Dog Attacks – Survival Tips To Keep You & Your Family Safe

A dog attack can happen to anybody . Just because an animal is domesticated doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable of attacking another animal, or more importantly, a person, any person at any time and for any reason. A very important thing to remember about dogs in general is that even the tiny breeds can be killers. It may seem silly, but it is quite true.

If you believe that only larger dogs can cause fatal injuries, it’s time to reconsider your assumption. While it is true that larger breeds are often responsible for reported dog attack fatalities, it would be a mistake to underestimate smaller breeds. Tragically, most fatalities occur among two vulnerable groups: children and the elderly. In the United States between 1979 and 1996, there were approximately 304 deaths resulting from dog attacks, involving around 30 different breeds. Unfortunately, it appears that these attacks are increasing in the UK as well.

However, you don’t have to become a statistic. This guide presents potentially life-saving tips in the event that you or someone you care about encounters such an unfortunate situation. I strongly encourage you to share this valuable information with your loved ones – your children, spouse, parents, grandparents, and friends. Life is incredibly unpredictable, and we never know what may happen. A dog can launch an attack in the blink of an eye, forever altering the course of your life.

Naturally, there is no foolproof assurance that these tips will completely prevent a dog attack or eliminate the risk of a potential fatality. However, it is always wise to be equipped with knowledge that could potentially alter the outcome and better prepare yourself.

All the tips and recommendations provided in this guide are applicable in various dog attack scenarios, including those involving your own family pet. It is important to recognize that, both in reality and according to statistical data, the majority of dog attacks (77%) occur within or in close proximity to the home of the dog or dogs involved.

So, by familiarizing yourself with these valuable insights and adopting the suggested measures, you can significantly enhance your preparedness and increase your chances of minimizing the impact of a dog attack.

NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING ABOUT A DOG!

It is of utmost importance to understand that you should never make assumptions about a dog’s demeanor solely based on its appearance or breed. Even if a dog is wagging its tail, it does not automatically imply that it wants you to approach and touch it. Regardless of the breed, all dogs are fundamentally animals and possess innate instincts that can influence their behavior. However, unless you possess the extraordinary ability to communicate with dogs telepathically, it is unwise to make assumptions about their intentions solely based on their appearance or actions.

Similar to encountering a unfamiliar person, a strange dog should be approached with caution, regardless of its friendly appearance. Just as you are a stranger to the dog, it is also unfamiliar with you, and unpredictable events can occur in such situations. It is crucial never to approach a dog you don’t know, even if it appears to be amiable.

This rule becomes doubly important when it comes to family pets. Although most pets can be trusted, certain circumstances can trigger unexpected and uncharacteristic behavior. Even if you have had your family dog for many years and it has always been well-behaved, it doesn’t guarantee that it won’t exhibit aggressive behavior. Factors like pain or discomfort can potentially trigger such reactions. Respecting your dog’s personal space is always essential. Avoid disturbing your dog while it is sleeping and ensure that your children do not come near the dog while it is eating.

It is important to be aware of your dog’s body language. If your dog displays warning signs like growling, lip-licking, avoiding eye contact, snarling, ears pulled back or to the side, tail tucked, or moving away, it is crucial to give your dog space. By recognizing and respecting these signals, you can prevent or handle situations that may lead to aggressive behavior, thereby reducing the likelihood of bites.

If You Or Your Children Have Friends Or Family Coming Over, Secure Your Pet In An Area Where They Can Have Their Own Space, Away From The Visitors.

Whether this is inside the house in a special room, like a home office, or a bedroom, or even better a dog crate. It is in everybody’s best interests, (including your dogs) to put the dog in a safe space if other strange children are coming to your home to play or visitors that your dog is not familiar with. Just because your children know how to behave around your dog doesn’t mean other children will. And just because your dog is good with your children doesn’t mean he will like someone else’s. This is the same for anyone entering your home or garden that your dog does not know.

Always Supervise Family Pets And Children

This may be obvious, but some people feel that their children are safe at all times with the family dog. It simply isn’t true. Anything can happen. And if you’re not there to see for yourself what did occur, you won’t know what triggered this attack, no matter how minor the infraction. Some dogs can “play rough” and see nothing wrong with engaging in this type of play with the humans they love as brothers and sisters (part of their pack). On the same token, children also can “play rough” with one another, and depending on the circumstances could provoke the dog into biting on the basis that he feels it his job to protect another member of the pack. Supervising your children at all times they are around your dog, will protect them.

