Cathedral View Kennels

03/06/2026

Wednesday at Doggy Daycare ☔🐾

Today has felt more like autumn than June, with cool temperatures, plenty of rain, and a generally stormy feel to the day. The dogs, of course, have taken it all in their stride and enjoyed making the most of every dry spell between the showers.

The good news is that we've taken delivery of a shiny new industrial washing machine today after our last one broke.. This means we can stay on top of the mountains of bedding, towels, and blankets that come with British weather.
Getting everything dry might still be a challenge, but at least the washing side of things is covered!

As always, the dogs have had a fantastic day. Rain or shine, the fun continues at Cathedral View Kennels. 🐶❤️🌧️

02/06/2026

Tuesday's Daycare Adventures – 2nd June ☔🌩️🐾

It's the 2nd of June... but somebody clearly forgot to tell the weather! Today felt more like the middle of April, with showers, showers and then some more showers.

This afternoon brought a tremendous storm, complete with thunder, lightning and even flash flooding. The heavens well and truly opened! Thankfully, most of our gang took the dramatic weather completely in their stride.

In fact, Charlie and Chloe A decided the best response to the downpour was to dance in the rain and make the most of it! 💃🐶🌧️

A huge thank you to our customers for their patience today, and apologies to anyone who had to carefully navigate the flooded sections of the driveway. The weather certainly kept us on our toes, but the dogs still managed to have a fantastic day.

After all, a little rain never stopped a dog from having fun! 🐾❤️

02/06/2026

📸 PHOTOBOMB CHAMPIONSHIP – NEW ENTRY ALERT! 📸

The competition is heating up and Betty the German Shorthaired Pointer has thrown her hat into the ring... or more accurately, her entire face into the camera. 🤣

While the other dogs were politely posing in the background, Betty spotted an opportunity and decided that nobody needed to see them anyway.

🐾 Labrador: "Look, I found a treat!" 🐾 Husky: "I'm gracefully approaching the camera." 🐾 Other Labrador: "I'm having a lovely stroll."

🐾 Betty: "EXCUSE ME, THIS PHOTO IS ABOUT ME NOW."

The result? One giant snoot, one slightly confused expression, and another outstanding photobomb entry for the Cathedral View Kennels Hall of Fame. 🏆

We're beginning to suspect that some dogs don't just see the camera... they hear it from 100 metres away and immediately launch themselves into shot.

Betty's score: 📷 Camera awareness: 10/10 👃 Snoot placement: 10/10 😂 Photobomb commitment: 11/10

Do we have a new leader, or is Cooper still wearing the photobomb crown? Let us know! 👇🐾
🐶📸🤣

01/06/2026

Monday, 1st of June... where is this year going???

31/05/2026

Sunday moments

31/05/2026

Last Sunday in May and it was a lovely day all round.

31/05/2026

📸 PHOTOBOMB CHAMPIONSHIP 2026, We Have a New Contender! 📸
Move over everyone else... Cooper has entered the competition and he's not here to make up the numbers. 🤣

While the other dogs were busy enjoying their play session, Cooper spotted the camera and decided that what this photo really needed was... more Cooper.

The result? One giant flying ear, half a face, and absolutely zero concern for personal space. 😂

Meanwhile, in the background, two dogs are having what appears to be a perfectly normal game, completely unaware that Cooper has stolen the entire show.

We're starting to think some of our daycare dogs have a sixth sense for cameras. The moment the phone comes out, they appear from nowhere like furry paparazzi.

🏆 Current standings: 🥇 Cooper 10/10 for effort 🥇 Cooper 10/10 for enthusiasm 🥇 Cooper 11/10 for blocking everyone else out of the picture

Who do you think should challenge Cooper for the title of Cathedral View Kennels' Ultimate Photobomb Champion? 📷🐾😂

🐕📸

30/05/2026

Saturday moments.

30/05/2026

30/05/2026

🐾 Let's Talk About Lead Walking... Especially in This Heat! ☀️🐾

One thing we get asked regularly is, "How much do you lead walk the boarding dogs?"

The simple answer is: generally, we don't.

Now before anyone panics, we're not saying dogs don't need exercise. Quite the opposite! Dogs need physical exercise, mental stimulation, enrichment, and opportunities to display natural behaviours every single day.

What we are saying is that lead walking is a very human concept. Many people have been conditioned to believe that a dog must be walked on a lead every day to be happy and fulfilled. In reality, what dogs need is an outlet for their physical and mental energy.

At Cathedral View Kennels, our boarding guests have access to over half an acre of secure exercise space where they can run, chase, sniff, explore, play fetch, interact with enrichment activities, climb on equipment, search for treats, and make their own choices about how they spend their time.

Research has shown that sniffing and exploring can be just as mentally tiring as physical exercise, with enrichment activities helping to reduce stress and improve overall welfare. Dogs are naturally designed to investigate their environment, use their noses, and make choices about where they go and what they do.

During periods of high temperatures, such as we're experiencing now, this becomes even more important.

When dogs are out in our exercise areas, they have freedom of choice. If they want to run, they can run. If they want to paddle in a pool, they can cool off. If they want to seek shade and have a nap, they can do that too.

A lead walk doesn't offer those same options. The pace, route, duration, and activity are all controlled by the person holding the lead.

Of course, there are exceptions. Some dogs may require lead walking for medical reasons, injury management, rehabilitation, or specific behavioural needs. In those cases, we tailor their care accordingly.

But for the vast majority of dogs, we firmly believe that a combination of free exercise, enrichment, exploration, social interaction, rest, and choice provides far more value than a 20-minute walk up and down a lane.

Especially on hot days, our focus is on keeping dogs safe, comfortable, mentally engaged, and able to regulate their own activity levels.

Because exercise isn't just about movement. It's about fulfilment. 🐾.