Best Dog Walks In Derby.

Best Dog Walks In Derby

Derby is a lovely place to visit and has plenty of history to explore. Derby has some pet friendly hotels and there are plenty of parks for you and your best friend to enjoy dog walking in and around Derby.

There are picturesque country parks and lots of open green spaces. Some areas even have parks, nature reserves and playgrounds so lots to keep the whole family entertained. Many parks have rules about when to keep dogs on lead so be mindful of these when visiting and don’t forget to take a drink for your best friend!

Poppy Wood

Poppy Wood is one of the best places for dog walks in Derby. With plenty of trails and lots of dog friendly grassy woodland, you will be sure of a great dog friendly walk. There are some enclosed areas for off lead fun for your dog.

There are also picnic tables dotted around so you can always enjoy a picnic with your best furry friend.

Elvaston Castle Country Park

Elvaston Castle Country Park is a dog friendly site, but they do ask that dogs are kept on leads in central courtyard areas. There are some dog tie up points near the information centre and in the courtyard if needed. The park is free to enter however there is a charge to park your car. Elvaston Castle Country Park is in walking distance of Alvaston and Borrowash.

Marketon Park

Being close to the centre of Derby, Marketon Park offers lots of open spaces, paths and areas to explore with your dog. As with other parks, please be mindful of letting your dog off lead if they like to chase wildlife.

There are also lots of childrens play areas at the park but dogs aren’t allowed in these areas. Marketon Park is very popular when the weather is nice, so bear that in mind when planning your visit.

Mercia Marina

This a great starting place to access the canal paths for some lovely walks with your dog. There are also some planned circular walks listed on their website. After your walk, there are plenty of places to eat and drink along the marina. Added bonus!

Darley Park

Darley Park is a very beautiful park and it is situated within walking distance of Derby City Centre. The park includes some nice open spaces for your dog to have chance for a good run and play. The park also hosts access to the River Derwent if your dog loves a dip in the water.

Chaddesden Park

A lovely spot to take your dog for some exercise, plenty of open space and there is even a stream for your dog to have a splash around in, great for those warm summer days.

Best Dog Walks In Derby

Foremark Reservior

Lots of lovely paths here to explore with your dog, you can even have a walk on the sandy “beach” areas. Dogs must be kept on a lead here so bear that in mind if your dog loves off lead play.

It can get crowded here on sunny days, so best to go early if you can. There is a small shop selling drinks and ice creams too.

Monsal Trail

This trail is about 20km long and takes in some spectacular scenery along the way. Being an old railway track, this route is great for those needing a nice flat walk. The trail is popular with horses and cyclists so best to keep your dog on their lead.

Plus this trail is near Bakewell with all its lovely charm and tasty cakes from the local bakeries.

Allestree Park

Allestree Park is the largest open space on Derby so lots of space for your dog to have a great time. Parking is free here too so an added bonus if it isn’t within walking distance.

If you would like to find out more about dog walking & pet care services in Derby, contact our Derby branch on derby@scampsandchamps.co.uk and one of our team will be back in touch with you as soon as possible.

Why Become a Dog Home Boarder?

Why Become a Dog Home Boarder?

With approximately 9 million dogs in the UK, the demand for dog home boarding is constantly increasing. People are looking for a home from home alternative to traditional kennels.

The main reason to become a dog home boarder is for the love of dogs! However, if you love dogs that much, why wouldn’t you get your dog fix by having your own furry best friend?

For some, full time dog ownership doesn’t suit their lifestyle. It could be that they have to travel sometimes for work, they are on holidays 3 or 4 times a year or they just don’t want the full time commitment a dog requires. However, if you are a dog lover and without a dog, becoming a home boarding host  in Derby is the perfect way of getting your doggy cuddles without the full time commitment.

