Totally Mutts

Trying to raise some money for the Humane Society International. They do amazing work in rescuing victims of the Asian dog meat trade, fur farms, those affected by disasters, animals tested on in laboratories and many more abused and exploited animals.
I have some hand painted Pebbles outside my house in Rustington, feel free to pop along, take a pebble and make a small donation. Xx

Great post about Hard flooring and how it can adversely affect our dogs! Worth a read!

Can we talk about slippery floors?

Hard flooring is popular, especially in houses with dogs. It's attractive, it's easy to clean, it's durable. But it can also be a nightmare for dogs who struggle to gain traction on its smooth, slippy surface.

Think about how it feels to walk on an icy footpath - how you tense your muscles, move more gingerly, fall! That can be a dog's experience on a hard smooth surface. Now imagine you're a senior dog with the stiffness and aches which come with age. Or a young puppy who's still learning how to manoeuvre & co-ordinate your body. Or you're an excitable adolescent who skids & slips whenever you run.

Not only do dogs run the risk of 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 but the constant vigilance it takes to maintain balance along with the effects of frequent slips, skids & falls may also result in a generally 𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗹. Neither of which are going to have a positive impact on behaviour.

Creating an environment conducive to rest, relaxation and calmness is often the very first step in addressing behaviour problems in the home (and out of it). So it makes sense to take steps to protect their bodies and minimise over arousal. Add rugs or runners in areas they use frequently. Make sure their bed or blanket has a non-slip backing. Use a rubber mat under their food & water bowls to prevent them sliding around. Keep nails & paw fur trimmed.

Observe your dog. If they scrabble on the floor as they move or turn corners. If they hesitate before moving from a carpeted floor to a hard floor. If they slip or lose their footing sometimes. If their paws slide a bit as they stand up or lie down. If they ever 'run in one spot' because they can't get any purchase on the flooring then consider making their life safer and more comfortable by adding some rugs & runners. Because it's their house too!

If you see any of these signs in your dog, consider that it may not be a symptom of a physical medical problem, but rather a sign that your dog might be depressed. 😟

There could be a number of reasons for this. Maybe you have lost another pet or a family member and your dog is grieving just like you. This may even be the case if an older child has gone away to university or moved out of the family home. Maybe there has been a big change in the family, such as a house move, new baby or new pet, or people going back to work in the office, leaving the dog home alone for longer. Has their routine changed due to recovery from an operation?

Mental issues affect our dogs as much as us and, although not a first aid issue, as conscientious owners, the more we are aware of changes in our dog, whether mental or physical, the better their overall health will be. 🐶💖

Dog Owners!

Could your dog be experiencing foot pain from over-long nails?

The Importance of Nail Maintenance

When standing on a flat hard surface your Dog's nails should NOT touch the floor.

Dogs with long nails will distribute their weight different ly causing strain in the muscles and ligaments of the legs (especially bad for older or arthritic dogs).

Long nails can push the toes up - causing the nails to press into the nail bed, resulting in soreness.

Longs nails can get caught in clothing, scratch an owner's skin, or cause the dog to slip on hard flooring.

Nails that are long enough to curl under can actually start to grow into the pad causing further pain.

So - Check your dog's nails today - and get them trimmed if necessary!

Totally Mutts expert nail trimming service : £7
(We can come to you for an extra £2 fuel charge)
Message to book an appointment.

Can you tell which of these nails need trimming?

💯 Agree

I originally posted this back in March when dog attacks were high on the media agenda. Sadly, recent events including another fatality, have brought the issue to prominence again. The government's 'solution' - to fast track an extension to legislation which has already proved to be ineffective in order to ban a 'breed' which doesn't exist - will not change things.

The breeders who recklessly & negligently breed temperamentally unsound dogs and sell them to inexperienced and unsuitable homes for profit will continue to do so.

The people who recklessly & negligently buy dogs which are beyond their skillset because they fit an image or because they make them look 'hard' or because it boosts their ego will continue to do so.

