Reactive Dog Sitting Norfolk/Suffolk

26/01/2024

🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺Have you got a reactive dog?🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺

Reactivity doesn’t just affect our dogs. It can take a big emotional toll on us as owners.

Tutting strangers, unwanted and unhelpful advice and dirty looks can make for anxiety inducing walks.

Owners of reactive dogs can feel ashamed, embarrassed, frustrated and a failure, it can even cause friction between couples and family rifts.

Over the years I’ve had many owners cry in front of me, on the phone to me and I’ve even had one owner thank me for being so nice to her. She thought I was going to tell her that she had caused and facilitated her dogs reactivity and it was going to be a demoralising experience.

The fact is dogs are emotional beings and they get upset about stuff and it’s my job to help you help your dog manage their feelings and I know that your dogs reactivity although your responsibility, isn’t your fault.

If you need help reducing your dogs reactivity and you want to enjoy your dogs walks again message, call or email me.

24/01/2024

I know lots of you would make amazing fosterers. Safe Rescue are such an amazing and supportive team ❤️ if interested send them a message or I'm happy to answer any questions you may have xx

Could you help us by becoming a foster home for one of our amazing dogs.

You’d need;

⭐️ time, patience and love. To help the dogs overcome their worries
⭐️ a fully enclosed and secure garden with fencing to 5 foot minimum
🌟 have an adult at home for a good part of the day; so the dogs aren’t left for long
⭐️ have any current dogs in the home neutered
🌟 Be within 3 hours travel time from central norfolk/Norwich (excluding London)

We provide the full support needed to be able to foster. Vet bills covered.
You’d be part of an amazing foster support network group who advise and help each other.

Do something great!

Please get in touch! 🙏

https://saferescuefordogs.co.uk/apply-to-foster/

24/01/2024

2024 update -

This post was made two years ago and has recently been getting attention again. The sad thing is that actually nothing has changed. This program is still being made. There is ( as far as I know - and very happy to be corrected if I am wrong) no veterinary involvement with these dogs prior to filming.

How many more dogs are going to be labled as awkward, difficult, stubborn or just lazy when actually there is an underlying pain issue?

We have so many wonderful trainers and behaviourists that could fill this man’s shoes and provide far more valuable advice and training. Stop giving people like this man air time… pick someone who actually cares about the wellbeing of the dogs they work with instead of the cash going to line their pockets…

-

Some phrases used on this particular episode of ‘Dogs behaving (very) badly’ where 8 year old Ruby would only get off the sofa if the rug was over the laminate flooring, and would sit down and stop on walks…

‘being a madam’

‘Controlling the diva’

‘Indulging her with rugs’

‘Thinks she’s in charge’

OR

Is this actually a dog in pain, a dog scared of slipping and hurting, a dog trying to tell everyone that she’s uncomfortable?

It’s not indulging her with a rug, it’s making sure her own home is accessible and safe for her. She’s not ‘being a diva’ and refusing to walk, she’s telling you it hurts and she’s uncomfortable.

I’m very glad that the owners realise that this dogs weight is having a significant impact on her life but there are other things that need addressing here. I have no doubt they absolutely adore their girl, that is very clear to see, but I desperately wish they had the right kind of support for Ruby, not just let’s force her to walk and walk on a floor she’s is scared

Dogs Behaving Very Badly and The Dogfather (Graham Hall)… I’m afraid the blame falls to you on this occasion. You have a massive platform with thousands of dog owners watching every episode. How about talking about signs of pain? Indicators of discomfort? When behaviours actually tell us somethings wrong? Ways to adapt houses for older dogs and those that struggle with mobility? You could educate SO MANY owners but no, it doesn’t happen. Instead we just see an uncomfortable dog being forced to walk when she doesn’t want to, and live in an environment that she is scared of.

Dogs need us to advocate for them, to realise when we need to do more and to learn the ways that they tell us something isn’t right. Owner education is the key to this and this could have been a brilliant opportunity to do just that.

22/01/2024

I hate to be a party pooper on National Hug Your Puppy Day but in the name of dog safety and dog bite prevention, here I am.

Most dogs do not like to be hugged. (In one study only 7.6%, seemed to be comfortable with hugging!) At best, they might tolerate it.

And even if your dog is tolerant of being hugged or happens to be one of the rare dogs who enjoys it, this is **not something we want to model** for children to learn.

We do not want children learning that it is OK to hug or kiss dogs or they will go to a neighbor's house and hug that dog and chances are, that dog will not be tolerant of hugging, and that's when bites happen.

There are much better ways to show your dog that you love them rather than hugging them. To find out what I suggest and for a deeper dive, read my post here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2023/06/26/no-hugging/

22/01/2024

Boomerangs Pet Foodbank is available every other Friday 11am-12pm for pre-booked collections - the

⭐️⭐️NEXT ONE is this FRIDAY 26 JAN 11am-12pm⭐️⭐️

You need to register first - it takes a minute https://www.boomerangspetfoodbank.co.uk/registration
THEN head to https://www.boomerangspetfoodbank.co.uk/collection-points to choose THETFORD as your preferred collection point.
No one should feel embarrassed or ashamed for wanting to feed their furry family.

Please share post too, thankyou 😍
http://wix.to/RFd3sqH

17/01/2024

14/01/2024

In an ideal world we would welcome you all to all properties but with rules and regs, insurance and owner anxieties to some extent we have to recognise that there are limitations.

