Dog of the Month - October

Yes, nearly caught up!

Here's October, Bobby who has the most wonderful white coat - unless he's been out walking with me! So his award is for being a Very Good Boy while Aunty Linda baths and grooms him while he's boarding with me.

 Just after his bath, looking a bit damp.

 An hour later, sleek and shiney!

And just cos he looked so cute, as a tiny puppy!

A Day in the Life of a Travel Kennel

I've been very busy lately, lots of lovely dogs to walk, and I know some of the other dog walkers are a bit surprised that I can be walking dogs from 8am until 5pm. So here we go - one day in the life of a travel kennel.

My 8am (ish) breakfast walk, way out. Bobbi, Wire Haired Fox Terrier

Breakfast walk, way back, Inky, Beagle, and Bobby, Maltese. Also on the morning walk are my three dogs, Scamp, Beauty and Fred.

After I drop the breakfast dogs off I take mine home and feed them, usually around 10am. Then it's time to go and see Jess, gorgeous Border Collie Puppy, she has two visits a day, time all to herself. Here she is in the kennel having some brunch.

Straight onto my lunchtime walk - here's Charlie, Portugeuse Water Dog, on the way out - he's still under 6 months so 3 times a week he has puppy visits like Jess, but it's good to get pups out with sensible adult dogs as well.

And Baxter, Beagle, with Bingley, Whippet, on the way home.

Also on the lunchtime walk on this particular day were Moses, Dexter, and Dilly, who didn't travel in this kennel but deserve a mention! When I have 6 at lunchtime I take my glamorous assistant Will with me (so far he has avoided the camera) to help out (I never walk more than 6 at a time).

After all the lunchtime dogs have gone home to sleep the afternoon away, I visit Jess again, before collecting Max for a walk on his own around half past two.

After Max enjoyed his walk I picked up Bobby again,

to join Pebbles and Honey, Spaniels, for a 4pm walk. My dogs came along for the walk as well, but we don't need any more pictures of my dogs!

After Pebbles and Honey I went home and collapsed! 4 walks and two puppy sits, a total of 13 dogs, 5 of them twice (does that count as 18?).

Other days I'll have less dogs on the walks, but anything between 2 and 5 puppy visits to do. Some days I even have cats to feed too!

Instant Triple Recall

I use Stay Close as a command to get dogs back to me quickly and stay close to me until they are released. This overlaps a bit with the ComeComeCome recall, but I use that more to get dawdling dogs back to the pack and they don't have to focus on me. Had I thought things through more I would not have done it like this, but Stay Close evolved from the close competition heelwork I taught Fred.

Stay Close is hazard avoidance - if there isn't time to get dogs back on leads, this works very well to get the dogs out of any potential trouble.

Fred has known this one for a long time, Scamp and Bobby are relative newbies, but are already VERY reliable. I couldn't record an actual hazard, as things are still too new for me to not focus 100% on the dogs, but we're getting there!

Just see how quickly the dogs turn to me and start coming back. Video is only 8 seconds.

I can teach any dog to do this.

August Bank Holiday Weekend Home Dog Boarding Space

Due to a cancellation I have the elusive August Bank Holiday weekend open up from Friday 27th August to Sunday 5th September 2010.



Even a luxury boarding kennel with heating, sofa, television or mood music, is still a kennel, with the valuable dog-person bond being missing for most of the day. For some dogs, this is very different from their normal household routine and they can find it very stressful. This is where I come in.

I would highly recommend Linda as an excellent professional who has a genuine love of dogs. We will definitely use Linda again and feel very lucky to have found someone to care for our dog when we are unable to.
Susie S., Old English Sheepdog

I have opened my home in Brentwood, and my heart, to your dog. Dogs live in the house, as part of the family (please see About Me and About my Dogs for details of who lives here) and are considered a treasured friend and family member.



Two outdoor canine activity centres – tunnels, ramps, look out points
Shallow paddling Pool – bobbing for fishy ice cubes, underwater retrieving etc
Sandpit – digger's paradise, search and retrieve, lost and found
Chill Out zones – shady patches, sunny spots, long grass areas for lounging or investigating



Board games (yes, really!)
Scrunched up newspaper challenge
Cardboard box puzzles
Trick training (small extra charge for requests)
Brushed and combed as needed, at least once per stay
Eyes and sanitary areas cleaned as necessary

All this, for the bargain price of £25 per day.

Very reliable & trustworthy, Nelson loves Linda and I wouldn't send him anywhere else! Hazel S., Smooth Haired Fox Terrier

Fully insured by a pet care specialist
Licensed by Brentwood Borough Council and Defra
Vet and police checked
Trained in dog handling, behaviour and canine first aid



Extras
Training

If your dog needs help with any aspect of its training, I may be able to help while your dog is boarding, for an additional cost. I specialise in puppy training, terrier training and recall training. Please contact me to discuss your requirements.