By becoming a dog home boarder in Derby, you can have the chance to have the company of dogs by caring for dogs whilst their owners are away. In most cases, you can meet the dog before accepting the booking to see if you get along. There is also the financial aspect (which for most boarders is a secondary reason for boarding). Boarding offers the chance to earn an extra income purely for looking after dogs in your own home.

There are various responsibilities that come with being a home boarder:

  • You must be licenced by your local council (if you become a dog home boarder with Scamps and Champs, you will be covered by our licence. No lengthy paperwork for you to complete and submit – bonus!).
  • You must have indemnity insurance (if you become a dog home boarder with Scamps and Champs – you will be covered by our insurance).
  • You must care for the dog to the best of your ability and be able to take it to the vets should treatment be needed.
  • Never leaving the dog(s) alone for more than 2-3 hours.

There are also several perks of being a dog home boarder including:

  • Meeting lots of types and breeds of dogs
  • The company of dogs – homes seem a cheerier place with dogs around
  • The enjoyment of lovely walks with the dogs and the exercise that comes with it!
  • Flexibility – you can board dogs only when it fits in with your schedule. If you are on holiday for 2-3 weeks, no problem, no bookings to be made for that period!

Becoming a dog home boarder is best suited to those who are retired, or who work from home part time. It is a rewarding role knowing that you have made a dog comfortable and at home whilst their owners are away. Owners are so grateful on their return when they find a happy and content dog!

If you would like to find out more about dog home boarding in Derby, contact our Derby branch on derby@scampsandchamps.co.uk

What is home boarding for dogs?

Dog Home Boarding - Scamps & Champs

Home boarding for dogs involves your dog going to stay at someone’s home whilst you are away. That means they become part of the hosts family for that period of time enjoying the comfort of a family home.

In 2018, new legislation was introduced which means dog boarders must obtain a licence from their council to home board dogs. This should provide reassurance when looking for dog home boarders as the Council have strict criteria for boarders to be approved.

How does it work?

Usually the dog home boarding company will offer you a meet and greet with the host family they match your requirements to. This is a great chance to take your dog to the host families home and discuss your dog and their quirks! You can also see first hand how your dog is in a new environment with new people. As usual, gut instinct can be a big influence here.

You can also ask the home boarding company if there is an option to book an overnight trial stay with the home boarder. Most companies will be more than happy to do this, but there may be a fee for the stay. This will give you peace of mind prior to booking a big stay away for your dog.

Will there be other dogs there?

This depends on the policies of the boarding company. Some home boarders may have their own dog(s) which is why the meet and greet is so important to check everyone gets on. At Scamps and Champs, we only ever board one families dogs at a time. We feel this adds an extra level of protection against any problems with dogs getting along.

There are also boarders without dogs if your dog is more suited to being the only dog around.

What does my dog need when going to a home boarder?

Try and think through your dogs daily routine and pack anything associated with this. Here is a basic (not exhaustive list):

  • Bed/blankets
  • Lead
  • Water bowl
  • Food bowl
  • Food
  • Toys
  • Favourite comforter
  • Towels (for those muddy walks!)

What will my dog do whilst I am away?

If the match is right, your dog will settle in to the host families home and become ‘their dog’ for the period of time you are away. The home boarder will try to keep your dogs routine as close to normal as possible to ensure a smooth transition. Your dog will get their usual walks and lots of fuss and cuddles if they’d like it (a boarders favourite thing!).

Once settled, a good host should send you regular updates and feedback about your dogs stay so you can relax knowing they are well cared for.

What if there is an emergency with my dog?

Whilst we don’t like to imagine the awful situation of our dog becoming unwell whilst we aren’t around, good boarding companies should prepare for this. This should be part of the initial paperwork when you can leave details of your veterinary practice and who to contact in emergency if you aren’t contactable. Boarders would always act in your dogs best interests and contact you where possible.

Anything else to know?

Home boarding is constantly increasing in it’s popularity, and with the rise in people getting pets during the lockdown period, if you have specific dates in mind and want to secure a good home boarder, book as early as possible.