ALWAYS SEEK PERMISSION BEFORE YOU TOUCH OR APPROACH SOMEONE ELSE’S DOG

It’s never a good idea to go up to a strange dog or to let your children and try to pet them. Even puppies can bite hard enough to create an open wound that hurts And the bigger the puppy, the bigger the bite can be. There are proper ways to touch, or pet, another person’s dog. You should always follow these tips before approaching a strange dog, no matter it’s size.

The best way to go about the letting the dog to know you is to stand very still, in a sideways position, and let him approach you first. Let him sniff you a little. If he approaches you first, then the next step you can take for more “socialization” is to extend the back of your hand to the dog. This will let the dog get to know you without the tendency to be afraid that you will hurt him. You should slowly and calmly extend the back of your hand, fingers under your palm, sort of like a fist but keep your fingers loose. If while you are doing this, the dog begins to growl or snarl, slowly take your hand away. Don’t use any fast or “jerky” motions as this could cause a dog to snap at you. Also, you should not wiggle your fingers around when doing this. It could also make the dog want to bite. Keep them still and slightly under the palm.

Don’t Pat A Dog On Top Of His Head.
Usually dog’s don’t like this and would prefer if you first gave him a soft scratch under his chin. This is more comfortable for the dog and is considered less aggressive than say a head pat. Then, maybe you could do some “behind the ear scratching” if the chin scratching is received well. Speak in a calm, soothing manner and crouch down so you are on the dogs level but never put your face near a dog or let your children.

WHAT TO DO WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE HAS FAILED AND YOU ARE ABOUT TO BECOME THE VICTIM OF A DOG ATTACK.

If you have tried everything suggested above and the dog, or dogs, have begun their attack anyway, there are still some things you can do to fight back and protect yourself. Any one or combination of these could save you or someone else from being a dog attack fatality statistic. Raise your voice at this point. Yell for help. Hopefully others will hear and come to your aid.

DO NOT RUN!

This sends a very clear signal for the dog to chase you down like prey. Stay where you are. Even though climbing a tree might seem like a good idea, some dogs can also climb up or jump pretty high. And, dogs can outrun you. That’s a fact. If while the dog is still coming at you, you can try and scream the word NO!! at the top of your lungs just as loud as you can. If the dog is afraid of you, it will more than likely stop, or run away. But this is not a sure bet. Although using the word NO in a forceful manner has stopped some attacks.

GO FOR THE EYES, EARS, NOSE OR THROAT IF YOU CAN –

Hitting a dog in the nose or on the top of its head as hard as you can, twisting its ears, or poking it in the eye can be an effective way of escaping an attack. Inflicting pain on the animal will in most cases stop an attack, at least for a brief period of time, which may give you just enough time to
get to a safe place and get help. Use your body weight to try to wrestle with the dog.

If Knocked To The Ground, Lay Still In A Fetal Position.

COVER YOUR HEAD AND NECK WITH YOUR ARMS. These will be most likely the first areas a dog will attack you. Protecting these areas with your arms will make it more difficult for the dog to get to vital areas where severe damage can be done such as the neck, throat and head. Do not drop your arms down for any reason and hold them as tightly as you can around these areas. Also keep your hands in fists to protect your fingers.

Many times, if you just lay there and sort of “play dead”, the dog may lose interest and stop attacking and simply leave you alone. Resist the urge to scream or to pull away if you can.

Try NOT TO PANIC, no matter how terrified you are.

Just stay in the fetal position with your head and neck covered not moving. No matter how bad the pain is, don’t move your arms from your head and neck to try and fight off the dog attack. This will leave vital areas unprotected and within seconds the attack could turn deadly. If the dog stops the attack, wait a while before moving and then slowly back away. Don’t turn your back on the dog and move very, very slowly, avoiding eye contact but keep the dog in your peripheral vision. Ring for help ASAP and cover any wounds while you are waiting for medical treatment.

Use Anything Sturdy And Close To You As A Weapon To Defend Yourself With.

