Tiny Paws Outdoors

22/08/2025

Well done to Elaine and Wispa on earning their novice trick dog title today 🐾

18/08/2025

09/08/2025

08/08/2025

These keyring tick removers have always been a popular extra here at South Country Leads however I am terrible at photographing them!

£4.50 each in about 10 colours perfect addition to your keys for the summer 🌞

07/08/2025

THE PLAY BOW

Dogs are constantly communicating through their body language and the play bow is one that is very easy to see, but despite its name, it doesn’t always mean “I want to play with you!”

Yes, in general, it means – I’m friendly and I have no aggressive intent, although context and the individual dog always need to be taken into account.

Some time ago, one of my little dogs was attacked by a bigger dog while we were out waking. She has never completely recovered from the trauma and ever since then, immediately play bows if a bigger dog comes anywhere near her.

I believe what she is communicating is – a calming signal to show the other dog she is not a threat, a position in which she can quickly escape if need be and the most likely explanation is to pre-empt any conflict and reduce any potential tension.

She has absolutely no desire or intention of playing or interacting with the other dog, but is trying to communicate her non-threatening intent. This may be a more unusual use of the play bow, but the purpose of this story is that context and the individual dog really does matter.

Some dogs also use play bows to reset an interaction that is getting too much or perhaps to say “I’m sorry!”, in an attempt to reduce social tension or initiate conflict resolution after being too rough.

A prayer bow, which looks very similar to a play bow may indicate discomfort. A prayer bow is a more lengthened stretch, where a dog extends the front paws really far forward and the chest area is very close to or on the ground.

This could indicate abdominal pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating, gas, or it’s simply an effective stretch to loosen up stiff muscles or joints and get ready for movement.

01/08/2025

01/08/2025

As always great fun in today’s trick classes and Dexter taking handstand to a new level 👏

30/07/2025

Wash day Wednesday for this very unimpressed pair 🐾

30/07/2025

THE EXIT STRATEGY

An exit strategy is a practiced, planned way to create sufficient distance or remove a reactive dog from a trigger or situation.

Having this plan in place is so beneficial for dogs that react to triggers in the environment.

An exit strategy could look like quickly increasing distance when a trigger appears, practicing quick U turns to change direction, or waiting behind a tree, car or similar object until the trigger is far enough away.

This strategy decreases stress levels, gives our dogs an opportunity to process information and helps them learn to respond in a different way from a space where they feel safe.

Think about how we may use exit strategies to help us cope and how they make us feel better.

Some time ago I suffered from debilitating panic attacks after a series of traumatic events. I couldn’t drive on a highway or be in an enclosed space.

My daughter was graduating from university and I could not miss this event, but what if I had a panic attack in the auditorium, couldn’t get out and embarrassed her and myself?

A therapist that I was seeing at the time helped me to develop an exit strategy. I arrived early and found a seat right next to the exit.
If I started panicking, I could just leave through the door. Just knowing that this option was there made such a difference to my state of mind and I ended up being able to make it through the entire ceremony.

The same strategy helped me cope on highways. I just had to drive to the next exit and then the next and the next if I felt up to it.

Sometimes we all need an exit strategy, our dogs included.

It’s not about running away from, or not facing a problem, but developing a plan to help our dogs cope in situations that they struggle with.

29/07/2025

Tuesday saw a morning of training walks with Daisy,Bobby and Sid who are all coming on nicely and are a pleasure to work with, followed by an afternoon of training with Harry and Lilly , and puppy cuddles and intro to training with the adorable Cody . I’m so privileged to be a part of all of their training journey’s 🐾