The ‘New Normal’ for Lockdown Puppies

The ‘New Normal’ For Lockdown Puppies

Time in Lockdown

Many families will have used the additional time at home to settle a new furry addition into their lives, a puppy. The elongated periods of time spent in doors have provided an ideal setting, to introduce a new pet to the family, in order to gain familiarity with surroundings, build relationships with family members, implement routines and commence puppy training.

Throughout the last few weeks we have seen significant shifts in lockdown rules and regulations within the United Kingdom. As a result of this many people are keen to transition to a ‘new normal’ including routines such as returning to work and visiting close family and friends.  

When you put the excitement and eagerness to find a new normality aside, you must take a moment to consider the impact that this huge shift in routine will have on your puppy. The contrasting change to you and your household not being present as often, could cause your puppy to become anxious and disrupt them from their existing routines.

Helping your puppy overcome any anxiety is extremely important but preventing it from occurring in the first place is even better. Scamps & Champs Chichester can help by providing regular puppy visits and dog walks and we can even start now before you go back to work!

How Our Puppy Sitting Services Can Help

If you like many others are planning to return to work, but you have a puppy that you’re worried about leaving at home. Our puppy sitting services at Scamps & Champs Chichester are here to help the transition run smoothly.

A puppy will be familiarising itself with their new home so it’s important to keep them in that environment until they are used to going elsewhere and work up to any alterations in routine gradually. At Scamps and Champs Chichester we can visit your puppy in the comfort of your own home, fuss them, let them out to the toilet, feed them, keep them company and provide short walks if your puppy has had their second vaccination.

When we look after your beloved puppy, we will ensure that all of your pet’s usual routines are maintained, with additional loving companionship included. This will benefit your puppy and help them stay relaxed, ultimately maintaining familiar routines and reducing anxiety. Having Scamps and Champs Chichester to look after your puppy can assist their well-being, routines and social skills, which are all crucial elements of a puppy’s initial training. It also offers peace of mind to you and reassures you that whilst you go back to work, your puppy still has company and fun at home.

How Our Dog Walking Services Can Reduce Puppy Anxiety

Exercise is essential for any pet and a vital part of their daily exercise, especially a young pup. Maintaining your puppy’s daily walks is so important. Scamps and Champs Chichester offer and deliver a premium dog walking service.

One of our animal care experts can come to your home and walk your dog for you. We ensure they have an engaging, fun and stimulating walk out in the fresh air, impacting them positively.

Walking your puppy is so important, especially if they are showing signs of anxiety due to lockdown and the current lifting of lockdown. Walking your puppy daily is crucial because, when your dog is exercised efficiently, they are simply healthier and happier.

If you are at all worried about leaving your pets whilst you return to work Scamps and Champs Chichester 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 Chichester for further support and advice by emailing chichester@scampsandchamps.co.uk, calling our Branch Manager Sarah Young on 07931 526514 or contacting us via our Facebook Page.

Exiting Lockdown & Anxious Animals

How the New Lift in Lockdown Rules Could Cause Anxiety for Your Pets

Loosening Lockdown Rules

Following the latest Government announcement signifying further loosening of lockdown regulations, there are signs that we could be transitioning into a ‘new normal’ imminently. Whilst this news comes as a great relief to many of us who have been separated from loved ones for almost three months, we need to take a moment to consider that this may not be such good news for our beloved pets. Scamps & Champs Chichester would like to highlight the main concerns we may be facing in the up and coming weeks with our anxious pets and how you can assist a smooth transition for your pets, as you begin to leave your house for longer periods of time.

Jackpot Joy

Many of us have been completely quarantined at home for medical reasons, with little or no contact with the outside world for elongated periods of time. Whatever your circumstances are one thing is certain, you have probably been at home with your pets a great deal through this unprecedented period.

Aside from the obvious concerns, your pets have probably perceived your new extended time at home as a great comfort accompanied with additional fuss and food! In fact, they probably think they have struck gold right now by having you and your entire family home 24/7! Furthermore, with your desperation to get outside and enjoy a burst of fresh air and exercise, it is very possible that as a dog owner you have been taking your canine companion for extra walkies too! Jackpot!

An Alteration in Routine

Without our commute to work, the school run, trips out in the evenings and at weekends, not only have we significantly shifted our daily routine but so have our pets. Whereas we would probably leave the house and our pets at least twice a day and possibly for several hours at a time during busy periods, we may now only be leaving the house to walk our dogs. In short, some of our pets may be by our sides throughout the entire day without us even realising it.

Anxiety in Our Animals

As humans we often become anxious during significant changes in our lives and it is no different for our pets. In their minds they have become used to our company, everyone being at home and all of the additional benefits that come with this. Therefore if we suddenly go back to work and begin leaving them they could become extremely anxious, upset and even distressed. So the important question is; how can we avoid this happening?

Scamps & Champs Chichester are here to help you by providing pet visits where we can come and check that your pets are okay, change their water, feed them and let them outside for some fresh air. We also provide a dog walking service where we can come and collect your dog and take them for a walk, so if you are self-isolating or going back to work and unable to walk your dog then we are here to help. At Scamps & Champs Chichester we are keen to provide you with accurate, up-to-date advice so this week we spoke to Hannah’s Hounds Dog Training who provided us with expert tips on how to reduce anxiety in your pets’ behaviour, in the up and coming weeks.