The breed 'du jour' will change but the underlying problem will remain.

Fixation on one 'breed' conveniently misdirects us from the real causes of the majority of dog attacks.

Irresponsible and uneducated dog breeding and ownership is a hugely complex and difficult topic and one which absolutely needs addressing. But it deserves thoughtful and serious discussion not ineffectual, knee jerk, populist legislation designed more to appease the masses than to keep them safe.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

First posted 8 March 2023 -

A BBC investigation published today has revealed that dog bites reported to the police (in England & Wales) have risen by a third over the last 5 years. And, predictably, much of the media coverage has centred around these bites being caused by ‘out of control’ dogs of certain breeds. But is that accurate? What is the real story when it comes to dog bites?

⚠️ breed is a poor predictor of aggression
⚠️ the vast majority (80%) of dog bites happen in the home and come from family dogs
⚠️ the risk of bites may be increased in the presence of pain or disease in the dog
⚠️ the majority of dogs that bite are motivated by fear or anxiety, not ‘badness’
⚠️ the use of physical punishment or physical force is a risk factor in creating a fear response and aggression
⚠️ the majority of accidents to children occur when there is lack of active parental supervision

So, how do we reverse this trend? Rather than relying on governments to act (after all previous legislation like the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act is both profoundly flawed & ineffective) we can all play a role to improve safety around dogs.....

✅ educate yourself about canine body language & behaviour
✅ ensure your dog’s fundamental needs, including exercise, social contact & access to species specific activities, are being met
✅ understand that dogs are autonomous, sentient animals and not playthings here for our amusement or social media likes
✅ understand your dog doesn’t know how to live in a human world and that it’s your job to teach them when you can and manage them when you can't
✅ understand that your dog is allowed to proportionately express their discomfort or displeasure just as you are and that you should listen when they do
✅ take the time to find a responsible breeder / rescue. Poor breeding and irresponsible ‘rescue’ results in physically and temperamentally compromised dogs being placed in unsuspecting, ill equipped homes with potentially devastating results
✅ be realistic about your experience & skill levels when choosing a dog to join your family. Match your challenge to your skills. You don't learn to drive in a Ferrari for good reason. Dog ownership is no different...
✅ follow & learn from responsible, ethical trainers who understand the roots of behaviour & not simply how to suppress it
✅ actively supervise (or separate) children & dogs

Every dog has the capacity to bite regardless of breed or size. And the consequences of a bite can be devastating for the dog and for the humans. But we can mitigate that risk by understanding and accepting our dogs for the amazing species they are. By choosing wisely, meeting their needs and listening to what they tell us. As dog owners, we all have it in our power to make a positive change to these statistics. The buck stops with us.

©️Aileen Stevenson, The Perfect Puppy Company

I like this 😊

I absolutely HATE the term ‘well trained’ when applied to dogs. Hate it!

Because honestly, I’ve met tons of dogs who would be considered ‘well trained’ because they walk to heel, have rocket recall and will chase a tennis ball for hours on end. But they don’t look happy. They don’t look as though they’re really enjoying themselves and there’s no joy in their interactions with their carers.

The idea of a dog being ‘well trained’ is irrelevant if the dog isn’t HAPPY. I’d much rather see a dog who pulls their carer into a bush for a good sniff than a dog who joylessly marches along on a tight lead. I want to see goofy, silly dogs with wiggly bums, who are allowed to use their voices. Dogs who are able to show their personalities and explore the world around them, without fear of being told off. Dogs who roll in the grass and chase rabbits, and have the freedom to make choices.

Stuff your well-trained dogs, show me those happy dogs! ❤️

Great results with Flynn's teeth today! The photos below speak for themselves. Message to book a half hour session of dental cleaning with the Emmipet ultrasonic toothbrush. (just £10) You could save £100's on vets bills.

Good idea to check for these if your dog has been in long grass...

