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Pawprints & Purrs: Season’s Greetings!

Unwrap the Joy for You and Your Furry Crew!

Huge thanks to our incredible customers this Christmas. Your support makes our tails wag!

Here’s to a Christmas filled with happy barks and cheery purrs.

And Happy New Year to you all!

Stay Pawsitive!

Remembering our beautiful Tilly

Woof-Tastic Dog Treats!​

Who doesn’t enjoy a homebake? Your furry friends will go barking mad for these Christmas treat recipes!

 

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Comfort and Care During Recovery

Our furry companions bring immense joy to our lives, and as responsible pet owners, we prioritise their well-being. One crucial aspect of pet care involves protecting their paws, especially during the recovery process following surgery or injury. Here, we will explore the benefits of MediPaw protective boots, designed to offer comfort and care to our beloved dogs and cats, while aiding healing.

Post-Surgery and Injury Protection

MediPaw protective boots serve as a convenient solution for safeguarding our pets’ paws during the critical recovery period after surgery or injury. These products act as a barrier, preventing pets from directly accessing and aggravating the affected areas. By minimising contact, the boots promote faster healing and reduce the risk of infection, helping our pets return to their active and joyful selves more quickly. MediPaw protective boots are versatile and can be used in various situations. Whether your pet requires protection during restricted outdoor activities, post-surgery recovery, or wound management, these products cater to a wide range of needs.

Comfort and Mobility

A key advantage of MediPaw protective boots is their emphasis on comfort and enhanced mobility. Unlike traditional post-surgical methods, which often include an IV bag to keep dressing dry, these innovative products provide a more pleasant experience for our pets. The boots are designed to fit snugly while allowing natural movement and flexibility, enabling pets to walk without discomfort during supervised exercise sessions, ensuring a more pleasant recovery journey for our furry friends.

Prevention of Lick Granulomas and Infection

Pets often resort to excessive licking or biting, which can lead to lick granulomas or secondary infections, hindering the healing process. MediPaw protective boots are particularly effective in preventing such self-inflicted harm. These boots cover the wound or surgical site, acting as a physical barrier and discouraging pets from accessing it. By minimising the risk of licking and biting, these boots reduce the chances of complications, allowing for smoother and faster recovery.

Versatility and Ease of Use

MediPaw protective boots are versatile and suitable for various situations, whether it’s post-surgery recovery, injury management, or a physical barrier. Constructed using high-quality materials, the boots feature adjustable straps for a secure fit, ensuring they stay in place during restricted activities while providing optimal protection. Additionally, they offer excellent protection for pets recovering from paw surgeries, wounds, or infections, ensuring faster healing and minimising the risk of re-injury. They are easy to put on and take off, simplifying the recovery process for both pets and their owners.

Hygienic and Easy to Maintain

Maintaining proper hygiene during the recovery phase is crucial to prevent infections and ensure a smooth healing process. MediPaw boots are designed with this in mind. The materials used are easy to clean, and machine washable, making it convenient for pet owners to maintain a hygienic environment for their recovering pets. By keeping the boots clean and germ-free, owners can promote a healthier recovery process.

Need help choosing the right boot? We offer 3 designs to cover all healing stages and environments:

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Soft Bandage Boot

Soft Bandage Protection

Effortless outdoor protection

The soft bandage boot provides traction and protection so pets can go outside comfortably while keeping their bandage clean and dry.

Superior construction

Constructed with a waterproof, breathable nylon shell for superior protection from rain, snow, mud, dirt, and morning dew.

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Rugged X-Boot

Hard cast, splint, or thick bandage protection

Longer lasting protection

The rugged X-Boot provides optimum traction and long-lasting protection so pets can go outside comfortably while keeping their bandage clean and dry.

Greater mobility

Constructed with a durable, moulded bottom to accommodate thick dressings, wider splints, or patients with difficult gaits on difficult terrain.

User-friendly design

Waterproof, breathable material easily slides over a cast or bandage and adjustable Velcro straps cinch easily at the narrowest part of the leg for a secure fit. Upper drawstring closure keeps the boot in place, and prevents urine or rain from getting in through the top.

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Healing Slim Boot

Protect pet wounds without bandages

Facilitates healing

The Healing Slim Boot features a soft, antimicrobial lining to protect wounds that are in the end stages of healing. Naturally wicking bamboo and silver fabric improves healing by reducing moisture and bacterial threats.

Protects wounds while indoors

Breathable nylon shell protects from excessive licking and irritation. The soft anti-skid bottom provides traction on slippery surfaces.

Going outdoors?

*We recommend using a Rugged X-Boot to cover the healing slim boot during inclement weather.

Directions for use:

  • Monitor the wound at least 2 to 3 times per day (more often in warmer climates) for signs of infection: foul odour, swelling, redness, pain, heat, discharge.
  • Monitor boot for slippage, wet/damp boot or lining, chafing.

* Tip: Turn the healing slim boot inside out to spot clean or throw in the washing machine. Be sure to hang dry and keep a second healing slim boot handy for use during drying time.

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Simple Paw Measurement Guide

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“Poppydog can now safely go out come rain or shine, with a dry bandage, no repeated mid-walk battles to replace bags and I know her bandage will survive the weekend until Monday’s appointment. Best of all, she’s not bothered about it because it fits! So I highly recommend the Medipaw medical boots too”

Conclusion

We understand first-hand the challenges of dealing with paw issues and injuries. MediPaw boots offer an effective solution. Tilly, for instance, faced an uncomfortable allergic reaction to cut grass in our field, requiring her back feet to be protected during walks. Meanwhile, Toby often goes through phases of excessive paw licking and we use these boots to interrupt the cycle.

