The Pet Nanny-Norfolk

All garden visits today as too hot for dog walking! I think Kimber was secretly pleased 😆🐶

Dolly scored a win win today, lots of sniffing opportunities and all in the shade!

Being a Dachshund, Dolly has an amazing nose. They have short legs which positions them closer to the ground enabling them to follow a scent with ease. She has sniffed my lunch out on more than one occasion!

They originated in Germany where their name literally translates as badger dog. Their long bodies and their super noses make them ideal to sniff out the badgers and get into the tunnels of the set to find them. Those who own Dachshunds or know someone who does will understand why they can be so bolshie. You need to be fierce to take on a massive badger! Definitely a lot of dog for a little dog 🥰🐶

The Problem with Social Media

Very often when I speak to clients and new customers they inform me that they’ve been following some dog training guru on tiktok or facebook or one of the other social media platforms out there. They may even of bought a course. There are some really good on line courses on there but at the same time the dog training and behaviour industry isn’t regulated and often those with huge followings aren’t qualified and are taking complex issues and punishing the symptoms rather than addressing the cause. The really sad thing is that in many of these videos we are seeing dogs with lamenesses and postural abnormalities having methods used on them that will only serve to increase any pain that they are in and we are punishing what is essentially a communication and for many of those dogs they are protecting themselves as they’re sore.

When we want to change behaviour, we are looking at changing emotions and that takes time. Far more time than a 30 second tik tok clip and it’s far less exciting. We’re not looking to draw an audience or boost our egos, we’re looking at increasing your dogs comfort zone.

I have also had customers try to copy tactics that will put them in danger. Behaviour needs assessing in order to come up with the safe and correct behaviour plan. Resource guarding is one of those behaviours where there is an abundance of dangerous advice out there. Hand feeding is popular advice, but you’re putting yourself right in the firing line and for many dogs it doesn’t address the issue. Another horrendous piece of advice is to take whatever it is away from the dog, which firstly confirms for the dog that yes, you are not safe to have food around and secondly in doing so again makes the risk of a bite very high.
The very fact that the dog behaviour and training industry isn’t regulated makes it a minefield for dog owners and sometimes I even question how they’re supposed to make the right choice!!
Here is a guide to help –
🩺Ask your vet
🐶Look at the APDT, IMDT, ISCP, ABTC, APBC.
🐕‍🦺 If your dog is reactive or has a behaviour problem you should be being asked for a pain assessment prior to sessions.
😑Ask what happens if your dog gets it wrong. If the answer is physical discomfort, walk away.
🐕‍🦺Remember if you’re looking for help with behaviour then choose someone who specialises in that and also aggression and reactivity is very different to bite work.
🐕‍🦺Changing behaviour requires a holistic approach that isn’t just about the specific behaviour, it also involves lifestyle changes.

If you’re in the market for a hard wearing paddling pool for the summer, these are currently on sale in Argos (I picked up from Sainsburys). I can confirm they are a decent size for a small inexpensive pool 🐶❤️

Missing from Fersfield Road Kenninghall

Looking forward to The Canine Carnival at Applewood Countryside Holidays again this year. Come down and check it out!

Still missing

Update both now home safe 🐶❤️

Had a lovely day at Applewood Countryside Holidays The Canine Carnival. Unfortunately I didn’t get any photos from the Guided dog walk as I was too busy chatting 🙈
Alfie had a go at the sausage catching competition and failed miserably! Only took a couple of photos of Alfie. Judging was incredibly hard for the dog judge would most like to take home as there were so many contenders!!!
I think Alfie had his fill of biscuits and sausages but I did treat him and Nelly to a biscuit from Bear & Arlo's Pet Bakery which disappeared very quickly 😆

Just 2 days to go until the The Canine Carnival at Applewood Countryside Holidays this Saturday! The weather looks perfect staying under 22 degrees for the duration!

🐾 I will be returning with a guided walk at 9.30am, this year staying on site. It is open to all so no need to worry if you’re not staying on the campsite! Please wear sensible shoes as we will be walking across countryside terrain!

🐾 I will also be helping out with the Fun dog show, with proceeds going to a local charity Norfolk & Suffolk Animal Trust. It is a fun show, so please come and enter, lots of fun categories included!!

🐾 Sausage catching competition is also back, those who joined in last year will remember this as one of the highlights and so much fun for you and your pooches!

🐾 Scurry racing is will also be there for your pooches to have a go

🐾 lots of vendors and face painting

Charity event in aid of Norfolk & Suffolk Animal Trust so please come down and show your support!

Hope to see you all there! 🦮🐕‍🦺🐕🐶

** unfortunately found with not a good outcome **

Anyone local please share and please look out for this little one, he's gone missing from Besthorpe whilst in the care of a pet sitter, his owners are away 😢💔
He was sighted on Norwich Road at 5pm last night 🤞

Not only have we had a bit of a Labrador day today, we had a family Labrador day 🥰
As well as my Alfie, I have had the pleasure of walking his brother Freddy and his mum and sister, Nala and Lola!!! Monty who is not related, also came along for a walk! What beautiful genes they have ❤️🐾

Had a lovely weekend looking after Arlo and his feline friends and a pop in visit to some very well behaved labs I haven’t seen for a while 🐾❤️

Have had a lovely time looking after the gorgeous Beau this week 🐾❤️

Another possibile sighting Wymondham way 🤞 please keep your eyes peeled if your out this way
!!

*** POSSIBLE SIGHTING ***
A small glimmer of hope 🤞🤞
An hour ago on the A11 between Wymondham and Norwich. If you are in the area please keep an eye out. But remember don’t approach the dog as it will be scared.

*** UPDATE TAVERHAM LEAD ***
Sadly we think it’s a false alarm. A lady came forward to suggest it might have been her dog the gentleman saw this morning. Never rule anything out but it seems plausible. Taverham and Beyond thanks once again. And please even if this might be the case keep your eyes peeled and SHARE SHARE SHARE far and wide 💕🙏🤞

Had the pleasure of looking after these beautiful souls over the Easter holidays 🥰 (plus Harry and Skye’s feline family but I forgot pictures!) 🐾❤️

Just woken up to check if the bbq meat we cooked could tempt Digby home but sadly nothing……

We put his blankets and dirty washing on the line to see if he would pick up the scent for home.

Would anyone be able to help be a search coordinator as I’m struggling to deal with it on my own and need to start a more detailed search of ditches and hedgerows.

Strangers have been so kind and it’s touched me how people I don’t know care…..

Thank you to everyone for helping me and please let’s find him and get him home

BBC News: East of England
ITV Anglia
Park Radio
BBC Radio Norfolk
Amanda Holden
East Anglian Daily Times
Heart

Lovely visit with these guys yesterday ❤️🐾

Dog walking spaces available in Banham and surrounding villages.

🐾Experienced 🐾Fully insured
🐾Pet First Aid trained to Professional Level 3

We also offer 🐾Cat and small animal drop ins(including Exotics) 🐾Equine and livestock services

Toby channelled his inner dachshund today 🐾❤️

Lovely chilled group walk yesterday morning 🐾❤️

Chilly day again today, nice calm dogs all round with lots of sniffing ❤️🐾