Happy Paws Wales Dog Walking & Pet Services

14/02/2024

Happy Valentines ❤️💙🐕

27/12/2023

15/12/2023

Dear Happy Paws Dog Walking & Clients
Thank you so much for organising your Christmas Jumper day and your kind gift of £112.20 to support Hope Rescue Dogs.
Hope Rescue provides a place of safety for dogs in need, regardless of age, breed, or medical condition, taking all the stray dogs from 6 local authorities in South Wales. These animals would otherwise be destroyed after spending 7 days in the pound.
We also take in dogs from the public, prioritising owners and dogs in crisis. Now more than ever we are seeing dogs in these situations and with your help we can support their owners who may be giving up their beloved pets due to their own ill health or changes to their circumstance’s beyond their control. We have seen a significant increase of surrendered dogs over the last few months and as lockdown eases, this is set to rise. The reasons for giving up a pet are varied and we recognise it is often a difficult but responsible decision for the families involved, in handing their pets over.
We can’t change the way a dogs life starts, but together we can rewrite their future.
Thank you for giving Hope to dogs in need.
If you would like to find out more about our work, please visit www.hoperescue.org.uk
where you can sign up to our regular newsletter or you can call 01443 226659 or email [email protected]
With best wishes,
The Hope Rescue Team
01443 226659
[email protected]
www.hoperescue.org.uk
Hope Rescue
Cynllan Lodge
Old Llanharry Road
Llanharan
CF72 9NH
Registered Charity Number: 1129629
Dog rescue and rehoming charity in south Wales | Hope Rescue
HOPERESCUE.ORG.UK
Dog rescue and rehoming charity in south Wales | Hope Rescue
Hope Rescue is a registered charity that saves stray and abandoned dogs in South Wales. We operate from a rescue centre in Llanharan and have a charity shop in Pontypridd.
Happy Paws Wales Dog Walking & Pet Services
Author
Admin

Hope Rescue is a registered charity that saves stray and abandoned dogs in South Wales. We operate from a rescue centre in Llanharan and have a charity shop in Pontypridd.

12/12/2023

A fab first adventure with Bruno, Meg & Harley looking fantastic in their Christmas attire🤶🎅🎄
Dexter an Bob couldn't find anything to fit so were relived when their m**s gave a donation instead😮‍💨🤣

12/12/2023

I'm sure some of you know it's Christmas Jumper day on Thursday 7th December and this year my sidekick Betti & I will be joining in and donating to Hope Rescue.

Would be lovely if any of you would like to join in by wearing your Jumper, sending your furbaby in with their Jumper on (I will carry a bag to carry them in if they need to be removed) and/or leaving some change for a group donation to Hope Rescue ❤️🐕💙

P.s. I will run this through all next week for anyone wanting to join in and not with me on Thursday

12/12/2023

Many thanks to everyone who took part or donated to our Happy Paws Christmas Jumper day 🙏

A pity the weather didn't cooperate 🤦‍♀️, but the dogs loved it ❤️, except Milo who lost his jumper in the forestry before I even managed a 📸🤦‍♀️🤣💙🐕

So far I've collected £83 👏 for Hope Rescue, which I will round up to £100.

Baxter, Luna, Bella, & Betsy all looking festive🤶🎄 on their adventure with gorgeous Milo minus his jumper 🤣

11/11/2022

They also served 🐕🐎🕊️, if you wish to show your support you can do so on murphysarmy.org through the purple poppy campaign.

01/04/2022

Ever wondered if the nutritional content of your chosen dog food is as good as the packet says🤔

Here's a handy website which will tell you all you need to know about the ingredients of your dogs food, how much it costs per day and the all important nutritional content 🤩

https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk

The UK's number 1 dog food advice site. Independent dog food reviews, feeding guide, ingredients glossary, retailer locator and much much more!

03/07/2021

Secrets of a Professional Dog Walker

1. It's a lifestyle, not just a job. You're not in it for the money and if you are you've made a big mistake because a) you're never going to be rich, end of story; and b) you won't survive your first winter if that's your only motivation. We see these people come and go from time to time.

2. We talk to each other more than you might think. About the best walking boots, what clothing we are wearing for today's weather, our financial struggles, the traffic, dodgy men in the woods, fallen trees, etc. It's a lonely job but we have each other's backs from a distance.

