May is a month of blooming flowers, longer walks, and celebrating the special bond between dogs and their humans. πͺ»π»πΌ
As the weather warms up and days get longer, spring is the perfect time to refresh your dog’s training and strengthen their skills. Whether you have a playful puppy or an experienced pooch, reinforcing good habits will make walks, adventures, and social outings even more enjoyable. π
As the days grow longer and the flowers start to bloom, spring is the perfect time to refresh your dog’s routine! Warmer weather, new scents, and outdoor adventures await, but the changing season also brings new challenges for pet owners.
As pet owners, we’d do anything to keep our furry companions safe. But emergencies can happen when we least expect them, and being prepared could make all the difference. Whether it’s a minor cut, an allergic reaction, or something more serious, knowing some basic pet first aid can save precious time and even lives. ο»Ώ
As the new year begins, it’s not just humans who can benefit from fresh starts and goal setting—our furry companions can, too!
πΆ As the frosty mornings and chilly evenings settle in, it’s important to ensure your dog stays safe, comfortable, and healthy during the colder months. βοΈ
As December rolls in, it’s time to sprinkle some holiday magic into our furry friends’ lives! Dogs are part of the family, so why not include them in the festive fun? From cozy traditions to exciting activities, here’s how you can create a Doggy Wonderland to make this season unforgettable for your pup.
As we welcome November and the season of giving, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the joy, laughter, and love our furry friends bring into our lives every single day.
Halloween can be a thrilling time filled with costumes, decorations, and, of course, treats. But while the spooky season is fun for us, it can bring some unexpected challenges for our dogs. πΆπ»
Whether you’ve just welcomed a new puppy or want to ensure your older dog remains well-behaved, mastering the basics of training is essential.
Did you know that nearly 60% of households in the UK owned pets in 2020/2021?
With dogs being the most popular pets, studies show that there are over 12.5 million in UK households alone - Mind Blowing, right?!
It's no wonder more and more people are attending courses and educating themselves about their pets behavior and how to best support their furry friends when expanding their family.
Bringing a new baby home is a very exciting time for all. However, it can also be an extremely anxious time for a new mum, especially as the time of arrival draws nearer.
Baby’s safety is a new mum's number one priority!
It’s important to ensure that the first time your dog meets your new baby, it is done in a very calming experience and is done in a slow, controlled, and loving manner.
Below are a few key tips to ensure that you are well prepared before the arrival of your new little one.
BEFORE BABY ARRIVES:
- Obedience training with a behaviorist or dog expert is something you definitely want to consider. They will teach basic skills or brush up on old ones if they’re already trained, guide you through the process & assist by assessing your dog's readiness (separation anxiety, attachment bonds etc.)
- Prepare your dog by playing baby sounds in your home using your PC or your phone or hold a doll in your arms on the sofa & keep the dog on the floor while playing baby noises from your phone under the doll; take your dog to a playground if possible so they can get used to rambunctious kids being around, stay outside the playground and reward all calm behavior.
- Put up a baby gate and let your dog get used to any other baby gear you plan to use around the home, i.e., baby swings, Moses basket, nappies, buggy, etc.
- Gradually establish more boundaries & make sure the baby's room is off limits. It’s important for your dog to know that you set the boundaries so they don't associate the change with the new baby arriving & that you determine when your dog may enter the baby's room.
- Slowly change the dogs daily routine, i.e. if you will no longer be able to take 2 walks daily, then start by reducing it to 1 ahead of the baby's arrival or adjust the schedule/ times in need. The point is not to spend less time with your dog. However, it is to get your dog used to receiving a bit less attention and sharing you. You could try mixing up your walk times as you won't know your baby's routine, that way your dog won't expect a walk at the same time every day.
- Allocate a safe space that is for your dog only & that baby is not able to access (Dogs need an escape sometimes too) a room or even a crate would work.
This post was written in collaboration with Merton Dog Training
Check them out HERE
AFTER BABY ARRIVES:
- When going into the hospital, take a blanket or toy with you that you will allocate to your dog. Pop it in with the baby, then get dad or a family member to bring the blanket home after the baby has slept with it & ask them to just pop it on the floor in the room with the dog - this way the new baby's scent is in the house before baby comes home.
- The day you come home. Mum comes in first so the dog can say hello. You may have been away a while to get the excitement of you coming back out the way before you bring the baby in.
- Dad then brings the baby in, with the baby in the car seat. You may want to pop your dog on lead at this point. Calmly pop the baby in the car seat on the floor and allow the dog to sniff the baby. Nice and calm, verbal 'good boy/girl' if they are calm. If your dog walks away then allow them to. Baby's can be boring for dogs.
- Give your dog attention in the presence of the baby and praise calm behavior. Give treats away from the baby and keep a calm voice too. Do not excite the dog.
- Never ever leave the dog unattended with the baby!!!!
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