The Big Blue Dog

05/07/2025

Keep your four legged friends safe 🥰

26/06/2025

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Adder bites are most common from June to August; would you know what to do if your pet ever encountered one? 🐍

Although rare, it's a good idea to get clued up on what to do if your pet is ever bitten by a snake - especially adders, the UK's only venomous snake species. Usually, adders aren't a threat, but they might defend themselves if a curious pooch gets too close.

If your pet gets bitten by an adder, you must treat it as an emergency by following the first aid advice below and contacting your vet immediately. Cats can also suffer from adder bites (although it's less common), and the same first aid should apply.

You can reduce the chance of encountering adders by avoiding areas known for them; staying out of long grass, woodland, moorland, and along the coast (sand dunes/coastal paths); and researching any unfamiliar areas for adder 'hot-spots' before walking your dog 🐕

Learn more:
Dogs - https://pdsa.me/FSOC
Cats - https://pdsa.me/HlSH

[Visual description: An infographic showing photos of an adder and its markings. Alongside this is the following text: Adder bites in dogs. If your dog has been bitten by an adder, their symptoms will depend on where the bite is and where the venom spreads to. If the venom stays in the tissues around the bite, it will cause pain and swelling, but if it spreads further and gets into the bloodstream, it can cause much more serious problems, such as damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. First aid for a snake bite. 1. If you see the snake, try to remember what it looks like or take a photo from a distance. Do not try to find the snake, get close to it, touch it, or harm it. Adders are a protected species, so it's illegal to hurt or kill them, and they can bite people if disturbed. 2. Keep your dog as still as possible to prevent the venom from spreading around their body. 3. Leave the bite alone, don't apply a bandage or tourniquet. 4. Call your vet to let them know you are coming down to the practice. 5. If possible, bring a car to your dog or, depending on their weight, carry them to it. Snake bites are an emergency - if your dog has been bitten, follow our first aid advice and take them to a vet ASAP.]

18/04/2025

🐣Happy Easter! 🐣 Wishing all our lovely clients a good bank holiday weekend

30/03/2025

Happy Mother’s Day! 🐾

27/03/2025

20/03/2025

Hope you’re all enjoying the Spring sunshine ☀️

01/01/2025

Wishing all our amazing clients a very Happy New Year! Thank you for your continued support. It is much appreciated 🥰

24/12/2024

Sending all our lovely clients our heartfelt thanks for your support this year. We wish you a very Happy Christmas! 🎄

27/09/2024

DISTRACTED DOG WALKERS

The distracted dog walker is commonly seen chatting on their cell phone, wearing headphones or socializing with other people while oblivious to what their dog is doing, how their dog is feeling or what is going on in the environment.

This may not sound like a problem to some, but it is something that many people have a problem with, even more so if you have a reactive dog.

I compare walking a dog to driving a car. It’s not so much about our driving skills, but having to constantly be aware of the driving skills of others – trying to predict what they will do, which rules of the road they will ignore and how distracted they are. This is especially true in the country I live in, where driving can be a stressful experience.

I understand that we often need to multi task – there simply doesn’t seem to be enough time in our day to accomplish everything we need to, but walking our dogs should not be one of these times.

Some people might say – “but my dog is really friendly, well socialized, gets on well with everyone, is well trained, knows this environment well etc. and I hear that.

But another dog might not be – maybe they need space, are reactive, are not sociable, are recovering from an illness, might be terrified of another dog racing straight towards them chasing a ball thrown from a ball launcher etc.

If distracted dog walkers have no regard for other dogs or other people, they should at least have regard for their own dogs. Walking your dog should be a time of bonding, of relationship, of seeing the environment through the eyes of your dog, of reinforcing and teaching wanted behaviours, of keeping them safe and protected from the unknown.

Our dogs need us to be focused, to pay attention, to be aware and attentive.

Our dogs depend on us to advocate for them.

26/08/2024

We’re pleased to welcome the new Pet Abduction Act, coming into force from today, 24 August, which introduces tougher penalties for stealing dogs- up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

This law is a crucial step in recognising the emotional value of dogs and the devastation caused to victims of pet theft.

Find out more and get tips on keeping your dog safe: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dogtheft