionals about how to manage her, but there is nothing like trusting your own instincts about your own dog.

June 2025, I scheduled her in for more xrays. As was expected, her elbow arthritis has progressed, but what was unexpected was the spinal arthritis. Worse than I could have imagined.

Since she has been on daily pain medication = different dog. Original Bee has come out to play, and I am overjoyed to see her and to finally get answers for the reactivity.

Never underestimate pain as a factor for behavioural changes. Even though I knew she had arthritis, and she was on meds, it wasn't enough for what she has.

Her supplements need an upgrade too - exciting news to come!

06/06/2025

Rest in Peace Reef ♥️

Here's to an incredibly special boy who was loved by all.

To the dog who was bomb proof, a mentor, a goof and the happiest dog that ever was.

He really made a difference to so many dogs lives.

I work with dogs every single day, and there has only ever been one Reef.

It was a privilege and an honour to be a part of his life.

While I am glad he is at peace, it is still devastating. He wasn't just a client, he was a part of our family.

James, Thor, Stella, Storm and I will greatly miss his antics, his tippy taps, his nose bumps, and his presence in our lives. We loved every moment.

RIP Diplodocus ♥️

29/05/2025

No, I will not state what daycare 🤷

Yes I should. Yes I want to.
However, I'd more than likely get taken to court over it for slandering the business name.
It doesn't matter that it happened and it doesn't matter that it's true.
You legitimately cannot post online naming and shaming, even when all you want to do is warn people.

In New Zealand, it is about who has more money to pay the lawyers.
My business of helping dogs who have been bitten at daycares is too important.
Daycares are a dime a dozen. People like me? In massive short supply.

Report it to the SPCA? 🤣 I'd be better off reporting it to a brick wall.

As an owner it is your responsibility to do your research.
If something doesn't feel right, then trust your own instincts.

If you are that worried, ask your daycare what their protocol is with an event like this.

How do they handle fights? In what circumstances do they pay the vet bills? Do they have cameras in the daycare? What is their handler to dog ratio? If a dog has bitten another dog, do they expel that dog?

Maybe get it in writing though, and learn from others experiences.

25/05/2025

Warning ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Do not swipe right if you don't want to see a dog bite injury.

Why I don't recommend doggy daycares.

One of my clients dogs was at a daycare facility and was also boarding for a long weekend.

On Sunday we went to pick her up and this was the condition she was in.

1. We noticed the injury after putting the dog in the car. Nothing was mentioned about the injury upon pick up.
2. After going back inside to ask what had happened, the daycares response was, "That didn't happen here. "
3. After stating "Of course it did, the dog has been in your care for three days," the response changed to "We don't know what happened."
4. They then tried to claim she was dropped off with a hole in her leg, much to our astonishment.
5. The attendant then went out the back to ask the others and came back with "Nobody saw anything."

There was no concern, no duty of care shown, and no offer to assist with the vet bills. It was clear they were taking zero responsibility for what happened.

If a dog is under a professionals care, then they are responsible for anything that happens to the dog. This bite was quite deep and required medical attention.

Needless to say, the dog never went back to that facility, they never rang to follow it up or apologise, despite the dog attending there for years.

In my profession I hear about all of the dog park incidents and all of the daycare stories. It is incredibly saddening to hear about it.

Incidents happen, and I've had my fair share. But its how you handle it that makes the difference.

22/05/2025

I always appreciate being screamed at out of a car window.

"PICK UP YOUR DOGS S**T"

1. It was a wee. Ever seen a dog c**k a leg to poo?
2. I am religious with picking up poo. I carry two rolls of poo bags with me at all times.
3. I pick up poo that isn't even from my dogs. People think its me anyway.
4. If for some godly reason I have forgotten poo bags, I will drive back and pick it up.
5. The next time someone screams at me, I will hopefully have a full poo bag on me to fling in their window.

20/05/2025

Happy Birthday, Thor and Storm 🥰

It is hard to believe they are now 11 years old. Only seems like yesterday I was picking them up from the rescue, completely unaware of what I had gotten myself into.

I wouldn't change it for the world. They are the reason I do what I do, and everything I do is for them.

Hard not to, with those faces 😍

19/05/2025

Highlight of the Day 💫

Being able to take a clients dog to a behavioural consult to demonstrate a dog neutral dog.

Charlie Bean can be dog reactive, depending on the other dog. However, I work incredibly hard with her on it, and you wouldn't know unless I told you. She is the only dog I walk five days a week, and so our relationship and our bond is something I treasure.

As previously posted about, she is incredibly special to me. I would steal her in a heartbeat.

Being a consult dog is a very new thing for her. I have to teach her what is expected and she has to trust me on another level. Today was her first official one and she nailed it, and I am incredibly proud of her.

Queen Bee is not always available. Sometimes she's sick, sometimes she's at home and I'm running late. She is my OG consult gal. She has helped hundreds of dogs (I checked the figures). It's good for her to have a break sometimes.

Good girls, Bee and Bean ♥️

17/05/2025

Happy birthday Arlo 🎉

This handsome lad is five years old today!

It has been such a joy to watch his progress on the slatmill.

Every week his endurance improves, and he is nearly at his healthy weight goal.

Plus, such a happy boy.