Guest Post on Intellidogs

Hello!

Some of my readers may have found your way here through my guest post "10 tips to find a GREAT dog walker" on the Intellidogs website, and not know who I am, so I'd like to introduce myself.

I'm Linda Ward, a dog walker from Brentwood in Essex, and I've been doing this job (more like a vocation) since 2006. First unpaid as a foster mum for rescue, and walking kennelled greyhounds, then from 2008 as a professional dog walker. I usually blog about the dogs and cats I look after, but also include tips on dog & puppy care, training and advice.

Here are some of my favourite Diary of a Dog Walker posts:

• Dogs with Jobs - introducing my dogs and my thoughts on how dog walks work best
• Shocking truth about exercise - what I do with clients dogs while I've got them
• Safe travel - how to keep dogs safe when travelling
• How to teach your puppy to pull on the lead - prevention is better than cure!
• Games for the garden - Kong Ice Suprise and the Sandpit

I hope there's something there you find interesting!

If you didn't find your way from Intellidogs, go visit!

No Current Vacancies

Unfortunately my van has been rammed by a hit and run driver skidding on the ice. No person or dog was in it at the time as it was parked up empty, so everyone is safe and well.

However, while I source another van and begin to refit I will not be able to take on any new customers.

Ready for a Rest

No not me, the dogs!

Had a lovely beach walk this morning. I know my walks really tire the dogs out because when I open the crates in the van, none of them can wait to get in.



Notice Millie having a sneaky sniff while the opportunity presents itself...

Safe Car Travel for Dogs

At the front of my mind, at all times, is the safety and security of the dogs that I walk.

Safety while travelling is very important; as I walk dogs in small groups, sometimes my first pick up can be in the van for around half an hour before we get to our destination, again on the way back and the local country parks where I walk are nearly all on 60mph roads. I don't travel this fast, but other drivers do. The dogs need to be transported securely, so they can't distract me, or injure each other.


Millie & Max in the back crates, Beauty & Fred behind them.

In an accident, a loose dog can turn into a missile. If its lucky enough not to go through the windscreen, it could be thrown around inside, most likely breaking bones. If a medium (or larger) dog hits the driver from behind, it can push the driver into the windscreen – some dogs can weigh as much as a small adult – one of the dogs I walk is at least as heavy as I am, if not heavier.

Even in the event of a small collision, doors can be thrown open, or passers-by may open a door to check the driver is okay and the dogs escape – straight into traffic, or out of sight and lost. All dogs I carry are taught an open door is not an invitation to go through it, and they cannot get through into the front of the van.


Fred waiting patiently for his release cue.

Should someone 'helpfully' open a door and try to get the dogs out, if they aredistressed by an accident they may not be able to remember their training and bolt. Or, in their distress or possibly pain, they may bite their rescuer. Crates are essential, to keep the 'helpful' at bay if nothing else!

A lead fixed to a fixture of the car, or to the seatbelt is not secure. The clips are not made to withstand the forces generated by flying dogs and may come undone, or allow the dog to be strangled, or even have its neck broken. Dog car harnesses are an alternative, but most are not 'crash-tested' and still allow the dog to move off the seat, or worse, step on the buckle, releasing themselves. When carrying multiple dogs, they should not be allowed to interfere with each other. Even the friendliest dog may bite if it's been stepped on enough times.

Even if the dog is in a crate, unless it is bolted to the floor it can also be thrown around the car, or, if fold up or 'cheap' crates are used, these can be destroyed by the force of the dog hitting it from the inside.

My van has been specially designed to contain the dogs safely and securely. I have two custom built crates at the back of the van, lockable.


Space for a Great Dane in the back, she chose to get in this crate.

A metal divider and bulkhead for the front half – this works just like the crates in the back but there is more headroom for the larger dogs.


Conrad and Scarlet, enjoying the view, their height lets them see out of the windows.

The bulkhead prevents them from coming forward into the cab, even in the event of an collision.


From the outside, the van looks tiny.



Scarlet and Conrad seem quite comfy though!


Many thanks to Advanced Systems (UK) Ltd in Kent, especially Alan who took my wishlist, told me which bits were ridiculous, and made the rest exactly how I imagined it. I'm very happy with the van!

Dogs Die As RSPCA Urges Owners Not To Leave Dogs In Hot Cars

As temperature soars, so do calls about dogs left alone in the heat.

The RSPCA is renewing its plea to owners to not leave their pets in hot cars as dogs are losing their lives in the crippling heat.

A tragic incident happened yesterday after two dogs were in a car in Nottingham on one of the hottest days of the year. It has also been reported that a dog died after being left in a car in Chichester during the hot weather at the end of last week.

The RSPCA has been inundated with calls from members of the public who are worried about animals which have been trapped in hot environments such as cars or gardens without shade. The Society received a whopping total of 1,058 calls with concerns for the welfare of dogs in the hot weather throughout June. 109 of those calls were taken on Monday (June 29) when temperatures topped 30 degrees. More than 250 calls were also received regarding other animals suffering in the heat.