If you have enough time to grab an object such as a brush, rake,shovel, cricket bat, etc., something strong you can defend yourself against an attacking dog with, do it. But do it quickly as you will not have much time to act as the dog, or dogs, are rushing towards you. If there is nothing you can use, follow the technique outlined in the previous paragraph. If the dog bites your coat or sweatshirt, try wriggling out of the coat or sweatshirt while the sleeve is in the dogs mouth. This may buy you time to get away before the dog realizes.

Carry Pet Corrector Spray, A Whistle, a Personal Attack Alarm or a Walking Stick With You When Heading Outdoors.

Several places carry products that you can defend yourself with in case you are attacked. Items like pet corrector, a whistle that emits high pitched sounds, a personal attack alarm that emits a very loud noise or a walking stick can be a tremendous aid when encountering aggressive or attacking dogs. Always be prepared to use these when outdoors and have the chance of getting into a potentially bad situation with a dog or dogs.

I hope these tips have given you some useful information that will help you in case you ever find yourself in one of these situations which we hope you never will.


Looking After Greyhounds, Lurchers & Other Similar Breeds: Top Tips & Tricks

Many people are under the false impression that lurchers, greyhounds and other similar breeds don’t make great family pets due to their general association with being working dogs, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s face it – hunting, racing and other ‘sports’ that these breeds are forced to take part in are not enjoyable for dogs in the slightest, and they would much rather be cuddled up on the sofa with a loving owner instead! 

Owning a lurcher, greyhound or other similar breed of dog can be such a fun and rewarding experience. However, they require a lot of care and attention, and have their own unique needs that you should take the time to understand before you consider welcoming one into your family. It’s important that you can take the opportunity to research the topic of caring for lurchers and greyhounds if you plan on adopting one, as this way you can make sure they benefit from the best quality of life as soon as they enter into your care. 

Thankfully, this guide contains some of the best steps that you can follow to look after your lurcher, greyhound or other similar pup, helping to keep them as happy and healthy as possible. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more so that you can confidently care for your long nosed furry friend!

Image Source – Pexels 

Finding The Right Collar 

First and foremost, when you adopt a lurcher, greyhound or other similar breed you need to make sure that you can find the right collar. You won’t be able to leave the house without it, as you need something secure to attach their lead to whenever you take them outside for a walk. The main issue with a normal, average collar is its shape in comparison to the shape of a lurcher or greyhounds head. In many cases their neck is actually thicker than their jaw or head, meaning a basic collar will slip right off if they were to pull their head back for any reason. Unless you want your dog to have a high chance of escaping, then you need to find a specially designed thicker collar that won’t slip off their more narrow head! It’s easy to find the right collar, just search specifically for a lurcher or greyhound style so that you can maintain total confidence whenever you take them outside. 

Walk, Walk & Walk Some More 

Lurchers, greyhounds and other similar breeds absolutely love exercise, and would enjoy nothing more than running ragged around an open field for hours on end. However, this isn’t always feasible when you have a hectic schedule and no land to release them on, so you need to make an effort to walk them as much as possible. It’s a good idea to aim to walk your new lurcher or greyhound for at least 2-3 hours per day, although it is well known that greyhounds can be “couch potatoes”. You should take them around some natural locations if possible, as walking by the side of the road will provide them with little stimulation and will likely be very boring for both you and your dog. If you don’t have the time or energy to walk your lurcher or greyhound for several hours a day, then find a local dog walker who can take them out – exercise is essential for their well-being, and it’s your responsibility to ensure their needs are met. 

Check Their Health Regularly 

Unfortunately, there are a variety of different health conditions that a lurcher, greyhound or other similar breed will be more susceptible to compared with other types of dog. As a result of this, you should always take the time to visit the vets and check their health regularly. Having a basic check up every few months will allow you to spot any potential warning signs that could be causing pain or discomfort for your dog, and you can implement preventative measures to minimise their chances of falling ill. Any good dog magazine will detail information about potential conditions that your dog may experience in their lifetime, so do your research.

Looking after a lurcher, greyhound or other similar breed can be so fulfilling, as they are such loving and affectionate dogs that are so loyal. Following some of the steps detailed above can certainly help you to take great care of your pup, so take the time to utilize these recommendations for the sake of their long term health and happiness. Start by finding the right collar, walk them often, and be sure to check their health regularly.

How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need?