3. We don't physically have eyes in the backs of our heads but we know so well the sound of every jingle of every dogs ID tag, and every dog's individual footfall on the ground so we may as well have.

4. We can't physically see round corners either, but we know so well each leading dog's body language in reaction to an oncoming person and/or dog that we may as well be able to.

5. We hear "Are they all yours?!" and "Wow you've got your hands full" at least twice a day, but we always smile and say "They keep me on my toes"

6. It actually breaks our heart when a dog moves out of our area, and we thoroughly investigate our replacement for our own peace of mind, even if the client hasn't asked us to.

7. If you p*el back a few layers of clothing (depending on the season) you will find bruises, scratches and scrapes covering the whole of our bodies. Don't bother asking where they came from, we have no idea.

8. If you see a dog walker looking vaguely presentable on a weekday, you should send help, something is not right.

9. We love our clients' dogs like they were our own and will sometimes lie awake at night worrying about their injuries, illnesses, and behaviour problems. We can't help it after spending so much time with them.

10. Despite the financial uncertainty, the harsh winters, the blood, sweat and tears, it really is the best job in the world and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your furry friend with me .🐶🥰

14/06/2021

Finally the summer has arrived 😁🌞, but for our furry friends this can be an uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous time. Please rest assured that I do everything I can to make sure that your dogs are protected and still have a pawfect time. This includes, moving my walks to early morning and late afternoon when the temperatures are not so high, choosing shaded walking locations that provide water, carrying water on me and in the van and circulating the air conditioning whilst the dogs are in the van.
If you have any concerns please feel free to message me.

12/06/2021

Kennel Cough

It is that time of year where Kennel Cough is more prevalent. Just like when we get a virus, like the flu, Kennel Cough can be spread by coughing, sneezing and saliva. Even though the virus is called Kennel Cough its a general misconception that this can only be contracted in Kennels, when in fact it can be contracted anywhere other dogs carrying the virus have been, and it is highly contagious.

There is a Kennel Cough vaccine available and my advice is to always ask for this to be included when you get your dogs vaccines done. However, it does not completely stop your dog getting Kennel Cough, but will help reduce the symptoms, very much like the flu jab does for us.

If your dog shows signs of Kennel Cough , please let me know. I would be unable to walk them for up to 14 days after symptoms have started to help reduce the spread. Kennel Cough is more common in dogs who are under 12months of age as they are building an immune system.

I

06/04/2021

Some sound advice to all you young pup/dog mums and dads.

🐾 INTRODUCING MY PUPPY TO MY DOG 🐾

Lots of you have asked what my dog Ava thinks of the new addition Nina - I felt it deserved a post all of its own!

It’s really important for puppies to learn body language from stable, neutral adults.
You need to know the adult to whom you choose to socialise your puppy very well.
Ava is so interested in me and her yellow frisbee (🙄🤣) that she’s generally uninterested in Nina which is helpful.
She ever so occasionally fancies a little play though which is fine - pups need to learn play skills too 🤪

Ava is unlikely to correct another dog except in extreme circumstances; I have supported her a couple of times when Nina is being pushy.
However, Nina has spent time with stable, neutral adults who ARE NOT afraid to bo***ck her when she is rude; again, learning to listen to being told No is another helpful skill.

This brings me smoothly to my next point - even dogs themselves aren’t “force-free”!
Pairs of dogs, groups of dogs and even a bitch with a litter regularly correct each other when someone steps out of line. The latter example is particularly important because this is when tiny puppies learn early bite inhibition and socialisation. The next step is to introduce the 8 weeks+ puppy to stable, neutral adults which is what I have done with Nina 😊
Of course, there are differences in correction behaviour depending on the tolerance level of the individual and their own socialisation, but it’s important to remember dogs say no to each other too.

Saying no is a healthy part of any relationship - we should help our dogs to feel comfortable being on the giving and receiving end of a justified No 😊

01/04/2021

🐾 YOU CAN’T AVOID BALANCED TRAINING 🐾

There’s a lot of debate about what sort of training is best for your dog. First of all, every dog is an individual and there is NOT a ‘one size fits all’ method.

It’s important to remember that dogs learn by association. They are associative thinkers, not rational thinkers.
This means that, roughly speaking, if an action has a pleasant consequence, they will do it again.
(Study the 4 quadrants of operant conditioning on myHOUND for more info!)

Punishment in the dog training world is vastly misunderstood.
Positive Punishment means adding something to reduce the likelihood of a behaviour happening again.
Punishment does not mean hurting or abusing your dog.

