Dog Home Boarding In Bristol

Dog home boarding in Bristol

Why choose dog home boarding in Bristol?

Finding a pet carer to care for your dog in their own home in Bristol allows your dog to stay in the comfort of a family home receiving lots of love and undivided attention, individual walks and complete care. No kennels or crates are used and your dog is treated as one of the family, experiencing a home from home experience.

What are the benefits of dog home boarding in Bristol?

You will always know who is caring for your dog. You and your dog will have visited the host family before the home boarding takes place to see where your dog will be staying and who will be caring for him ensuring you are completely happy with the arrangement. You are in complete control over which host family your dog stays with.

Dog home boarding allows your pet to stay in the same routine. A plan is made before the home boarding takes place as a result of discussions with you about your dogs daily routine, feeding requirements, meal times, walks and administration of any medicines. Your dog would be walked on the lead unless written consent is obtained from you that you are happy for him to be taken off the lead and that he has a solid recall.

When you drop your dog off for home boarding you will take your dogs bed, toys, blankets, food (to minimise the chance of a stomach upset), treats and anything else you feel would help him settle into the host families home.

Why home board with a Scamps and Champs Bristol host family?

You will always drop off and pick your dog up from the host family so you know exactly where your dog is being cared. The dog home boarding host family in Bristol will have been selected according to your individual requirements.

All our Scamps and Champs Bristol dog home boarding host families are fully vetted, insured and registered with the local council. They all have secure gardens and are covered by our company insurance policy.

Only dogs from one family are cared for at the same time so your dog will receive all the love and attention he deserves. He will never be left alone for longer than 2 to 3 hours maximum per day so will have lots of company.

Feedback and photos are sent to you at least daily providing reassurance whilst you are away as we understand how stressful it can be leaving your beloved furry family member behind when you go away.

Contact Anne at Bristol on bristol@scampsandchamps.co.uk to check availability or ask for further information.

A Westie Wedding

Twenty five years ago my new husband and I pulled up in a white London taxi to the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich to begin an afternoon and evening of celebration and laughter for our wedding reception.  

Though it’s not far from my home, my visits since then to this historical London pub, with its beautiful floor to ceiling bay windows overlooking the River Thames, have been few and far between; the odd drink and meal, sparkly outfits and glitter beards (the hubbie, not me!) for a night of disco. 

But today I’m here for another reason altogether: I’m bringing a gorgeous little West Highland Terrier, Brie, who I got to know and love whilst pet sitting in the summer, to be in a glamorous photo shoot for a wedding magazine!

Sharon Valentine, the owner of Valentine Weddings, has this knack for thinking outside the box. I met Sharon only recently, when we discussed how her company and Scamps & Champs might collaborate; Sharon is a wedding planner, based in Blackheath in SE London, and I provide a wedding pet chaperone service so that dogs can play a full part in their owners’ weddings! Sharon spotted an opportunity and invited me to be involved in her new winter magazine. 

So here we are, Brie and I, possibly at the most glamorous job either of us have ever done! Brie is looking decidedly gorgeous, after being expertly groomed by Christine of Absolutely Animals in Lee, and me looking less glam in my standard doggie workwear. The room is buzzing with dress makers, cake makers, stylists, photographers, lighting assistants, florists, models, and Brie takes it all in her little stride.

I have a moment, remembering that night twenty five years ago, and then it’s time to dress Brie in her tuxedo (yes, I know) and she’s in the spotlight. For a little dog, she seems to have a wealth of life experience, and she is as placid and patient as ever as she is photographed a hundred times with the “bride” and “groom”. She really is the most brilliant pet model – that saying about never working with animals or children just doesn’t apply to her. When she’s not needed, I wander around the sunlit room with her and then she calmly lies down and falls asleep for a few minutes, maybe worn out by the stardom!

After a couple of hours, Brie’s part in the shoot is done. She changes out of her tux, we say goodbye to the glamorous entourage and she skips down the wide staircase, looking forward to going home to her brother Herbie. I don’t think fame will change her!

Scamps and Champs can help you make your wedding day even more special by allowing your treasured pet to play a part, looked after by one of our professional, friendly and experienced staff. Get in touch with us to find out more.


Using a Cat Sitting Service in South East London

Deciding the best option for your cat’s care when you are away for a few days, or for a longer period, can be very difficult. You may have friends or family who are willing to pop in every day to feed your cats and to top up their automatic feeder, or you may consider a cattery. The other option is to use a professional cat sitter who will care for your cats in the comfort of their own home: Scamps and Champs provide high quality, professional cat sitting service in South East London.