Hiring a dog walker?

Dog Walking Derby - Scamps & Champs

During the past year, dog ownership has increased by a huge amount. Lots of households have taken advantage of the home working to introduce a new puppy/dog into the family. Despite there being a lot of downsides to this pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, more time at home to welcome a new furry family member is definitely one of the positives.

With restrictions due to ease further in the coming months and companies looking for employees to physically return to work, even if on a part time basis, dog owners now need to consider their new family member and how they fit into a normal working lifestyle. If you will be out at work for most of the day, you may need to consider getting a dog walker. Despite sounding like a daunting task, the right dog walker can help your weekly routine run as smoothly as it is doing now. There are things to consider when hiring a dog walker and we’ve outlined some below:

Group and solo walks

A consideration is whether your dog would prefer a solo walk – just a walk by themselves, or whether they may enjoy the company of other dogs on their walk. If this is the case, ask the dog walker how many dogs they walk at one time. Whilst it’s nice for your dog to have company, too may dogs walked in one go means your dog may not get the care and attention they deserve.

Meet and greet

Make sure any potential walker offers to come and meet you and your dogs first. This is a great way to see how they interact with your dog and to as any questions you may have. Good walkers would offer this as a standard and not shy away from any questions. Always trust your gut with this meeting, it’s almost always right!

Flexibility

Check with any potential walkers how flexible they are – can they fit walks in as and when you need them or do they require a regular commitment? How do you book walks? Do they have a booking system or is it just a quick text/phone call to book?

Reliability

What happens if your walker is ill, has to self isolate or is on holiday? Is there a back up plan in place? You need to know that if you have booked a walk and your walker should become ill, that an alternative option could be provided to save changing your work arrangements.

Trustworthiness

Is your walker insured? Dog walking is so far an unregulated business area so anyone and everyone can set up a dog walking business! Have they been police checked? Remember that you are probably going to be trusting this person with a key to your home so you need to trust this person.

Area of walks

Where will the walker walk your dog? Do they walk around your local area or do they use a vehicle to take them to a local park? If your dog doesn’t travel well, this is definitely something to consider.

Follow up

Ask if your walker gives you any feedback following the walks. It’s always great to receive a quick message ‘Barney had a great walk today!’ along with a picture whilst you aren’t there. This means you can relax and move on with your day knowing your dog has had a good walk.

Here at Scamps and Champs, we are passionate about dogs and their daily exercise. While we are a national brand, we have small local teams in each area so you get the best of both! Get in touch if you want to find out how we meet the above points, and ask us any other questions you may have!

Dog Theft

Dog Theft - Scamps & Champs

Although an ongoing problem, dog theft reports are on the increase. The thought of losing a pet is heart-breaking at the best of times, but to have them stolen must be pure torment not knowing what has happened to them.
There are some things you can do to reduce the chance of your dog being stolen. Below are some tips to keep you and your dogs safe.

Keep your dog visible at all times

Make sure you can see your dog at all times. When you are out in public make sure you know where they are, and don’t risk lead free time if your dog can’t be trusted.

Ensure your garden is secure

Only leave your dog in your garden if it is secure. It’s worth checking fences for gaps and getting gates put in to keep your dog enclosed. You don’t want them to be able to escape, or anyone to get into your garden easily.

Never leave dogs in the car

Despite this being a health risk to your dog when it is warmer weather, if you leave your dog in your car with the windows down then they are an easy target to thieves. It would only take a few seconds to steal your dog

Don’t leave your dog outside shops etc

It is a common sight to see a dog tied up outside shops/Post Offices etc whilst owners go in to grab some shopping etc. Try to avoid taking your dog if you know you need to pop into a shop, as thieves would view this as an easy opportunity to steal your dog whilst you are out of sight.

Report any incidents

If you see any suspicious behaviour or people come up to you and start asking strange questions about your dog, report it. You never know, you may prevent an incident from happening by doing so!

