Ellie's Animal Academy

Ellie's Animal Academy Animal behaviour and training - BSc (Hons)
Building Connections, Enriching Journeys, Transforming Hearts and Paws. �
Sharing my passion and journey.

Happy bank holiday weekend everyone 🎉x
28/08/2026

Happy bank holiday weekend everyone 🎉x

What temperature actually means for your dog 🐾We often look at the weather and think “that’s fine for a walk”… but for d...
28/08/2026

What temperature actually means for your dog 🐾

We often look at the weather and think “that’s fine for a walk”… but for dogs, it’s not that simple.

Air temperature is a guide, not a rule. What really matters is how that temperature affects your dog in that moment.

Cold weather can impact:
• Smaller or short coated dogs
• Older dogs with joint stiffness
• Paw health on frosty or icy ground

As it warms up:
• Dogs fatigue faster
• Heat builds closer to the ground (right where they are)
• Recovery takes longer, even after the walk has ended

Once you move into the 20°C+ range, it’s no longer business as usual.

That’s where small changes make a big difference:
• Shorter, slower walks
• More sniffing, less distance
• Regular rest and shade
• Carrying water and managing intake properly

And at higher temperatures, choosing not to walk at all is often the safest option.

Your dog relies on you to make that call.

This isn’t about restricting them, it’s about adjusting to what they need so they can stay safe, comfortable, and able to cope.

Save this so you’ve always got a quick reference to go back to 🐾

Consistency makes all the difference, especially when visits become part of your dog’s routine 🐾I’ve been supporting Edd...
26/08/2026

Consistency makes all the difference, especially when visits become part of your dog’s routine 🐾

I’ve been supporting Eddie with regular evening drop ins over the past year, alongside a training walk, making sure he’s not just let out and fed, but properly engaged and settled each time.

Over time, that familiarity builds. Knowing the routine, understanding what he needs, and keeping things calm and predictable means he can fully relax during visits.

“Ellie fed and played with Eddie as well as taking him out for a toilet break and he was totally happy and relaxed during her visits. She kept us really well informed during each visit via WhatsApp updates. I would totally recommend Ellie and we will be using her again.”

Those updates aren’t just a nice extra, they’re part of the service. You should always know how your dog is doing while you’re away.

Long term support like this isn’t just about care, it’s about building trust, consistency, and making sure your dog feels comfortable every single time.

Heatstroke isn’t something to wait and see ⚠️🐾Once a dog or cat starts to struggle in the heat, things can escalate quic...
25/08/2026

Heatstroke isn’t something to wait and see ⚠️🐾

Once a dog or cat starts to struggle in the heat, things can escalate quickly.

Knowing what to do in that moment can make a real difference.

First, get them out of the heat immediately. Shade, indoors, or somewhere with airflow.

From there, start cooling straight away.

Current first aid guidance supports rapid cooling. Acting quickly is far more important than overthinking the exact method.

Use water over the body and focus on:
• The belly
• Paws
• Under the legs
• Areas with less fur

Cool water is ideal, but the priority is bringing body temperature down quickly.

Increase airflow where you can, a fan or breeze will help that cooling process.

Offer small amounts of water, but don’t let them gulp large amounts all at once.

And importantly, don’t stop cooling when you leave. Continue on the way to the vet.

Even if they seem to improve, heatstroke is always an emergency.

The earlier you act, the better the outcome.

Save this so you know what to do if you ever need it ⚠️🐾

Little moments like thisThere’s something about when a cat is this relaxed.Completely soft, upside down, fully settled i...
21/08/2026

Little moments like this

There’s something about when a cat is this relaxed.

Completely soft, upside down, fully settled into the moment without any hesitation. No tension, no holding back, just comfortable enough to be exactly as they are.

It’s easy to look at this and just see something cute, but this level of comfort doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s built over time.

Through consistency in how you interact with them.
Through respecting when they want space and when they want contact.
Through learning their preferences, rather than assuming them.

Cats don’t rush into this kind of relaxation. They choose it.

And not every cat will show it in the same way, or as often. Some are more reserved, some take longer, some keep things subtle.

Which is what makes these moments stand out when they do happen.

It’s not about doing anything special in that exact second, it’s everything that’s come before it.

