Soph's Dog Services

16/12/2023

We’ve welcomed some newbies to the SDS pack this month! Welcome to Willow, Luna and Tubs. A cockerpoo and two spaniels … it is time to get crazy 💖🐶🫶🏼

16/12/2023

Thursdays pack walk #1 showing off their recall skills! Super proud of this group, we’ve put the work in and the results are starting to show. Well done Sadie, Sooty, Colin and Stanley!

12/12/2023

Love bumping into this one on our adventures Paws and Go 🐶🫶🏼❤️

Dog walkers unite! 🐶🐾

Soph's Dog Services 🙌🏼🐾

30/11/2023

winter weather means cool jackets and coats - here is some of the SDS pack out and about whilst dressing up in recent days ☃️🥶🐾

20/10/2023

Some friendly faces from this week before the rain hit us 🐾🐶

16/10/2023

What does your dog walk usually entail? 🐾

At SDS, we don’t just walk along the footpath for our allotted time. Instead, it’s my goal to become the best thing about your dog’s walk. Some simple additions to a walk can wear your dog out both physically, and mentally, and ensure they actually want to return to you because your value is invaluable to them.

Here’s some tips to turn your dog’s walk into an adventure they look forward to each day:

1. Sniffing

You don’t just have to own a gundog or terrier to get your dog to enjoy using its nose. Throw some treats into long grass, woodland leave piles or even just in your back garden. You can go a step further by introducing the sit and wait command, then release them to smell their treats out. A fun game, whilst also improving their impulse control!

2. Training games

The introduction of new ways to recall your dog is a favourite of mine. At the moment, my packs are learning our pack command… ‘pack’ (original, I know). They are expected to stay in a down until release, hopefully I’ll get some footage to share with you soon. Their reward? A scattering of treats to hunt down afterwards. This makes sure your dogs remember you bring the most fun on your walks, not the other walkers with their dogs passing by. On our 1:1s, we’re learning a multitude of ways to make recall fun. Introduction of the word ‘touch’ with a nose boop on your hand bring a new dimension to running back after you have called. Moreover, you can introduce tug toys or dummies as a reward for when your dog is recalled, as some quickly become wise (and bored of) the treats your offer them. Some dogs easily get bored of their recall command, or reward, so certainly remember to switch it up regularly!

3. New locations and terrains

Some dogs rely on comfort and normality, which is ok and it is good to honour that. However, dogs that are adaptable to new places and new smells means that each walk is an entirely new adventure already! Look for different terrains than you may usually use, as your dog will notice a lot of new smells and habitats from local wildlife, and become accustomed to the scent of new dogs and passer-bys, increasing their stimulation mentally rather than physically.

4. Chilling out!

The art of just letting your dog sit next to you on a bench, enjoying the surroundings is vastly looked over and invaluable. This is a great opportunity to manage impulse control, and introduce the ignoring of potential triggers that may make your dog want to get up and go again. Try introducing a ‘focus’ command and reward them each time they choose to look at you. This can become a really great tool for practicing their recall whilst on the go as they learn to check in with you regularly.

Here is Otis sniffing out some treats this morning - one of his favourite games to play🐶.

10/10/2023

Happy October all you amazing dog-lovers 🍁🍂🍃🎃.

Whilst there hasn’t been much activity on this page, the activity in our local countryside has dramatically increased each week with my new (and not-so new) canine companions.

I appreciate all of your patience with me whilst I near nearly 6 months of being officially open for business. Still finding my feet… even when they feel like they’ve fallen off in the last field I was walking through 😂.

Just wanted to share some very, very happy doggos (Sadie and Stan make two features because they are such posers)!

04/09/2023

Two hot dogs this morning, out super early to beat the heat… but it was catching up on us quickly! 🌭 🌭🌭

Please remember to check the temperature before taking your dog out of the house. Above 23C, asphalt and tarmac temperatures can rise to 52 degrees Celsius! Same with enclosed spaces such as cars, conservatories etc.

Remember, no dog has ever died from not having a walk ❤️.

01/09/2023

🐾 PACK WALK AVAILABILITY 🐾

I have some pack walk spaces available on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday!

Get in touch on WhatsApp at 07488327947 to book your free meet and greet.

£12.50 for a 60 minute (approx - sometimes we take a wrong turn!) pack walk. Maximum four dogs in a group. Different locations each walk, all dogs to be introduced in a safe manner, one-by-one.

Your dogs well-being, safety and temperament are my main focus and priority during sessions. Enrichment and pack training activities, pick up and drop off, and lots of loving and cuddles are included!

Full UK drivers license, DBS check and my insurance paperwork is provided at introductory visits. Also canine first aid trained.

For care like family ❤️🐾

01/09/2023

Spent some quality 1:1 time with my girl today at Sensible Paws’s brilliant socialisation class at Summerhouse Dog Field. Great to see some clients outside of work too 🥰🐶❤️ Hope everybody enjoys their weekends!

09/08/2023

And, the heat is back! 🔥☀️🥵. Early morning walks for today and tomorrow whilst we try to beat the sun, what a change from yesterday’s weather!

These amazing dogs all did so well on their 1:1 walks this morning. I’ve won the jackpot with this job🥰.