No one can avoid Punishment. Everyone uses Punishment without even realising.
🐾 have you ever verbally corrected your dog? “Ah ah!!” when they pull or lunge towards something?
- that’s a low-key Positive Punishment.
🐾 have you ever removed your dog’s crate bedding because they will not stop shredding it?!
- that’s Negative Punishment.

Showing your dog what NOT to do can be just as valuable as showing them what to do.
Of course, it’s best to use Positive Reinforcement the most where possible, but how is your dog supposed to learn how to make good decisions if they have no concept of a bad decision?

Think about it - you wouldn’t stop your dog from running into the road and being hit because a lead correction might cause them 2 seconds of mild discomfort.

Featuring DORA
Mixed breed (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x)
Powered by raw; empowered by training
proHOUND of the day 💙

12/03/2021

🐾 5 THINGS TO DO AT ONCE 🐾

Are you struggling with recall? Is your dog unable to switch off? Try these lifestyle hacks to change your dog’s behaviour.

crate training ✅
• crate training provides a safe space & teaches an off-switch
• it also prevents unwanted behaviours like chewing and toileting indoors
use a lead more ✅
• no recall? No off-lead. End of!
• wearing a lead around the house also prevents unwanted behaviour such as counter surfing/sneaking off to p*e inside AND builds engagement.
hand feeding ✅
• showing your dog that you are the provider of all resources is the fastest way to build engagement.
stop playing with random dogs ✅
• much less chance of being attacked or injured
• improves recall
• prevents unwanted traits such as boisterousness and overexcitement
play more ✅
• learning to play with your dog is one of the most valuable skills any dog trainer has
• play only needs to take 5 mins and you don’t need expensive toys!

Featuring LOUIS
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Powered by raw; empowered by training
proHOUND of the day 💙

What would you like us to post about next? What would you like to see more of? We provide YOUR education so you should have a say in what you see. 🐾

05/03/2021

For those of you who want to boost your dogs diet here's a great article on the benefits of adding eggs, and waste not want not the dogs can eat the shells too 🥚😋😂🐶

Can dogs eat raw eggs? Yes, they can, but why should they?

Eggs are one of nature's perfect protein sources and are full of amino and fatty acids that are extremely good for your dog's skin and coat. They also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, and Selenium, making raw eggs a superfood for dogs.

- Is It Safe To Feed Your Dog Raw Eggs?

Let's take a look at a couple of the common safety concerns when it comes to feeding dogs raw egg:

Myth #1: We are told not to eat raw eggs due to the risk of salmonella, but, dogs are capable of processing more bacteria than us. Dogs are scavenging carnivores, and it's their carnivorous digestive system that allows them to safely eat raw foods, like meat, bones, and eggs. The highly acidic environment of their stomachs allows harmful bacteria, like salmonella, to safely pass through their digestive system without causing any ill effects.

Myth #2: Another misconception when it comes to feeding your dog eggs, raw or cooked, is that egg whites contain a biotin (vitamin B7) inhibitor called Avidin. While this is true, the yolks of the eggs contain very high levels of biotin that balance out the Avidin affects in the whites. As long as they are fed together, the risk of biotin deficiency is almost non-existent. You would have to feed your dog an absurd amount of eggs to provide enough Avidin to have harmful effects on your dog's Biotin intake.

- Scrambled vs Raw

Both cooked eggs and raw eggs offer essential vitamins and nutrition, but raw eggs are superior. Cooking eggs, like cooked meat, reduces or even totally removes some of the vitamins and minerals that are so healthy for your dog. Keep in mind that dogs have eaten raw eggs and meat for thousands of years, by raiding a farmer's chicken coop or stealing them from nests. Offering your dog raw eggs is not just healthy but encouraged.

Whether you feed raw dog food, kibble, canned food, or even make your own, adding raw eggs to the mix will enhance the overall nutritional value.

- How to Feed Raw Eggs

This one is super simple; just crack a fresh egg right on top of your pet's food. For smaller dogs, a whole egg may be a lot, so make sure you are feeding eggs in appropriate portions to accommodate their nutritional needs. This may mean limiting eggs to 1-3 per week for smaller dogs to ensure that you are not over feeding. Don't limit yourself to just chicken eggs either. Duck and quail eggs are also very nutritious and might be better suited to different dogs. If food allergies are an issue, then a non-chicken egg may be a safer choice. Quail eggs are nice and small, though still packed with nutrition. These are ideal for smaller dogs and cats that don't need a whole chicken or duck egg at each meal.

