The Fetch Pupcast

Although dogs and cats are often portrayed as enemies, if introduced carefully, they can actually get on extremely well. If either pet or both have lived with the other in a previous home, then the introduction process is likely to be easier. However it is still a good idea to take things slowly by following this advice –  a gentle introduction is far safer than a rushed one, and will hopefully result in both pets becoming good friends. 

If your dog follows you everywhere then you'll know what it's like to be tailed by a familiar four-legged shadow around your house, whether you're moving from room to room, cooking in the kitchen or even using the bathroom. Having a constant companion can be comforting, endearing or sometimes downright annoying, but why does your dog follow you everywhere and is it normal?

Our dogs are often seen as part of the family, and saying goodbye to them can be an extremely tough and emotional time. Please rest assured that there's pet bereavement support out there to help, from knowing the right time to grieving after the death of your pet. Tune in as we discuss some ways to navigate through your emotions at this challenging time.

Few things are more exciting in life than the birth of a new baby. It's a special time for everyone involved, but it can be stressful too – especially if you have pets. Tune in on how to prepare your dog for the arrival of your new baby, and how best to introduce them when the time comes.

Just like humans use their voices, dogs bark for many different reasons. Some are somewhat useful, like warning an intruder or asking to go out to the toilet. But other reasons like barking for attention can get annoying pretty quickly. Tune in for some easy to follow methods to help make your life more 'woof' free

Some dogs may prefer the safety of their own home, and aren't always comfortable in new environments. Others may be frightened by the sound and vibrations of the motor, or recall that the last time they were in a car, they ended up at the veterinary clinic. Wherever their phobia comes from, you can help them to associate your car with positive experiences. A little time, patience, and a lot of treats can help your dog learn to enjoy car rides ― or at least tolerate them a little better.

Many dogs jump up and grab their leash at the word “walk” with wagging tails and excited faces. But some dogs don't seem as thrilled to go on a leashed adventure. Why is this? And how do you convince a dog to walk if they don't want to? Stay tuned into this episode for tips and advice on how to get those paws walking in the forward direction.

There are certain times during the development of your puppy's brain when they are totally accepting of new things, and when you can help them become the friendly and outgoing companion you've always dreamed of, without the fears and phobias so many dogs go on to develop as they get older. Managing these early encounters and situations well will be important for your dog's behaviour and your future life together.

Dogs and hot summer days aren't a great combination.  Because dogs can't sweat through their skin like humans can, they rely on panting and ditching excess body heat through their paw pads and nose.  But there's a lot we can do to keep our furry friends cool and comfortable when the sun really gets its hat on. Stay tuned!

Digging is a natural behaviour so we must start early in teaching our dogs, when and where to dig. We can enrich our dogs from the outset by putting into place areas and equipment that they can exhibit natural behaviours while staying safe and having fun. Stay tuned on how to save your garden whilst allowing natural behaviours to still occur.

Leash reactivity is an intense response to a trigger that some dogs have when they're on leash. This type of barking and lunging at the presence of another dog, person, biker, or skateboarder is the most common kind of reactivity, but the behaviour can include other types of over-arousal, including spinning/tail-chasing or urination/defecation. Stay tuned to this episode for tips and advice on how to work with this particular training need.

Adopting a puppy is an exciting time for pet parents! If you have an older dog at home, you might be wondering how to introduce the new family member to them. Puppies don't yet understand the ‘dog world' as your older dog does. But, with some preparation, you can make the meeting a success.

Bringing home a new puppy is such an exciting moment,and one you'll never forget. Although there's a lot to learn,one thing you'll want to get started with as soon as they step paws into your home is puppy toilet training. Follow these steps for puppy success!

We've teamed up in this episode with Kerry from Pixie Paws and Vicki from Pristine Pooches where we'll be discussing what it's like to spend our days walking,training and grooming pooches. Gain an insight into our businesses and what it takes to break into the industry of dog care.

Resource guarding is when a dog becomes defensive in order to keep you away from a particular item or “resource” that they treasure. The resource can be food, treats, toys, a place, like a bed or favourite chair, or occasionally even a person. Stay tuned to this episode for valuable tips on how to tackle this ‘natural' behaviour.

Barking is natural for dogs, but sometimes barking can be a thing of excess, which can lead to frustrated owners, and sometimes neighbours. Generally, excessive or nuisance dog barking involves a dog repeatedly barking for prolonged periods of time that interfere with neighbors engaging being able to enjoy their own property. Everyone's definition of what “excessive barking” is will look different but if you have a dog who is barking excessively there are things you can do to bring peace to your dog and quiet to your home.