MediPaw protective boots are a game-changer in pet care, offering an array of benefits for dogs and cats. They provide comfort, care, and convenience for our furry companions during the critical recovery phase following surgery or injury. By offering protection, comfort, and mobility, these innovative products contribute to a smoother and more pleasant recovery experience. With MediPaw, you can ensure your pets’ well-being and make their journey to full health as comfortable as possible. This versatility, combined with their user-friendly design, makes MediPaw products a valuable addition to any pet owner’s toolkit.

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MediPaw boots help your pets recover from surgeries, injuries and other wounds easily and comfortably. They are not designed for ongoing or extended use. Boots, in general, should be worn under supervision for bathroom breaks and short walks and should be removed frequently to check the boot inside to ensure there is no moisture near the wound.

Why not take a look at our MediPaw suits too!

Clicker training

Clickers are often associated with positive reinforcement training

What is Positive Reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement is a popular and effective training method for dogs, cats, horses, and just about any living, breathing creature. It involves rewarding the animal for desirable behaviours, rather than punishing them for undesirable behaviours. This type of training has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people have become aware of its effectiveness and its benefits over other training methods.

One of the key elements of positive reinforcement training is the use of treats as rewards. Treats can motivate the animal to perform a desired behaviour and help reinforce that behaviour. For example, if you want your dog to sit on command, you can reward them with a treat every time they successfully sit. Over time, your dog will learn that sitting is a behaviour that results in a reward, and they will be more likely to sit on command in the future.

Using Rewards Effectively

When using treats as rewards, choosing healthy and appealing treats is essential. For dogs, this might include small pieces of cooked chicken or cheese. For cats, it might be small pieces of tuna or salmon. Horses may enjoy carrot pieces or apple slices as treats. It is important to ensure that the treats are tiny and can be devoured quickly to keep the training momentum going. Making the treats part of your animal’s overall diet is also advisable to avoid weight gain.

Treats for horses, cats and dogs

Clickers are often associated with positive reinforcement training

To make it easy to carry and get access to treats during training, many trainers use treat bags. These pouches can be attached to your belt or waistband and used to hold treats. This lets you quickly and easily reward your animal during training sessions without fumbling with a bag of goodies.

Another tool that is commonly used in positive reinforcement training is a clicker. A clicker is a small device that makes a clicking sound when pressed. The sound marks the desired behaviour, letting the animal know that they have done something right and that a reward is coming. Clickers are particularly useful as they give instant feedback, marking the moment when the task is completed successfully, i.e., if you’re asking for a sit, click when the bottom touches the ground.

Treat Bags

Treat bags come in all shapes and sizes and make training more efficient

Reward Good Behaviour

Reward-based training is about reinforcing positive behaviours, rather than punishing negative ones. This means that when your animal does something wrong, you should focus on redirecting their behaviour, rather than punishing them. For example, suppose your dog is jumping up on people. In that case, you might redirect their behaviour by asking them to sit instead. You can reward them with a treat when they sit, reinforcing the desired behaviour.

Tools of the Trade

In addition to treats and clickers, there are a variety of other rewards that can be used in positive reinforcement training. For example, praise and affection are powerful rewards that can be used to reinforce good behaviour. Also, many pets respond well to toys. So you might reward them with a treat, a word of praise, or a throw of their favourite ball, letting them know that they have done something good.

Target sticks

Target sticks are a very useful tool in training

Positive reinforcement training can teach a wide variety of behaviours, from basic commands like “sit” and “stay” to more advanced behaviours like agility training and obedience competitions. The key is to be consistent and patient, rewarding your animal for the behaviours you want them to exhibit and redirecting their behaviour when they do something wrong.

Building a Bond

One of the benefits of positive reinforcement training is that it helps to build a stronger bond between you and your animal. By focusing on positive behaviours and rewarding your animal for good behaviour, you build trust and strengthen your relationship. This can lead to a happier, healthier, and more well-behaved animal.

“With clicker training I feel that there is no longer any barrier between me and my dog – we now speak the same language”

A Trained Dog is a Happy, More Confident Dog

In conclusion, positive reinforcement training is a highly effective training method that can be used to train dogs, cats, and horses, to name the obvious ones. It involves rewarding the animal for desirable behaviours, rather than punishing them for undesirable behaviours. Clickers, target sticks, and treat bags are all useful tools. In addition, treats, toys, praise, and other rewards can motivate and reinforce positive behaviours. By using positive reinforcement training, you can build a stronger bond with your animal and help them become happier, healthier, and better behaved.

Rose

Create a special bond with your pet

Josie in her Walkin' Wheels wheelchair

Rolling Together

Josie in her Walkin' Wheels wheelchair

Josie

The Inspiring Bond Between a Man and His Wheelchair Dog

Meet John and his beloved dog, Josie. John and Josie have always had a strong bond, but their journey together took an unexpected turn when Josie suffered a spinal injury. Despite the challenges they faced, John knew he had to do everything in his power to help Josie recover and lead a happy life. With the help of a Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair, Josie is now able to move around freely and enjoy her daily activities with John by her side. In this interview, John shares his inspiring story of how he and Josie have adapted to life after the injury and the challenges they faced. Join us as we explore the unique journey of John and Josie and discover how their unbreakable bond has helped them overcome even the toughest obstacles.

Listen to the full interview here, or read the transcript below.

Neil: Firstly, thanks very much for taking the time to have a chat with me today. Just to kick off, just tell us a little bit about Josie and how she was before she had an issue with her mobility.

