2024 was the year that D4dogs really found its feet. All areas of the business have grown and developed, be that dog walking, dog training and behavioural support or dog sitting.
Personally I have gained additional experience and understanding of dogs and their behaviour, through a mix of working with an ever growing range of dogs, ongoing private study and research into dogs – trying to keep up to date with the most recent developments in Canine Science and attendance at a 4 day workshop delivered by CIDBT at the Kennel Club in Warwickshire – focusing on aggressive behaviour in dogs, including dog on dog aggression and dog on human aggression, exploring causes, practical solutions and prevention. (Further workshops will be booked for 2025!)
D4dogs has grown through the addition of Vicki, Debbie and Megan. Vicki joined on a full time basis in the spring and quickly established herself with dogs and owners, she also offers Dog Sitting providing care and attention for dogs in the owners own homes. Debbie also joined D4dogs in the Spring on a part time basis and has established a brilliant rapport with her clients – 2 & 4 legged! Megan joined more recently, on a part time basis, and after several weeks shadowing Vicki and myself is now taking on her own clients. Megan will also be offering Pet Sitting, providing additional capacity.
Megan and Vicki with dogs! More details of the dog sitting service can be found at https://www.facebook.com/share/184Wjf8zy5/?mibextid=LQQJ4d or call on 07743864373.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the year was being approached to organise a fun dog show as part of Abbfest, a local food and drink festival that raises money for charity. After is was decided Abbfest would allow dogs into the festival, they decided they would have a dog show as well – so Dogfest was born! It was a lot of hard work, it never would have worked without the support of my wife, Kevin and Lesley our good friends and a host of other brilliant volunteers that made it work – despite the biblical downpour on the morning of the dog show!
Along side the fun dog show – superbly judged by Huw Peplow from Seymour Vets, we ran an agility course, sausage eating competition and a couple of other events. We also ran a photograph competition to find the dog to be the face of Dogfest 2025! Judged by Faye Winter local celebratory and influencer (who just happened to be an ex student of mine and sister of a long term client! Watch this space for news of Dogfest 25 and the Country Show at Newton Abbot Racecourse in August for more Fun Dog Shows!
Faye with Bonnie her Golden Retriever and below that the Dogfest winning photo as chosen by Faye.
We have continued to raise money for good causes – in 2023 and 24 we have been supporting Devon Dogs Behaviour, Rehabilitation and Rehoming. A rescue and sanctuary for dogs, run by the amazing Ruth Owens, which provides temporary and when required, a place for life for dogs whose behaviour makes them unsuited to being re-homed. Every Big Dog Walk has raised money through the kind donations of those who join us for walk in Bakers Park (or along the river Teign, in the summer months.) We also raise a little bit through participating in the Maltings Taphouse Tuesday quiz and donating the winnings – on the rare occasion we have won!
The Big Dog Walks have grown significantly since we started them in 2022, there are many regulars, who enjoy being able to let their larger dogs meet and interact with other big dogs, in a friendly, knowledgable and supportive environment. We probably average about 14 dogs per walk now, mostly depending on the weather! We had set ourselves the target of raising over a £1000 pounds in 2024 and it looks like we will achieve that, with two potential walks to go – the nexts being the 8th of December 1.30pm at Bakers Park.
October’s Bog Dog Walk – perhaps the wettest 90 minutes ever!
We have also been lucky enough to work with a number of dog charities, either directly or indirectly, we have been bother exercising dogs and helping reduce behavioural issues with South West GSD Rescue. Helping them to successfully re-home some lovely dogs, some of whom did need a little work, including following up and supporting their adoptive families. Jax below, in his new home.
Overall 2024 has been an amazing, hard, challenging but ultimately enjoyable year for D4dogs. The business has grown far more and far quicker than I would have predicted this time last year. We are keeping to our key principles – we will never walk more than 3 dogs per human in public spaces and never more than 6 dogs! Everyone at D4dogs must be DBS checked and hold or be working towards a qualification in Canine First Aid. We continue to use Pet Plan Sanctuary to provide the highest level of insurance cover for all our businesses and clients.
Given 23/24 was the year of the XL Bully it should come as no surprise that we have worked closely with several of these dogs, successfully supporting the rehoming of one and continuing to support the behavioural issues of others. We still focus the larger breeds and regularly work with German Shepherds, Cane Corso’s, Mastiffs, English Bull Terriers, American and English Bull Dogs, Doberman’s and various mixes including Rottweilers, Caucasian Shepherds, Bull Mastiffs and Chows. But we also work with Cockerpoo’s, Dachshunds, Miniature Pinchers, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
We are also working with various rescue dogs, both UK origin and overseas – including Eastern European, Cypriot, Egyptian and Korean dogs. All with their own issues and everyone being unique.
So here’s to 2024 – its been a good year, lets hope 2025 brings more positive developments.
D4Dog Walking, Training and Behaviour Support -Newton Abbot & TQ12 