Grooming

If you would like your dog professionally groomed ready for your return, please let me know in advance and I can arrange an appointment to fit in with your return. I use a very good professional groomer at Ardleigh Green, Maxine's Grooming. Fees are Maxine's usual fees for your breed of dog, plus £20.

I would recommend Linda to anybody who is looking for a holiday for their hounds. Peanut and Ali have just spent a week in the very capable hands of Linda and I think they enjoyed the lovely peace and quiet of her house (compared to mine).
Mary K., Greyhounds

Kong Ice Surprise – Cool Activities for Hot Dogs

When the temperature gets much above 25 degrees for a prolonged period, it can be too hot to give dogs adequate exercise. They have too much energy which isn't burnt off and they're a pain in the neck.

So we need ways to keep them occupied in a safe way. This is where the wonderful invention the Kong comes into its own. A Kong is a hollow, hard rubber toy (based on a motorbike gasket!). It can be thrown, chewed, bounced fetched, and perhaps most importantly, stuffed.

You will need:

* A freezer and some space in it

* Some (or just one) Kongs

* Some lovely stuff dogs like such as tuna, peas, hot dog or cocktail sausages etc

* Couple of hard dog biscuits
* Bowls, jugs, dog dishes or similar that can be put in the freezer

* Some (or just one) dogs


Drain and rinse the tuna and hot dog sausages. Mash up the tuna and cut the sausages into short bits. Put the Kong into a jug, narrow end down and put a biscuit in the bottom to plug the small hole. Spoon in tuna – the first time loosely. Once your dog has got to grips with the idea of emptying a Kong you can really pack it in tightly. Also a biscuit can be wedged into the top hole once the dog is used to it, but for now, just stuff it.

You can stop here – put the Kong into the freezer for a while, and then let your dog have it once it's nicely chilled. For more experienced dogs, or if you want your dog occupied for longer, carry on reading.

Put the stuffed Kong in the bowl.
It can lie down or stand up, it doesn't matter if it sticks up above the rim, but will keep the dog busier if it doesn't. Pour in some water, about third of the way up the Kong. Scatter in some bits of sausages, not too many pieces, some peas maybe, and put it in the freezer.

Once it's frozen, top up with another 'layer' of water and put some more treats in, maybe the cocktail sausages, perhaps a brussel sprout or two and carry on freezing. Once frozen again, top up the bowl as much as you can, a few more treats and freeze.

Once it is completely frozen, you can give it to your dog. The Kong should be nearly completely encased in a block of ice.

Your dog either has to wait for it to defrost to get the treats and the Kong, or he has to eat through the ice. Both will take time, your dog will be kept busy, without being overheated on a walk.

If you use metal bowls, the ice should be pushed out and given to the dog, so will probably need to be fed in the garden (in a shady area) as the metal will get cold and the dog's tongue and lips could get stuck to it and injured. Some dogs will kick and push the bowl about trying to tuck in, so might also need to be put outside.

Your dog's dinner can be fed this way, if you use treats, remember to feed less for a few meals so your dog doesn't put on weight.








PS apologies for the last photo, every so often Blogger turns one upside down and I can't fix it!

Current Vacancies

Dogs



I have no spaces for regular dog walks until July. I can still take dogs who only want the occasional walk, once a week on Thursday or Friday, and dogs who need walking for a week or so while their main owners are on holiday.

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


I am fully booked for boarding for school holidays until October half term. Out of school holiday time, space is available from May. Early July is still available, but I have no spaces in August at all.

I would recommend Linda to anybody who is looking for a holiday for their hounds. Peanut and Ali have just spent a week in the very capable hands of Linda and I think they enjoyed the lovely peace and quiet of her house (compared to mine).
Mary K., Greyhounds

Puppies



No puppy spaces for home visits until June.

Puppy socialising - space for one or two puppies up to 4 months old.

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


Cats



No more spaces for cat sitting at Easter, plenty of spaces the rest of the year!

Linda had very positive references and was very trustworthy whilst I was on holiday. My cat Min is very independent and it was important that she was able to stay in the environment she knows whilst having freedom outdoors when she wanted it. Linda was flexible to make this possible and on my return my cat was very healthy and happy.
Marianne F., Min

Bobby - Cute Puppy Alert!

Bobby is a gorgeous baby Maltese. He's so cute, he's better than ice-cream. Honest.

Aunty, you have a big doorstep for a tiny puppy.


Ohhh, how can I get back indoors?


Maybe there is a better way round here.


Made it!


Oh no, not another step! (But aren't I cute poised here!?)


And as if that wasn't enough of a cute overload - here's Bobby trying to entice both, or either of, my dogs to play.


Please excuse the state of the garden - it's been a long cold winter and now it's warm enough to get out there, it keeps raining!

Too Cute For Words

Like most puppies Bobby barely sits still long enough for a nice photo, but I like to at least try!

He did a wicked Out of Sight Recall shortly before this photo. Only 7 weeks old! Too cute for words...