Cranford Dog Care

24/03/2025

22/03/2025

Lovely morning at Wills Field, Westbrook.

16/02/2025

This is exactly how I am with all dogs, even in a short time if you open your heart you bond straight away.

"Your Dog Is Your Mirror" by Kevin Behan isn't just a dog training manual; it's a profound exploration of the human-canine bond. Behan challenges the conventional understanding of dog behavior, proposing that a dog's actions are a direct reflection of its owner's emotional state.

This isn't about blaming dogs for our own issues; it's about recognizing the profound connection we share with our canine companions. By observing our dog's reactions, we can gain valuable insights into our own unresolved emotions and subconscious patterns.

"Your Dog Is Your Mirror" encourages us to look beyond surface-level training techniques and delve deeper into the emotional dynamics of the human-animal relationship. It's a transformative journey of self-discovery that strengthens the bond with our dogs while offering valuable lessons about ourselves.

Here are 7 key lessons from the book:

1. Your Dog Reflects Your Emotional Energy
Behan’s central premise is that dogs don’t just respond to your actions—they absorb and reflect your emotions. Whether it’s your stress, fear, joy, or calm, your dog acts as a mirror, revealing feelings you may not even recognize in yourself. This is a profound invitation to look inward, using your dog’s behavior as a lens to better understand your own emotional state.
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2. Emotions, Not Commands, Are the True Language of Dogs
While training techniques focus on commands and behaviors, Behan argues that dogs are driven by emotional energy, not logic. When your emotions are in harmony, your dog responds naturally. This lesson pushes you to step away from rigid control and focus on fostering emotional alignment, teaching that connection comes from the heart, not the leash.
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3. Dogs Teach You to Live in the Present
Unlike humans, dogs don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future—they exist fully in the now. Their ability to immerse themselves in the present moment is a gift, reminding you to slow down and engage with the here and now. Through their presence, they teach mindfulness and the beauty of savoring life as it unfolds.
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4. Vulnerability Strengthens the Bond
Behan highlights the deep emotional bond between humans and dogs, emphasizing that this connection thrives on authenticity. Your dog doesn’t judge you for your flaws or weaknesses—they accept and love you as you are. This lesson is a call to embrace vulnerability, both with your dog and yourself, creating space for healing and growth.
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5. Dogs Are Emotional Healers
Your dog senses when you’re sad, anxious, or overwhelmed, often stepping in to provide comfort. Behan suggests that dogs have an innate ability to absorb and neutralize your negative emotions, serving as emotional healers. This symbiotic relationship reminds us of the profound power of love and connection to mend emotional wounds.
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6. Your Fears Become Their Fears
Dogs pick up on the emotional signals you send, even the unconscious ones. If you’re fearful or anxious, your dog may mirror those emotions through their own behavior. This insight is both humbling and empowering—it challenges you to address your own fears and insecurities to create a sense of calm and safety for both you and your dog.
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7. Dogs Teach Unconditional Love and Acceptance
Above all, dogs embody unconditional love. They don’t care about your achievements, failures, or flaws—they simply love you for who you are. This lesson is one of the most profound: learning to love yourself as your dog loves you, and striving to extend that same acceptance to others.
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Your Dog Is Your Mirror is more than a book about dogs—it’s a journey into understanding yourself through the lens of your relationship with your dog. Behan’s insights challenge you to see your dog not just as a pet but as a teacher, healer, and emotional companion. It’s a call to deepen your connection, nurture your emotional health, and embrace the profound lessons of love, presence, and authenticity that your dog offers every day.

BOOK: https://amzn.to/3Ccp2by

You can also get the AUDIO BOOK for FREE using the same link. Use the link to register for the AUDIO BOOK on Audible and start enjoying it.

03/02/2025

Useful advice for dog owners

Tip for if your dog ever swallows something sharp
Hi everyone! I’m sorry if this info has been posted before, but I have never seen it posted and thought it might be useful for (new) dog owners to know:
A while back my dog managed to swallow a thumbtack when we were out for a walk. I immediately panicked and called the vet. She explained to me that for sharp objects they prefer not to induce vomiting as it can damage their esophagus on the way back up. It’s preferred to let it pass naturally. So, the advice she gave me was to start feeding my dog bread, lots and lots of bread. Preferably covered in olive oil. This would hopefully ensure that the thumbtack would get packed up inside the bread and be able to pass through her system safely!
As instructed, I fed her the bread (she thought it was the best day of her life haha). The vet said to monitor her behavior and if she was eating and drinking normally, and not in visible discomfort, it should pass within (more or less) 24 hours. Obviously if I saw somthing was wrong during that time I could bring her into the vet’s office immediately.
Et voila, almost exactly 24 hours later, out came the thumbtack impacted in her poo! The picture is the thumbtack and the dog in question
I just thought it could be a good tip if anyone is ever in a similar situation! Hope this helps.
TLDR: if your dog ingests a sharp object, immediately feed them a s**t ton of bread with olive oil.

11/01/2025

Clever words from Mrs Ewe. Take Heid🫡🐑🤰🏼

01/11/2024

A walk in the park!

25/10/2024

Are we ready for trip to dog field?

07/10/2024

Please read your labels !!

04/10/2024

December Special offer. Dog Day Care: Christmas shopping, visit family, parties etc see advert below.

24/09/2024

This is something everyone should see. This xray is of a 2 week old puppy.

When you get your 8/10 week old puppies, please keep this image in mind. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet.

When you run them excessively or don't restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during this period you don't give them a chance to grow properly. Every big jump or excited bouncing run causes impacts between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in.

But when you're letting puppy jump up and down off the lounge or bed, take them for long walks/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy scramble on tile with no traction you are damaging the joint.

You only get the chance to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a great upbringing-BOTH, not just one.

Once grown - around 12-18 months depending on their breed, you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little baby puppies and give the gift that can only be given once.

14/09/2024

Pulham Carnival today 1.30pm just seen some amazing floats, come and see for yourself.