Hounds Hooves Paws

05/06/2026

This week we had a mix of sun, rain, warmth and cold - but our four-legged clients were still having fun on- or off-lead, each as little or as much as they wanted. 😊🐾🐾☀️🥶👍

28/05/2026

💯

I can. But I’m not going to.

I don’t want your dog to shrink away while I insist on ruffling their hair up.
They don’t need me to touch them to prove “I’m safe”.

What they actually need is for me to keep my hands in my pocket and wait for some signals of consent.

We have a tactile “obsession” when it comes to dogs.

Maybe it starts when they’re puppies and their squidginess draws our hands in.
100% their fur and wee fat rolls combined are irresistible.
From there though, it can become a habit.

We see a person up the street we haven’t seen for a while, stop for a chat and our hand goes down to pat while we say “Aww whose this wee girl”.
That’s how easy these habits grow.

They’re ingrained.

How about we start to normalise not touching?
And start normalising watching for consent.

27/05/2026

⚠️ HEATSTROKE IN DOGS – PLEASE READ ⚠️

With temperatures in Scotland reaching 24°C this week, we want to raise awareness about the very real dangers of heatstroke in pets.

Meet handsome Chester, who was treated yesterday as an emergency after suffering severe heatstroke. His temperature reached 40°C; dangerously high for a dog. Normal temperatures range from 37.5°C–39.2°C.

Chester arrived struggling to breathe, with grey mucous membranes indicating critically poor oxygenation. He required emergency treatment including active cooling, oxygen therapy and intubation.

Thankfully, after around an hour of intensive care, medication and active cooling, Chester began to improve. Seeing his colour return after oxygen support was a huge relief for everyone involved. His temperature returned to normal and he was monitored closely overnight in hospital. However, the outcome could very easily have been tragic.

Heatstroke can happen suddenly and is a life-threatening emergency.

🐾 Signs of heatstroke include:
Excessive panting
Difficulty breathing
Lethargy or collapse
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Drooling
Bright red, pale or grey gums
Weakness or confusion

❄️ If you suspect heatstroke:
Move your dog to a cool, shaded area immediately
Pour cool (not ice-cold) water over their body and coat
Use cool, wet towels UNDER the patient, not over them
Place wrapped ice packs beneath the body if available
Offer small amounts of cool water
Contact your vet immediately

⚠️ Important:
Avoid placing soaked towels over your dog, as this can trap heat and reduce effective cooling. Continuous monitoring is essential, as overcooling can also be dangerous.

Please remember:
🐶 Never leave dogs in cars
🐶 Avoid walks during the hottest parts of the day
🐶 Take extra care with brachycephalic breeds, older dogs, overweight pets and those with underlying health conditions

If in doubt, seek veterinary advice immediately. Heatstroke can become fatal within minutes.

Here is Chester reunited with his dad after a night in hospital 💙

Lesmahagow: 01555 890055
Wishaw : 01698 373435
Lanark : 01555 660000

26/05/2026

Last week was a mix of rain & dry, but our fourlegged clients didn’t mind - they enjoyed themselves out & about. 😊☔️💨🐾🐾👍

18/05/2026

Despite some sharp showers last week, our furry clients still enjoyed their Playground Adventures, Garden Visits and Minisniffathon. 😎☔️🐾🐾👍

16/05/2026

I‘ve been saying this for years…

16/05/2026

📰 Recent news stories remind us just how serious dog bites can be, and also how much misinformation and prejudice there still is around them.

The truth is: any dog can bite, regardless of breed, size, age, or how loving they usually are. 🐶

Most bites don’t come “out of nowhere”, dogs often give clear warning signs when they’re scared, overwhelmed, or uncomfortable. Learning to spot these can make all the difference.

⚠️ Warning signs to watch for:
• Stiff body posture or freezing
• Turning head away / showing whites of eyes 👀
• Lip licking or yawning (when not tired)
• Growling, snapping, or barking
• Trying to move away or hide

💡 How to reduce risk:
• Give dogs space, especially when eating, sleeping, or unwell
• Don’t approach unfamiliar dogs without the owner’s permission
• Respect when a dog asks for distance
• Always supervise children around dogs 👶
• Teach children not to hug dogs or put faces close

This isn’t about blaming breeds or owners, it’s about understanding behaviour, reading the signs, and keeping everyone safe. ❤️

🐾 Awareness = prevention.

12/05/2026

A great week again with dry, mostly sunny weather and not too warm. Happy dogs enjoying on- and off-lead fun and toilet breaks.

10/05/2026

💯!

While mistakes happen, it’s just a regular occurrence now that, another dog will run over regardless of lead on, change of direction, communication.

Until you are the one with the nervous, vulnerable, reactive, recovering dog, it’s hard to understand the repercussions of this. But it can make walks unpleasant, the anticipation of what could happen, anxiety inducing.

We deserve our peaceful walks back, our dogs deserve to stay on track with training. We should live in a world where dogs are under control.