The quiet, everyday interactions that tell them they’re safe.

And when they feel that, you see it.

Not just in moments like this, but in how they move, how they settle, and how they choose to be around you.

Just a small moment, but a really good one.

Looking after multiple dogs isn’t just more of the same… it’s about understanding each individual within the group 🐾I’ve...
19/08/2026

Looking after multiple dogs isn’t just more of the same… it’s about understanding each individual within the group 🐾

I’ve been supporting Paco, Maggie and Beef with drop ins and a walk, making sure each of them gets what they need while still keeping everything calm, structured, and manageable as a trio.

Group dynamics matter. Energy levels, personalities, and how they influence each other all play a role, so it’s never a one size fits all approach.

“Really reliable, the dogs loved her and she brought loads of extra bits to entertain them”

Enrichment is a big part of what I do, especially during drop ins. It’s not just about letting them out, it’s about giving them something to do, something to engage with, and helping them settle afterwards.

Three dogs, three personalities, one plan that works for all of them.

If you’ve got a multi dog household and need reliable support, you know where I am 🐾

Keeping dogs cool in a heatwave ☀️🐾Hot weather changes what your dog needs.It’s not about pushing through your usual rou...
18/08/2026

Keeping dogs cool in a heatwave ☀️🐾

Hot weather changes what your dog needs.

It’s not about pushing through your usual routine, it’s about adjusting it to keep them safe and comfortable.

A few simple changes make a big difference:

• Walk early or later in the day, not just when it feels cooler, but avoiding peak heat times. The sun is highest around midday, but the hottest part of the day often sits later, around 4pm when heat has built up
• Carry water and offer small, regular drink breaks rather than waiting until they’re overheated
• Keep walks shorter, slower, and more focused on sniffing and calm engagement rather than constant movement
• Build in rest stops and shade, don’t just keep going
• Swap some walks for training, enrichment, or mental stimulation at home

At home:
• Keep curtains or blinds drawn to block direct sun
• Use fans to improve airflow
• Make sure your dog has access to cool, shaded areas to rest

And always:
• Never leave your dog in a car, even for a few minutes

Hot weather isn’t the time to do more, it’s the time to do things differently.

Your dog relies on you to make those decisions for them.

Save this for the next heatwave ☀️🐾

🌧️ The rain is finally on its way… and your dog may notice it before you do! 🐾👃After weeks of relentless heat and hardly...
18/08/2026

🌧️ The rain is finally on its way… and your dog may notice it before you do! 🐾👃

After weeks of relentless heat and hardly any rain, the ground has been incredibly dry. When rain finally arrives, it doesn’t just cool everything down, it can bring a whole world of scent back to life.

Rain and moisture can help hold scent molecules closer to the ground, while all those smells that have been sitting on dry surfaces can suddenly become much easier for your dog to detect. So over the next few days, don’t be surprised if your usually sensible walk suddenly involves a LOT more stopping, sniffing, zig-zagging and investigating. 🌿

For some dogs, that extra scent information can be exciting enough to increase arousal too. You might notice more pulling, difficulty responding to cues, rushing from smell to smell, vocalising, scanning or behaviour that seems a little “worse” than usual.

That doesn’t necessarily mean your training has gone backwards. Their environment has just become much more interesting overnight. 😅

If your dog loves to sniff, this is also a brilliant opportunity to lean into it. Let them take their time, follow interesting scent trails, investigate hedges and verges, and enjoy a proper sniffari. You don’t need to cover miles for a walk to be enriching. Ten minutes spent carefully examining one patch of grass can be incredibly valuable to a dog whose nose has suddenly been given a whole new newspaper to read. 📰🐶

And if your dog is more easily overwhelmed, keep expectations realistic. Choose quieter routes, give them more time, use distance where needed and remember that extra arousal may mean they need a little more support than usual.

So yes, we’re all very grateful for the cooler temperatures… but your dog might be even more grateful for everything the rain is about to bring to their nose. 😂🌧️

Happy sniffing! 🐾

TGIF!I hope everyone has a restful and 🤞🏻 cooler weekendFrom me and the team at Ellie's Animal Academy
14/08/2026

TGIF!

I hope everyone has a restful and 🤞🏻 cooler weekend

From me and the team at Ellie's Animal Academy

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