Loud or unexpected noises like fireworks or thunderstorms can be frightening for many dogs.   For an owner, seeing your best friend distressed can be upsetting. But don't worry, you're not alone. Nearly half of dog owners have noticed this type of reaction in response to loud noises.     The good news is there are several ways you can help your furball through it. We've outlined how to tell if fireworks are negatively impacting your dog, and what you can do about it. 

So you're thinking about adopting a second dog? Do you have a vision that both dogs will be best friends, play and run around the backyard together, then snuggle on the dog bed together at the end of the day? It's sometimes not as simple so stay tuned for tips and advice on how to create pack harmony.

At Fetch, we frequently get asked about welcoming a new rescue dog in your home. It may be your first time adopting a shelter dog, and we understand the anxieties, worries, and excitement that come with! Deciding to rehome a dog is a major commitment and we have compiled together a couple of checklists to help ease the rehoming process.

There's definitely a connection between dog behavior and human pregnancy. If you're pregnant and you've noticed some odd personality changes in your pet, and maybe even some undesirable behaviors, you're not alone. Human pregnancies really seem to affect some dogs. Find out why this happens and if will life ever return to normal.

Most dogs are born to bark, but some breeds are louder or quieter than others. The chances are good that as a dog owner, barking is a part of your life. Of course you love them, but let's be honest, their barking can sometimes drive you bananas. Thankfully, there are a few ways to control it, so if you have a dog who barks excessively, you'll want to tune in to this episode to find out more..woof!

Do you ever wonder what the heck dog trainers do all day? I've been asked many times how I keep my head on straight so I'm sharing the inside scoop about what a typical day is like in the life of a business owner on a mission..Woof!

Ticks can cause serious and potentially fatal diseases in dogs. Listen in to this episode to find out everything you need to know about ticks on dogs and how to keep your dog safe from natures little vampires during tick season.

What's up with these reluctant pups? Why does the leash act like a stop sign? The truth is many puppies are frightened, either of the collar and leash or of the great outdoors. Listen in to learn more about why your puppy refuses to go on walks and how you can change their attitude.

There are a few different snakes found in the UK, but the European Adder is the only one that is venomous and that is a potential danger to your dog. Our quick fire advice covers the signs that your dog has been bitten by an adder and also what you do.

Walking is extremely beneficial for your dog, and for you! Most dogs are not born knowing the proper way to follow or heel while going on a walk. It is up to us to teach them this valuable skill which makes everyone happier and healthier in the long run! Listen in to learn how to teach a dog to heel. Patience and consistency is key!

Congratulations on making the exciting decision to bring a puppy or dog into your home. Whether your new addition will be your first dog or another in a long line of family pets and whether you're looking for a new purebred puppy or an older rescue dog, we're here in this episode to guide you along the process of picking the best dog for your individual personality and lifestyle.

Jumping up on people is a natural canine behavior. Dogs get to say hello face to face when they jump and even better, it's guaranteed to get attention. However, from a human point of view, jumping to greet is annoying and dangerous. It's more polite and far safer to teach your dog to greet people appropriately so tune in to this episode where we'll discuss how to tame your little kangaroo!

How do you know if your dog has anxiety? What can you do to treat dog anxiety? We're here to explain everything you need to know about dog anxiety — common causes, symptoms, and treatments. Additionally in this episode we'll discuss top tips for anxiety prevention. This way, if your dog ever does suffer from anxiety — you'll have all the knowledge you need as an owner to help.

I'm pleased this week to welcome a good friend of mine and fellow dog professional Kerry Harding of Pixie Paws in Norwich to this episode. Kerry began her dog business herself and it continues to grow so what better way than to put her in the pupcast chair and fire a few questions her way. This is totally unscripted (apart from the questions) so tune in to listen to what drives Kerry in her success with her business Pixie Paws.

Is your new puppy biting everything they can get their mouths on? Why do puppies bite so much when they are young? Is it normal, or should you be trying to stop your puppy from biting you? Here's a breakdown of this behaviour and what you can do to keep your puppy from turning into the Tasmanian devil!

There are some things that as a dog owner, you should be aware of in winter, such as knowing when it is too cold for your dog, how to protect your dog's paws and why you don't want your dog sleeping outside in the cold. In this episode we'll cover a few bits of advice on how to keep your fur friend toasty this winter.

Dog crates can be a great way to give your puppy a safe space and keep them secure in the house at night and even transport them. You want your puppy to learn to see their crate as their own personal den – they'll sleep in there and it'll be the place they go to feel safe or when they need to rest. Tune into this episode for a selection of tips to get you off to the best possible start.

Christmas time is an occasion for fun and merriment for all the family – including your dog! But unfortunately, there are lots of potential dangers and stressors during your dog at this time. If you want to make sure your dog's happy and safe this Christmas, tune in to this episode where we cover some of the most valuable points to take on board throughout the holiday season. Ho Ho..Woof!

