Robertson Pet Care

24/09/2025

if you're having a tough start to the week, here's some spaniels doing some top spanieling to brighten your mood 😍😍

22/09/2025

One of the most important things we can do when living with dogs is to make sure we educate ourselves in how dogs communicate. This means learning about canine body language.

As primarily verbal communicators, we pay less attention to body language than dogs do. For them communication is through scent (a world that we do not have the ability to experience as they do) and through body language signs and signals.

These signals can be incredibly subtle but, with education and practice observing them, we can learn to see what our dogs are telling us and others around them.

This will help us to see how the dog is feeling about the situation that they are in, and to judge what they need in that moment to help them feel safe and secure.

Learn to listen to your dogs in the way most important to them and your relationship and bond will go from strength to strength.

31/07/2025

Happy belated 9th birthday to this absolute legend of a cocker. She is the best girl, and seems to get more bouncy and spaniely by the week 😍😘

21/07/2025

something I was always told, and brought up with as a kid, and took as being standard common knowledge, seems to not be these days. and you can get some very odd responses when you ask someone to put theirs on lead....

A big issue for many walking their dogs on leads (for any one of a number of reasons) can be uncontrolled loose dogs running up to their dogs. Three of the most common reasons are shown in the image - an older dog who may be hurt in an over-enthusiastic and excitable greeting, a dog recovering from illness/injury/surgery, and a dog who is scared - perhaps the victim of a previous dog attack.

There is a misconception that 'good' dogs will love all other dogs and, if in a public area, should be prepared to play and interact with any other dog in the area. The truth is that, just as we are, most dogs are at least a little selective in who they want to interact with. They will show this in their body language which - subtle as it may be to humans - a socially competent dog will be able to read and respect.

The problem is that these 'good' and 'friendly' dogs as their humans perceive them are generally not actually all that socially competent, and don't respect those subtle signals asking for space and to be left alone. They can keep pushing and pushing until the on lead dog (who is not able to avoid them because they are on lead and can't get away) feels they have no choice but to defend themselves. And then it's often the poor on-lead dog who is labelled as 'bad' when they were just trying to get out of the scary situation.

An off lead dog should not be allowed to approach unknown on-lead dogs. If you see your dog approaching an on-lead dog, call your dog back and keep them close by, either by calling them to heel or putting them on the lead. For the sake of everyone's enjoyment of the space you are in, keep your dog under control for the few minutes it takes to give the on-lead dog space, and then carry on.

If your dog cannot be called back from approaching an on-lead dog, they are not ready to be off-lead in a public place. Use a longline while working on strengthening their recall around distractions - for their own safety, as well as that of the other dogs around.

24/02/2025

What a gorgeous sunny Monday! spring is in the air finally!
always nice to bump into one of my girls, when out walking another one :)
If you're looking for a dog walker in Wellington, get in touch to arrange a free meet and greet :)

14/02/2025

Valentines day cards are a bit thin on the ground these days.
But, I did get this one 😂😍

Thanks Zebedee and the team Dogs Trust

Happy Friday and Valentines day everyone. x

03/02/2025

Had a lovely start to the week with some regulars. this being one of them :)
Sunny things

31/01/2025

Fudge nailing how a lot of people have felt about January! her little face 😍

Happy Friday!
if you have a mad spaniel (or other dogs) that need walking get in touch, and arrange a free meet and greet :)

17/01/2025

Happy Friday everyone!
I hope you've all had a good week, and have been staying warm :)

If anyone is looking for pet portraits you should consider Hercule, the likeness is uncanny 😂

New commission finished!!

This relaxed looking pooch belongs to the wonderfully lovely Laura Cn.

I don’t know what he’s called, but I’ve named him Jean-Claude Can Scran.

Jean-Claude likes stunt herring, annoying tour guides in Rome by continually asking if it was built in a day, and saying ‘no thanks, mine just whistles’ when asked if he wants to buy some kettle bells.

I’ve obviously drawn this one in my ultra-realistic style, so usual reminder that my portrait is the image on the right.

Review from the customer:

‘I requested this portrait back in October 2020. So, for anyone else waiting in the inbox thinking that you may never get picked, I hope this portrait is a reminder that you can be chosen at ANY time. You are never safe and think otherwise!’

[admins, just delete that last sentence of the review before posting. Cheers, Hercule]

25/12/2024

Something you hope you never need, but very glad I have.
Best Christmas present this year!
thanks mum and the team over at Daktari 😘

I hope you're all having a great day with your friends, furry friends and family members.

23/12/2024

Last cuddles with the girls while I explain I'm leaving soon.
my least favourite part 😢

21/12/2024

Sideways rain ✅
Windy ✅
Cold ✅
Happy dogs ✅✅

Great start to the day :)

"There's no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing" - Alfred Wainwright