Farthing Cottage
Sleeps 4 / welcomes unlimited
https://bit.ly/Farthing-Cottage

Swallowdale
Sleeps 4 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
https://bit.ly/SwallowdaleTrunch

Brig Cottage
Sleeps 4 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
https://bit.ly/BrigCottage

The Crib
Sleeps 5 / welcomes unlimited dogs
https://bit.ly/The-Crib

Woodpecker Lodge
Sleeps 6 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
https://bit.ly/Woodpecker-Lodge

Wag-tail Cottage
Sleeps up to 6 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
https://bit.ly/Wag-tail

The Farmhouse
Sleeps 8 / welcomes 4 dogs (flexible)
https://bit.ly/TheFarmhouse-details

NOTE: We have been advised by our professional body (PASC) that we will need to see the Exemption Certificate and Insurance. too please but will ask for this when you book either in digital or paper form.

NOTE: As with all of our properties, always, there is never any charge for dogs.

07/01/2024

The comments 😭 one said assert dominance by biting your dogs ears! My Furby would have ripped his face off!
Please when getting a trainer do lots and lots of research and if someone wants to hurt your dog by yanking a slip lead, using electric or prong collars or biting their ears just run away!

07/01/2024

After 8 years with our insurance company we have cancelled and taken up insurance else where.

Why? Because they no longer allow us to work with XL bullies due to the recent changes in dog law.
Many trainers are being prevented from helping those that need it most due to these restrictions.

We are here to help you regardless of breed. All we need from you is your public liability and exception certificates 😊

31/12/2023

😭😭😭

31/12/2023

I wanted to thank you all for your support this year, for being so understanding when I was in hospital and recovering. Still no date through for my operation, I will get round to chasing them up at some point!
I'm busier than ever with the 3 gorgeous boys in the photo so will be cutting back even more in 2024 I'm afraid. I won't be taking on anyone new but I will try to help my regulars where I can because they are all so, so lovely! I even have a very special booking for 2025 🩷
As always I can highly recommend Tania's Pet sitting services she really is a lovely lady.

Wishing you all the most wonderful 2024 🩷

31/12/2023

30/12/2023

in 2023, let's try to practice more acceptance. This doesn't mean that you can't simultaneously work toward whatever behavior goals you have for dog. It just means that you will ruminate less and loosen your grip on whatever expectations you had about them.

When you do that, you'll start to really see your dog for the beautiful, unique, and perfect being that they already are.

26/12/2023

Tina fostered Kings Lynn Norfolk

Tina is a smallish crossbreed aged around eight years old.

Tina has come into our care recently from a private shelter in Romania. She is a sweet and affectionate girl but can get a little stroppy if things don’t go her way (I can empathise with this 😉 ). Tina is excellent company and will sit on your lap and be by your side as much as you allow her to. She absolutely loves her walks and walks well on a lead. Tina will need an adult family as she can snap if made jump due to abuse from her past. She is an absolute character and we love that about her.

Tina is living perfectly with other dogs in her foster home but could also be an only dog.

When you adopt a Safe Rescue dog, you MUST use a slip lead. This will keep your dog safe: your new dog will be nervous and will not trust you, and you will not know which situations might upset your dog. If your dog panics, then a slip lead is the only way to prevent your dog from escaping (many dogs can escape from a collar and/or harness). It will take AT LEAST 3-6 months for your dog to settle-in and for you to know your dog fully (longer for nervous dogs). The slip lead must ALWAYS be used during this settling-in period.
Even after your dog is settled, it is safest to use the slip lead in situations where your dog may become scared (e.g. visiting new places, around unfamiliar people, at the vet), and it situations where unexpected triggers might happen (e.g. around bonfire night). Nervous dogs may always need to wear a slip-lead as a back-up safety measure.
The slip lead is a safety device and must NEVER be used as a training tool. Using the lead to apply pressure to the dog’s neck is damaging. If your dog pulls on the lead, then we can advise you on training methods that avoid harm.
Once your dog is settled, you may want to consider using a harness (together with the slip lead) if your dog is comfortable with being handled when it is fitted. Most harnesses are not escape-proof, but harnesses with a strap behind the ribcage (e.g. Ruffwear Webmaster or Perfect Fit Harnesses) are safer.

Retractable / extendable leads must never be used on our dogs.

Adopted dogs must be collected from the rescue and transported straight home in a crate.

Fences and gates must be 5ft min & secure. If you are interested please message or call between 9am to 5pm Mon - Fri 9am to 4pm Sat on Tel 07788251197 or Tel 07899844524.

26/12/2023

Perfect way to spend Boxing Day morning 💚

26/12/2023

24/12/2023

🤣🤣🤣

24/12/2023

Wishing you and your pets a wonderful Christmas 💚🎁🎀🎊🎄
Love, Marie xx

23/12/2023

A Christmas wish for all of us

Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
I wish I may I wish I might
Enlist ALL dog owners In the fight
Stand up for me
You know my plight
End breed discrimination
Set the world right.

Thank you to each and everyone one of you who have supported us, we wish you all a Happy Christmas/Holidays/Yuletide blessings.

21/12/2023

There are plenty of trainers to choose from.
Some have experience AND education behind them.
Some have education only and need experience.
Some have experience but no education or continuing education.
They go hand in hand but ultimately, you need to ask the trainer.......

Will you reinforce behaviour ?
OR
Will you be punishing it.

And how will you be doing either? What does it look like?
Follow your gut.
Ethics matter.
For me, my ethics are such that I do not believe in adding pain, threats or fear to see dogs perform a specific behaviour.

No compromise. We may not work together. I'll sleep with a clear conscience.

16/12/2023

A few more because they are just so beautiful 😍

16/12/2023

My last sit before Christmas 🎄
They're absolutely adorable ❤️

14/12/2023

Let's hope for a Christmas miracle x