Tips for Reducing Pet Anxiety

  • Start Now – Start leaving your pets for short periods of time now, whilst you are still self-isolating. Put them into their safe space so they know you are leaving the house. You could even just go out of the room and upstairs so that they think you’re going out, then you are still close by to help if they become distressed. When you do eventually start going out you can do this in small steps too, by heading out the front door and sitting in the car or walking down your drive to be close by.
  • Build It Up – If your pet is really struggling with separation anxiety then just start small by just walking out of a gate or the front door and coming back inside.You can then build on this gradually by leaving the room for two minutes, then next time five minutes and build up to the time you would usually be out for. Start by just leaving the room and pretending to go out, until you are certain that your pets are settled and content with you going out of the house properly. If your pet gets overly distressed, you may need to contact a professional dog behaviourist for help.
  • Safe Space and Triggers – Always leave your pets in their safe space. Be consistent with where you leave them, when you leave them and the signs you provide to your pets as you leave. Perhaps you give the same cue, say the same words or turn on the same radio station as you leave. Keep the message consistent so that they recognise the signs that you are leaving the house and they know what is about to happen, this will help reduce anxiety.
  • Treats, Toys & Time – Throughout the day when you are home, keep your pets engaged and active at several points during the day. Have activities planned such as a Kong toy or lick mat, where they have to work for their food and treats. Keep their minds and bodies engaged and active throughout points during your day, so that when you do leave they are ready to slow down and have a break whilst you are out.
  • Exercise – Keep your pets well exercised with plenty of fresh air where possible, so that when you do leave the house they are tired and happy to have some down time in their safe space. When you do leave you could also use a chew toy or treat to keep them occupied whilst you leave them for their settle period of rest. This will help reduce anxiety and keep them calm.
  • Lockdown Puppies – If you have bought home a new puppy during lockdown then it is very possible that they have never been left. Make sure you are incorporating all of the above advice within your professional puppy training even before lockdown ends. Start now, leaving your puppy is often an aspect of training that gets forgotten. If you are unsure about this then contact a professional dog trainer.

If you are at all worried about leaving your pets whilst you return to work Scamps and Champs Chichester 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 Chichester for further support and advice by emailing chichester@scampsandchamps.co.uk, calling our Branch Manager Sarah Young on 07931 526514 or contacting us via our Facebook Page.

A Wedding Service with a Difference – We will get your Pet to the Church on Time!

We all know that our pets are a big part of the family. So, let Chichester Scamps and Champs Wedding Chaperone Service make your ‘Big Day’ PAWFECT.

Our pets are undoubtedly part of the family therefore on the biggest day of your life, why wouldn’t you want your pet to be there? Cats and dogs love us unconditionally and without question, therefore having them with us as we walk down the aisle carries truly special significance. Having your pet present on your wedding day, is an aspect of your big day that you do not want to miss out on, but how can you co-ordinate everything by yourself?

Let Chichester Scamps and Champs help and be there to chaperone your beloved pet and make your big day truly special and complete.

The concept of having your best pet-pal at your wedding is a wonderful idea, with an increasing number of venues now welcoming dogs and cats to be part of wedding occasions. However, to make all of this possible practically a pet chaperone service is needed, to ensure that your pet has everything they need so that your perfect wedding day can proceed without a hitch!

Scamps and Champs Chichester – Wedding Pet Chaperoning Service

This is where Chichester Scamps and Champs can assist you! We recognise how important it is that you have your pet included in your wedding and we want to help your day go as perfectly as possible for you. We can ensure that your best friend is chaperoned to your wedding venue and by your side in all of your professional wedding photographs.

We can take the worry out of your wedding by offering you our elite pet chaperoning service, taking care of your beloved pet for the entire day. Our services commence by us coming to your home to meet you and your pet in person, this is to ensure that both you and your four-legged friend are happy with your chosen chaperone. Once everyone has become acquainted and you are completely comfortable, we will sit with you and you can tell us exactly how you wish your pet to be involved in your pawfect wedding day.

What Does Chichester Wedding Pet Chaperone Provide?

All of our wedding packages are bespoke and can be tailored to your individual requirements. Your cat or dog can be involved in as little or as much of your special day as you like. It is important that we meet your needs but that we also work together to meet the personality and requirements of your pet too. We recognise that a wedding venue is an unfamiliar environment for your furry friend and we therefore want to be there to support them every step of the way.

In addition, where possible we will try and maintain your cat or dog’s usual routine. We will ensure they are exercised before leaving, that they eat at their usual meal times and have their favourite food with them. Water will also be available at all times. We will try and encourage you to select a quiet zone for your pet at the wedding venue, which can be as simple as a small side room. This so that we can bring some of your cat or dogs home comforts along with them, such as their bed, a blanket or some of their favourite toys. This is also so that if the ceremony becomes too busy or overwhelming for them, we can take them back to their quiet room and settle them comfortably.

Our Promise to You

At Chichester Scamps and Champs our whole business and livelihood surrounds the professional care of animals. In addition, our staff have array of experience in caring for animals of all sizes and breeds. We therefore want to provide the best possible care whilst chaperoning your cat or dogs throughout the entirety of your wedding day, ensuring that you all have the best day possible together.

We will plan the day meticulously in line with your requirements and your pet’s personality, so that your day can include them in a stress free way. We will be there from first thing in the morning, or often even from the night before for an overnight stay. We will take care of all of your pet’s needs, by chaperoning them across the entire wedding period, for as long as you need. Ensuring you have the perfect wedding day with your best pet-pal by your side.

Our personal approach and real love of animals will make your pet feel safe and secure in our care.  We are fully insured, DBS checked and completely committed to your animals’ welfare.

Please do give me or one of our enthusiastic team a call or drop us an email.  Our number is a national number and there is always someone ready to answer your call.

All messages are passed onto me personally and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

For more information please visit our website Chichester Scamps and Champs If you feel we could offer their many dog-walking and pet-sitting service please do get in touch.