What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Vanderpets, Colchester (2026)

17/07/2026

🐾 Surviving the Heatwave with High Energy Dogs! ☀️🌡️

We know how incredibly tough it is right now for owners of energetic dogs. When the pavement is sizzling and the air is sweltering, trying to get those much needed hours of exercise can feel impossible, especially when you're balancing a busy work schedule!

Instead of feeling stuck indoors, here are two of our absolute favorite, heat safe ways to burn off that energy and keep your pups happy:

Upgrade to a Square Metal-Frame Splash Pool 💦
Standard "dog pools" can easily collapse or pop when big dogs get excited. A small, square metal-frame pool (like the one in the photo you can grab easily on Amazon) is a total game-changer!

Why it works: You only need a few inches of water to cool down their paw pads, which is how dogs regulate their temperature.

Pro-Tip: Toss in some frozen treats or toys for a game of "bobbing for apples" to turn a quick splash into a great mental workout!

Swap Open Parks for Deep Forest Walks 🌳
If your dog absolutely needs to stretch their legs, stay away from open fields and pavements. Head into dense woodland instead!

The Canopy Shield: The thick tree cover keeps the forest floor significantly cooler than the open sun.

Safe Underfoot: Soil and fallen leaves don't absorb or trap heat like concrete does, making it much safer for sensitive paws.

Brain Exhaustion: The sheer volume of rich, complex forest scents means a slower, 30-minute "sniffari" will tire their brains out just as much as a massive run!

🚨 Let Us Take the Hard Work Off Your Hands! 🚨
Struggling to find the time or the shade during your workday? Give us a shout if you need to keep your pup entertained!

We offer a full pick-up and collection service for our specialised woodland walks and swimming daycare sessions. Your dog gets to stay cool, safe, and fully stimulated while you focus on your day.

🗓️ Taking bookings now! Slots fill up fast during a heatwave, so send us a message on whatapp 07399336375 today to secure your pup's spot! Or visit our website for further info on our adventures www.vanderpets.com🪵💦

04/03/2026

The West Midlands is the place to be for K9s this week! 🐾

It’s a huge week for the Belgian Malinois community as the Working & Pastoral groups kick off Crufts 2026 at the NEC! We want to wish every handler and Mali team the best of luck in the ring and the arenas this weekend.

While the world’s elite are arriving at the NEC for Crufts, the Vanderpets K9 team is out in full force across the West Midlands. We’ve got a packed schedule of scent work and training sessions this week, and we’re doing it in style with our new team shirts and dog gear. There’s nothing like watching a Malinois lock onto a scent—total focus, total power.

15/02/2026

💡 Some lessons don’t arrive gently — they arrive through experience.

"Forgiveness is free, but trust must be earned. A wise man knows that when someone damages your character and your livelihood, you can wish them well—while keeping the door locked. Protecting your peace isn't 'un-Christian,' it's stewardship of the life you've been given. 🕊️✨

If someone once tried to set your world on fire, you wouldn’t hand them the keys just because time has passed.
The same standard should apply to your life and business.

When someone attempts to damage your business, your name, destabilize your finances, or turn others against you, that isn’t a harmless misunderstanding.
It’s a revelation of character.

Time can soften conversations.
Distance can calm emotions.
But intention rarely changes overnight.

Forgiveness is powerful.
Healing is necessary.
But access is earned.

Growth is not about holding anger — it’s about discernment.
It’s understanding that some doors remain closed not out of bitterness, but out of wisdom and self-respect.

Betrayal is not a temporary lapse.
It is a choice.
And choices reveal priorities.

You can release resentment without reopening the gate.
You can move forward without revisiting what broke you.

Survival teaches clarity.
Maturity protects peace.
And self-respect enforces boundaries.

A wise person once said:
Never reintroduce into your life someone who once tried to dismantle your business, your life, character, stability, or relationships.

People may change their presentation —
but consistency reveals truth.

Protect your peace.
Guard your name
Protect and Guard your Business
And remember: growth sometimes means knowing which doors stay closed.

Proverbs 13:20
"He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."
(Focus: Choosing a circle that builds you up, not tears you down.)

"

09/01/2026

🐶🐾"The "Expert Secret" Why I don't use treats to keep my puppy close. 🚫🦴

If you have to show your dog a treat to get them to come back, you don’t have a reliable dog—you have a business partner who only works for cash.

What happens when the wildlife is more exciting than the kibble?

I focus on Environmental Training over basic socialization.

Socialization is passive.
Environmental training is active engagement.

By using a Street Heel and high-value play (like the toy in her mouth), we build a dog that has the "coping skills" to handle high-distraction environments without losing focus.

"A Street Heel isn't about a robotic position; it’s about a shared bubble of trust. As long as my puppy stays in that bubble and keeps that 'umbilical cord' of engagement through check-ins, she is heeling. This is how we navigate the real world."

The EEM "Street Heel" (Functional Connection)
In my method, the dog does not have to stay constantly touching your leg in a frozen position.

Instead:
The Social Bubble: The dog understands they must remain within a specific "radius" or "bubble" (usually within 2-3 feet of you).

Active Choice: The dog has the freedom to look around and process the environment, but they must constantly check in and maintain the pace with you.

The Connection: If the dog moves to the edge of the bubble, they should automatically correct themselves back toward you without being told. (See Daenerys in video)

Purpose: It is designed for long distances, changing terrain (like the bridge), and safety. A dog cannot maintain a stiff competition heel for 5 miles on a farm, but they can maintain a Street Heel.

This is the difference between control and connection.

🎓 Creator of The EEM Method (Environmental Engagement)
🐕 No treats. No e-collars. Just pure connection.
🌾 Teaching your dog to choose YOU over the environment.

Address

Colchester

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.vanderpets.com/

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