Unfortunately it's foxtail season again 😞 Foxtail plants are a weed-type grass that can cause serious problems for animals!
Ear infections, nosebleeds/rhinitis, pyothorax, abscesses and tetanus are just SOME of the serious issues that can come from these little guys! If you notice your pet repeatedly sneezing, pawing at their ears, coughing or acting uncomfortable, these could be signs of a possible foxtail and should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Enjoying the pleasure of this boy's company today, isn't he a stunner? Shadow, I think I'm in lurve 😍💗🥰

Worthwhile post about spaniel / poodle crosses, such a popular mix these days. I heard from a groomer once that the owner of a Cockerpoo didn't realise their dog was half spaniel!!!

How do you feel when someone you don't know well stands too close to you? When they invade your personal space? It's uncomfortable, isn't it? How would you feel if they tried to touch or hug you? Really uncomfortable....

But do we always consider how dogs feel about being touched by strangers? Rusty is a beautiful and unusual looking dog. He attracts a lot of attention from people. They stop in the street to talk to him. They want to pet him. They even pull over in cars to get a better look. But Rusty doesn't want to be touched by anyone other than his family. Strangers reaching down to him worries him and he responds the only way he knows how which is to try to create the space he needs to feel safe.

It isn't our right to touch dogs we don't know. They aren't public property and we have no more right to touch them than we do to touch their human owners. And we shouldn't have an expectation that we can.

If you want to interact with a strange dog first ask yourself honestly whether it's for the dog's benefit or for yours. Then ask their owner and don't be offended if the answer is no. Then ask the dog* and don't be offended if the answer is no. And if you're an owner who's been asked by a stranger if they can interact with your dog ask yourself what's in it for your dog and if the answer is nothing just say no.

We have the right to consent, or not, to touch. Our dogs have the same right and we need to start respecting that.

* 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘯𝘰

Nice article about enrichment for senior dogs 🦮🐾

Delighted to welcome back an old customer into the Totally Mutts fold! Our lovely girl Martha (the brown Cockerpoo) was a regular day care customer back in The Mutt Hut days and we're very happy she's back! 😍🐾

Totally agree with the author of this post. Dogs need to sniff!!

“Your dog should only sniff when you tell him he can”

That’s what one of my clients was told…

I mean, where do you even start with that? Under what circumstances do we need to micromanage & control another being’s existence to that extent?

Dog sniff. Scent is their primary sense. They sniff to obtain information about their environment. Sniffing offers them a sensory experience which is beyond our comprehension. It’s natural, normal, appropriate, functional behaviour.

Imagine if someone tried to curb or control your vision. What would that feel like? How would you feel about them? Would that make your life better or worse?

You can be in control without being controlling. You can have both boundaries & freedom. Let them sniff…

Here is when and where dogs will be banned from Arun beaches this year With the summer months approaching, here is where and when beaches will be closed to dogs in the Arun district.

🐾Attention Busy Dog Owners🐾
Totally Mutts currently has dog walking spaces
🌿(Group and Individual)
🌿Small groups
🌿Varied locations
🌿Mature, experienced & Insured
07868 299509 or hit the Send Message button!

My boys, Hector (left) and Shuggie (right)

"Caught this little sucker in my basement this morning. But then as I looked into his pathetic, cute little face, I began to question this entitlement I had to whether another creature should continue existing or not just because he had been occupying the same space as me...

Long story short: I caught a mouse in my basement, stared at it for a really long time, and then walked it to the park. We are all blessed to share this air today... breathe deep."

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself - I'm Julie and I'm based in Rustington - Im a very experienced all rounder when it comes to dogs, until recently I was a groomer, and ran a successful day care and boarding business from 2018. Ive also been involved in dog rescue and ran a small rehoming project fostering and finding homes for dogs from Romania. Ive also studied with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers and acheived a Level 3 in Learning, Motivation and Reinforcement, as well as having attended various other courses with the IMDT. All of which means your furry best friend will be in very experienced hands with Totally Mutts!