Use caution with strangers

Be wary of anyone who comes to your front door, or admires your dog in the park. Beware of distraction techniques used by those looking to steal dogs – maybe asking to hold your dog, or take photos with them.

Identification

Ensure your dog has a collar with an ID tag on it. Put your surname and phone number. Get your dog microchipped and state on their tag that they are microchipped.

Do thorough checks before employing a dog walker/pet sitter

Always do a background check on any potential pet sitters. At Scamps and Champs, we do thorough checks of anyone joining our team, including a police check and a reference check. As a profession company, we invite clients to ask about our rigorous checks for team members, be wary of sitters/walkers who shy away from checks/documentation.

Fit Alarms/Bells

Consider getting alarms installed or bells fitted to your garden gates so that they will alert you to any intruders. This might also deter any potential dog thieves.

Stay alert everyone and keep your fur babies safe.

Winter Care For Our Pets

How To Keep Your Dog Safe In Winter

As the British temperature starts to drop, it’s important to think about how to keep our furry friends safe and warm this winter. Despite having furry coats, they still need a little extra help to keep cozy. Each animal is an individual so do what works for your pet however there is slightly differing advice depending on type of pet.

One tip for all pets is to ensure they have a cosy bed to snuggle up in, somewhere away from draughts.

Dogs

  • Protect your puppy’s paws by investing in a nice set of booties for walks (only if they are happy to wear them). Booties can stop snow, ice, melting salt, and other debris from building up between your dog’s paw pads.
  • If you can, bathe your dogs paws after walks to make sure no grit, ice or salt has gotten stuck. Also make sure your dogs paws are nice and dry after this. If Scamps & Champs Derby walk your dog, we can also do this for you on the colder days.
  • Be seen, be safe! As the dark nights are here, ensure your dog has something reflective to wear during the walk so they can be visible. That also goes for those walking too, wear something reflective.
  • Consider investing in a fitted warm coat for your dog, especially if they are elderly or slim.

Cats

  • Depending on your cats temperament, you could try a reflective collar for your cat if they still like to go outside when it’s dark. If possible, use a quick release collar in case of any possible incidents of getting stuck.
  • Cat flap: If you have a cat flap, ensure your cat is always able to access indoors when they need to. If you don’t have a cat flap, consider leaving your cat indoors if you aren’t home to let them in when they want to come home.
  • Antifreeze is poisonous to cats but they are attracted to it’s smell! Keep out of reach of cats and try not to spill any when using outdoors.
  • Cats love cosy hiding places so be sure to check in sheds and garages before locking up for the night.
  • Litter trays: even if your cat is a ‘go outdoors’ kind of feline, it is always worth providing a toilet facility for them inside for when the weather is very cold. This gives them the option of staying in and sheltered.
  • If your cat or dog becomes less active in Winter, try playing with them to keep them active and to ensure they do not put on unnecessary weight.

Also be aware that the cold weather can affect older pets joints, especially if they suffer from arthritis. Ask you vet for advice on how to care for your pets joints.

Small Furries

  • Hamsters, gerbils and mice should be kept out of draughts.
  • Try a special cover to keep water bottles from freezing overnight.
  • If you have an outdoor rabbit, try to put their hutch in a position which is sheltered from the wind (up against the house if possible). You could also use a cover for the hutch to add to the protection and if it’s going to be a particularly cold spell, bring them indoors if possible.

Fish

  • If you have an outdoor pond, be sure to check it regularly. If it freezes over, it can trap harmful gases beneath the surface. Take care when trying to de-ice the surface, ensuring that the fish don’t accidentally get harmed.

If you need any help caring for your pets in winter, get in touch with Scamps & Champs to see how we can help.

Christmas For Pets

Christmas For Pets - Scamps & Champs

As Christmas approaches, it’s lovely to involve our pets in the festivities. This article mentions a few things to be aware of to keep our fur babies safe…

Real Christmas trees.