- What About The Shell?

After you crack the egg, don't throw the shell away. Allow your dog to eat that too! Eggshells add a nutritional boost that is pretty amazing. Eggshells have calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as other nutritious minerals that are good for bone health, muscle strength, healthy teeth and gums. The best source of calcium is still feeding raw edible bones, like chicken necks or backs, but eggshells are a great substitute or alternative when feeding raw bones is not an option.

For larger dog breeds, you can give the whole egg and allow them to open it themselves. Most dogs consider this a special treat. Make sure you are outside or in an easy to clean area (it gets messy), so they can take their time cracking the egg and enjoying it, shell and all! Not all dogs like to eat the shell. So if your dog isn't a fan of eating the eggs whole, you can crush the shells up before adding it to the meal.

Quail eggs are a great alternative for small dogs and cats, as the shells are much softer, and the eggs themselves are better portioned for a smaller pet.

Save egg shells from your meals too. They can be ground and stored for later use. Pour the crushed eggshells into an airtight jar or container and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.

- Eggs-ceptional Eggs Come from Healthy Chickens

It's important to note that not all eggs and chickens are created equal. Fresh, raw eggs have been a biologically appropriate dog food for many years, providing nutrition for long, healthy lives.

It is recommended to feed your pet eggs that are from free-range farm hens fed an organic diet. If you can get them from a trusted source, that is ideal. Just like us, chickens are as healthy as what they eat, and healthier chickens lay healthier, more nutritious eggs.

www.primepetnutrition.com
Feeding What Nature Intended. 🐾

28/02/2021

Some great advice from ProHOUND and 5 DONT'S of puppy management 🐶👎❤️

🐾 5 THINGS YOUR PUPPY DOESN’T NEED 🐾

What’s the best way to train your puppy? How can you have a well-trained adult dog? There’s a lot of information out there to choose from - sadly, most of it is untrue.

Here are some things we DON’T recommend you do with your puppy and why.

• allowing your puppy to greet everyone 👎🏻
- this is not socialisation. Interacting with everyone not only damages recall by teaching your puppy that you are less interesting than the rest of the world, but can also lead to frustrated reactivity when it’s not possible to greet someone. You may also disturb someone who doesn’t wish to be disturbed.
• puppy pads 👎🏻
- don’t teach your dog that they can toilet inside; take them outside more often instead!
• letting your puppy out of the crate when they cry 👎🏻
- positively reinforcing the behaviour of crying will only give you a large headache later! Crate train properly instead and wait until they’re quiet before they can come out.
• neutering as soon as they are 6 months 👎🏻
- a dog’s growth plates don’t finish developing until the dog is approximately 2 years old. Paediatric spays can therefore hinder development.
• leaving the puppy loose when you aren’t there 👎🏻
- we cannot expect a puppy to make good decisions. They aren’t yet old enough to have completed household training and therefore cannot be trusted to not chew or toilet inside. Prevent the concept of chewing or toileting from even existing, and put your puppy in a crate when you aren’t there. This helps engagement too! 😁

What do you wish you had known when you bought a puppy?
What’s your top tip for puppy training?

Featuring SPOT
Dalmatian
Powered by raw; empowered by training
proHOUND of the day 💙

24/02/2021

Customer Notice

Hi All,
With the rising tide of dog thefts and knowing how precious your dogs are to me as of 22nd February I've made the decision to make my business page private until this madness stops. This means that all photos and videos from my walks will be posted on a private group and will no longer appear on my page and membership of the group will need to be by request only and administered by me. Of course if you have any relatives or friends who follow the page as they like to see your dogs adventures please let me know and I will ensure they are sent an invitation.
I will still run the page as a marketing tool for new clients, but will be carrying out an audit and remove recent media.
I think you all know how much I love each and every one of your dogs 🥰and I hope that this decision meets with your approval. I can assure you I am taking every precaution to ensure your dogs safety with my trusty first aid kit on hand, personal protection alarm and eyebrow tweezer should any fool try to take me on 😂😂

Below is the link to the group - if I have not invited you and you would like to join please send a request.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/907906633318453/

17/02/2021

Lovely game of fetch 🥎 on my adventure walk today with George and Marley 🐶💗