Old English Sheepdog 12 week old puppy retrieving

This is Mr Bridger and his mum. I was invited to meet Mr Bridger as I had walked the family's previous dog. I left some advice, did some training and advised they teach a retrieve to encourage a reliable recall - going back to Mum is A Good Thing.

Less than a week later, here are the results! Hard work from everyone involved, and a great game to play with puppy.

Current Vacancies

Sue has joined the team and all the dogs are falling in love with her, as she is falling in love with them. I'm a bit jealous.

Sue has space for ONE adult dog at lunchtime and ONE adult dog at breakfast.
[Lunchtime space only available Mondays and Thursdays]

LUNCHTIME DOG WALKS

Sue covers Brentwood, Shenfield, Warley, Ingrave & Hutton at luncthime, and is looking for that special dog to join a small group of dogs walking in Brentwood's beautiful open spaces, grassland, parks, woodland, ponds and wetlands. These areas are used to the full to give your dog physical exercise and allow them to express their natural breed behaviours in a safe environment, so they return home relaxed and happy.

BREAKFAST DOG WALKS

Early morning walks are ideal for busy parents - your dog will be out of the house at the time you may be trying to get children ready for school and this is one less thing for you to worry about.

Dogs are collected from 8.15am, and returned home around 90 minutes later, tired and ready to sleep while you get on with your busy day. Currently this service runs in Shenfield (collection around 8am), but we are able to open it to other areas including Hutton, Brentwood, Pilgrims Hatch and Kelvedon Hatch at the slightly later time. I (Linda) cover Shenfield & Hutton, and Sue covers Pilgrims Hatch, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood & Warley. Other areas may be available, please ask.

If you are interested in part-time, occasional or ad hoc walks at any time of day, these are available but spaces are filling up fast.

More information is on my Dog Walking website.

CAT SITTING (& other pets)

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

Spaces are available through July. August is filling up fast, so please do book early to be sure we can cover your holidays.

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.

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...

Current Vacancies

Due to the news that two of the dogs I walk are moving out of the area, I will have spaces for new dogs from 15th February.




One space is on my 8am walk, which I know seems early, but if you have a new baby, or are at home during the day for other reasons, it's a nice time of day for me to call. Once I've been and gone (usually by 9.30) the day is yours and you don't have to wait in for me, or rush home for me to collect the dog. It also means your dog has burnt off all his energy nice and early, leading to a calmer, better behaved dog during the day.[This space has now been filled]

The other space is lunchtime, so ideal for commuters.

Dogs are walked in small groups, normally not more than four dogs, which is why spaces are so limited.



Alternatively, if you have a puppy, or are waiting for a puppy to be old enough to bring home, call me as I can hold the space for you, for one month, with the first week's fee as a deposit.



I wish my outgoing dogs all the best in their new homes!

It was the 1980s, it was allowed...

I mention on my main website that my parents both bred dogs. My mum's chosen breed was Yorkshire Terriers, my Dad's Jack Russell Terriers, so my love of terriers is in the blood!

Although I was only a teenager (with what seemed a perfectly acceptable hairstyle at the time) here's a delightful photograph of me socialising one of the pups. I think at the time I probably thought I was just having a cuddle.

Puppy Package & Adult Spaces

Puppies

My puppies have grown up! They have graduated to my adult dog walks this month, so I now have space for a full time puppy, or just part time if you don't need every day.

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.

Thanks again for giving Pongo such a great start in life.
Tina F., crossbreed



Dog Walking

An experienced dog walker, I walk dogs around Brentwood in small groups of three or four. Your dog is important to me, and walks of this size allow each dog to benefit from being with their own species while still having time for personal attention from me.

I have one full time space available (Mondays & Wednesdays may be a 'split shift' walk of two half hour sessions), with extra spaces available on Thursdays and Fridays.

