Waggie-walkers Dog training school

05/08/2026

Super well done to our puppy group completing puppy foundation. 😀👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

17/07/2026

🐾🐾Should children offer dog-walking services?🐾🐾

Understanding risks, responsibilities, and legal penalties
Every school holiday brings the same posts and questions: “I have some time off school, and I can help you by walking your dog for £5 an hour.” While this may seem like a harmless opportunity for children to earn some pocket money, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and responsibilities involved.

Dog-walking is not just about enjoying time outdoors with animals. Children need to be insured, able to physically handle the dog, possess a basic understanding of canine behaviour, and know how to administer first-aid in the event of an accident. Without these essentials, both the child and the dog could be placed in unsafe situations.

Legally, children cannot sign contracts or hold Public Liability Insurance in the UK. If a dog causes injury or property damage while being walked by a child, the parent or guardian is legally accountable. Those responsible for children under the age of 16 must ensure the animal’s welfare, and the adult owner remains liable for any harm or damage caused by the dog.

Legal implications under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, both owners and those in charge of a dog can face severe legal consequences if the animal is dangerously out of control in a public place. Penalties depend on the severity of the incident:
• Injury to a person: up to 5 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
• Injury to an assistance dog: up to 3 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
• Death caused by a dog: up to 14 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
• No injury (dangerously out of control): up to 6 months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Parents, guardians, and young people should carefully consider these legal risks and responsibilities before agreeing to walk dogs for others. It is always worth checking local regulations, ensuring adequate supervision, and prioritising safety for both the child and the animal.

Dog-walking is a serious business as you are putting your beloved dog in the care of someone else; you should be insisting on insurance, experience, ethical methods etc.

I love to see children and dogs interacting in the right way, but we do need to be safe. If your child wants to walk dogs, you need to go with them as a responsible parent.

Many thanks to Denise at Mighty Dog Graphics for the graphic.

17/07/2026

Call Julie 07799887536 1-1 always available too

06/07/2026

⚠️BLUE GREEN ALGAE⚠️

Blue-green algae is most common in non-flowing, fresh water such as lakes, ponds and rivers. Certain conditions such as hot summer weather can cause it to thrive and grow rapidly, forming a ‘bloom’ of blue-green algae on the water. It can also be seen during other times of the year.

Some types of blue-green algae contain toxins which can be highly poisonous and often fatal to pets. It can also cause illness in people if touched or swallowed.

🚨Call your vet immediately if you think your dog has swallowed water containing blue-green algae. The sooner they receive treatment, the higher their chances of recovery 🚨

05/07/2026

25/06/2026

Grass seeds might look small and harmless, but in the wrong place, they can cause a great deal of trouble. If your dog has been running in long grass, always check them for grass seeds afterwards, and remove any that you find, especially in between the toes, round their armpits and near their eyes. If you find one stuck, or a wound/swelling that looks like it could contain one, book an appointment with your vet. It’s important to remove grass seeds quickly, because their pointy shape enables them to pierce through skin, enter the body and travel around causing problems such as infections and abscesses.

🔸SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR🔸
Grass seeds often cause problems in the ears, between toes, behind eyelids, up their nose and sometimes, under the skin and around the body.

EARS: If your dog has a grass seed in their ear, you may notice them excessively scratching it, or shaking their head.

EYES: If your dog has a grass seed stuck behind their eyelid, they are likely to develop a painful, weepy or sore eye.

PAWS: If your dog has a grass seed between their toes, they might excessively lick or nibble their paw, and overtime you might notice saliva staining and a swelling.

NOSE: If a grass seed has gone up your dog’s nose, you might notice sudden or violent sneezing as well as gagging or coughing.

ELSEWHERE: A grass seed travelling around the body is likely to cause vague symptoms such as a non-healing wound, low energy and an intermittent high temperature.

25/06/2026

☀️HOT PAVEMENT WARNING☀️

Yes, even on warm days, in certain conditions, pavements can become hot enough to cause pain, discomfort and even burn your dog’s paws. Although you may think your dog’s paw pads are quite tough, it’s important to remember that they are still made of skin and can be just as sensitive as the bottom of your feet.

On sunny days, pavements can often be deceptively hot and will usually be much warmer than the air outside. Dark and dense pavements easily absorb heat from the sun and are good at keeping hold of it and releasing it slowly. Natural surfaces, including grass, tend to be much cooler, as plants release water to help cool themselves down.

🔸HOW TO CHECK🔸
The best way to tell if a pavement is too hot for your dog to walk on is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too painful for your hand, then it’s too painful for your dog’s paws.

If you notice that your dog is limping, looking uncomfortable or whimpering, then look at the bottom of their paws and check the temperature of the pavement with the back of your hand. If your dog’s paws look red, swollen or blistered then it’s important that you quickly take them off the hot pavement and contact your vet for advice as soon as possible.