Pet owners are being reminded to never leave an animal in a car at any time during hot weather. Temperatures can dramatically increase and rise to as much as 47 degrees in less than an hour. Airconditioned cars can reach the same temperature as outside within just five minutes of the system being turned off.

Many owners believe that leaving a car window open or a bowl of water nearby is enough but in reality this will make virtually no difference and the dog is still in serious danger of literally being cooked alive.

RSPCA chief veterinary adviser Mark Evans said: “A hot car can be a death trap for dogs, it is as simple as that. Leaving your dog in a car, even on an average warm, even cloudy summer day, can put your pet at huge risk of suffering and even death.

“This is not a new warning, but sadly too many people still don’t appreciate how dangerous it can be to leave a dog in a hot car, conservatory or caravan. Don’t let your dog be the one to find out the hard way.”

Animals & hot weather – RSPCA tips & information:
• All dogs will suffer in extreme heat, but some are more prone to heatstroke than others. Dogs that are
old, young, short nosed, long-haired, overweight or heavily muscled are more at risk, as well as dogs with certain diseases.
• Particular breeds of dog, such as flat-faced pug dogs and bulldogs are also particularly susceptible to heat stoke.
• Owners should also bear in mind that dogs can suffer from heat stroke at any time, such as when they are out for a walk. It is therefore advised that they are kept out of the midday sun and taken out for a walk in the early morning or evening to avoid the temperature extremes.
• Pets should also not be left in conservatories, outbuildings or caravans during the hot weather as it poses the same risk.
• Owners who fear their dog may be suffering from heat stroke should act with great urgency. Warning signs include overly red or purple gums, a rapid pulse, vomiting and diarrhoea, lack of co-ordination and a reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing or suffering seizures.
• Pets should be moved to a cooler spot straight away before ringing your vet for advice immediately.
• Under the Animal Welfare Act, those found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal face a fine of up to £20,000 and/or a six-month custodial sentence.

Tongue of the Month

With this hot weather I am seeing a lot of dog tongues. For those who may not know, this is aircon for dogs - wet tongue, hang out in preferred style, and pant. Try to get in a snog if possible. Dog walkers love doggy snogs.

So it is important that they can drink frequently when out for a walk in the sun, or if they have to travel in the van when its warm. They need to replenish their saliva to help keep themselves cool. Their other preferred option - paddling in muddy ponds and puddles - is not always looked on with delight by humans. Dogs see mud as their back-up aircon, but humans see it as a terrible mess on the floor/trousers/shoulders depending on the size of the dog.

Keep plenty of water around the house and in the car if travelling - I'd recommend more than one bowl in case they spill it or dig a hole in it (terrier owners will know what I mean!). Some dogs will not drink once the water goes below a certain level, so having two means they won't go without.

Now, back to the tongues, in reverse order!

Enzo - 6 month lab, a young rising star in the tongue stakes, hampered by being walked through the woods before the sun has really warmed up. Not really a contender for the TotM title at this stage.


Peanut, cute, but not really what the Judges are looking for. Also, he's sleeping on the job.


Conrad - getting to the main contenders here, nice loll * to catch a cooling breeze, but not really all the way there...


Scarlet - doing well, just look at all those bubbles! This is A Serious Cooling Tongue


Sadly though, she was beaten to the title by Benson. Who won simply because this was terrifying! I half expected to stick to the end and disappear forever.


Well done to Benson, our Tongue of the Month Champion!

And here's a quick shot of Fred, as this is a very devilish 'I'm looking forward to eating that stuffed toy' tongue.







* NOt 'LOL - Laugh Out Loud', but 'hang loosely' for those who were born post 1994.

Brentwood Dog Walker's Van

No question it's mine, or who I am or what I do. I have seen people noting down my number from the posters in the window, hopefully this will attract people from further away! Fred really stands out from a distance. Looks a bit mad close up now he's blown up. Think he's larger than life on the van!

Signs going on - first fitter, nice chap.


Last minute touches - different fitter, mmmm.. lovely. The signs that is...


And the back, my name, what I do, and where to get hold of me. Ideal for people sitting behind me in traffic to memorise my very easy URL - I'm in Brentwood, and I'm a dog walker - www.brentwooddogwalker.co.uk - what could be simpler than?



Many thanks to Morgan Signs for their attention to detail, and for fitting, removing, resizing and refitting the signs on the front, at no extra cost. Highly recommended!

Car Crates

Finally I've got a new large crate for the van. I've removed Beauty's XX large crate so that I can get Fred's in, and I think if I jiggled them around a bit more I'd get Fred's smaller crate in as well, so three dogs can travel in safety. Most doggy travel won't be huge distances, but I will have to try to take on customers in batches of three - one small, one medium, one large.

I have begun yearning for a tardis. I'd like a bigger van inside, so I can have some proper crates built in, with enough space that Fred and Beauty's can be solely for them, with no paying passengers 'borrowing' their spaces. Be nice to have a hand washing area, and a couple of seats up front. But I don't want to lose that 'park anywhere, go anywhere' feeling I get with my current van. Luckily I don't have a few grand hanging around burning a hole in my pocket, so will have some time to think about it!