John: Before her accident? Yes, she was a normal collie, border collie, enjoying life, a lot of exercise. The only thing I noticed in her early days, unlike my previous dogs, she didn’t like to be rolled on her back. If I was looking through her fur for ticks or trying to take brambles from her, or burrs, she never was too keen on going over on her back, but I thought that was just her demeanour. I hadn’t had a collie bitch before – previous dogs had been male.

Neil: And she was quite active?

John: Very active, yes. Very active, not demanding. But she was up for anything. I’ve got photographs of her halfway up Beech trees and on limbs and things like that. She would do absolutely anything. She enjoyed life.

The Accident

Neil: Tell us a little bit about what happened to her.

John: It was just a normal day along a sandy beach where there was a lot of beach grass and normally she had developed a game of her own when she was a puppy. She would leave the ball on the sand and then run away and hide and I was supposed to throw the ball to her. Or if I couldn’t see her, I had to wait until she poked her head up so I saw the ears and then I threw the ball into the grass beside her. It was something that she developed herself. We’d done this through the eight years of her life in the same area dozens of times. Then on this one occasion, I could hear her squealing and she came out of the grass pulling her hind legs behind her. At which point I ran up, thinking she may bite through distress, and I gathered her up and the squealing stopped, and she just leaned against me. So from that point I phoned the vet, gathered her up and carried her to the car took her into the vet to get a diagnosis.

Neil: And what was the diagnosis?

John: [Sighs] There was a little bit of uncertainty. It looked like it was a type of paralysis of the hind legs, but they needed to know whether it was permanent or a temporary issue. So we made arrangements with a clinic in Stirling the following day and she had an MRI and the MRI proved what an X-ray couldn’t prove. It proved that the cord was actually severed, and this had been the result of a disc in her back exploding.  I think it’s a type of extrusion and there was an offer to put her down at that point in time. I couldn’t bear to do that, and the dog was looking at me. We have a good bond, and she was in distress and looking at me as if, you know, what can we do about this or get me out of here? So we brought her home and I sought advice from the vet. Two numbers were given to me through my friend, Lorna, and one of them was your own, and that was how we met up and how Josie ultimately ended up in a wheelchair and basically saved her life.

Discovering the dog wheelchair

Neil: So that was the first that you were aware of wheelchairs, was it, or did you know about them already?

John: I’d actually a few weeks before that, I’d seen a spaniel on some type of contraption. I was passing on a tractor and trailer. I couldn’t really stop, but the dog was running around a garden on wheels, but I didn’t know of any manufacturer at that point in time, but I had seen that one in that one incident, maybe about five weeks before Josie had her accident. But it wasn’t a Walkin’ Wheels creation which is well thought out. It looked like a homemade thing, but that was the first time I’d seen a dog with a state of hind leg paralysis on wheels.

Walkin' Wheels Wheelchair

Walkin’ Wheels Dog Wheelchair

Neil: And how has she adapted to the wheelchair?

John: Brilliantly. It’s taken a long time. She’s had to build up her body strength; her hindquarters have muscularly wasted down. There is still movement in the legs. There’s still something happens with the legs, but she can’t support her own weight, and she can’t walk. So in the last six or seven months with all the exercise she’s been getting, she’s built her body up and she can cope better with most slopes. She doesn’t even think about the slopes now. It used to be right at the start, she’d stand and think, I can’t get up there. She would look at me, so I’d push along at the back and help her like a small child on a bicycle for the first time. So this went on and just recently I noticed when she was walking up a ramp from the shore, the ramp was no problem at all. She just kept on going, almost in clockwork fashion. She’s now very strong and she understands the width of the machine when she’s approaching things. It’s almost like she’s watching in her rear-view mirrors to make sure she’s getting round corners.

Neil: Yes, I guess that kind of change in muscle and the location of the muscle is to be expected.

John: Yes, she’s definitely bulked up. Her legs are sturdier. Her chest muscles and shoulder muscles are obviously in good tone just now.

Neil: It sounds like there are few hurdles that she can’t overcome.

John: There are a few. Her life has changed as mine has, but we’ve both adapted to it. One of my major pluses was there was a set of steps that she couldn’t master. They were shallow steps, and she can certainly now come down them, but just recently, on a set of country park steps, we went up the steps, and there’s about 16 of them and I think that the height increment will be somewhere about 12 to 15 feet on a gradual slope.

Neil: Wow, that’s incredible!

John: And she has mastered the art of pulling herself up these steps, but in dry weather. If it’s wet, I take her a different route.

Neil: She sounds very determined.

John: [Laughs] Oh, yes, she’s got tonnes of spirit. Everything is a challenge. She’ll run into the sea after a ball and one occasion, there was a seagull close to the shore, and she waded in to go and see the seagull. Not with any murderous intent, she was just curious about the bird being so close, so she walked into the sea, and she was right up to the top of her wheels, so it hasn’t dissuaded her. It’s just [chuckles], as you know, we’re going through wheel bearings.

Josie in action

Music: Hip-Hop Energetic Vlog Background Music by Music Unlimited

Adapting to life with a disabled dog

Neil: Have you made any other changes at home just to try and accommodate her with her disability?

John: I live in a cottage which has limited space, so it’s difficult to use the wheels in the house without assisting her. So basically she gets taken around the house, I either lift her and carry her or I support her hind legs in the wheelbarrow fashion that you told me about and take her out to her wheels or take her to a different location where she can lie in the sun. She’s quite keen nowadays to just pull herself out the door onto the gravel and lie on the gravel. A while ago, she wasn’t keen on doing that, but it’s all evolved gradually and she’s gained more courage, more experience and the determination is there just to take on new things. We’ve even got our own routine for getting into the car where she recognises particular keywords and I just support her and I’ll say, “ready?”, then she’ll climb up with her front legs, she’ll climb up into the front seat and I place her back legs in a seated position, and that’s it. And on the way out she’ll sit upright and as I put my left hand under her forelegs, she throws her back-end round, almost like throwing a ball into my other hand. So she helps me. It’s very much a team effort.

