Kybensha Cockers

25/05/2026

We're forecast a sunny and warm weekend, but sadly, sometimes for dogs this can spell suffering or even death. 💔 If you find a dog trapped in a hot car, this is the advice regarding what you can legally do about it.

☎️ The RSPCA's guidance is unambiguous: if a dog shows signs of distress, dial 999 without delay. ☎️

A spokesperson said: "Dogs can die in hot cars. Even when it doesn't feel that warm outside, temperatures inside a car can quickly rise to dangerous levels. If you're worried about a dog in a hot car, call 999. Police have the powers to enter the vehicle if necessary."

👍 If the dog is not yet in distress... 👍

🏃 Act swiftly but calmly
📣 Attempt to find the owner - request nearby shops make a public announcement
👁️ Remain beside the vehicle and observe the dog closely
✍️ Record important information such as the registration number and duration the car has been stationary
📉 Experts emphasise that circumstances can decline rapidly, so be prepared to take further action if the dog's wellbeing deteriorates.

🔨 Smashing the window shouldn't be your first resort 🔨

This is the point where many people pause. Smashing a car window could constitute criminal damage, though the law may provide a defence if you can demonstrate you acted reasonably to prevent serious harm.

The guidance is to contact police initially, collect evidence including photographs or witness information, and only intervene as a final measure if the dog faces obvious danger. Without proper justification, breaking the window could be classed as committing criminal damage.

The Ask the Police website says call police, but if police don't have time to get there, "you have to decide if you should take action by forcing entry. Make sure you tell the police what you intend to do, why and, where possible, take images/footage of the dog and the names and numbers of witnesses to the incident."

🐶 For owners 🐶

Campaigners caution that numerous owners underestimate the danger, but a brief visit to the shops can prove lethal far more rapidly than anticipated.

⚖️ While no specific offence exists for leaving a dog in a hot vehicle, owners can face prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 if their pet suffers.

Sanctions can include:

Unlimited fines
Up to five years in prison
Being banned from owning animals
Having the dog removed permanently

Stay safe in the sun this weekend - your pets included! 👏

15/04/2026

Poor Maybel has had to have the end of her tail amputated due to ‘Happy Tail Syndrome’.
Although not life threatening, from the blood everywhere you’d think it was!!!

Happy tail syndrome is a condition where dogs, typically large breeds with thin tails like Pit Bulls, Greyhounds, and Great Danes, injure the tip of their tail by repeatedly striking it against hard surfaces while wagging. It causes painful, bleeding wounds that struggle to heal, often leading to infections. Treatment includes bandaging, e-collars, and sometimes, amputation.

Key Aspects of Happy Tail Syndrome:
Symptoms: Bloody, raw, or split tail tips; blood splatters on walls/furniture; reluctance to wag.
Causes: Enthusiastic, frequent wagging, often exacerbated by confined spaces like crates, or high-energy environments.
Susceptible Breeds: Greyhounds, Pit Bulls, Great Danes, German Shepherds, Labradors, Vizslas, and Boxers are frequently affected.
Treatment: Requires veterinary care, often involving specialized bandaging, antibiotics, pain management, and sometimes, amputation.

09/04/2026

Maybel’s first groom

08/04/2026

So proud of one of Saffy’s pups.
A great read ❤️

Meet Vicki and Search Dog Lochy

Vicki is a trustee and operational dog handler with Cornwall Search Dogs. She shares her life with Lochy, a working cocker spaniel who turns three this month, Sam, her 14-and-a-half-year-old collie, and her (long suffering!) partner Ollie.

She’s a dog trainer specialising in scent work, so it’s probably fair to say that if it involves dogs, she’s in… unless she’s temporarily disappeared up a mountain somewhere on a snowboard. There’s also a bit of an ongoing obsession with growing cut flowers, although time to actually grow them is another matter entirely.

At home Lochy is sweet, chilled and a little bit cheeky, and out on walks she’s brilliant most of the time… and then occasionally remembers she’s a fully committed feral pheasant hunter 🙈 She loves trailing and scent work, throws herself into it, and is always super excited to find a person with bucket loads of chicken at the end of a trail.

Tracking first came into Vicki’s world around nine years ago with Sam. He’s a dog who has always struggled around people, but when tracking he was able to approach a stranger, indicate to Vicki that this was the person he was looking for, and calmly walk away. From that moment, she was hooked.

When she had the opportunity to join a local mantrailing group run by fellow trustees Annie and Tracy, she jumped at it, and is how she found her way into Cornwall Search Dogs.

After Ness, her previous dog, went missing for a short time, it gave her a real glimpse into just how quickly things can feel out of control, and why having people there who can help really matters. Being part of Cornwall Search Dogs brings all of that together, doing something she and Lochy genuinely love in a way that can make a difference when it’s needed.

Thank you, Vicki, for everything you bring to the Cornwall Search Dogs team.

29/03/2026

Just off to puppy classes and I couldn’t resist a little photo shoot in the nearby woods ❤️🐾❤️

20/01/2026

Love??? 😂

18/01/2026

Today she met motorbikes and people in helmets!
Not bothered! She was just trying to wiggle to get down and play! Lol
She really is an exemplary girl 🐾 ❤️ 🐾

14/01/2026

Maybel had her first stuffed hoof this evening whilst I was embroidering.
The others stayed in the front room with theirs but Maybel loves to be around me.
Extreme high reward treat that kept them all entertained all evening. ❤️

18/12/2025

Do Dogs celebrate Christmas? 🎅

We love Christmas, and while some dogs enjoy unwrapping a present or sniffing the tree, for many pups it can be confusing, overwhelming, and stressful.

From a dog’s point of view, Christmas often means:

• A big break from their normal routine

• Lots of visitors coming and going

• Food everywhere

• Loud music

• Excited, noisy kids

It’s worth noting that dog bite incidents increase around Christmas, often because dogs are stressed or pushed beyond their comfort levels.

How to keep Christmas safe and happy for everyone:

• Give your dog a safe space
A quiet room, crate, or bed where they can rest completely undisturbed is essential.

• Manage high-energy moments with kids
If present opening is chaotic, use a baby gate so your dog can watch - or retreat - from the noise.

• Don’t disturb a resting dog
No one, especially children, should approach a dog who is lying down or resting. Avoid hugging or kissing dogs, and always supervise interactions with kids.

• Use treats for positive interactions
If children want to interact, have them gently throw treats to the dog - outside if possible.

• Provide calming enrichment
Long-lasting chews, frozen Kongs, snuffle mats, or treats rolled in a tea towel give dogs something soothing to focus on. Sniffing, licking, and chewing help relieve stress.

• Expecting lots of visitors?
Scatter treats in the garden, go for a slow sniffy walk, or let your dog join once things have settled - if they choose to.

• Watch your dog’s body language
Turning away, avoiding eye contact, or walking off are signs of discomfort. Respect them - avoidance is communication.

Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful for dogs. A little planning and management goes a long way in keeping everyone safe, calm, and able to enjoy the holidays.

Speaking of, Happy Howlidays everyone 🎅🏻

15/12/2025

The desensitisation starts!

14/12/2025