Heads, Hearts And Paws

The right equipment makes all the difference when you’re out on an adventure with your dog. I cannot recommend the #perfectfitharness enough. This two point harness comes in 3 pieces so it can be tailored to even the oddest shaped hounds (sorry Albi and Lenny). It allows for great freedom of movement and is machine washable too 👍🏼👍🏼 #newharness #spoilt #worthit #comfy #lurcher #teendog #nomorehandmedowns #canineadventures #readyforanything #turquoise #myfavouritecolour #goodboy

Had THE most incredible time at #woof2019 I’m so grateful for the learning opportunity but also for the wonderful people I met and the fabulous positive atmosphere. I am exhausted and although so happy to have been immersed in the behaviour conference “bubble”, I’m so glad to be home with all my boys, a tonne of new ideas, less food and more exercise. Thank you to all the people who answered my barrage of questions too...you have helped me in seeking my direction ☺️ #exhausted #happy #fullofideas #focused #direction #couldsleepfordays #happytobehome #exercise #freshair here’s to #woof2021 #justtakemymoney 😂😂

Never mind littlewoods etc...this is my kind of catalogue #kong #woof2019 #ppg #toys #puppies #dogs #kittens #cats #enrichment #neverenoughmoney 😩😆

Well....it’s finally here!!! #woof2019 I can’t tell you how excited I am about 4 jam packed days of learning. Hoping to meet some awesome new people and see some amazing speakers. #nottingham #eastmidlandsconferencecentre #hotelroomalltomyself #learning #behaviourandtraining #industryconference #stationary #networking #lovinglife #dogtraining

Beware of training sabotage. When modifying behaviours (training positive behaviours to replace negative ones I.e...a sit instead of jumping up), it can be very difficult to keep consistency, particularly when third parties are involved. Stay firm and try to get everybody on the same page. Albi responds excitedly if someone uses a high pitched noice or goes to pet him on the top of his head. My aim now is to convince him that sitting in these scenarios is much more rewarding, just like in “normal” greetings. Set your criteria and practice the hell out of it. With something like jumping, set up scenarios with people who are willing to help and take direction, if you can. Practice makes perfect!!#dogtraining #sabotage #stayfirm #positivereinforcement #incompatiblebehavior #consitancyiskey #cheshire

New service for 2019!!Delegation is sometimes the answer to taking back portions of our busy lives. Let’s face it, Dog guardianship, as fantastic as it is, does throw one thing in the mix that we’d all rather not do or put off....clearing the garden. This time of year is the worst!! It’s cold, it’s wet...yuck. For as little as £8/week we can clear this job right up.#poopicking #keepitclean #enjoyyourgarden #onelesschore #delegate #whyhaveadogandbarkyourself #newservice #cuddington #cheshire #callforaquote

But we knew this already....didn’t we?!

A cautionary tale...Yesterday, I very nearly ran over a teacup Yorkshire terrier in our village. I was pulling up to a junction and he ran in front of my car. How did this happen?? Because his guardian was using an extendable lead, was distracted, letting him run ahead and it jammed. This meant that the cord wasn’t winding back in. When training and walking I don’t use them. There is a time and place for them for sure, but not in enclosed public places, near roads or in crowd...ed spaces etc etc.... I have seen many injuries on dogs and humans caused by them too. What I suggest is a 6foot lead with a sturdy handle and strong clip. Or a longline for areas you can allow a bit more freedom. #cautionarytale #yorkie #extendablelead #timeandplace #notinsuburbia #wideopenspaces #nearlyhadaheartattack #keepthemsafe #donttakerisks #keepcontrol #dontgetdistracted #enjoythewalk #cherishthem
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Patience is a virtue...especially with animals. You don’t need fancy equipment. Just a plan and time, lots of it. I’m very lucky to be looking after this gorgeous duo for a few days. They’re a little worried about new people so the last thing they need is me forcing the issue. I’m hoping by the end of our time together, they won’t see me as a potential threat and may even be accepting of a snuggle or two #patience #patienceisavirtue #slowlybutsurely #cat #petsitting #dreamies #positiveassociations #catflap #thehandthatfeeds #asifbymagic #tadamoment #hopingforsnuggles

I will not feel guilty about advocating for my dogs emotional well-being. Lenny is fear reactive (he will bark and lunge) towards dogs and is fearful of noises. This makes walks challenging. He is muzzled when we’re out in the hope that people will give him lots of space. It doesn’t always work out. Whenever Lenny has a reaction, it sets him back and he’s despondent for the rest of the day. And believe you me...we have done a ton of training over the years. If your dog strugg...les with the outside world and you feel like you need a helping hand from someone who knows what it’s like to live with it all, please get in touch. #lurcher #lurchersofinstagram #emotionalwellbeing #fearreactive #positivereinforcement #dogtraining #happyhound #noguilt #learning #keepthemsafe #myresponsibility #oldmandog #lovehim #hardworkbutworthit #cuddington #cheshire
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Drumroll please....I’d like to introduce to you the newest members of the Heads, Hearts and Paws household. Rory and Flyn!! Rory is the lilac (grey) boy who was born with only one ear and only 1 toe on his back foot. Flyn (the blonde bombshell) is the son of a boar called #donaldtrump 😂🤣 These two beauties have come from a local rescue called #cavyhavenrescue in #winsford I visited Irene last week and couldn’t believe the numbers of unwanted or over bred guinea pigs that she was caring for. I’m heading back tomorrow to help out. #guineapigs #rescue #newfamilymembers #veggies #greathair #toupee #lilac #pinkeyes #cuddles