Whilst these look lovely and give an authentic Christmas smell, the needles can get stuck in paws or throats. Ensure you regularly sweep up any pine needles and consider closing the room so your pet isn’t left unattended with the tree.

Dangling tree decorations

These can be irresistible to pets – cats enjoy trying to bat them off the tree. However it’s no fun if the decoration falls, breaks and injures your pet. Also, chocolate is harmful to our pets so put these high out of reach.

Antifreeze

Strange inclusion in the Christmas list you may think, however antifreeze contains chemicals which can be harmful to pets so try not to spill any and always keep bottles out of pets reach.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…..

Whilst this sounds lovely, we need to be careful if we have log burners etc. Ensure pets are not able to get too close to investigate, burnt paws are very painful!

(Hopefully!) A busy house

Christmas is (usually) the time to gather with family and friends and whist we are enjoying the merriment, we may forget that this can be an anxious time for our pets with unfamiliar people and noises in the house. Perhaps plan in advance if you are having guests, make a safe space for your pet to escape and enjoy some alone time.

Fireworks….

Many people choose to let off a few fireworks over the Christmas and New Year period. This will fill some pet owners with dread if your pet doesn’t cope well, it might only just feel like we’ve gotten past bonfire night and here they are again. Try and prepare in advance, leave on some soothing background music, prepare a small ‘den’ your pet can hide in if they feel scared. There are also plug in diffusers available which may help with your pets anxiety.

Christmas plants

A lot of the plants we choose a Christmas can be toxic to our pets. This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy them in our home, just perhaps keep these up high out of reach of inquisitive paws.

Christmas lights

Ensure cables from Christmas lights are covered with cable guard or placed out of reach otherwise cats, rabbits and dogs may try and have a little chew!

Presents

If you know (or suspect) a present contains food, leave these in a place your pet cant reach rather than under the tree. You wouldn’t want these disappearing and potentially causing harm to your furry loved ones.

Keep up your pets regular exercise and feeding routines.

This will avoid adding any stress to your pets if other things are slightly different over the festive period. Long walks will also help to tire your dogs out so they won’t become bored or destructive.

Scamps & Champs Derby can help with this if you don’t have time for long walks during your festivities, just get in touch to see how we can help.

How Can I Entertain My Dog?

Separation Anxiety In Dogs - Scamps & Champs

During these uncertain and constantly changing times, our best friends and companions need consistency to keep them calm and happy. One day we are out at work for long periods the next, we are at home full time. Despite being home more, most of us still have to work meaning our furry friends have no one to play with or entertain them all day. There are some simple things we can do to ensure our dogs remain happy and healthy:

A good view!

When we were fully locked down, I know people found a good source of entertainment was looking out of windows, it can be the same for our dogs! If they have somewhere comfy to sit with a good view, this will provide hours of ‘company’ but not suitable if your dog likes to bark at people going past as this may annoy your neighbours!

Indoor scavenger hunt for treats

Does your dog love a good game of hide and seek? If so, hide some treats in places you don’t mind your dog searching. This can become several little games during the day as they find treats in other places. You could also use a Kong to provide a game with treats too. Our 80% fish treats are ideal for this.

Scamps & Champs - Pet Food

Leave the radio or TV on

Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety when you aren’t there and one way to combat this is with the radio or TV. These provide distractions from the sounds which may make your dog anxious – traffic, construction and other outside noises. You can experiment to see if your dog is more of a ‘classic vibes’ or a ‘soft rock’ kind of pooch.

If you haven’t tried leaving the radio on for your dog before, have it on as background noise when you are around so your dog will associate this noise with the comfort of home.

Set up a playdate

How about getting your dog’s favourite friend round for a few hours so they have company? This can help to socialise your dog and keep them comfortable around other dogs on a regular basis.

Hire a dog walker

Why not treat your best friend to a walk with Scamps & Champs Derby? Dog walks can provide much-needed stimulation and exercise during a long day whilst their owner is busy working.

