The Darling Dog Company

Lovely Jubbly Dog Friendly Hotels

If any of you are like us and waiting to take a holiday later in the year but you still fancy a little break. I've found some lovely dog friendly hotels.

We've stayed at places before that are a bit too 'doggy' if you know what I mean? Dusty old carpets and a B&B run by a woman with 15 collies, dog hair everywhere...including on her!!

If you are up for a bit more luxury then you should definitely check out Mr & Mrs. Smith website, as they have hotels that are specifically for those of us who like to take our four legged best friends on a little holiday every now and then. We paid £20 membership and then you get access to various offers like a free cocktail on arrival - lovely!

Let Our Dogs into Your Shops...

If you get a spare second, please sign the Lilys Kitchen petition to try and get shops and restaurants to allow our friendly, well behaved dogs in. Leaving your dog in the car, tied up outside or hanging around on the street isn't safe, fair or kind.

In order for us to be in with a chance though, our dogs need to be good! I'm not talking about obedience champions, just nice and well behaved. If you want to join the debate then check out the petition and ask your friends to as well.

Puppies and the Calming Exercise

One of my groups of puppy class are now on their third week but one of the first things that I teach in week one is a calming exercise. It is a hands on way of calming your puppy down and taking control. Some of the photos below were taken during or after the exercise, its very important that your dog learns to be around dogs without interacting with them.

Fred the SBT

Mindy the Bearded Collie - lovely Percy & Winnie the children are accompanying her, so all of the puppies are being handled by children too.

Bella the Labrador

Stevie the Beagle who is also accompanied by Max & Sylvia who are 5yrs and 2yrs old.

Hamlet who is just...relaxed!

Puppy Classes in East London

For those of you that haven't visited The Britannia Pub or are thinking about finding out more about puppy classes that I run; I thought you may like to see these two photos.

The first one is an inside shot of the function room we use for puppy classes. The photo doesn't do justice to the room as it is bigger but I couldn't fit all of it on the photo! When it is set up for class we utilise the whole room.

You can also see that the room has wooden floorboards so its easy to clean and non slippery. It's the perfect room for puppy class because its teaching them in a real life environment with noise, people, distractions, smells and it has great natural light.

Here is a photo of the pub garden which we are kindly allowed to utilise. The garden is great for working on the basics of recall and lead work which we then take out & work on in Victoria Park which is just behind the fence at the bottom of the garden.

And as a treat for puppy class visitors, the pub offers 20% off food when signed up to a 6 week course. Again a great way to socialise your puppy in the busy pub while you all enjoy lunch or dinner. Children are welcome and just make sure you ask for a table where puppy can be tucked away under the table.

A Day on Whitstable Beach

Yesterday my friend Joe and I took the dogs to the beach. It wasn't too cold and we had the day free. If you feel like doing it then Whitstable beach in Kent is only an hour and a bit away. We had Cookie Dog, Ruby Dog and Archie Dog with us.

Plus its a great place to buy fresh seafood on the harbour. There are various pay and display car parks and nearly all of the shops are dog friendly which is lovely.

They had a lot of fun...

All of them loved the sea

Archie who was neutered a couple of weeks ago, so the salt water was great for the healing wound area

Ruby appreciating the beautiful stripey beach hut by the seafront

Cookie Dog looking out to sea!

Flat out asleep after a day in Whitstable!

Brucie Baby and his new cafe in Hackney

How nice is it when you trot off for your morning dog walk and you can get a fresh croissant and a hot chocolate to keep you warm?

So Cookie Dog, Viva Dog and I were delighted when we popped into the new little cafe on the corner that is doing just that. Perfectly located en route to Clissold Park or to get the bus!

And best of all Bodega 50 the cafe has their own dog - Bruce who is full of energy and gives warm welcomes. He doesn't hang out in the cafe usually he does his own thing downstairs and in the cafe garden.

But the cafe is dog friendly if your pooch is well behaved and its great to pop in for a drink. Their website is being set up but they are on Allen Road, opposite The Shakespeare Pub, Hackney, N16.

Puppy Classes in Hackney

Drawing of Stevie, his Beagle Puppy by Max aged 5yrs.

Where: The Britannia Pub, Victoria Park Road, Hackney E9
We use their private function room, their garden and Victoria Park

Age of Puppies: All puppies must be under 6 months of age

How many: Each class is limited to 7 puppies and their owners - families are welcomed. If the dog is living with more than one person it is best if everyone involved can attend to help provide consistency for the puppy.

How often: Class is run for 6 weeks on a Sunday morning for one hour per week

What do we do: All of the activities taught in puppy class are taught using a fun and reward based method. Please make sure you bring toys and treats with you. Puppy classes focus on building the bond between you and your puppy by teaching relevant commands such as 'sit' and 'leave' as well as recall which we start off with the basics in the function room and eventually end up in the park. We also focus on handling techniques and best of all we get to do all of our training in a real life situation of a pub with all the smells, sounds and surfaces that puppies will encounter in their everyday life.

Cost: £125 for 6 weeks training.

To book a place and find out when the next course starts please email me on [email protected] or call 07778 393 797

Pie and Chips at The Prince

Oh my goodness there are not words to describe how delicious the homemade pies at The Prince are! Last night after a day of puppy classes and a session with a mischevious Beagle, we decided a drink was just what was required. So we walked Cookie up to The Prince.

The Prince is in Stoke Newington and it is well worth a visit. The roasts are great and quite reasonably priced (£10-13) and the new addition of the pies makes the menu even better!!

In addition to a great meal the staff are lovely, they brought Cookie Dog a bowl of water over without us even asking. Cookie was fast asleep under the table and next to a warm radiator so she was more than happy.

So if you get chance pop along to The Prince, 59 Kynaston Road, N16.

Hot Chocolate with Dave

Yesterday was a day choc a block with French Bulldogs. I had Spikey baby in the morning, Betty at lunch time, I groomed Dave the Jack Russell X Border Terrier and then did a one on one with 12wk old Frenchie called Chunky. Is that not the best name ever?

Dave behaved impeccably so we popped down the street for a hot drink. Thought you might like to know that you can take doglets into Coffee at 163 Bermondsey Street, SE1. Great little coffee shop with lots of funny bits written on the walls.

So if you are ever passing or in the area pop by as the street is home to my friends Holly&Lil (hand made leather collars and leads) and Pussywillow (beautiful clothes with a gorgeous Dachsund Lily in there!)

Afternoon Tea with the Dogs

After a busy morning on a dog walk with 13 dogs, an appointment with the delectable Dodger the staff x whippet and an afternoon with Jemima Puddleduck the Vizsla, Cookie dog and I thought we deserved a crumpet or two! Paula from The Britannia (www.thebritanniapub.co.uk) met us with Viva the silver labrador and we ordered tea and crumpets at 5pm at Amandine Cafe (http://amandine-cafe.tumblr.com) in Victoria Park Village. Gorgeous cafe inside and its dog friendly as long as your hound is well behaved. Check it out sometime or just grab a coffee on your way to Victoria Park for a walk.