Don't Just Take my Word for it, Here's What the Clients Say...

Winston is better behaved and fitter. Linda is superb and genuinely cares about the animals.

Current Vacancies

Dog Walking

I will have a space for one permanent, adult dog, walking at lunchtime, from 1st June.

I specialise in carefully chosen, exclusive group walks around Brentwood's country parks and open spaces. Walks are limited to a small number of dogs to ensure I can give personal attention to each dog. In return the dogs give me a lot of attention – they learn very quickly it's more rewarding to share their fun with me, rather than following behind doing their own thing.



Brentwood has plenty of open spaces, grassland, woodland, ponds and wetlands, which mean there are plenty of places to keep your dog physically active and their breed instincts satisfied, while I create the training games that keep their minds alert. The combination of physical and mental activity leads to a more contented companion for you, which, in turn, will give you and your dog a happier home life.



I do 'wild agility' to keep dogs agile, play hide and seek to teach them to stay aware of me at all times, play recall games to keep them coming back for more, encourage sniffing games - this keeps them calm and amazingly can be more tiring than running around! I also allow those mad moments - ears back, tail down, zooooooom as fast as they can.

Sunshine means Swimming - Doesn't it?

Normally I can't keep Winston out of water - or perhaps more accurately - watery mud pits. So imagine my surprise when I threw a toy into this small 'dog pond' and this happened...



He did paddle the water a bit, but just refused to dive in. So, defying everything everyone says about dogs not being able to reason, he wanders round a bit, and finds a stepping stone.




Where he starts paddling again...



Loses his balance...



And falls in...




Proving he can swim after all, and finally wins the prize and retrieves his toy!

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

Dog of the Month - February

It's that (slightly late) time again - here's Winston, our Dog of The Month for February!

Winston is a charming Black Lab who I walk two or three times a week. When I started walking him, he was so happy and excited about his walk he'd be off and running before I got out of the door, taking me with him. He lives opposite a park, so I believe a lot of his walks are on foot from the door. As I need two hands to lock up behind me before putting him in the van, he's had to practice standing patiently, without pulling on the lead, so my hands are free (Paws/Pause at the Doors).

Despite being as excited as usual, in February we cracked it! I came out of the door, and he calmly waited without me having to call him back to me. What a star! No formal training for it, but he learnt it anyway!

Snow Day!

I love the snow - I love the way it makes all the dogs go a bit bonkers, although normally I'm too slow to catch it on the dogcam!

Here are some stills instead.

Winter 09 Newsletter - Winter Care for Pets

News from the Team

Fred is now a cover star! He has worked very hard to overcome his bad start in life, and walking with so many dogs over the past year has really helped him to settle down, so I was very pleased that he earned this honour!!

In case you can’t read it, the book is called ‘100 Ways to Solve Your Dog’s Problems’. Unfortunately I’ve been included in the photographs inside, but there aren’t many!

Mud!

I apologise! Some of the dogs seem to have an inbuilt mud magnet. I’m happy as long as they are enjoying themselves, but I do what I can to leave the mud outside. Please leave an old towel out for me to give your dog a final ‘polish’ before I leave them. If you’d like to leave newspaper, cardboard, plastic sheeting etc on the floor, I’ll happily walk on it.



Special Requests

Dog training - I’d like to extend an offer for basic training- I am able to teach the dogs, but need experience teachingpeople to teach their own dogs, so if you think you and your dogwould benefit from one or two sessions for basic exercises, sit,down, recall, lead walking, please get it touch. This will be alimited offer!




Food labels and empty bags

As part of my training I’m researching dog food and ingredients, so it would be really helpful if I could have empty dog food and treat bags, labels from tins etc. Just one or two of each would be great.

Winter Care

Young, elderly, ill or infirm dogs (sighthounds such as Greyhounds, Whippets or Salukis in particular) may need a coat when out of doors this winter.