Thanks for your help so far. I feel really happy knowing someone is calling in to see her in the day.
Nikki D., Labradoodle




Bingley has a walker who looks after him so well, that's the most important thing!
Natalie O., Whippet





Home Dog Boarding

I am already taking bookings for school holiday times, so if you would like your dog taken care of in a home boarding environment, please contact me sooner rather than later.

I am limited in the number of dogs I can board and I will not overload my house, which makes early booking essential. Dogs need individual attention when at home as well as when out on walks, so I will only take in the amount I can sensibly cope with. Dogs are not kept in conservatories, outhouses, summer houses, sheds, kennels or kitchens. They live in the house as part of the family and are expected to get on with their chores and behave the same way my dogs do!

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



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




If your dog has some habits you would rather they didn't have, that can be safely dealt with in a home environment, please ask me about my residential training programmes.

Puppy Spaces

My full-time puppy space has now been filled, thanks to the very cute, and far-too-pretty-to-be-a-boy Smudge, a 12 week old JRT.

A photo is sure to follow when he starts with me in two weeks time. Next week I'm not walking as I'm on a training course, and the week after is half-term and he won't need me.

I found it very hard to leave the house after meeting Smudge! Can't wait to start working with him. It's dogs like Smudge and Woody that make me want to have my very own baby puppy.

Next puppy space will be available in February.

Gratuitous Cute Puppy Post

No reason for this post really, except that Woody is such a cutie I couldn't resist!

Puppy & Adult Spaces

My part-time puppy space is now gone, as the lovely Lola is now walking with me. Isn't she a cutie!

I have one remaining space for a full-time puppy, OR one full time adult at lunchtime. My Breakfast walks (1x60 & 1x30) still have one space each. Part-time/occasional adult dog spaces always available.

Teatime walks still available until it's too dark to walk in the park.

Dogs & Cats, Loved Like My Own

Puppies

My famous and elusive Puppy Package will be available again from 14th September. I have one weekly space, and may also have space for a part-timer, so please do contact me if you have just taken on a new puppy or are waiting to bring one home. Typically these spaces are filled within two weeks of advertising, often sooner, so don't delay! One week's deposit will secure your space if you won't need me to start for a few weeks.

Thanks again for giving Pongo such a great start in life.
Tina F., crossbreed

Dog Walking

I walk dogs in small groups of three or four. Your dog is important to me, and walks of this size allow each dog to benefit from being with their own species while still having time for personal attention from me.


Walks are usually for one hour. 50 minutes is 'walking' time, which includes sniffing (each other, me, bushes, unidentifiable 'things') toilet time, meeting other park users, playing chase with each other when safe, playing hide and seek with me or for titbits & toys, learning to come back to me when cued and leaving things alone when asked. I try to find something for each dog to do that stimulates its natural instincts in an appropriate and healthy way. Walking happens in between these activities.

The remaining 10 minutes is spent at the van having a drink and a biscuit (for me as well as the dogs!). Then having mud, water and bits of plants removed as best we can before being driven home for a well deserved snooze.

Walks available, part time only
60 minutes, breakfast
60 minutes, lunchtime
30 minutes, lunchtime
Teatime walks are always available.

I try to squeeze as much as possible into all the walks, but the shorter walk means we can't do so many activities so they are limited to three dogs only.

Solo or 'training' walks are only available 'off peak' after 3pm.

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


Dog Boarding

Summer holidays are over, but I am taking boarding bookings for October Half term and will soon be opening my books for Christmas/New Year bookings. Most of my bookings now are for weekends only, so if you want a full week please get in touch as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Dogs are loved and cared for as if they were part of my family. They do everything we do, daily walks, fun and games, tidying their rooms, cuddles, a good brush every day, and the run of the ground floor. The garden is always available when I am at home.

Reliable, trustworthy service that cares about the pet.
Attricia A., Miniature Dachshund


Cat Sitting

I do a lot for dogs, but I love cats too. If you are going away and want to be sure your cats are fed, and are around to eat the food! give me a call. I will look after indoor or outdoor cats, empty litter trays, feed, play, cuddle and clear up any wildlife I find.