Neil: So you’ve got a couple of specific manoeuvres, and she knows which one to use in which situation?

John: Yes, yes. We’ve worked away at it, and yes, there’s always problems at the start and then you maybe find there’s an easier way or perhaps a way that’s more suitable for her. Something evolves out of the situation, and you just build on that and so far so good. And every day she brings something new into the equation, she pulls something out the hat that I’m not expecting and there’s a lot of laughter. I think she realises she’s doing something really well.

Neil: Yes, I think she does. I sense that she gets a lot of encouragement and a lot of feedback also. I mean just the kind of positiveness of it all.

John: Yes, yes. I think the bond that we had is now even stronger. I know she relies on me, but I also rely on her to try and, you know, let me know what is wrong or what we can do better.

Neil: Yes, absolutely and do you know anyone else who uses a dog wheelchair? Or is it just yourself?

John: It’s just myself. I haven’t met the people who have the spaniel. They know of my dog being in a wheelchair. I know of theirs and as the crow flies, we probably only stay about four miles apart. I’ve never met them [chuckles]. Maybe one day. One of the main advantages for myself and for Josie is the fact that I’m now retired so I can give her that little bit more time or she can be in my life while I’m doing something. If I was working or away from home or something like that, it would be very much more difficult and she’s not the kind of dog to leave on the shelf until you’re ready. She’s the kind of dog that joins you, and you include her in everything.

Neil: Yes, yes, I think probably quite a lot of dogs fit into that kind of bracket, if truth be told. So what advice would you give to someone else who had a similar situation to that, or who perhaps was considering adopting a dog that had mobility problems?

John: I don’t know, it depends on how strongly you feel about it. I went into it, not blindly, but thinking about the dog first. I’m just thinking, right, I’ve got to get this dog home. I’ve got to find a way, and that happened. If somebody was going to do it, there’s a lot to think about. All the coins have got to drop into the right slots to win the jackpot with this and you need friends around you to help and people who supply things that can offer you advice. The vets were amazing. A lot of people have said what a lovely idea – it’s nice to see the dog on wheels. I expected a little bit of resistance to it, but I was ready for that because no one would put down a human being because they can’t use their legs anymore. Human beings get wheelchairs, human beings get assistance, they get various helplines and places to go to get better information and have a better quality of life. A dog deserves a better quality of life too. They’re not just a furry thing in a corner, they have intelligence, and they have total loyalty and dependence on you.

Learning from experience

Neil: Is there anything else you’d like to share? Any other thoughts that you’ve got about your experience?

John: I’m so glad that I did it. I’m so glad that I had this particular dog and the help of my friends round about me. I’m so glad I did it because she still has a very active life. Had she been in pain, had she been in misery, it wouldn’t have happened. The dog has to come first. One of the daily routines is she needs to have her bladder expressed fairly regularly. The vets trained me on that one and it’s now something we just do. Hygiene is an aspect that comes into the equation but isn’t insurmountable. So if you’re thinking about doing that, think about what the dog wants. Make sure you can come up with the goods.

Neil: Yes, I think that’s very fair. It’s easy to think about it as your problem, as it were, from your point of view and not quite so easy to think about it from the dog’s point of view and I think you’ve put that very well.

John: Thank you. She rewards me in a lot of aspects and there is joy in my heart when something new happens to her advantage and you can see the fun in her eyes, you can see that she has overcome something, and she’s pleased with herself. And as I say, the bond that we had was a strong one, but it seems to be even more so now. To say it’s a bit of a double act is a bit over the top [chuckling], but we do seem to gel together well. And it seems to work out. Yes, we get it wrong from time to time, that happens, but she can’t help herself. She’s trying her best, so you just have to make sure that she has a good life.

Neil: I think it is, and certainly from our experience as well, it’s a journey. You learn stuff as you go along.

John: Oh, yes.

Neil: And you react to things as you go along. It’s very, very difficult to kind of plan all of these things in advance because you really don’t know what you’re going to encounter. And I mean. in Josie’s case, you know, she obviously trusts you and I think that’s helped a tremendous amount because she’s prepared or she was prepared, in the beginning, to try out the wheels. And although most dogs do adapt, I’m sure I remember having this conversation with you right at the very beginning, most dogs will adapt and do adapt, and they’re happy to do it, but obviously, not all dogs are. For some, it’s not as successful, but I mean from my point of view personally, it’s been a pleasure to follow your journey and to be a part of it because I like to hear about these successes and to feel like we’ve at least played a small part in it.

John: Well, it’s a very large part as far as I’m concerned, because without your help and advice and being able to turn to you at any time and ask questions and try and get it right at this end, it’s an amazing help, but this is not one person that’s done something. This is a group of people and a dog that is wanting to try, wanting to have a life and hasn’t gone back the way – she accepts, I think, her predicament and she doesn’t dwell on it. We’ve even been back, in fact, we were there this morning, we’ve been back past the very place where the accident happened, and she has a sniff around the grass and that’s all. There’s no sort of whining or regret or anything like that, she just has accepted that this is her life and where’s my ball? Let’s get on with this.

Neil: [Laughing] Excellent, excellent. Well, John, it’s been great to talk to you and thank you very much indeed for your time and for sharing your story.