How much exercise does my dog need?

All dogs need regular exercises to stay happy and healthy. It’s just as important as regular veterinary care, quality food and loving care in that it affects their health and behavior. If you’re like most dog lovers, you want the best for your dog but the question that’s often hard to answer is “How much exercise does a dog really need every day?”

What happen’s if my dog doesn’t get enough exercise?

Many dog owners see to it that their canine companions exercise regularly but what if your dog has not been getting enough exercise? The goal isn’t just to get your pooch out and about; rather it is to ensure that they get the amount of physical activity needed to tone their muscles, stimulate their brain, promote good behavior, increase socialization and encourage their body and metabolism to function well.

If a dog doesn’t get enough physical activity, the following problems can occur:

  • Destructive behaviors like chewing, eliminating in the house, increased aggression etc.
  • Disinterest in human company, which could be a sign of depression
  • Hyperactivity when they’re on a walk
  • Excessive barking
  • Weight gain and joint issues

How much exercise does a dog need daily?

The amount of exercise a dog needs varies as there are a few factors to consider such as age, breed and health. Dogs have different exercise needs but experts generally recommend that dogs should get between 30 minutes and 2 hours of exercises each day. So how do you figure out the amount of physical activity your dog needs? Here are a few standard guidelines you can follow.

Exercising a puppy

Generally, puppies have a lot of energy that needs to be discharged, which explains why they tend to get injured easily. You probably have seen your puppy race madly around the house a few times only to collapse into a puppy pile, preferably in your laps.

Because they are very energetic,   it is recommended to exercise your puppy both mentally and physically however, the exercises should be broken into different short bursts that include walks and play sessions as they are too young to take a really long walk.

Since puppies are quite young, you might want to keep the exercises short until your puppy gets used to them. For instance, you can start with 10 minutes three times a day and increase the amount of time as your pup gets used to it.    A rule of thumb for puppies is 5 minutes of exercise for each month of age twice a day.

Exercising an adult dog

An adult dog can also be energetic but the amount of exercise required varies based on breeds. Some dog breeds require more exercises than others. For instance, larger and giant breeds are typically strong and have good stamina if they’re in good health. However, some larger breeds like Greyhounds aren’t as active as others and, therefore, require a little less amount of physical activity.

For medium breeds, they are also energetic and require lots of physical exercises. If your dog is a medium sized terrier such as Staffies, you may need to devote extra time to exercising them.

Some smaller breeds don’t require as much exercise compared to the larger ones and can do well with one hour of exercise per day. Some breeds like poodles and terriers can take on extra time of physical activity.

Exercising a senior dog

Your senior dog may not be as active like before due to age and possible health issues that may limit how active they can be. They tend to slow down or rest often during exercises, so it’s important to keep this in mind so you don’t push your aging dog too much.

However, you still need to exercise your senior dog as it can help keep their joints, ligaments, and muscles strong and supple. It can be hard to figure out how much exercise your dog needs but as the owner, you know your dog best, meaning you should be able to determine how much exercises your dog can handle or if in doubt, check with your dogs usual veterinarian.

Wrap-up

There are plenty of outdoor and indoor exercises that can help your dog stay healthy and fit but it’s essential to keep in mind their age, breed and health when deciding how much time to devote to exercising them.    Mental stimulation is equally important so also spend time on training and enrichment activities.

If you need any help with walking your dog then don’t hesitate to contact us on 0333 200 5827 or email info@scampsandchamps.co.uk

Whу Dо Dоgѕ Burу Bоnеѕ And Othеr Items

Why do dogs bury bones

Have you еvеr gіvеn your dоg a bone оnlу tо watch him head tо the couch or оutѕіdе in the gаrdеn tо burу іt? Mаnу dоgѕ lіkе tо hіdе things іn ѕаfе places, аnd оftеn, dоgѕ are predisposed tо burу іtеmѕ thаt bеlоng tо them, and ѕоmеtіmеѕ іtеmѕ that do nоt.

Discover six reasons why thіѕ bеhаvіоr оссurѕ, аnd hоw or іf уоu should stop it.

