by Steve Comley
Monthly news in the dog world from advice, support, tips, reviews and special offers
Brought to you by Suzi & Jako from Team Waggles. An interactive and fun guide every month for dog lovers all around the UK ~ come, read and get involved.
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So much fun, advice, support and small businesses every day in our group The Waggle Club over on Facebook
Wouldn’t it be lovely if, one day, there was no need to attach a lead at all when walking our canine companions?
In an ideal world, with time, patience, and a strong bond, our dogs would respond naturally to our voice, our body language, and our guidance That level of trust and communication is certainly something to work towards However, in the real world, training takes time and legally, in many areas, dogs must be walked on a lead and wear identification So, for now, we walk with a lead
Collar, lead or harness?
Most dog guardians are now aware of the potential pain and long-term damage that can be caused to a dog’s neck through pulling, sudden tension, or inappropriate equipment
And that brings us to an important question: Who is walking who?
Dogs naturally walk faster than humans Add excitement, curiosity, and the urge to explore, and it’s easy to see how pulling becomes a habit especially if the dog is unintentionally rewarded by reaching what they want faster
1. Choose comfort first ~ Make sure the equipment you use is comfortable for both you and your dog.
2. Consider a harness ~ Harnesses can help reduce strain on the neck. Discard immediately anything that could be harmful, aversive, or uncomfortable.
3. Build the bond Walking is about communication, not control. Work with your dog to strengthen trust & connection.
4. Protect their focus ~ Think about how best to keep your dog’s attention on you, especially around distractions
5 Choose environments wisely ~ Avoid areas that may overwhelm or worry your dog particularly places where you may struggle to provide reassurance and security
6 Keep the lead relaxed ~ Aim to always have the lead loose with no tension between your hands and the equipment
7. Look for the “smiley” lead ~ A gentle curve in the lead shows your dog is choosing to walk with you, not against you
8. Tight lead = no reward ~ If the lead tightens, forward movement stops Progress resumes when the lead softens again
9. Change direction ~ Altering your route helps avoid anticipation and keeps your dog engaged with you rather than the destination
10 Reward generously ~ Use calm verbal praise often and occasionally reinforce good positioning with a small food reward or something rewarding to the dog
Lets have a look at these wonderful dog products you can buy right now with a Spring theme!
The OG Black ~ Keep your dog walks hasslefree with the DobbyBag Classic Black Crafted from durable, water-resistant fabric, this bag offers multiple compartments to neatly organize treats, waste bags, keys, and more.
A gorgeous Meadow bandana available in 5 sizes. Handmade with love by Bilms & Bug in Devon.
The Dolly Puppy Carrier ~ Handcrafted by The Artisan Dog Co in Devon ~ a luxury puppy/small dog carrier/sling in gorgeous Dolly Floral Fabric From
Serena on creating DobbyBags, solving real-life dog owner problems, and building a brand that walks the talk.
What problem in the pet industry were you trying to solve when you launched your bags? Most dog walking bags fall into two categories: practical but ugly, or stylish but impractical I wanted to fix that Dog owners shouldn’t have to choose between convenience and design DobbyBags were created to make walks easier, more organised, and hands-free without looking like “dog gear”
How do your dog bags stand out from others on the market whether in design, sustainability, or functionality? Every feature of a DobbyBag has been thought through from a dog walker’s point of view. From easy-access treat compartments to secure storage for personal items, nothing is random The design is clean, modern, and wearable even when you’re not walking your dog which was really important to me. It’s a bag you’re happy to wear, not just tolerate.
How does your business address environmental impact? Sustainability matters to me, especially in an industry that can produce a lot of waste I focus on creating long-lasting, durable products rather than fast, disposable ones. The goal is to encourage people to buy once and use it daily, for years I’m also committed to responsible production choices as the brand grows
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in building this business, and how did you overcome them? The biggest challenge was persistence It took nearly a year to get the bag exactly right from sourcing manufacturers to refining designs and being told “no” more times than I can count There were moments I wanted to give up, but believing in the product and reminding myself why I started kept me going. I learned everything as I went, and that resilience became part of the brand
What feedback from customers has surprised or inspired you the most so far? Hearing customers say “I didn’t realise how much I needed this until I used it” has been incredibly motivating The fact that something I designed to solve my own problem is now genuinely improving other people’s daily routines is the best feedback I could ask for
What’s next for your brand? This is just the beginning. I want to expand the DobbyBags range with thoughtful accessories that make dog ownership easier always keeping function, quality, and style at the core Growth is important, but staying true to why the brand started matters more
recommended by Suzi & Jako
Dog pate, ~ Spread, Slice, Train and Treat, ideal for cutting up into bite size pieces for training and for spreading into enrichment toys, such as Kongs! Lots of flavours available. Ecohound poo bags ~We consider ourselves experts on poo bags and have tried and tested many �� We have been using Ecohound for 5 years because they are 100% leak proof, tough and strong.
Nobbly Rubber Rugby Ball Dog Toy ~ made from natural materials which encourage your dog's natural need to chew and keep your pet's teeth clean. Great for a game of fetch or tug of war.
You can purchase these on our website
www.teamwaggles.co.uk
How Lisa built her world around Jaxx, Zigi, and Vivi through agility, adventure, and unconditional devotion
What’s one unexpected lesson your dogs have taught you about life, patience, or yourself? Life is for living and they have given me a zest for life that possibly I wouldnt have had. They have also taught me unconditional love
Describe a typical day with your dogs ~ from morning walks to bedtime rituals. Up at 5 30 for coffee, wees and food (I'm only the coffee LOL) Some mornings we do a road walk others we go back to bed I'm a hybrid worker so I go to work come back at lunchtime and we have playtime in the garden. When work is finished we either go across the fields or we get ready to go to agility classes I dont walk my dogs everyday as we do lots of other stuff and they are just as happy chilling Then its tea time and some brain training and then to bed for snuggles
What are some of your favorite places or activities to enjoy together, and why? We love agility and Jaxx and Zigi have managed to get to the highest grade 7 and Vivi is just about to start her journey It builds such a bond with your dog and its great fun We also like to walk across fields and find the dirtiest puddles and have a swim
Every dog has quirks—what makes yours wonderfully unique? Jaxx is just amazingfor a big dog he's so sensitive but a real protector- he pulls the funniest faces Zigi is a princess but has a mischievous streak about her Vivi is just forceful, cheeky and stubborn
What advice would you give to first-time dog owners based on your own experience? Go into it with your eyes open - it is hard work and you cant walk away from it but it is so rewarding Patience is very important because your experience can be very different to other people's
When you think about your bond with your dogs, what does it mean to you personally? My dogs are my everything and I'm very lucky that my dogs and I adore each other - they are real mummy's boys and girls
Thank you for sharing your story Lisa
If you and your dog would like to be featured in our Waggles Monthly ~ do get in touch!
If not, why not? Every month we choose a winner to receive a box of treats with love from us
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