John: You’re welcome. I hope it’s been of help.

Neil: Perfect.

Walkin' Wheels Wheelchairs

Walkin’ Wheels Wheelchairs – not only for dogs!

Christmas is Unleashed!

From our Paws and Claws to Yours!

Merry Christmas

Thanking all of our wonderful customers and sending you puppy love this Christmas. We hope you have a paws-itively amazing time and look forward to “clicking” with you next year!

Stay Pawsitive!

Fur Your VIP!

There’s still time to bake these festive Dr Oetker Christmas Pupcakes for the VIP – very important pup – in your life. Remember to only use Xylitol free peanut butter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosie Pup

Meet Rosie

Rosie, helping with the baling

Fetching Her Home

We had met her before, three weeks earlier. She was a bold little pup with her mum and dad to back her up, but when we came to collect her, she was very timid and quite nervous. We scooped her up and loaded her in the car, in the crate that had been painstakingly prepared for her. Sadly, she didn’t make it the few miles home without bringing up her breakfast.

Rosie on her way home

Introducing her to the others

Now it was our turn to be nervous! Both Jack and Archie had welcomed a few pups in their time, so we weren’t too bothered about them. Toby’s only pup experience was with Tilly; he was a bit snappy with her until he got to know her. Tilly had no pup experience, and her eyes stood out on stalks on her first sighting!

We were cautious with all the introductions and are still vigilant now. We don’t ever leave them completely alone together.

Toby does love to play

She loves them and is determined to join in with their games, but we are aware of the huge difference in sizes and so take the utmost care to ensure she’s properly supervised, as once the small puppy teeth start snapping, things can get a bit wild. At that point, she goes into her crate for some time out.

Naming Names

We had initially decided to call her Lily. However, after a confusing few days of Tilly and Lily, we saw the error of our ways and renamed her Rosie!

Vet visit

On the second day, at around six in the evening, we noticed that her eyes were swollen almost shut. We guessed that she had suffered an allergic reaction but to what? Was it our grass, her food, or had she been stung? After bathing her eyes, we decided we should speak to a vet to be on the safe side. Within the hour, we were at the surgery. By that time, the swelling had gone and she was practically back to normal. While we were there, the vet checked her thoroughly and recommended we gave her half an antihistamine tablet.

The following day her ears were puffy and red, so she had another half tablet and was fine. Since that time, we have had no more allergic reactions, thank goodness.

Toys

All toys had to be thoroughly examined and any squeakers surgically removed – all toys seem to have squeakers these days – so as not to upset Toby. We found the soft treat dispensing toys were the most popular and useful, especially the Lotus Ball. We also ensured we always had some sort of toy near to hand so that when she started biting with those sharp puppy teeth, we had something to divert her attention and protect our limbs!

She enjoys slurping lots of water, so we introduced her to the Chilly Penguin.

Music by:  Music Unlimited Hip-Hop Is

Fun and Games

In the evenings, after a busy day, the dogs all like to chill out while we watch TV. Rosie, of course, hasn’t quite got the hang of that yet and thinks it’s a great time to wind everybody up.

We have found the Sniffing Carpet for smaller pets is perfect for her. By the time she has finished foraging for the treats, she is ready to lay down and relax.

Music by:  Music Unlimited Uplifting Piano Is

Each night we fill treat dispensing toys and put them in her crate. She literally skips towards the crate at bedtime and has been known to sit outside impatiently howling to get in!

Clicker training

It really is quicker with a clicker!

We waited a week before we started clicker training. As we had changed Rosie’s diet, we wanted to give her a chance to get accustomed to the new food before we started feeding her lots of treats. Tuning her into the clicker was easy since she is very food oriented. We spent one day on that and the following day started training properly.

The first thing we taught her was eye contact. Called her name, which she barely knew at that point, and when she looked at us, clicked and treated.

The sit followed, and then down. All of which were straightforward and learned in minutes.

She has now learned settle on an old car mat, and it literally took three attempts for her to get the hang of it.

She is so enthusiastic when it comes to clicker training and initiates the training herself.

Puppy Training Treats

We used a variety of treats, all especially recommended for puppies. The only problem was the size of them.

For clicker training, you need small, tasty treats that can be quickly eaten so you can treat and move on.

All of the puppy treats had to be chopped into tiny pieces for her initial training. Now she is having slightly larger pieces.

Rosie loved them all and was happy to work for any of them!

She has settled in well

Rosie Loves: All tested and approved!

From left to right Lotus Ball, KONG Ballistic, Puppy KONG, Chilly Penguin, Sniffing Carpet for Smaller Pets

Preparing for a New Puppy

Your New Pup

Getting a new puppy is an exciting time. You’ve probably spent ages thinking about it. Looking for the right dog. You may have visited it already with its mother, and now you’re just counting down the days until you can collect your puppy and bring it home. You’ve probably already picked out a name, the collar and lead or harness, and maybe even a dog bed. So, what haven’t you considered?

Choosing the right pup

Choosing the right pup

Preparing the Home

Well, one thing that we always think about is cables. These days with all the technology in use, there are lots of trailing cables all over most homes. Tilly was very keen on cables, so we tidy all these away and ensure they are out of reach of small needle teeth. You may also want to take a careful look around and move other things temporarily, like shoes, TV remotes and anything that could appeal to a curious pup.

Sleeping Arrangements

Secondly, you need to consider where they will sleep. You may have their bed all picked out, but where will you put it and what will happen at night? Many years ago, when someone suggested crating a pup, we were very against it. Then we discovered that they really are beneficial. Not only that, the dogs loved them – it was their own little den. It may be best to have them in a secure area at night where they can’t get into too much trouble.