Walks can be tailored to your dogs’ needs. It will also mean it won’t be a shock for your dog to be walked by someone else as and when you do return to work.

A lack of walks may lead to bordem, possibly even destructive behaviour and potentially a weight gain. We can help with this!

Doggy daycare

Scamps & Champs Derby have a team of carefully selected families who could offer your dog some care and attention leaving you free to concentrate on a busy day at work. Our team provides a home from home experience and never leaves dogs alone for more than 2 hours.

If you’re not able to be with your four-legged friend during the day and need friendly dog walking or doggy daycare anywhere in Derby, contact our team today. You can call and chat to us about what you’re looking for and we’ll be happy to help.

How We Can Support Your Puppy Through the Lockdown Lift

How We Can Support Your Puppy Through The Lockdown Lift

As Lockdown Loosens

As the lockdown rules and regulations are beginning to change, this not only means change for us and our day to day lives, but also our beloved puppies.

With lockdown having had many of us stay at home much more regularly, this has resulted in us spending more time with our puppies, sometimes without even realising.

The change from your puppy having you around 24/7 to it being left for significantly longer amounts of time, whether it’s for work, the school runs or family visits, this can in fact have a negative impact on your puppy, potentially causing anxiety. Here’s how our services in Derby can help you and your puppy.

How Derby Dog Walking Services Can Help with Puppy Anxiety.

Exercise is good for anyone when it comes to de-stressing and anxiety. The same goes for your puppy. It is so important to walk your puppy daily and regularly. If you are tied up or now busier as lockdown is beginning to lift, our dog walking services can help you maintain your puppy’s regular exercise and walks.

The reason that walking your dog is so important, especially if it is showing signs of anxiety is because when your dog is exercised efficiently, it is healthier and any adverse behaviour is often minimised meaning your puppy is happier when it is walked frequently.

If your schedules are starting to fill up, to put your mind at rest and know that your puppy is getting regular daily walks and receiving the best possible care, Scamps and Champs offer and deliver a premium dog walking service.

One of our animal care experts can simply come to your home and walk your dog for you, leaving you time to work, do the school run or engage in your daily activities. To help relieve your puppy’s potential anxiety, we ensure it has an engaging, fun and stimulating walk out in the fresh air, to impact on it positively, leaving it much happier and healthier.

How Derby Puppy Sitting Services Can Help with Puppy Anxiety.

Although leaving your puppy may cause disruption and anxiety, we understand that leaving the house for many people is now essential. Therefore, we can step in to prevent or lessen the anxiety level of your puppy. If you like many others have now got to return to work or other pre lockdown daily duties, but you have a puppy that you’re worried about leaving at home, our puppy sitting services are ready for you.

It is important for a puppy to practise and maintain its routines to help familiarise it with this. Furthermore, we will ensure that all of your pet’s usual routines are maintained, with bundles of loving companionship included, making it not than just an ordinary sitting service, but a hugely beneficial one.

As a puppy, they will be familiarising themselves with their new home, so its important to keep them in that environment, at Scamps and Champs, your pet will stay in the comfort of your own home whilst being well cared for. As well as allowing your puppy to stick to its usual routines as this is very important for a young pup.

Our pet sitting service, will allow you to avoid using kennels or asking your family and friends for help, as they too may be having to return to work. You can lead your day worry free as we are a reliable, professional and loving pet sitting service

If you are at all worried about leaving your pets whilst you return to work Scamps and Champs Derby can come and check on your pets whilst you are out for additional piece of mind. If you have purchased a ‘lockdown puppy’ whilst you have been off work and home all of the time, you may also like to consider our Puppy Sitting Service. If you have any questions or queries don’t hesitate to contact Scamps & Champs Derby for further support and advice by emailing derby@scampsandchamps.co.uk calling 0333 200 5827 or contacting us via our Facebook Page.