Inѕtіnсt  

This behavior mау hаvе dеvеlореd duе to ѕtrоng survival іnѕtіnсtѕ inherited from the dоmеѕtісаtеd dоgѕ’ wild ancestors оf wіld dоgѕ and the grау wоlf. Fооd wаѕ not аlwауѕ thе еаѕіеѕt tо соmе bу аnd to mаkе the mоѕt оf thе fооd thеу had; thеѕе wіld dоgѕ wоuld often burу thе еxсеѕѕ in thе grоund nеаr their dens. The soil acts аѕ a nаturаl rеfrіgеrаtоr bу kееріng thе mеаl away frоm dіrесt ѕunlіght, аnd the temperature of thе earth decreases wіth thе dерth оf the hоlе, kееріng food frеѕhеr lоngеr, ѕо thе animal саn rеtrіеvе іt lаtеr when nourishment is scarce.

Dоgѕ mау bury аnуthіng they consider vаluаblе, whісh dоеѕ not juѕt іnсludе fооd. Thіѕ is due tо thеіr nаturаl instinct to kеер valuable thіngѕ ѕаfе аnd рrоtесtеd.

You аrе gіvіng thеm tоо muсh

The оthеr ѕіdе оf the instinct tо burу thіngѕ hаѕ nothing tо dо with fear of starvation оr рrоtесtіng thеіr fооd from рrеdаtоrѕ. If уоu’rе overly gеnеrоuѕ with уоur роосh іn tеrmѕ оf toys or trеаtѕ, burying thеm is a wау fоr thеm tо ѕау, “Cооl, I wіll save thіѕ.” Sоmеtіmеѕ they mау еvеn wаnt tо bury іtеmѕ bесаuѕе thеу аrе too good fоr thеm tо еаt аll аt once thеу wаnt tо save thеm ѕо thеу саn enjoy thеm again lаtеr.

Breed

Thеrе аrе several breeds thаt are mоrе predisposed tо dіggіng аnd burying than оthеrѕ. A few оf thеѕе breeds are Terriers, Dachshunds, Bеаglеѕ, Bаѕѕеt Hоundѕ, аnd Mіnіаturе Sсhnаuzеrѕ. Cаrіn Tеrrіеrѕ, fоr іnѕtаnсе, wеrе оrіgіnаllу bred to сhаѕе аnd hunt ѕmаll gаmе, аnd they have mаіntаіnеd thеіr еxсеllеnt dіggіng skills and thеіr instinct tо ѕеаrсh.

Sіnсе these breeds аrе brеd ѕресіfісаllу tо dіg, thеу may also hаvе a hеіghtеnеd dеѕіrе tо ѕаvе their resources, and thеrеfоrе are mоrе lіkеlу tо burу bones. Thіѕ іѕ normal behavior fоr thеm. Rеmеmbеr, rеgаrdlеѕѕ оf a dog’s brееd; аll dоgѕ hаvе the роtеntіаl tо dіg.

Boredom

Dogs nееd ѕtіmulаtіоn аnd оutlеtѕ fоr their еnеrgу every dау, аnd whеn humаnѕ dо nоt рrоvіdе іt fоr thеm, thеу will find thеіr wауѕ to occupy thеmѕеlvеѕ. An example may bе the fun gаmе оf stealing a tv rеmоtе and burying іt tо gеt уоur аttеntіоn (аn attention-seeking bеhаvіоr) аnd to аdd some vаrіеtу tо their rоutіnеѕ.

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Anxiety

Stress аnd anxiety саn рlау a раrt іn thіѕ bеhаvіоr as wеll. Sоmе dоgѕ thаt are fееlіng аnxіоuѕ mау burу іtеmѕ to саlm themselves since dіggіng is a ѕеlf-ѕооthіng bеhаvіоr. If a dоg does not fееl ѕаfе at thе moment оr іn the area they аrе fеd іn; they may burу thеіr fооd tо еаt in a mоrе comfortable рlасе оr tіmе. Yоu mау аlѕо ѕее mоrе оf this bеhаvіоr іn multі-dоg hоuѕеhоldѕ, or among dоgѕ thаt grеw uр іn ѕіtuаtіоnѕ where thеу hаd ѕсаrсе rеѕоurсеѕ, ѕuсh аѕ in a рuрру mіll.