Wind can be particularly chilling. Dogs with short coats living in centrally heated homes don't grow a winter coat in the same way an outdoor dog would. If you turn your heating off at night or while you are out, consider whether your dog might be cold, even indoors and think about getting a separate coat for night times.

Dogs don't usually need more food in the winter unless they are kept outside, so don't be tempted to give extra food. Outdoor water bowls can ice over, and very cold water is not good for dogs. There is a danger of ice burns to the tongue if the bowl is metal and cold enough, or a ceramic bowl can crack. Float a ball in the water to help prevent icing over, bring the bowl in, or empty it on very cold nights.

It can be just as dangerous to leave a dog in a cold car as a hot one, because the car keeps cold air in – make sure your dog is warm enough if you have to leave them for a while. Dogs, but in particular cats, have a great liking for anti-freeze
due to its sweet taste. Keep it well away from your pets because it can be fatal.

Cats have a tendency to climb into warm places in winter, and this includes car engines. Please be aware and try to be sure where your cat is before you drive off.

Chocolate and mistletoe are more in evidence at Christmas. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, although they may be able to tolerate a small amount of milk chocolate - small dogs are more at risk as they don’t need to eat much to be ill. Call the vet if you
suspect they have been in the Quality Streets – cooking chocolate is much worse, so watch out when chocolate cakes are around.

Mistletoe, and in particular the berries, are highly toxic, so make sure they are hung up carefully and can't be pulled down by the dogs. Watch out for fallen berries.
Rabbits and guinea pigs are often left outside in the winter.

Rabbits can deal with this as long as they are not in a draught or getting damp. For guinea pigs it’s pure misery! Bring your guinea pigs into a shed or unused garage, and give them, and rabbits, thick newspaper under the bedding to help insulate,
and plenty of extra bedding, changed more frequently as if it gets wet (either rain or urine), it will freeze. Bubble wrap is your furry friend’s Best Friend. Keep two water bottles, and make sure to swap them over if one freezes. Don’t forget to spend
time with your pets, even if it is cold and dark outside.

Snow and fur is not a good mix, and sometimes snow balls form on long haired dogs. Even shorter haired breeds can gather these on their feet, and once they have formed they need to be left to melt (hairdryers can help if your dog will tolerate it). They
are very painful for your dog to walk on, so if you spot them, take the dog home for a break. Vaseline between the toes, and keeping long fur trimmed can help. Leave some fur on, as is will help to protect their pads from frozen ground.



If we get heavy snowfall again this season, watch out for snow on buildings or trees that might melt and fall – just as your dog is underneath. Check that the height of the snow in the garden doesn't open up an escape route for your dog.

Snow, ice and hail usually lead to gritting lorries. The salt and other materials can irritate your dogs feet, so you may need to give them a damp wipe over when returning from a walk; try not to let your dogs lick their feet in case they ingest something that could make them ill.

Rain Doesn't Stop Play

We don't care if it's torrential rain or not. I take extra care when driving, try to persuade the dogs to stop steaming in the van so I can see through the windows, and carry lots of towels, but otherwise, it's business as usual.



The rain made the tiny stream (so tiny it dries up if it doesn't rain for a few days) on our usual walk not only very fast, but it burst its tiny banks in a couple of places!



Very refreshing! Although it was raining, it was quite warm once we got moving.

Time for Elevenses

The dogs often stop for a drink here. Although it's September, it's been lovely and sunny this week, hot in the sun.

Conrad and Scarlet are first to the water - Conrad is usually in the lead (unless Barney is with us), so he drinks first. Scarlet, being a lady, doesn't seem to have any idea there is a pecking order she should be following. Winston and Bingley hang around the edges, waiting for their turn.


Next, it's Winston's turn. You may be able to spot from the ripples that he's not so much drinking as nose-butting the water. He likes to smear it around with his nose.


And finally, Bingley. He very rarely has a drink on a walk, but he wants to take his turn anyway, so pokes his nose over for a good look.

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