There are many advantages to using a professional cat sitting service in South East London. Our cat sitters all have a love for cats and experience of caring for them. Our cat sitting visits aren’t just cursory visits to feed the cats; Scamps and Champs cat sitters will ensure your cat is fed and has fresh water, and will spend time with your cats, playing with them and giving them love and affection (if they want it!), also checking that your cats are safe and healthy, giving them medication if you would like us to. They will also ensure litter trays, if used, are emptied and refilled.

We follow your instructions as to how many times a day to visit. Some younger or elderly cats may need more frequent visits, whereas a cat with a cat flap who can come and go as it wishes may be fine with one visit a day. The choice is yours, as you know your cats better than anyone.

We have thorough procedures for only ensuring that we provide only the best staff to look after your treasured pets and to come into your home. We interview staff thoroughly, and, once they have demonstrated their motivation, experience and reliability, we obtain references for the previous 2 years and ensure that the cat sitter has an up to date DBS (police) check. Our cat sitters are also fully insured whilst working for Scamps and Champs South East London.

You will meet your cat sitter before agreeing to go ahead, so that you feel confident about the cat sitting service we will provide. At this meeting you can tell us all about your requirements, including the number of visits you would like your cat sitter to make every day and the routines and quirks of your cats, as well as your instructions for your home; the post, bins, plants etc, allowing us to provide you with a bespoke service.

During the cat sitting service, we keep in close contact with our sitters to ensure that everything is going as planned and we are on hand to provide back up or help if needed. We provide you with regular updates on the cat sitting service through our pet sitter software, and you will receive regular emails with photos and a status report on your cats, enabling you to relax whilst you are away, confident that all is well.

The Scamps and Champs price for at cat sitting service in South East London depends on how many visits and how many cats you have, but visits start at £10.00 for 1-2 cats.

For a detailed quotation, please contact us for further information. Scamps & Champs South East London currently provide cat sitting service in South East London and Bromley.

Scamps and Champs South East London are members of the National Association of Registered Pet Sitters and the Pet Industry Federation. Contact Scamps & Champs via our online form, to check availability and make a booking. Learn more about our Cat Sitting Service by visiting the Scamps & Champs Website.

How To Stop Your Dog Barking When Left Alone

The incessant volleys of yips, woofs and whines of dogs when left alone can be a big problem for any dog owner and even the neighbours, except if you live in a detached house in the countryside. All dogs bark as way to communicate with their owners but a dog that barks continuously can cause so much trouble. To get your dog to stop barking when left alone, you have to first discover what triggers the reaction so you can address the situation effectively.

Here are some common reasons dogs bark:

  • Genetics
  • Attention seeking/demand
  • Alarm
  • Territorial
  • Frustration
  • Boredom
  • Fear
  • Play barking
  • Separation distress

Now that we’ve identified the factors that could be causing your dog to be especially vocal when left alone, here are some to tips to get them to stop.

1. Mask the sounds

Generally, most dogs bark when startled as a reaction to sounds they’re hearing. The solution here is to control the environment so you can limit their exposure to things that get their attention, and a good way to do that is to mask the noise with other sounds. For example, you could use a fan, a radio, a t.v. or a white noise machine to help your canine relax and lower their stress levels.

If you live in an apartment and share walls with others, covering up the sound of what’s going on outside can help keep your dog calm which in turns prevents frequent barking.

2. Use sight barriers

Another way to solve your dog’s barking problems via environmental management is to block your pooch’s sight-line to potential barking triggers. This solution is ideal for dogs that are territorial/alarm/defence barkers as it aids to prevent visual stimulation which can trigger your dog.

For outdoors, you can cut off visual access by using private fencing or privacy hedges in the garden.     If your dog stays indoors, you can leave the curtains closed or close the blinds. Alternatively, you can use place removable plastic films which allows light in but make the windows opaque. Be sure to place the window film a few inches above your dog’s line of sight to reduce the chances of visual stimulation.

3. Use treats and toys

As you leave the house, give your dog a chew-toy that has your scent on it to keep him busy. This can help distract your pooch as you leave and also keep him calm since the toy has your scent on it. The toy could be a stuffed Kong toy or a safe chew bone stuffed with cheese spread or peanut butter (without xylitol), but what counts is that the toys will keep their mouth occupied with something aside from barking.    Interactive treat toys are also a great way of keeping their minds busy.

