I shared this a few years ago… time to go again I think.

A shout out to all people that walk dogs (be that owners or professional dog walkers).

Please, follow the leash laws.

It doesn’t matter how friendly your dog is. Other dog walkers should feel safe when walking their dogs out and about too.

There are plenty of reasons that people may not want your dog wandering up to them.

And if people ask you to put your dog on leash in a designated on leash area they have every right to.

So many people yell out, “it’s ok he’s friendly”, “don’t worry, he just wants to say hi”... all that this indicates to me, is that you don’t have a good recall for your dog, and little respect for fellow dog owners.

You may be lucky enough to never have had a reactive dog, a sore dog, a dog that is anxious or scared. But please respect that others do, and keep your dog leashed in those designated on leash areas.

It isn’t hard, and if you don’t want to use dog off leash parks or beaches, use a long line and keep your dog under control and away from other dogs unless the owner has welcomed your dogs approach. Even then, observe the body language of both dogs, and keep any introductions safe and short.

If you see a person and dog actively trying to avoid your dog.... I shouldn’t have to say it... please give them time and space to move way.

What’s your dog’s “thing”?
Because it might not be the $70 enrichment toy sitting untouched in the corner.

Enrichment has become a massive buzz word lately.
Every second product promises mental stimulation, calmness and fulfilment.

But real enrichment?
It’s much simpler .

Some dogs would choose shredding cardboard over a puzzle toy every single time.
Some want to sniff every blade of grass.
Some thrive on running, jumping and movement.
Some love chewing and licking.
Some enjoy solving problems.
Some just want to quietly watch the world go by.

That’s the bit we can miss.

We start choosing enrichment based on trends, marketing or what other dogs enjoy instead of observing our own dogs and what brings them joy.

A dog walking away from a puzzle toy is not “failing enrichment”.
They may simply be telling you
“This isn’t my thing.”

So what is?💭

The biggest mistakes come from love.
They come from wanting to give their dogs the best experiences.

There's a need to take them to the beach, the pet store to pick out toys and to meet the neighbours dogs too.

We want them to experience absolutely everything because we want to make up for what they've missed.
We want to give them the life they deserve.

All done from love.
All done with the very best intentions.

But every single "new" thing asks their brain to process one more unfamiliar experience.

And they've already had so many.

One on top of another.
On top of another.

Everything has been new lately.

Every smell.
The sounds.
The people.
There’s no routine.
Every room is different.

Nothing is familiar anymore.

Rescued and rehomed dogs need safety.

And that safety comes from stability.

It's knowing their next meal is coming today and tomorrow.
It's knowing there's a quiet place to rest when they need it.
It's learning the rhythm of their brand new home.

And it most definitely comes from having time to decompress.

Nobody wants their new home to not work out.
Nobody.

That's exactly why rescue organisations, foster carers and trainers all talk about slowing things down.

Not because they want to take away the excitement.
The truth is, we’ve seen the outcomes when everything happens too fast, and too soon.

We’ve seen those dogs returned.
And we’ve seen dogs rehomed again and again.

Time after time.

The people who move too fast are rarely doing it because they don't care.

But before those adventures begin,
These dogs need to know they're safe in their own little corner of this brand new world.