Thіѕ behavior may іmрrоvе оnсе your dоg fееlѕ safe and is fеd оn a соnѕіѕtеnt ѕсhеdulе. Stіll, if not, it is ѕuggеѕtеd to seek advice frоm уоur vеtеrіnаrіаn аnd bеhаvіоr рrоfеѕѕіоnаlѕ.

Tоо Mаnу Rеѕоurсеѕ

Sіnсе уоu knоw nоw thаt уоur dоg’ѕ urgе tо burу hіѕ bоnеѕ соmеѕ frоm an іnѕtіnсt tо ѕаvе ѕurрluѕ rеѕоurсеѕ, уоu can help сurb this behavior bу making thоѕе resources more ѕсаrсе, thus saving your gаrdеn.

 Fоr еxаmрlе, іf уоur dоg tеndѕ to burу hіѕ tоуѕ, give hіm juѕt оnе оr twо аt a tіmе. You саn rotate tоуѕ wееklу tо kеер уоur dоg’ѕ іntеrеѕt аnd fеnd off boredom. Also, аvоіd gіvіng him a bоnе right after hе eats, when his ѕtоmасh іѕ аlrеаdу full.

If уоur dоg ѕееmѕ tо enjoy the hide-and-seek аѕресt оf burying, уоu саn turn іt іntо a trісk whеrе he “burіеѕ” a toy оr bоnе on cue іn a pile оf blankets оr ріllоwѕ. Thеn gіvе him a signal to retrieve.

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.

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!

How Do I Stop My Dog Chasing Other Animals?

How Do I Stop My Dog Chasing Other Animals?

Before dogs became domesticated they were wild and lived by preying on other animals big and small. Their predatory drive was a mechanism that ensured their very survival as a species and was hard wired into their brain. The predation sequence in such dogs was “see-chase-grab-kill”.

In domesticating the dog some of this sequence has become weaker though it has never been totally removed, and all domestic dogs exhibit instinctive predatory behaviours to a certain extent, with some breeds of dog being more prone to this type of nature than others.

As humans we have, over time, also been responsible for breeding some dogs specifically in order to take advantage of that instinct, such as Herding breeds, Sporting breeds, Hounds, Terriers, Northern breeds and Wolf hybrids. . we often use and work many of these dogs.

Through years of genetic selection and training we have produced these working dogs that are very good at chasing and moving livestock but without the “bite-hold-kill” sequence thrown in.

Predatory Aggression, is a term often used to describe the behaviour of domestic dogs who target another dog, cat, sheep or indeed any other animal, then move with sudden impulsive action, silently and rapidly to bring that target down and then attack the vital organs of that creature in order to kill it. The main difference between an attack of this nature and standard aggression is that the dog fully intends to kill either by shaking the prey violently or choking it.

This behaviour is due to the retained instinctive desire to chase things that resemble prey; and because predation is instinctive, it is not based on the dog being hungry. Moreover, it is a behaviour that is marked by the absence of anger, neither is it based on self protection or competition for resources.

Dogs who exhibit predatory behaviour usually do not advertise their intent prior to attack which can make it all the more shocking.

Movement of the “prey” will always be the trigger that starts the sequence, so by allowing your dog to chase down small creatures will only serve to strengthen this instinctive drive. The behaviour is particularly dangerous because it cannot be fully trained or conditioned out of the dog, neither will medication be of any help because the instinct is hard wired into the dogs mind.

Just because the behaviour is inherited and instinctive doesn’t mean that it is either desirable or acceptable and it can be downright dangerous.

Such a dog living in a home with an infant child is also very risky because children under three years of age move quickly and often make high pitched noises that can make such a dog believe they are prey, whereas very tiny babies may resemble injured prey to the dog who may then pounce.

However, we can manage predatory behaviours by managing the environment – a suitably trained behaviourist will help you to assess how strong your dogs prey drive is. Once you know this you can then manage the environment by:

Ensuring that your dog can’t get out of your garden or get loose without you

When out walking, always ensure that your dog is kept on a leash, no matter what time of day it is.

If necessary, use a muzzle on your dog. This may seem cruel but preventing the behaviour is better than having your dog removed and destroyed because it has attacked and killed

Get the help of a professional trainer to develop exercises that will re direct and address the challenges of the prey drive, and find an appropriate outlet for him

Ensure that your dog gets sufficient exercise in general, but keep him out of situations that arouse his predatory instincts and never leave him alone with a child, even if he has never shown a desire to attack a child before.

