Loch Ness Monster found in Brentwood Dog Pond

This is Barney, he stayed with me a few times this year. This last photo is him sitting in the pond waiting for me to throw a toy for him. He looked just like he was sitting in a bath! Here he is a bit clearer, so you can see his handsome face!

How to Teach your Dog to Pull on the Lead

Let your new puppy drag his new lead around behind him

To get your pup used to his new lead, clip it on and let him drag it around behind him. He'll soon learn that having a lead on doesn't restrict him in any way, and he can go where he likes. If it gets stuck on something, a good pull will set him free, or he can rely on his owner to release him.

Let people make a big fuss of your puppy while he's on a lead

Every time you take your new puppy out on the lead, (some) people will go gooey and mushy and want to make a fuss. Make sure they squeal and/or make silly noises and say hi to your puppy while they are standing just out of your puppy's reach. When your excited puppy launches himself at these exciting people, move forwards so he can reach them.

Buy a flexible/extending lead

Your dog will learn that to get to that interesting smell, other dog or person, all he has to do is lean into the lead, get that pressure on the collar and move forward, and he'll get where he wants to go with little or no difficulty.

Let your dog stop you to sniff everything and anything he fancies

This is a good one if you want your dog to pull in a sideways direction. When you're walking on a lead, let your dog drift to the side of the path to sniff something just out of reach, follow him aimlessly as he wanders from side to side. Let him cock his leg on every vertical surface he fancies.

Never let him sniff or investigate anything, ever, and never let him off the lead

This is the one you need if you want your dog to slam on the brakes (ie pull backwards). If you never let your dog run free off the lead, and never let him stop and enjoy the area he is walking in, he'll soon learn to throw his weight backwards, often sitting down, to force you to stop or drag him.

Always walk to really exciting places

Put your dog's lead on, and walk him to somewhere he loves, or drive to the car park, and lead walk him to the good bits. Never walk anywhere dull, such as your own front door, without going somewhere lovely first.

Make sure to really excite him

Get your lead out, and say something such as "Walkies!", "Who wants to go for a lovely walk?" and make sure your dog is leaping all over the place in excitment before you've even got the lead on. Then once it's on, carry on with the exciting talk and be sure he runs out of the front door, with you hanging on behind.

Dog of the Month - July

Slightly late, but this is our busiest time of the year!

This month's award goes to Willow.



Willow is one of my regular walkees, once a week. In the past few months she's matured from a maniac teenager who only wants to play with other dogs, to an attentive and responsive dog who is a real pleasure to walk with.

Well done Willow!

Current Vacancies

Dog Walking

[SPACE FILLED] From September we have one full time lunchtime dog walking space for an adult dog. We may be able to take your dog on earlier if required. Dogs are walked in small groups of three or four.



We also have space on our breakfast walks - an ideal time for busy parents to get the kids ready for school or nursery while we tire your dog out. Collection is between 7.30 and 8.30.

Thanks for all your help. Bubbles has really come on leaps and bounds in just the few weeks you've had her!
Rebecca H., Cockerpoo

August Bank Holiday Weekend Home Dog Boarding Space

Dogs are boarded in my home, where you know he or she will have company, love, plenty of walks and lots of activities. When you collect your dog they will be tired, happy, and often better behaved for you!

Thank you so much for having Willow. We took her for a long walk and couldn't believe how much better she is. Jacqueline P., Golden Retriever

Cat Sitting

One or two visits per day, to feed, clear litter trays, let your cats in or out, cuddes, love, anything you require.

Once again thanks for caring for him. It is a relief that I can go away and leave him at home knowing he is going to be well looked after.
Rachel T., Misty

Spaces are available over the Bank Holiday weekend and into September.


PUPPY CARE

My puppy services are very popular, so if you are waiting for a puppy to be old enough to bring home, or looking for a puppy, please do get in touch as early as you can.

All puppy care is covered by Linda.

Puppies are accepted between 8 weeks and 6 months old. They get one or two half hour visits per day when they get my undivided attention. Once they are fully vaccinated I take them out for short walks, feed where necessary, clear up any mess, and play educational games designed to give your puppy the skills needed for life with people. Puppy walks are for roughly five minutes per month of life, so start at five minutes per visit, working up to the full half hour just before puppy moves to my lunchtime group walks.

If you are at home but are interested in the educational games I can still visit, or teach you the games to play.

Spaces are linited so are taken very quickly - typically within two weeks of becoming available. I only have one space on average every three to four months, so if you are waiting for your puppy to be old enough to bring home and want me to visit, a non-refundable first week's deposit will hold the space for up to one month.

Puppy Training and Skills for Life spaces also available.

Thank you for all you have done. When I need to board him I will certainly be calling you.
Francis W., Jack Russell Terrier