Similarly, give your dog treats as a way of rewarding him for not barking. If he hears a noise from outside or doesn’t bark when you’re out of sight, praise him and give him a treat. Rewarding your dog is an excellent way of getting him to associate his refusal to react with something positive.

4. Create a quiet zone

A dog that suffers from separation anxiety shouldn’t be allowed to move freely at home, so create a quiet zone for them in the house where they can be when you aren’t at home. Ideally, the spot should be the quietest part of the house like a back bedroom, utility room or space. You can include a dog crate with comfortable bedding for them, and don’t forget to leave some food and water for them too.

5. Uses exercises

Some dog breeds like retrievers, pointers, setters and collies were originally used to work all day and they tend to become restless if they’re under-exercised. They need to be kept busy or they might resort to barking due to boredom. Experiment with different dog exercises to discover the ones that come close to tiring your pooch out. A panting, utterly exhausted dog will be too tired out to waste his remaining energy barking.

6.  Hire A Dog Walker

Hire a dog walker if you are out at work all day to tire your dog out and to break up his day.

All in All

If you have applied all the tips above and still can’t seem to get your dog to stop barking, you might need extra help from a dog trainer/behaviourist.   Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Get in touch with your local Scamps and Champs Branch here to discuss your pets needs.

How Much Does Pet Sitting Cost?

If you want your beloved pets to experience in-home pet sitting while you’re away, hiring an experienced and professional pet sitter is the way to go.    Our team of professional pet sitters are dedicated animal lovers who will lavish love and attention to your best friends, just like you do.   

Our overnight pet sitting services start from as little as £28.00 for an overnight stay from approximately teatime until around 7.30am the following morning but the rates may go higher depending on the services you want to request for your pet.  Our overnight pet sitting service includes a morning and evening walk for dogs if required, feeding and of course lots of attention and cuddles.

Benefits of pet sitting as opposed to dog home boarding or kennels and catteries

Wondering why at home pet sitting is a better option to consider as opposed to putting your pets in kennels or catteries or dog home boarding? Here are some reasons:

Less stress

Taking your furry friend to somewhere new is likely going to stress your pets since they’re not used to the environment. Pets can get accustomed to being at home and that includes sights, sounds and smells such that leaving an environment they’ve always known can make them anxious.  Choosing at-home pet sitting for your pets makes it easy for them to feel safe and secure even when you’re out of town.

No extra travel for you

If you decide to take your furry friends to a dog home boarder, kennel or cattery, it means you have to drop your pets off and pick them up again when you return. The extra travel can cause a lot of stress and loss of valuable time you could have spent doing other things.  When you choose pet sitting, you don’t have to worry about taking them to the dog home boarder, kennel or cattery or picking them up again when you’re back in town.

No travel trauma for your pets

Some pets dislike travelling regardless of how comfortable you try to make the trip for them.    Hiring a pet sitter to stay with your pets can be less stressful for them than travelling with them.

Pet sitting experience and insurance

Hiring a pet sitter means you’re requesting the services of a professional who has vast  experience with pets and is fully insured. What this means is that you can rest knowing that your pets are in the care of someone who is a huge animal lover and would know what to do in the event of an emergency.

Additional services/Security for your home

Apart from caring for your pets, pet sitters can help keep the house clean, water the plants, bring in the mail and newspapers, and put out recycle bins, all giving your home that lived-in look.

Health concerns

When pets are in a group setting like a cattery or a kennels, your pets are at risk of coming home with an illness they contracted from other pets.  That could result in pains for your furry friend and a visit to the vet which may cost a lot. On the other hand, your pets are less likely to fall ill when being cared for in their own home and even if they do, you can rest assured that they will receive personalised care from the pet sitter.

Personalised care

Pets in a kennel or cattery don’t always receive personalised care and this might negatively affect your pets but a pet sitter who stays with your pets can care for your pet exactly as per your instructions, leaving you with no doubt that your pets are in safe hands.  You will receive daily feedback emails with photographs of how your pets are doing for your peace of mind so you can relax and enjoy your holiday, worry free.

Scamps & Champs pet sitters look after your pets as we would our own.

To find out more about our pet sitting service, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

London Pet Care Service Looking for Pet Lovers

Scamps and Champs, a hugely successful national pet service franchise, has expanded into London. Helen Cunningham, who has lived in SE London all of her life, has recently set up the new branch, covering SE London, east London, Bromley and Croydon. With a background working in the NHS and education, Helen is offering a discount of 10% on the first 3 services to NHS and education employees.

