Pumpkin's Pals

03/10/2022

Hi folks,

I hope you’re all keeping well. It’s been a while, but I’m back! Work commitments have unfortunately meant I had to put aside my beloved pet-sitting business, but having recently gone part-time I’m now able to pick it up again 😃 So let me *re*start by introducing you to some of Pumpkin’s newest Pals - the adorable and somewhat crazy Daisy and Ruby 🥰 and the beautiful firecracker that is Zero 🥰

Do get in touch if you’d like to use my services again, or for the first time! And please do recommend me to others who you think might be interested!

03/10/2022

Hi there,

My name is Emily, and I have 13 years' experience dog-walking (including voluntary work for the RSPCA) and pet-sitting. I also have a Level 1 qualification in Dog Psychology. I offer pet-sitting with dog-walking, keeping your pets in the comfort of their own home. Unfortunately, I cannot offer dog-walking as a regular standalone service at this moment in time.

I am a real animal lover and always take excellent care of the animals I look after and walk. I am experienced in dealing with complex animal needs, including medication and dietary requirements. I will always follow your lead - whatever your animal needs, and does or does not like, is my priority. I have a dog of my own (Pumpkin) and have had enough different animals in the past to form a mini-zoo, so I know how special our little friends are to us and how important it is to know they are in safe hands. I will provide this reassurance for you.

I am fully insured, and can travel to anywhere in Liverpool and some surrounding areas. I will look after your baby in your own home, which saves the stress (on them and you!) of relocating them and it also means that your home will be occupied and looked after whilst you are away. Please see below for my prices, and do take a look at some of the reviews from people whose animals I have looked after. Feel free to get in touch if you would like to know more.

Best wishes,
Emily

Prices:
Price per day for small animals: £20
Price per day for dogs (includes two half-hour walks): £30 + £5 per each additional dog

06/05/2019

Apologies for not updating for a while, but here are a few of the kiddos I’ve looked after over the past few months (including my gem Pumpkin). Love them all ❤️

21/08/2018

I had the pleasure of looking after these two cutie pies over the weekend - two gorgeous staffies, Riley and Jackson. They were such serene, well-behaved, and affectionate little guys 😍😍😍

26/11/2017

It's been a busy few months looking after lots of kiddos! Here's a few of the beauties I've had the honour of caring for recently 😍

28/08/2017

Had a lovely weekend looking after this beautiful staffie, Jake. He's the sweetest, most affectionate little chunk, and he fell a little bit in love with my Pumpkin!

02/08/2017

This beautiful Jack Russell is looking for a new home due to a change in circumstances. I've looked after him and he is the sweetest little boy; very affectionate and well-behaved. He gets on well with other dogs and would be happiest in a home without very young children. He's nine years old and is called Murphy. Please consider giving this sweetheart a home/sharing with others who may be able to, and get in touch if you can help!

24/07/2017

Some photos of the kiddos I've been looking after the past couple of weeks :)

12/07/2017

Hello friends!

Thought I'd share an article that I found interesting and helpful; it echoes/elaborates a few of the things from my post about the dog psychology course. As always, though, I'd recommend balancing such advice with what you know of your dog's/dogs' preferences and needs.

With all best wishes,
Emily

There are many ways you can drive your dog nuts — and you may not even be aware you're doing them.

28/06/2017

Hello friends,

I do hope this finds you all well. I spent this past weekend at a dog psychology and behaviour course, and thought I would share some of my thoughts with you.

- The main thing I learned was that calm, assertive (note: not impatient, aggressive, or soppy!) energy is the best thing for your dog; it is what their pack-leader would have shown them. I struggle with this as I just want to lavish love on Pumpkin, but he doesn’t understand that and it’s not necessarily good for him; dogs understand being led and working for a reward. So training them, making them work (I don’t mean asking them to spend a 9-5 day in accounting! More, getting them to sit and calm down) before you feed/cuddle/play with them makes sense to them and they respond well to it.
- If dogs display nervous or aggressive behaviour, it’s not about removing the trigger (i.e. fireworks/cats/food) but dealing with the reaction. You could try gradually introducing them to triggers in a positive way – for example, play firework sounds on YouTube, very low, and play with your dogs while they’re on. Gradually increase the sound while still playing with them, then eventually when they hear fireworks they’ll associate it with something positive.
- Dogs are used to waiting for affection - they had to wait for food from their mother. Waiting calms them down. Don’t feel bad about making them wait!
- Other than expressing fear or excitement, dogs mostly communicate in silence – they read energy and body language (so clever!); this is the best way to communicate with them.
- The thing I found most helpful was when we were told to see the lead/leash as a telephone line – whatever we are feeling will transfer to our dog. So, if we’re feeling anxious, impatient, frustrated, angry – whatever - that will all travel to our dogs when we walk them. They are such insightful creatures! So, we were told – do not even pick up that lead if you are feeling anything negative. I know this isn’t really practical (sometimes, your dog just needs a walk even if you don’t feel like it!) but if we can maybe take a few minutes just to calm ourselves before we walk them, I’m sure we’d all have a better experience!
- We were also told that dogs don’t have personalities, and that we shouldn’t talk to, touch, or have eye-contact with dogs when we first meet them; there are some cases where I think this may be appropriate. I’m no expert, but for most dogs, I firmly disagree with this. Perhaps ‘personality’ is a human projection, but all of the dogs I’ve known have certainly had their own characters! I think we do need to be mindful and sensitive to different behaviours, but if a dog wants love I reckon we should just give it – they’re here for such a short time and should get all the love they want!

I hope this was slightly helpful, but if you have any more questions, please do ask – I’ll do my best to help or direct you to someone who can!

With love and good wishes,
Emily