Outdoor cats will need to wear a collar and identity tag while I am caring for them.


I cannot bring cats into my own home, but I will give them as much attention as you would like. Normally two half hour visits per day, but I can do more, or less if it's only a short break.

Reliable, trustworthy and caring. What more could you want?
Marian K., Phoebe, Alfie & Marley

Puppy Vacancies

My puppy space has now gone. There is a slim chance I may be able to squeeze another one in, due to the nature of my new booking, but I won't know until I've done a few weeks and got into the new routine.

I will post an update in a month or so.

Puppies, puppies, puppies

From 20th July I have a weekly space opening up for ONE puppy under 6 months old, in the Brentwood, Shenfield or Hutton area. My last remaining youngster will be enjoying her family's company through the school summer holiday, and when she comes back in September she will be old enough to muck in with the teenagers.

I may be able to squeeze in a part-timer as well, depending on which days are needed.

Puppies benefit from two or more 30 minute visits a day. This makes sure they aren't over-tired by my visits, nor are they left for long periods. Prior to vaccination we play educational games in the house or garden, I feed and water them, clear up any mess and make sure they are happy. Once vaccinated we take short walks, play more games and generally have enough fun so pup is happy to sleep once I have gone.

This is a very popular service, so if you are waiting for a puppy to be old enough to bring home, or looking for a puppy now, please do get in touch as early as you can. Most pups graduate to my dog walking service at around six months. I will also take puppies in for boarding, depending on their age. If you have a holiday booked for this year, consider collecting your puppy when you come home.

Some of the pups I've looked after:
























Preparing your puppy with skills for life. We can work on any training you are doing, as well as teaching some basic manners and the basis for a solid, lifelong recall.

We visit a minimum of two half hour sessions each day up to around 5-7 months. Puppies under 8 weeks old are not accepted. Up to 12 weeks puppies can be visited three times a day. We will feed, clean up any mess and encourage house training, plus checking water and playing lots of 'educational' games.

Once inoculated and adequately prepared, puppies will be walked for around 10 minutes per visit, progressing to walking the full 30 minutes by 5/6 months.

Walks consist of encouraging focus on me, rewarding toileting, teaching that when I stop, they stop, how to greet people and other dogs and rewarding loose lead walking. I also teach them not to rush out of open doors, although this will need to be reinforced by puppy's owners as well. This can save your dog's life!

Between 5 and 7 months, Puppy can move to a one hour session. Large or giant breeds may need a 45 minute session until they are 12 months. Most puppies benefit from being walked with other dogs, however, solo walks may be an option if you would prefer puppy to continue to be walked alone.

Advice on raising puppies comes from many sources - your pup's breeder should have given you plenty of information and be available to advise through pup's life. We can back up their service with advice on feeding, excercise, training and training classes, chewing, and may be able to help with other issues you may be experiencing with your pup.

Vaccancies

If you have a puppy and are looking for a Puppy Package, I have NO weekly spaces available. I do have space on a Thursday and a Friday. These do go quickly, so if you need a puppy walker or sitter and are in Brentwood, Shenfield or Hutton please do let me know. My next weekly space is estimated to start between the middle and end of July 09.



For older dogs, I have one or possibly two weekly dog walking spaces open in the Brentwood station or High Street area within a group walk. I may be able to squeeze in a walk from another area depending on your requirements. I do not have any solo spaces available. Any earlier vacancies will be published via this blog.

If you are at home and need your dog walked for you, I have one space on a Monday and one on a Friday, if they can be walked in a group, at around 8am. I have group spaces every day from 4.30pm, solo spaces from 5.45pm. I do walk after dark where necessary, a reflective jacket is provided for your dog, but walks are limited to well-lit areas.

Cat sitting, rabbits, reptiles, rodents, places are available.

Home dog boarding - As I can only take in dogs from one family at a time, please contact me sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.


I now have contacts with other dog walkers, so if you need something you don't see here, please contact me as I may be able to pass your details on to another walker in the area.