Puppy in crate

A safe haven for a pup

A crate may also be helpful for when you leave them during the day. Since, now that most people have returned to work, there will be times when they will be left home alone. Ensure that the crate is big enough for them to move around freely and perhaps give them a stuffed frozen Puppy KONG. It is NOT recommended that you leave them unattended for hours on end and make sure you crate train them first so that they actually feel comfortable in there.

Preparing the Garden

What about outside? Have you got an area that is safe for them to run about? No toxic plants, things they could hurt themselves on, and more importantly, somewhere they can’t escape from, like gaps in hedges or fencing?

Puppy in Garden

Check your outside space for toxic plants and make sure it’s secure

Diet

Then you need to consider their diet. The breeder will no doubt provide you with their current food to give you time to move them onto your choice of food, but you should have it ready in advance to mix in with the food supplied to make for an easier transition and minimise the risk of upset tummies.

Taking Time Out

If you are out at work, try and take some ‘pawrental’ leave for a week or so until they are settled in. Or at least try and arrange for someone to come in during the day to check on them and let them out for toilet breaks.

Speaking of toilet breaks, we always swore we would never have another pup during the wintertime as there is nothing worse than rushing outside every hour or so in the freezing cold or pouring rain!

The Journey Home

Toby Pup in his crate

Toby Pup on his 100-mile journey home

On the day you collect your new addition to the family, you may want to prepare a crate for the car ride home, especially if you have a longer journey. Ideally, this would be a two-person trip and the crate should be secured and stable on the back seat of the car beside you and give access to the puppy. It should be big enough to allow the pup choices about where to lie and with enough room for them to sit up. The pup needs to feel secure but not restricted. The base of the carrier should be thick and soft. This can help to reduce the vibration of the moving car and provides support.  An ideal arrangement would be a ‘donut bed’ which has soft, raised sides that provide support as the car moves, or use rolled-up towels around the inside. The first time they travel in a car will likely set them up for future car trips, so make it as pleasant an experience as possible. This may avoid trouble and particularly car sickness in the future.

On Arrival

All puppies are different. Some approach life without a care in the world, while others need time to adjust to new situations.  When you get your pup home, imagine what it must be like for them. They have been taken away from everything they’ve ever known and are now in a strange place with people and possibly animals they don’t know. It must be scary and confusing for them. Give them time to explore and be particularly careful when introducing them to existing pets. Certainly, don’t leave them alone together until they have had time to get to know each other.

Introduce your pup to other pets

Introduce your pup carefully to other pets

Toys!

Choose toys carefully. You don’t want something with small pieces that could easily be swallowed. Always supervise your pup with its toys. Treat dispensing and interactive toys are great as they tend to focus the pup more on getting to the treat and less on chewing – although they will chew. And remember, squeaky toys will likely drive you and other pets crazy.

Puppy Essentials

Check out our complete puppy range here. From left to right Kibble Chase, Cyber Puppy Teethers, Puppy KONG, Junior Snuggler Natural Nippers Multi Activity Blanket.

Natural Nippers Snuggle Heat Cushion for Puppies

Train, Train, Train!

And finally, start training from the moment they get home. Don’t think you have to wait to attend a training class. You will be training full-time at home, not saving it for the hour a week you spend at a class. Get that clicker out – it’s so much quicker with a clicker – and get them used to being trained from the outset. Once they understand the basics of action and reward, it will make all future training easier and more fun!

Doggone Good Training Pouches

Get a head start with our Training Bag and Clicker combos – it really is quicker with a clicker!

Good luck with your new pup – you’ll need patience and humour to get through those first few weeks, but most importantly, enjoy it as they’re not puppies for long!

White Shepherd Puppy

Enjoy your pup. They don’t stay that size for long!

Click Your Cat

Spring Training

Dog Training Clickers

Clicks for Everyone

We have dog training clickers galore to choose from. Which one will click with you?

The traditional BOX Clicker is a great positive reinforcement training tool for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, chickens, horses, and MORE! This is our loudest clicker. Perfect for training inside, outside, and at a distance.

The TEARDROP Shaped Clicker has an ergonomic design for a comfortable fit in your hand and is complemented with an easy to press button which prevents missed clicks.

The QT CLICK is better for sound-sensitive animals because it has a more muted click than the traditional box clicker.

A Fresh New Look

Doggone Good Rapid Rewards Special Edition Navy Polk Dot Treat Bag

Doggone Good SPECIAL EDITION Polka Dot Rapid Rewards Training Treat Pouch

Our gorgeous new Doggone Good SPECIAL EDITION Rapid Rewards Treat Pouch in a fresh, stylish Navy Polka Dot fabric is just perfect for training sessions this spring!

As with all the Doggone Good range of treat bags, it is packed with features. There is plenty of space for treats, a second compartment for those ‘jackpot’ moments, and your essentials and keys can be tucked inside. The magnetic clasp means you can open and close it with one hand whilst holding your clicker in the other.

Belt sold separately.

Doggone Good Rapid Rewards Training Treat Pouch

*All​ Colours Back in Stock*

The Doggone Good Rapid Rewards Training Pouch is designed for serious dog trainers – but don’t let that put you off! If you are new to dog ownership or training, you will soon find out why trainers recommend this treat pouch time and time again.

Packed with features, hardwearing and washable – you’ll wonder how you ever did without it!

And there are plenty of stunning colours to choose from. Can’t decide? Buy two and get a discount!

Belt sold separately.