Dogs are amazing creatures, and a delight to be with – Stay Safe, Stay Informed and Stay Happy with your best friend.

How do you prepare your dog for when you go back to work after lockdown?

Once the coronavirus lockdown ends you may no longer work from, home resulting in a new routine for your dogs. This new routine may mean leaving your dog for longer periods of time than they are used to. Dogs are naturally very sociable animals and some may find being left alone very hard and you may notice a change in their behaviour. Some dogs may develop separation anxiety. What is separation anxiety and how can it be prevented?

What is separation anxiety?

Your dog may become distressed when you are preparing to leave home, or after you have left. He may start pacing, trembling, whining, drooling or panting. He may bark far more than usual or start howling. He may start digging at carpets or chewing furniture, such as table legs, or show other signs of destructive behaviour such as raiding the rubbish bin, or may have toileting accidents in the house. This may be in response to boredom, being left alone, or from being separated from one particular person.

This behaviour can be upsetting, so how can you prepare your dog for your return to work?

Although dogs should not be left on their own for too long the earlier actions are taken the better by spending some time away from your dog during the day, even whilst in the same house. This is particularly important for dogs that have been bought or adopted during lockdown, especially puppies, as they may have had no experience of being separated from their owner. Dogs who have been in rescue or have been rehomed several times can sometimes struggle with being left, especially in the first few weeks of being rehomed. This is probably due to a variety of factors, including the stresses experienced while in kennels and learning to adapt to a new home.

Start by leaving you dog alone for just a few seconds and then move onto minutes and a couple of hours. Take your time if your dog shows any sign of distress. If being left alone is too much for your dog you could start by being in the same room but avoiding eye contact and then move on to being the other side of a stair gate, being in another room and then finally out of sight and earshot. Give plenty of praise and rewards such as treats and toys. Being relaxed during this process will help not make a big deal out of it and the aim is that your dog feels relaxed and comfortable when left on their own for some part of the day. Being left at home should be fun!

As well as building on controlled periods of time alone giving your dog something to do will help reduce their anxiety when they are left alone and help them develop positive associations with being alone. Using food and enrichment toys such as Kong’s, appropriate chew toys, lick mats and slow feeders to keep him occupied. Provide your dog’s usual meal or healthy fillers such as cooked chicken, vegetables or peanut butter.

How to prevent possible triggers from causing anxiety?

You can desensitise your dog to any signs that you are leaving the house. Try opening and closing doors without leaving, picking up and putting down car keys throughout the day, picking up and moving shoes and bags or putting on a coat and walking around with it before removing it.

Do not use punishment as this will not work and will cause more harm

Any punishment given on returning home won’t help stop the problem. Dogs associate punishment with what they are doing at that moment in time and so a dog will not link the telling off with their actions before their owner came home, even if they are taken over to ‘the scene of the crime’. It is not that they cannot remember what happened; they just won’t be able to make a connection between the punishment and something they did hours ago.

If punished your dog will not only be feeling anxious about being left, but will also be worried about you returning, which can make any symptoms much, much worse.

Scamps and Champs provide puppy visits and a dog walking service whilst following the latest government and DEFRA advice. Get in touch to discuss your individual needs.

What do Scamps and Champs dog walkers do when it rains?

What Do Scamps & Champs Dog Walkers Do When It Rains?

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We walk your dog! If you are happy for us to, we will always take your dog out in the rain. We love dog walking and are just as happy to go out in wet weather as we are on dry days. Dog walking in the rain is often as enjoyable as walking in the sun. It can be lots of fun and your dog will still have an engaging, fun and stimulating walk. A lot of dogs LOVE wet walks! I’m thinking of the Labradors and Springer Spaniels I know who lie down in the biggest puddle at every opportunity they get!

We will put your dog’s raincoat on, if he has one, to prevent him getting absolutely soaked and will always dry your dog well with towels after a dog walk.

If you would rather your dog not get too wet, then we can take him out for a toilet break and play inside instead.

Why chose a dog walker from Scamps and Champs Bristol?

Scamps and Champs are one of the country’s top pet care services, offering a professional level of pet-sitting and dog-walking excellence, within the animal care sector. Scamps and Champs are a well-known, established brand, offering a caring and trust-worthy service, to all pet owners and animals.