Helen is keen to recruit other local pet lovers to provide the high quality services we are known for, and is looking for dog walkers, pet sitters and dog home boarders.

Of her new business, Helen says; “ I am so excited to be providing these services in my local community. Although we only launched officially last week, we have already been providing dog visits locally and I am delighted to be chaperoning a dog to its owners’ wedding at the end of August. As well as recruiting people to Scamps and Champs, I will be personally providing some of the services, as it’s my love of animals which drew me to setting up the business.”

Scamps and Champs are one of the country’s top pet care services, offering an extensive range of high quality pet care services for all animals including; pet sitting, overnight pet sitting, home boarding, dog walking and a pet chaperone service for your wedding day. Scamps and Champs are a well-known, established brand, offering a caring and trust-worthy service, to all pet owners and animals.

To learn more about Scamps and Champs SE London visit their website or follow the Scamps and Champs SE London  Facebook Page. 

For more information on roles which are available check the website.To contact Scamps and Champs SE London, check pet care service availability or to make a booking, simply complete their online enquiry form and Helen will respond to you as soon as possible.

Pet Care Reviews Chichester

dog home boarding chichester

Dog Home Boarding Chichester Review

I don’t normally leave reviews, however, this is worthy of one. I have two Irish Setters and since puppies they have always gone into kennels. Never done home boarding before, but because my youngest Setter has been quite ill recently, I didn’t feel comfortable leaving them in kennels, so approached Scamps and Champs and was put in contact with Mike. Wow, what a guy – if you have any worries about home boarding – v – kennels – don’t. Mike goes above and beyond (seriously goes above and beyond) and has met every one of my expectations I have for my boys. As I said, one of my dogs has been poorly and Mike had no hesitation driving an hour to our local vets to ensure he was taken care of, he was also willing to take him to the vets in Essex where he has been having radiotherapy – now tell me, what kennels would ever do that? Yes, Scamps and Champs may be more expensive than kennels, but you certainly get your monies worth. Mike has a lovely home and family and he sent me emails and photos every day of the boys and told me how they were doing. He is one in a million (and I have very high expectations!) – would I recommend him? Hell yeah. I have already booked him in for our next holiday. Let Mike look after your dogs when you are away, I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Pet Sitting Review Chichester

Sarah house-sat for us at the weekend and looked after Nell our Border Terrier. We couldn’t have been happier with how it went and I don’t think Nell missed us one bit! She had a wonderful time;

Games were played, exciting walks were had, dinners were eaten and she slept the sleep of puppy dogs!

The huge advantage to us of using Scamps & Champs was that Nell’s normal routine was maintained, and having got to know Sarah first, Nell was completely relaxed with her.

Even though she had a fantastic weekend without us, we were glad (and relieved) to say that Nell was pleased to see us when we got home!

pet sitting chichester

Find out more about Scamps and Champs Chichester Pet Care Services via their branch page HERE

Dog Walking Services in Bristol – Why Bother?

Using dog walking services over the past 5 years has been become increasingly popular by dog owners in the Bristol area. No more are loving dog owners finding it acceptable to leave their dogs unattended for the whole day while they go to work.

With the use of professional dog walkers in Bristol our Bristol dogs are getting to go out, stretching their legs and have stimulation during the day, despite their owners being at work. Having this type of dog walking service available has also opened up the possibility of having a dog as part of the family to families who are out all day at work or school and had otherwise discounted owning a dog.

There are the obvious reasons our dogs really need to have the day broken up for them, number 1 being the need to pee! No one wants to come home after a day at work or school to a find a puddle or worse, greeting them as the walk through the door. But there are other reasons, including the dogs mental health.

It’s known that a lack of exercise and mental stimulation can lead to attention-seeking and destructive behaviors. With sufficient daily exercise and stimulation, dog owners are far less likely to come home to a house that’s been torn apart by anxious or neglected feeling dogs.

There are also many physical health benefits to ensuring your dogs are exercised regularly and have plenty of enrichment throughout the day such as maintaining a healthy weight and joints.

Being the owner of younger dogs or puppies brings increased demands on your time but this is also the key phase where unwanted behaviours can develop. Ensuring your puppy has sufficient stimulation, exercise and training while it is young will help create the well-behaved, happy family dog you no doubt want. Using an experienced dog walker for your younger dogs and puppies is definitely worth considering, if you are struggling for time yourself.

