About Happy Buddies!
Dogs, once wild animals, have through the process of evolution become man’s best friend; a loyal companion and the world’s most popular pet.
Whilst dogs descended from a common ancestor of the wolf, the similarities between them now are few and far between. Artificial selection produced the modern domestic dogs of today and the breeding boom of the 19th century has played a huge part in the variety of breeds that currently exist (over 340 recognised breeds). With the new deliberately bred crossbreeds like the Cockapoo’s and Labradoodle’s, these variations are sure to continue, especially as our focus has moved from creating the perfect working dog to those we now wish to have as family companions.
With so many breeds and variations, it is important to recognise each dog as an individual and that’s just what we do at Happy Buddies! We know that dogs, much like us have feelings and emotions. They have senses and learning preferences. They can be happy, sad, stressed, frustrated. Much like us, the environment they are born into, their upbringing and factors that surround them in life will dictate their personalities, feelings, thresholds, and abilities to learn.
Dogs are social creatures, they love company and it is important that their human interaction whilst at Happy Buddies is as much a part of their time as it is with the other dogs around them.
At Happy Buddies, all animals in our care, whether that be during training sessions or on walks are looked after to the highest standards. Their individual personalities are catered for and their physical and emotional wellbeing is of the utmost importance to us. We do not believe in the ‘dominance theory’ nor do we assume an ‘alpha role’ with any dog – both these methods have now been proven as flawed, outdated and debunked! We want the dogs and other animals in our care to trust us, want to spend time with us and enjoy themselves while they are with us. We achieve all this through getting to know them, learning about them and watching their body language. We train, play and interact with them using only positive reinforcement and reward based methods, which is proven to have excellent results on both a puppy and dog’s behaviour and wellbeing. At Happy Buddies there is NO pain, NO force and NO fear just FUN, HAPPINESS and KINDNESS!
So whether Happy Buddies can help you with your training or dog walking you can be sure that your furry companion will be looked after and will want to come back for more!
Why Walk your Dog with Happy Buddies?
Amanda is a qualified, experienced and professional Dog Walker based in Reigate who enjoys walking dogs in small intimate groups in order to meet their own individual requirements.
Amanda recognises each dog as an individual and considers their own individual quirks, personalities and needs. On her walks, she not only caters for their exercise requirements, but their mental stimulation needs as well.
Amanda is a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild (The Association for Force-Free Pet Professionals), a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, APDT and a Registered Animal Training Instructor with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council, ABTC and she is an advocate of only kind and fair methods so when in her care, the dogs and animals can be certain that there will be NO pain, NO force and NO fear! She is also Police Checked (Disclosure and Barring Service – DBS cleared).
She has a number of qualifications including a Diploma in Dog Walking and Canine Care and a Certificate in Canine First Aid. She keeps her knowledge refreshed and current by attending courses on dog law and other legal requirements.
She is professional and enthusiastic and adheres to a strict code of practice using only positive reinforcement and reward based methods – making every walk session fun, kind and rewarding for your furry companion! She is passionate about her job, friendly and approachable and someone who you will surely trust to look after your beloved family pet.
As she is also a Dog Trainer, it is safe to say that your dog will not only be walked, but socialised, entertained, educated and *trained!
The Happy Buddies van is specially equipped to carry dogs. It has air conditioning, extractor fan and crates making the short time that the dogs are in the van, safe, secure and comfortable. Dogs are never left in the van except for the short time when Amanda is collecting or returning a dog to their home. When this happens, the engine is never left running and the doors are always locked. Security and safety of the dogs are always at the forefront of Amanda’s mind. She also carries a Canine First Aid Kit in her van.
All client house keys are unidentifiable to anyone outside of Happy Buddies and are kept securely in a safe when not in use.
Amanda is a non-smoker and so your dog(s) will only ever be subjected to fresh, clean air around her!
She is also fully insured for all services provided and will happily provide evidence of this on request.
*Please note that any training undertaken on walks will be basic as Amanda will be caring for other dogs as well and each and every one is just as important as the next! Her eyes and ears need to be on every dog all of the time, therefore if you have any specific training requirements, please contact Happy Buddies to organise a 121 Training consultation.
Dog Walking
In Reigate, Redhill, Merstham & Earlswood
Happy Buddies takes our Dog Walking responsibilities very seriously! We provide a friendly, happy Dog Walking service in the Merstham, Redhill, Earlswood and Reigate areas for busy dog owners . This service is provided Tuesday to Thursday, except Bank Holidays. If, however, you require a walk on a Bank Holiday or during a weekend, let me know and if I can help, I will!
The service is provided whatever the weather, although during adverse conditions, such as snow, we reserve the right to cancel walks if the roads are considered too treacherous to drive on – the safety of the dogs is paramount!
Unfortunately, bitches in season are not accepted on group walks and it is down to our discretion as to whether we accept an entire male over the age of 12 months on to the walks.
All dogs need to have up-to-date vaccinations; including kennel cough and proof of this will be required during an initial consultation.
The Initial Consultation
Before your dog can become a Happy Buddy, we need to meet you and your dog(s). The free, no obligation consultation gives you an opportunity to meet Amanda and for her to meet your dog! The consultation is conducted at your home in a very friendly manner and allows Amanda to gain as much information about your dog as possible which will help her understand any individual requirements, should your dog become a Happy Buddy! It also enables you to find out as much information about Amanda as you like – she is happy to answer all the questions you have and understand that in order to have peace of mind, you need to be confident in her ability to look after your furry family member! The consultation lasts approximately 1 hour.
The Walks
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Walks will be full of enrichment for your dog(s). They will involve both physical exercise and mental stimulation for your dog (appropriate to each dog’s needs). They will be taken to different places and follow different routes, played with and motivated. Through improving their scent experiences and by using their body and mind on a walk, your dog will be returned fulfilled in every way!
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Walks will always be in safe places such as woodland, heathland, parks and countryside that are away from traffic and roads
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Dogs are walked in small groups of 4 or less – this allows for more individual bonding/play time and enables Amanda to cater for all individual needs whilst we are out and about
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Dogs will be walked initially on a long line (training lead) but once Amanda has formed a good relationship with your dog and with your permission, she will allow your dog off lead – but only once she has tested for an effective recall (a disclaimer will be required to enable her to let your dog off lead)
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Walks will last no less than 1 hour. In extreme heat, we will always consider the welfare of the dogs and walks may either be shortened slightly or, with individual agreement with the owner a Pet Pop In service will be offered instead. We will never risk the health or welfare of a dog by walking them in very high temperatures.
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Your dog(s) will be collected from your home and returned after their hours walk (so they will be out with their friends for over an hour)!
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After their walk, your dog(s) will be cleaned up as best as possible, towel dried and settled nicely back at home – if they need feeding, we can do that too!
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When possible, you’ll be sent a photo of your dog having fun on their walks (if you have Whatsapp)
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You’ll receive a Welcome Pack following your first walk with Happy Buddies
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Happy Buddies’ walks start at approximately 10am and 12pm
Own or work here?