Partners in Paw

26/11/2025

Letting your dog off the lead when they have a reliable recall trained is absolutely fine. Not letting your dog off the lead is also, absolutely fine.

I see so many dog owners with guilt because of the misconception that a dog can only live a satisfying existence if they are always off their lead.

This is simply not true. Whilst I do agree that recall training is essential and having the ability to run for many breeds is important, I also agree that off-lead life isn't for every dog and that's ok.

21/11/2025

Let's talk doggy etiquette. It's ok if you're new, it's ok if you're not informed, you're not going to know the unspoken rules off the bat! No one expects you to. BUT you've heard it now, so there's no excuse.

If you see a dog on a lead and your dog is off-lead, please recall them and either keep them under control or pop them back on the lead as you pass the on-lead dog. Once you're close by, their owner may let you know it's fine for a greeting to take place, but never assume.

There are so many reasons;
- The dog is nervous.
- The dog has had negative experiences in that context.
- The dog is elderly & frail.
- The dog is recovering from an injury or surgery.
- The owner is scared of dogs (just because they have one doesn't mean other dogs don't worry them).
- They may be doing some important training.
- The dog is in season.

Please be courteous, please be compassionate.

19/11/2025

No seriously, having days off to decompress is so essential for our dogs.

Dogs absorb a lot from their environment and constant stimulation can be overwhelming. Dogs don’t just process what they see—they take in smells, sounds, and emotional cues. This can build up like mental “clutter.”

Having these essential rest days reduces stress and anxiety. Just like people, dogs need downtime to calm their nervous system. Decompression helps lower cortisol and adrenaline, the stress hormones.

This isn't just relevant to nervous dogs, it can prevent overstimulation and over-arousal in excitable dogs. Decompression helps reset their baseline so they can make better choices in everyday situations. A relaxed dog learns better; focus, response to cues and creating associations will all be more successful.

18/11/2025

🚨NEW WORKSHOP ALERT 🚨

Would you like to learn how to have relaxed and fun walks?

Want to look forward to walks instead of dreading the shoulder pain?

Would you like to build the skills to capture your dog's attention and keep it?

Well look no further!

Book Online:
https://www.partnersinpaw.com/book-online

18/11/2025

🎉

We're extending a very warm welcome to NEW Associate Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) member - Deanna Hammond!

Associate membership is open to those who have had their Knowledge and Understanding (theoretical understanding) assessed against the ABTC Standards for ABT or CAB.

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3UGY7db

17/11/2025

Dates for social walks until the New Year are:
23rd November
7th December
14th December
21st December

These walks are beneficial for a variety of reasons:
- Helping young dogs with appropriate socialisation.
- Increasing social time for dogs with busy lifestyles
- Learning to be calm and content around a group of dogs
- Practicing behaviour around controlled situations
- Spending time with like-minded dog owners

Book your slot for this Sunday's walks at www.partnersinpaw.com

17/11/2025

The next dates for the last quarter of the year are:
23rd November
7th December
14th December
21st December

Why book onto the reactive walk?

- Non judgemental space for reactive dog owners.
- Small groups with individually tailored advice.
- Exercises to help gain the skills to resolve reactive behaviour.
- Safe and controlled environment.
- Join a supportive community.

Book your slots for this Sunday at www.partnersinpaw.com

14/11/2025

Look guys, I've seen it all and it's not clean enough. Why, you ask, should you listen to me?

Food and saliva residue on bowls or toys can quickly become breeding grounds for bacteria. Not only this but leftover bits of wet food or moisture can create biofilm—a slimy layer where bacteria thrive. If not cleaned regularly, it can develop mold and make your dog sick.

Additionally, soiled bowls can start to cause a nasty odour which can lead to our dogs not wanting dinner and fussy eating can start.

Pet dishes are often kept near human food areas. Regular washing helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination and keeps your household safer.

12/11/2025

Your dog has a right not to be everybody's pal!

Just like people, dogs have individual personalities, preferences, and comfort levels. Some are social butterflies who want to play with every dog they see, while others prefer a smaller circle of familiar friends, or don't value the company of other dogs at all.

Some dogs are naturally more reserved, or have experienced a negative interaction which has led to more selective behaviour.

As dogs grow out of puppyhood, many become choosier about their dog friends and less tolerant of impolite behaviour.

Focus on neutrality to unfamiliar dogs and a small circle of doggy relationships that foster calm behaviour and good manners.

07/11/2025

Listen up folks... LET YOUR DOGS SNIFF🗣️

Here's a few reasons why:
It provides an important form of low energy and species-specific mental stimulation. A dog’s nose is their primary way of understanding the world. When they sniff, they’re gathering heaps of information and processing it all at the same time.

Sniffing helps dogs to lower their arousal, their adrenaline and empty that bucket. It actually calms them down. Studies show that using their noses can lower their heart rate and reduce anxiety.

Dogs need to sniff. Preventing them from doing so can lead to frustration or boredom and you may go home to a dog that still needs to find an outlet for their needs, which could lead to a number of undesirable behaviours.

It can increase confidence & gather social information which is especially beneficial for nervous or reactive dogs.

It burns a lot of calories! A slow, sniff-heavy walk can tire a dog out mentally as much as a long, fast one tires them physically.

24/10/2025

🚨NEW WORKSHOP ALERT 🚨

Would you like to learn how to help your dog chill out when you go out?

Want to be able to grab a stress free coffee instead of a stressy espressy?

Would you like to build these skills in a real pub with a non-judgemental environment?

Well look no further!

Book Online:
https://www.partnersinpaw.com/book-online

23/10/2025

I am honoured that I got to do this! It was such a fun and wholesome day. Thank you so much to everyone that got involved and made it the special day that it was, it was a pleasure to have you all there.

Thank you to for hosting & asking me to join them to organise such a lovely day. ❤️

Massive thank you to for capturing the moments, there's so many amazing photos. 📸

Thank you so much to the wonderful charity .animalrescue for allowing us to do it in your name and for guiding us through the day. 🎉

Thank you & for running the treat stall 🐾