Scamps and Champs Bristol never pack walk your dog with multiple other dogs, as we fully understand how precious your pets are to you and therefore, we believe in a caring service and treating each dog as if it was our own.

Scamps and Champs Bristol offer a premium dog walking service which includes all the following:

  • A free meet and greet consultation to discuss your individual pet care needs. We can offer you a regular or flexible dog walking service, each package is tailored to your individual needs and your dog’s personality.
  • An online booking option – quick and easy to use.
  • A fully insured and police checked pet carer.
  • GPS tracking – location check in service.
  • Electronic feedback and photos during each visit – so you know what your dog has been up to!
  • Individual group size – Scamps and Champs don’t believe in pack walking your dog in large groups. However, if they love company and would benefit from socialising with other dogs, then we are happy to pair your dog up with a walking buddy or two. Assuming everyone is getting on well with each other and that every dog is going to benefit from a group walk, we are happy to walk your dog with up to three other pup-pals.
  • A main dog walker and a back up dog walker – so when your main dog walker is unable to walk your dog your back up dog walker will. You and your dog will previously have met both your main and your back up dog walker.

If this is the kind of dog walking service you would like then get in touch on 0333 200 5827

Why Use A Dog Walking Service?

dog walking

Dog walking саn be a tremendous stress reliever аnd brіng іmmеnѕе hарріnеѕѕ whеn  dоg аnd owner аrе аt one.    We would all love to be able to stay at home all day with our beloved furry friends but it isn’t always possible.   Some people work or are out of the house for long periods or you just might want to go for a family day out.

Hiring the services of a professional dog walking company can help.  The demand for this ѕеrvісе hаѕ rіѕеn over rесеnt уеаrѕ as реорlе’ѕ lives have bесоmе buѕіеr wіth work аnd ѕосіаl еvеntѕ.

Here аrе some reasons why you might want to use a dog walking service.   

Buѕу Lіfе

Wе undеrѕtаnd thаt lіfе gets buѕу and you may not always find the time to walk your dog.  Dog walking ѕеrvісеѕ саn hеlр уоu manage уоur time аnd schedule effectively tо еnѕurе thаt уоur dоg gеtѕ the attention it dеѕеrvеѕ.   Your соmраnіоn can hаvе all thе fun іn thе world while уоu are аt work оr out for the day.  Allоwіng уоur роосh to exercise when you are not аt hоmе will еnѕurе that hе оr ѕhе іѕ саlmеr аnd ԛuіеtеr whеn уоu gеt bасk!

Prоfеѕѕіоnаl Experience

Your dog will be walked by a dog walker who is fully insured and all walks will be GPS tracked.    Your dog walker will fit the walk to meet your best friend’s physical needs and, of course, capabilities.

Recovering From Illness

If you have been ill or recovering from an operation, hiring a professional dog walking company can help take the pressure off you while you get well.   

Overall, dоg wаlkіng ѕеrvісеѕ аrе еxtrеmеlу соnvеnіеnt. They bеnеfіt both you, as аn owner, and уоur dоg. Yоur dog wіll also be іn ѕаfе аnd knоwlеdgеаblе hands, whіlе you are not there.

Whether or nоt іt is to exercise your dоg dаіlу оr tо саrе, play аnd walk hіm аnd kеер hіm соmраnу аll dау, dоg wаlkіng ѕеrvісеѕ and рrоfеѕѕіоnаl pet саrе are an increasingly popular service.    It can prevent boredom, chewing or destructive behaviour. 

You might not need help with walking your dog but would like someone to pop in at lunchtime to give them a bit of company and a toilet break.    We offer a 30 minute home visit for puppies and older dogs.

If уоu аrе ѕtrugglіng tо jugglе wоrk, family, a ѕосіаl life, аnd еxеrсіѕіng уоur dоg  thеn hіrіng thе services оf a dog wаlkеr will give you peace of mіnd, thаt whіlе уоu are аwау, your dog іѕ exercised, looked аftеr аnd fed соrrесtlу.

Scamps & Champs offer a reliable, professional dog walking service.    We will never “pack walk” your dog with large groups of other dogs.    We can provide off lead walks with your written permission.

All of our dog walkers are fully insured.

Contact us to find out more or check availability in your area.