Karen Pryor Clickers and Treat Bags

Karen Pryor is a leader in the field of animal training and a recognised world leader in the science and application of marker-based positive reinforcement, or what is often called “clicker training.” She believes passionately in the power of the clicker training approach to enrich the lives of pet owners, animal professionals, and the animals they live with or work with. The Karen Pryor Clicker Training line of products has been specifically created to help promote the tools and techniques of clicker training – the i-Click and Terry Ryan Treat Bag are amongst our most popular items with trainers and owners alike.

 

Clicker Training is not just for Dogs

Clicker Train Your Cat

Karen Pryor Clicker Fun Cards for Cats, Clicker Training for Cats, Terry Ryan Clik Stik

A little training with your cat goes a long way. It will help deepen your relationship, provide mental enrichment, and is a valuable tool for teaching your cat fun new tricks and for helping to manage unwanted behaviours. Most of our clicker training products can be used with horses, cats, rats, birds, or bats!

Clicker Training is for all species

Give yourself a “CLICK” for choosing Pawsitive Training!

Archie

Well Suited!

Archie in Vetgood suit

Archie in his Vetgood suit

A shock discovery

Last month we discovered a hard lump in one of Archie’s testicles. We got him to the vet as soon as possible, which wasn’t easy as there were so many vets off with COVID.

After examining him, the vet recommended castration with scrotal ablation to ensure that everything was removed. Our biggest fear was testicular cancer. We decided to proceed with the operation but then had to wait another three weeks for it to be performed, again because of COVID. As you can imagine, we were very worried about him. However, he seemed perfectly okay in himself. There were no signs of any illness at all.

Finally, the day came around. He had his op and was back home again in no time. The vet assured us that it had all been removed and samples had been sent off for testing. Another anxious week passed, waiting for the results.

Eventually, we found out that it was a seminoma and that the majority of seminomas are benign, plus the fact that we caught it early, so all the signs were good.

He has recovered very well and is now almost back to his usual exercise regime.  We have made subtle changes to his diet, adding some supplements, which we hope will boost his immune system. He must now have his lymph nodes checked regularly.

Know the signs of testicular cancer in dogs

If you have an unneutered male dog, would you know what to look for? There is an excellent article on Checking your Dog for Testicular Cancer.  It is well worth reading and speaking to your vet about it. In fact, it would be a good idea if whenever your unneutered male dog has his annual vaccine, the vet performed this simple check at the same time.

We’ve Got You Covered!

After the op, we thought he would be stuck in the Cone of Shame for a couple of weeks, but we opted instead to use one of our Vetgood Protective Medical Suits. This was an absolute godsend, and we had a relatively stress-free time, whilst ensuring he was fully covered – no scraped walls or bruised shins!

Medipaw boots and suits help dogs and cats recover from surgeries, injuries, and other wounds easily and comfortably.

Vetgood Medipaw Suit

We have a range of suits for cats and dogs

Less Stress and Faster Recovery

Protective gear that provides maximum protection for a smoother, faster recovery all while keeping patients calm and stress-free.

Keep Healing Time on Track

High tech material safeguards wounds when life gets messy from outdoor elements and unwanted licking and scratching. Your pet’s bandages, wounds, and incisions stay clean and dry.

Comfort for Body and Sole

Protective boots and suits are designed for comfort and convenience so pets can easily eat, drink, sleep, and go outdoors.

Vetgood Medipaw protective boots

We also have a range of protective boots

Cat in Walkin' Wheels wheelchair

5 things you should know before buying a wheelchair

Five Things You Should Know Before Buying a Dog Wheelchair

Choosing a Dog Wheelchair

Article originally published on the Walkin’ Pets Blog in April, 2021. Read it here.

Choosing the right dog wheelchair for your pet doesn’t have to be challenging. Want to become a dog wheelchair expert? Here are five things you need to know before buying a dog wheelchair.

1. How Dog Wheelchairs Work

The Walkin’ Wheels dog wheelchair is designed toLabrador in wheelchair help your senior or disabled pet get back on their feet. So, your pet can exercise and get back to what’s important, enjoying their family.

It’s never too early to get your dog a wheelchair. If your dog is stumbling, losing its balance, or tiring easily it’s time to consider a wheelchair. It’s true that many wheelchair dogs are paralyzed or suffer a traumatic injury but, that’s not the case with every dog. Many wheelchair dogs still walk on all four paws and even stand on their own. The Walkin’ Wheels provides support, allowing your dog to stand upright and get the exercise they so desperately need. Even dogs that can still move their back legs, benefit from using a wheelchair!

Older dogs who tire easily on long walks or whose joints ache from arthritis or hip dysplasia can greatly benefit from a wheelchair. The wheelchair supports them from underneath, relieving the stress on their joints which allows your dog to walk with ease! How your dog uses their wheelchair is up to you! Many dogs use the wheelchair every day, while other pets only on days when they need a little extra help.

For dogs recovering from injury or surgery, the Walkin’ Wheels can help them get back on their feet faster. A wheelchair can even be a wonderful addition to your dog’s rehabilitation program!

Wheelchairs Help Dogs With:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Arthritis
  • Paralysis
  • Degenerative Myelopathy or DM
  • IVDD
  • Neurological Issues
  • Surgical Recovery
  • Injuries
  • Improve Balance and Stability

2. Choosing the Right Wheelchair for Your Dog

Choosing the right cart for your dog can be overwhelming. How do you know if a dog wheelchair is the right choice for your pet? Luckily, the first step is an easy one, a simple test to help determine if your dog is a good candidate for a wheelchair.