Running your own dog business inevitably involves greater responsibilty. Everyday, I have to make many important decisions to ensure all needs are met, both dogs and humans. Starting Fetch Dog Walking & Training Ltd remains one of the most exciting decisions I have ever made. The rewards are great, as many millions of entrepreneurs in the UK have found out. Running a business is a rollercoaster. There'll be days when I wonder why I did it - and others when I wouldn't have it any other way. Working with dogs, can't it get much better?

Halloween is here, the one time of the year when everyone loves a good ghost story. But not all ghost stories are about human ghosts. For thousands of years the howl of a wolf or a dog in the night has set our teeth on edge. Stories of frightening, spectral dogs run throughout history. But not all ghost dogs are “scary.” Like all good ghosts, each of their stories is truly unique. Some dogs love the hustle and bustle of halloween but others may find this spooky holiday a bit stressful. We recognise that dogs are all individual, so whilst you enjoy the ghoulish festivities, check out our tips on how to keep your dog safe and calm this 'howl'oween

Early socialisation is crucial for puppy development, but a dog may have missed out on different aspects of puppyhood socialisation and training for a variety of reasons. The COVID-19 pandemic meant many families added a puppy to their lives but were unable to find socialisation opportunities during social distancing. Join us in this episode where we'll explain the reasons behind your dogs unsocialised behaviour and how to correct in order to make your dog comfortable with everything in the big wide world.

Is your dog reactive towards other dogs (or people) when he/she is on a leash? Do they lunge, bark and growl? Walking a leash-reactive dog can be difficult at the best of times. In this episode we will look at the causes of leash reactivity as well as how you can address this issue in training.

The bonds between humans and animals are powerful. And the positive correlation between pets and mental health is undeniable. According to a 2015 poll, 95 percent of dog owners think of their pooch as a member of the family. And that's true no matter how old we are. Children, adolescents, adults, and seniors all find joy in their dogs. Therefore, dogs and mental health go hand in hand. Join us in this episode where we discuss how mans best friend support mental health and well-being.

Learning to come when called, or recall to you, is one of the most important skills your dog can acquire. But teaching a recall can be challenging, as dogs find so much of the world so interesting. Tune into this episode to gain some tips and insight into how to get your dog responding to you every-time.

We all know that our dogs get into all types of comical situations but some are just plain hilarious. Tune in to this episode where we'll be sharing some of our favourites from past and present dog owners. The joys of owning a dog..wouldn't change it for the world!

We get asked lots of different questions each and every day about the job we do with the dogs. We welcome Kristal to fire some on the spot questions to us (all of which are unscripted..yikes!) to gain a deeper insight into the world of working with dogs.

There are times when we all look at the behaviour of our dogs and shake our heads wondering "Why do they do that!". Often it is due to the close genetic relationship that all domesticated dogs and wolves share. Tune in to this episode where we list of some amazing facts about the wolf in your living room. How much do you really know about your canine companion..woof!

Getting a puppy is a really exciting time, but there's lots to think about beforehand. From deciding whether a puppy is the right pet for you, to bringing them home, tune into this episode to help you prepare for your new addition. Just enjoy the crazy, fun filled first couple of years of puppyhood, it goes by in a flash!

Welcome to episode 5 of our pupcast where we will be discussing the basics of dog training. This episode only scratches the surface of this vast subject but hopefully you will gain some valuable tips and advice to take forwards with your dog. Here at Fetch we love training all types of dogs no matter what the breed, background or previous training history. Be a teacher, be a leader, be an inspiration..and your dog will follow you to the ends of the earth.

Here at Fetch we are a small close knit team who strive for excellence in all we do each and every day. It's an absolute joy to share adventures with this squad of dog lovers. Not all superhero's wear capes..some carry treats and poop bags too.

Dogs,dogs,dogs! We love dogs! In this chapter we'll discuss the heart of our business,the lovable pooches. All of which are unique in their characters and personalities and we adore them all. A day is never dull with our four legged friends so hop on and join us for the ride

In this episode what discuss what it's like to work in the animal industry as a dog walker and the challenges and highlights we encounter on a day to day basis. A week rarely stays as planned so adaptability and flexibility are essential in undertaking the role we love.

Take a step back to 2017 and discover how Fetch Dog Walking & Training Ltd was founded and how the dream was finally turned into a reality through the inspiration of others. Dogs are our world and each week we invite you to join our adventures with our lovable pooches. We'll be sharing insights and behind the scenes access on how the business operates as well as dog training advice, recommendations and reviews and stories of what we get up to with on a day to day basis within Fetch.