Exactly a month today, I’ll be heading to Nottingham for #woof2019 It’s a huge 4 day animal behaviour and training conference, held every other year and I’m really excited. It’s so important to me to stay as up to date with the latest finding in my field. Ensuring that I am the best trainer and carer for all of my current and future clients. I came away from the 2017 conference full of drive and feeling like my brain had fallen out 🤣 And I’m so looking forward to that again. The photo is of a guy I used to care for. His behaviour was super complex and he was the biggest squidgy teddy bear alive ☺️#airedaleterrier #animalbehaviour #animaltraining #conference #nottingham #nottinghamuniversity #continuedpersonaldevelopment #learning #excited #4wholedays #hotelstay #funatwork #workhardbutnothardwork #bethebestyoucanbe #cannotwait

I’m starting the year with a feeling of guilt. I haven’t been the trainer I usually am. My goodness this boy has come on over the last few months. I’ll be honest though, managing him in busy, exciting situations this festive period has been hard work. At one point he was in a house with 12 adults, 7 children (1 newborn & 1 crawler) and 5 other dogs. All whom were unfamiliar and unbelievably exciting. I didn’t handle it at all well. I’m always as risk averse with them as possi...ble so the prospect of knocking tiny people over or excitedly greeting the wrong person was just too much. So, I have spent the last few days rewarding the heck out of him for good things to make up for it. He’s been to the forest to chase (and never catch) squirrels, he’s had a delicious frozen turkey neck and calmly greeted a few nice people on his walks. What I’m trying to say is, I screwed up but it’s being put right. We all lose sight of what is needed in the moment occasionally. But it’s all learning ☺️🐶 #walkyourdog #delamereforest #lurcher #squirrelchaser #hedoesntclimbtrees #guilt #makeitbetter #rewardbasedtraining #positivereinforcement #calmpuppy #christmascraziness #newyearcalm #babystepsnexttime #lurchersofinstagram #cheshire
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These two gorgeous puppies are Georgie and Paisley. They were two fosters who we had the pleasure of looking after a few years ago before they headed off to their forever homes. Along side the New Year usually comes the thoughts of change. Well...recently, I’ve really been thinking and struggling with the term “pet owner”. I don’t feel like I “own” the animals who live in our house. I feel it is much more a guardianship. It’s a relationship where we ensure their wellbeing and... they, in their own way do the same for us. The sooner we see animals, not as a commodity but as integral parts of our families, the better off we all will be. #newyearthoughts #notanowner #guardian #welovepets #ahouseisnotahomewithoutadog #respect #fosterpup #tuggingatheartstrings #missthem #georgie #pitbullcross #paisley #heinz57 #cuteness @ Cuddington, Cheshire, United Kingdom
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And just like that...it’s all over for another year!! Happy New Year friends, family and supporters of Heads, Hearts and Paws. We have had a lovely Christmas and have just got home from seeing in the new year with family. We have lots of exciting things to look forward to in 2019. New services we plan to provide and a 4 day animal behaviour and training conference are just two of the things I can’t wait to tell you all about. #happynewyear #2019 #excitingplans #newservices #woof2019 #beyondexcited #lurcher #albi #turkeyguarding #goodboy #cleverboy #wearegettingthere #giantpuppy #dogtraining #cheshire

Merry Christmas everyone!!☺️🎄 We’re having a couple of lovely days off in the Heads, Hearts and Paws household. Albi and I are taking the opportunity to work on some impulse control around exciting people and events. But mainly spending some much needed, uninterrupted time with the people and pups who mean so much to us. We hope you and yours have the most wonderful time xx #merrychristmas #cheshire #lazylurcher #christmasspirit #christmaseve #lurchersofinstagram #familytime #themostwonderfultimeoftheyear #excited #impulsecontrol #calmboy #festivetreats #alwaystraining #dogtraining

The festive season often means everyone getting together which is awesome!! This can also mean having all the family dogs in one place. This can be stressful for all concerned if they’re not used to each other or their environment, but a good management plan for everyone to stick to is key. Set all the pups up for success and try to keep excitement as low as possible. Because if a dog is over excited, they’re not thinking. Set up quiet areas for the more reserved pups to reti...re to if it gets too much. Have baby gates or pens set up so pups can be separated from each other or other potentially exciting/scary things like small children, toys etc. A couple of weekends ago we had Bella and Rocky to stay 😍Initially it was a bit crazy while everyone got used to the idea of each other and their surroundings. By the Sunday they were relaxed, the two old boys were playing and everyone had got used to Bella being on heat. We had to redirect and separate occasionally but that’s why we set the areas up in the first place. For the most part it was harmonious and I think everyone enjoyed their weekend ☺️🐶🎄
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I had the pleasure of meeting Ella and Max yesterday. These two are so affectionate. Max is a senior boy who very much reminds me of a miniature Lenny (my old boy) and Ella is a big character in a small body. I am reminded every day how special each and every one of them is. The differences and similarities. And how much love they have to give. Even to those they don’t know. #newfriends #ella #shihtzu #max #heinz57 #cuddles #dogwalk #peebreak #neighbours #lovemyjob #wetday #britishweather #muddyfootprints #oops #cuddington #cheshire