South Wales Pet Care Network

14/11/2024

Be aware ⚠️

12/11/2024

❤️👏🏻🌟

👇🏻😆⭐️COMPETITION TIME⭐️😆👇🏻

It’s giveaway time at Wern Isaf and we’ve gone BIGGG😉

A free one hour slot at either one of our freedom fields with a highly rated photographer to capture beautiful shots of you and your best furfriend/s🐶🐾

For your chance to win this unique, special experience which can be gifted 🎁 please follow the steps 👇🏻

1️⃣ LIKE THIS POST & FB PAGE
2️⃣ COMMENT (one comment = one entry)
3️⃣ SHARE THIS POST

Thank you & Good luck everypawdy🐾🐶

30/09/2024

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-keeper-of-less-than-50-poultry-or-other-captive-birds

11/09/2024

👏🏻👏🏻

We are honoured to announce that we have been awarded the Special Recognition Award in the RSPCA PawPrints Awards! This prestigious award reflects our dedication to making a significant and inspirational impact in animal welfare. Thank you to the RSPCA and the judging panel for this honour, and to our amazing team for their hard work. 🐾

🐶

Mae’n anrhydedd i ni gyhoeddi ein bod wedi ennill Gwobr Cydnabyddiaeth Arbennig yng Ngwobrau PawPrints yr RSPCA! Mae’r wobr fawreddog hon yn adlewyrchu ein hymroddiad i gael effaith sylweddol ac ysbrydoledig ar les anifeiliaid. Diolch i’r RSPCA a’r panel beirniaid am yr anrhydedd hon, ac i’n tîm anhygoel am eu gwaith caled. 🐾

06/09/2024

⚠️ UPDATE 06/09/24

During the recent industrial action at Valley Vets, we closed our branch surgeries to consolidate resources at Valley Veterinary Hospital so we could minimise disruption to services for our patients and clients.

We have made the decision to keep our branches closed until the end of the year, but this will be reviewed at the end of October.

We hope this will help to maintain consistency in the service that we are able to provide, until such a time that we are more confident that we can remain open.

We would like to thank our clients for their understanding at what has been a difficult time for our team members, and for the support shown to our receptionists, veterinary nurses, and vets throughout the industrial action. We apologise for any disruption that may have been caused. 💛

05/09/2024

Do you like to watch this show?
If you do, think carefully about what you’re seeing and have a read of this.
There are also many online petitions calling for the show to be axed

⚠️ 𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝑫𝒐𝒈𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 (𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒚) 𝑩𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒚

Yesterday, I received the following email from a researcher for the TV programme *Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly*:

"𝑀𝑦 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 (redacted) 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑉 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤 ‘𝐷𝑜𝑔𝑠 𝐵𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 (𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑦) 𝐵𝑎𝑑𝑙𝑦’.

𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑛𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑒𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐿𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑚.

𝑊𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝑇𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 10𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑜𝑔 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑏𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑜𝑜𝑛. 𝑊𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑔𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒.

𝑊𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑑𝑜𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑛-𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠.

𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛. 𝑂𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦’𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑠!"

My first thought was to delete the email. I'm not a fan of Graeme Hall. I've watched a few episodes of his show, and in my opinion, he seems to make things up as he goes along, relying on outdated training methods.

However, I was puzzled. Was the “cravat” unwell, and they needed a stand-in? I'm a nobody – why on earth would they want to film me training a dog when there are so many high-profile trainers out there? Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to give the researcher a call.

I'm still in shock as I write this. The researcher explained that they wanted to invite me to Lytham with my Border Collie to "demonstrate" to Graeme Hall how I would train my dog not to respond to a phone ringtone.

Graeme would then take my training method and use it to teach the Border Collie of the family seeking help – all while filming it for his TV show!

WTF 😳😳😳

I decided to dig a bit deeper and reached out to the force-free dog training community to see if anyone else had experienced something this bizarre.

It turns out that many trainers had also been asked to attend filming sessions to show Graeme how to train dogs before the cameras rolled. Most reported that they refused because of his methods, but a few had shown him and his team how to train a dog, only to be dismissed without any credit for their expertise.

I then did some open-source research on "The Country’s Best Dog Trainer," as the *Daily Telegraph* calls him. He has no formal training in canine behaviour or training. He’s essentially winging it with the help of whatever trainers are willing to show up and assist him.

According to his website, he charges £875 per session 🤔😧

Now I’m not someone who normally criticises other trainers. I prefer to let my clients decide if I’m the right trainer for them based on how I work with their dogs.

However, I couldn’t let this pass without making it public knowledge.

If you're looking for a dog trainer, please avoid this programme and this man. You have no idea whose techniques he’ll be using week to week, and given that most qualified and accredited trainers want nothing to do with him, the quality of training you’ll receive is questionable at best.

Instead, do your own research and find a local trainer who aligns with your own dog training ethics. Organisations such as The IMDT or APDT - Association of Pet Dog Trainers can help guide you to qualified & accredited trainers in your area.

𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒈𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒔!

25/08/2024

Do you know your dog care options?

(Images courtesy of Dog Business School)

If you need some help with finding suitable care for your pet, drop us a message and we’ll do our best to help.
All of our members are qualified, verified professionals- they’re insured, and if offering boarding, will have a valid licence.

19/08/2024

Cooper & Co are solicitors that specialise in dog law operating across England and Wales providing a

19/08/2024

⚠️ Valley Vets is still facing unprecedented times.

Unite the Union members have chosen to continue exercising their right to take industrial action, with the strike now extended until Saturday, 31st August 2024. As a result, our four branches (Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, Pentyrch, and Whitchurch) will remain closed during this time. Whilst the branches remain closed, we will endeavour to contact you to rearrange pre-booked appointments where necessary.