There are many great places to go dog walking in Bristol and finding a safe route suitable for your dog will make the walk even better. Allowing your dog to sniff and search provides them with good mental stimulation and using their senses in this way will also tire them out…bonus for you when you return home for a nice cup of tea.

Reputable dog walkers in Bristol will have some form of GPS tracking, where you are able to monitor the service provided and check where your dog has been and how long for.

It’s tempting to use the “girl or boy next door” to walk our dogs as sometimes it can seem easier to arrange or possibly less costly. However what happens if something goes wrong; your dog lost, injured or injures someone else? Or what if the person you are relying on has something of their own crop up last minute, where does that leave your dogs walk.

Just in the same way you wouldn’t have the bloke next door service your car (unless they so happened to be in that trade), why then do we risk our four-legged family member with someone un-qualified or at the very least uninsured?

Protect your dog and your friendships; use a professional dog walker for your dog walking in Bristol.

Contact your local Scamps and Champs branch for more information or to discuss your dogs pet care needs.

Why Hire a Dog Walker?

Are you considering hiring a dog walker, but not sure it is worth it or not sure you should trust anyone with your dog? Scamps & Champs Dartford have considered the benefits of hiring a dog walker below to help you make the right decision.

If you are at work during the day and not able to be around for your dog, hiring a dog walker can ensure they have the company they require and also allow them to socialise if your dog enjoys the company of other dogs. Scamps & Champs Dartford will carefully match your dog to other dogs based on temperament and size and we only walk a maximum of 4 dogs – So no pack walking! This ensures your dog is able to socialise safely and play with dogs of a similar temperament, which helps their development and all round happiness. However, if your dog does not like the company of others we also offer solo walks where your dog can have the sole attention of the dog walker and get the human company they need to remain happy!

If you are unable to get out and about to walk you dog for whatever reason, hiring a dog walker allows your dog to get the exercise they require. Scamps & Champs Dartford offer both half hour and hour walks depending on the requirements of your dog. We know that some dogs are happy with just a half hour walk on the lead, but some require a full hour of chasing a ball to get the required level of exercise they need to keep them healthy and happy. This is why we always meet with you first to assess your dogs specific requirements prior to commencing any dog walking.

Not knowing who to trust with your dog is another important factor to take in to consideration and is another benefit of using Scamps & Champs Dartford. All of our team are police checked and fully insured. They are all dog lovers with plenty of experience with a variety of breeds and temperaments and they will treat you dog with the love and attention they deserve. This is another important reason why Scamps & Champs Dartford offer a free no obligation meeting to get to know your requirements. This meeting also allows you to meet us and feel reassured about leaving your dog with us.

If after reading the above you are interesting in finding out more information about hiring a dog walker please do get in touch with us at Scamps & Champs Dartford and we would be more than happy to discuss your requirements.

Is your Dog Home Boarder Licenced?

It was a great step forward last week when I could finally apply for a Reigate Home Boarders licence with Reigate and Banstead council, believe me it has been a long and arduous task and I am sure I am not alone.

At Scamps and Champs we are championing the right, just and appropriate way your animals are looked after which is why we are adhering to all the Defra Regulations which went into effect from October 2018.

I have been slowly building an animal loving team to provide Reigate dog walking, cat feeding and pet sitting services and am know looking for the right people to become host families for our Reigate Dog Home Boarding.

Lots of people will know me from walking the various popular local places with my dogs over the years. When I talk to people of my hopes in slowly building a respected local pet care name, under the Scamps and Champs brand, I am surprised at how few are aware of the new regulations and therefore may be unwittingly leaving their dogs with an unlicensed person therefore, leaving themselves at risk as there will be no insurance in place should anything happen not something I would personally be happy with.

At Scamps and Champs Reigate you can rest assured that your dog will be being looked after by a host family where they have been fully vetted by ourselves and fit the new regulations but I think most importantly will have fabulous 1 on 1 care as we will only be boarding dogs from the same family. Your dogs will not be boarded with any other families’ dogs.

As a potential customer you will be given the chance to meet your Reigate Dog Home Boarder to see where your loved ones will be staying to give you complete peace of mind while you are away.

Finally if you or anyone you know would be interested in becoming one of my host families please do get in touch for an informal discussion.

Please do get in touch for all your Reigate pet care needs and hopefully we can help you out.