To determine the level of support your dog needs, try this simple towel test:

Depending on your pet’s condition and mobility needs, they may require different levels of support. If your pet can easily work forward with your aid, they need a rear wheel dog wheelchair. If during the towel test your dog can step forward, but their front legs splay outward they need the support of a 4-wheel wheelchair.

Towel test

Rear Dog Wheelchairs

Rear support wheelchairs are ideal for pets with hind leg weakness, injury or paralysis. The rear wheelchair supports your dog from underneath, providing balance and stability. This allows your dog to stand, walk, run and play again! Pets with completely paralyzed rear legs can use the stirrups to elevate your dog’s rear paws safely off the ground, preventing injury caused by scraping or dragging feet.

Full Support Wheelchair

A four-wheel or quad wheelchair is perfect for dogs who are experiencing weakened limbs in the front and back legs. Your dog’s front legs must be strong enough to drive and steer their quad wheelchair. The Full Support wheelchair is a great option for dogs with progressive diseases like Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) that will worsen over time.

Rear or quad wheelchair

Adjusting to Life on Wheels

The transition into a wheelchair is an easy one for most pets. Dogs want to be moving and they learn quickly that their wheelchair is going to help them. Even dogs who haven’t run in months are so happy to be back on their feet that when using their Walkin’ Wheels for the first time, they take off! The transformation is incredible. You can see the joy in their face as they run for the first time in months.

If your dog doesn’t take off running right away, the wheelchair may just need a few minor adjustments to make them more comfortable. If you’re not sure the wheelchair is set up perfectly, snap a few photos and send them to our Wheelchair Experts to review. With a few tweaks and some encouragement from you, your dog will be running around in no time!

3. Key Wheelchair Features to Consider

Now that you know your dog needs a wheelchair, here are some key wheelchair features to help you select the best dog wheelchair for your pet:

Size

Since dogs come in all shapes and sizes, it’s important to choose one that can be sized to perfectly fit their needs.

The Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is available in four frame sizes, Mini, Small, Medium and Large. And can accommodate pets as small as 2 lbs. and as large as 180 lbs. The Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is fully adjustable with adjustments for width, height, and length.

Wheelchair sizes

The Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair frame is constructed of lightweight, durable aluminum. It’s light enough for even the smallest dogs to maneuver with ease and durable enough for your dog to hike up a mountain!

Size is especially important when dealing with large breed dogs. Custom carts can be too big or bulky to travel easily with. Some may not even fit into your car! Choose a wheelchair that can fold flat and be easily packed.

Wheels

Dog on wheels

Choosing the right wheels can be tough. Air tires or foam wheels? Both wheel styles work well and are great for different reasons. You want to select the wheel that’s the right fit for your (and your pup’s) lifestyle!

Foam Wheels: By far the most popular wheel type! They are made of dense, rugged foam and are very durable. These wheels can’t be punctured and will never go flat. They are also durable enough to take on any terrain.

Air-Filled Tires: provide a more natural suspension and are great for active dogs that like to run, hike and navigate over rougher terrain.

Benefits of a Fully Adjustable Wheelchair

A fully adjustable wheelchair is going to be more versatile. And you might be able to use it for multiple dogs.

The Walkin’ Wheels features push-button adjustability, allowing you to easily adjust the height, length and width, allowing you to fine-tune the size to perfectly fit your dog! An adjustable wheelchair gives your dog a customized fit without the custom price.

Will it Adapt to Fit Your Dog’s Needs?

Often mobility loss begins with weakness in a dog’s rear legs and as the condition progresses the dog’s mobility worsens over time. In many cases, the weakness slowly works its way up the spine and eventually impacts the front leg strength as well. To ensure that your dog continues to get the support they need, choose a wheelchair that can adapt as your dog’s mobility and health needs change.

The Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is designed to adapt to your dog’s changing health needs. It easily converts from a rear-wheel wheelchair into a full support four-wheel wheelchair, giving your dog support in both the front and rear legs when they need it.

4. Can My Dog Go to the Bathroom in a Wheelchair?

Yes, your dog can relieve themselves while using their Walkin’ Wheels! Both male and female pets can pee and poop freely while using their wheelchair.

Rear leg rings support your pet from underneath and are positioned for your pet to comfortably relieve themselves. For dogs with a long tail, simply place your dog’s tail over the back bar of the wheelchair to keep it from being soiled.

Not only can they go to the bathroom while using their Walkin’ Wheels, but it may help them to go! Injured and disabled dogs tend to be less active which can impact their internal functions. Once they are in their wheelchair, they are standing upright and moving more. This encourages their body to function correctly and relieve themselves more naturally.

5. Wheelchairs Aren’t Just for Dogs Anymore!

There was a time not too long ago when it might have seemed odd to see a dog in a wheelchair, but that’s not the case anymore! Now more than ever, pets are family! Pet parents around the world are willing to go above and beyond to help their fur babies.

Wheelchairs are recommended and commonly prescribed by pet care professionals for countless mobility issues and conditions. They’ve become a key component in animal rehabilitation and treatment. And the pet mobility movement has spread far beyond dogs. All different kinds of animals have used the Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair, including cats, rabbits, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, turtles and even a raccoon.

Sheep in wheelchair

A very happy sheep

We often have second-hand wheelchairs available for sale.

Still have questions? We’re here to help! Contact us at Training Lines.

Dogs Enjoying Life with Walkin’ Wheels

Dr Sarah Wooton

Many thanks to Guest Author: Dr. Sarah J. Wooten DVM, CVJ

Dr. Sarah J. Wooten DVM, CVJ is a small animal veterinarian, writer, public speaker, and established leader in veterinary medicine. Her passion is writing and speaking from the heart on client communication and service.