Therefore, we will continue to provide a 24/7 emergency service from our hospital site in Gwaelod y Garth, including for exotic patients, until the 31st of August.

We kindly ask that all communications remain respectful towards our team who are continuing to work throughout the industrial action. Whilst we appreciate the impact this temporary service change may have, please know our team are working very hard to prioritise and accommodate your queries and appointments as best as they can. As a practice, we will not tolerate any abusive or aggressive behaviour displayed towards our team.

Thank you for your continued patience. Please get in touch with our hospital team on 02902 001454 if your pet needs to be seen 💛

13/08/2024

There’s quite a few posts doing the rounds on social media with incorrect and outdated advice.

This link provides the correct information for dealing with heatstroke

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/X26jr5EtKApzXNnP/?mibextid=WC7FNe

27/07/2024

Always great stuff on this stall!

Come see us in Castle Court Craft & Food Market. Caerphilly for all your award winning bandana needs. You may even get to meet our new 4 legged member of the team!! Here till 4pm.

19/07/2024

If you are in need of a pet service and are struggling to find someone, you can drop us a message and we will do our best to help.

You will receive an automated response to your message, asking for the following information:

Service required:

🏠 Home Boarding (please provide dates required)

🏡 House Sitting (please provide dates required)

🐕 Dog walking (group/solo)

⏰ Daycare

📍 Your location

🐶 Dog information (age, breed/size, male or female, neutered or not)

The information you provide will be shared in our PRIVATE business network and you will remain anonymous.

We need the above information for our business members to be able to match their services to your request.

18/07/2024

11/07/2024

⚠️ Attention owners of exempted XL Bullies⚠️

✅Your 3rd Party Insurance Cover - Make sure to check and note your renewal date now!

Many of you joined the Dogs Trust's Companion Club for third-party insurance coverage for your dog, especially from the ban announcement until the end of January 2024. Current Dogs Trust members may have varying renewal dates throughout the year.

👇‼️IMPORTANT‼️👇

📲Set a reminder on your phone and mark your calendar a month before the renewal date!

💰 It's crucial to have the funds ready to renew on time. Save money in advance. The cost is £25 per year or £12.50 per year for those over 60. This breaks down to just over £2 a month/50p a week, or £1/25p (for those over 60). Don’t wait until the last minute to renew.

➡️You will need to provide proof of insurance coverage to DEFRA.
➡️Failing to maintain third-party insurance all year puts your dogs at risk of being seized!

🥰Keep your furbabies safe frens it’s the top priority🥰

06/07/2024

⚠️Pedigree Jumbone Warning ⚠️

27/06/2024

If I do *insert punisher* he stops reacting!

I saw someone a number of months ago, not in a professional training capacity, who was absolutely adamant that a firm ‘no’ and a leash pop would stop his dog reacting to others. I stood and observed as he demonstrated for me his training. He told the dog to sit when another dog appeared and his dog turned his head away from the handler, ignoring the first cue. He then leash popped the dog with a firm ‘no’ and asked for a sit again. The dog again turned his head away and licked his lips, flashing the whites of his eyes but obeyed and sat. The handler was then very pleased and told his dog what a good boy he was, eliciting a soft tail wag. The handler informed me because he was confident that the dog was confident.

This got me thinking about how we view our dogs and how we often focus on obedience over emotional stability. In this particular dynamic, this handler valued obedience moreso than his dogs emotions in that moment. I’m not convinced the dog felt the same. I felt for the handler because he didn’t know better, and we can only do what we know. He went on his way and I saw him a few months later but more on that below.

Now I’m not a super fluffy trainer. I do interrupt behaviours I don’t like (and shock I even use the word no!) but I am a firm believer that punishment is not the solution to reactivity. ‘No’ does not change emotion and ALL behaviour is driven by emotion of some sort. Remember the last time you were crazy stressed and upset and someone told you ‘calm down!!!’ How did it make you feel? It probably did jack s**t.

Imagine you came to see me to deal with your fear of spiders. What I’m going to do is put you in a bathtub filled with spiders and every time you shout or kick or scream I’m going to give you a firm ‘no’ and hold you in place. Eventually you’ll likely stop screaming and kicking off, but have I dealt with your feelings about the spiders? Not likely.

‘But it’s not always fear!’ I hear the fanatics shout! Say you came to me because you’re addicted to chocolate. You just can’t stop! So every time you reach for the chocolate I tell you ‘no’ and hold you in place. You’ll probably stop reaching for the chocolate but when I’m not there, you’ll go right back to it!

Behaviour work can be tricky and you can get bogged down in the details, but put simply, good behaviour work is about working with the emotions of the animal in front of you (dog and human!). For long term changes to behaviour, avoid the quick fix that seems to elicit immediate response. Look at WHY it works too.

The leash pop dog I spoke about at the start? He didn’t react because the worry of his handler was greater than the worry of the other dogs. Six months down the line I spoke to that same handler who told me he had to rehome the dog as he had started becoming destructive in the home and his reactivity was worsening with other dogs and turning to reactivity to people too. The reality is that the lead pop and a ‘no’ had put a sticking plaster on the problem that had no long term viability in terms of behaviour modification and created a pent up ball of stress that had nowhere else to put that stress, and his couch and his neighbour got the brunt of it.

Now obviously this story is on the more extreme end of the scale, but I’m seeing more behavioural fallout from trainers that don’t understand body language or communication or basic behaviourism who have stopped a behaviour without considering the emotion that led to the behaviour to begin with.

Deal with the emotions first, then work on the obedience. Enforced obedience alone is never the fix.