Widget was recently rescued from a dogs home and now lives with his owner Gill who is a professional stunt dog trainer!
Gill has trained many dogs over the years and is the founder of Stunt Dogs. who are specialist suppliers to the film, TV and advertising industry of trained animals.
Stunt Dogs have supplied many animals for films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Snow White & the Huntsman, Sherlock Holmes II, Wolfman, Thor II, Young Victoria, The Duchess and many many more!
When we saw Widget we knew he was perfect for the Fido Nook launch video.
His skills include:
Down, Go to a mark, Sit, Sit up and beg, Speak, Stand, Stay and Walk Backwards
…and we’re sure we’ll spot him in lots of films and tv programmes in the coming months!
We asked Gill to tell us a little more about Widget…..
What Breed is Widget?
Jack Russell terrier/Westie/Papillon
How old is he?
He is 12 months old
How long have you had Widget?
Since November 2017, most of the Stunt Dogs live with my trained handlers but when I saw Widget I knew he was going to live with me.
Has Widget done much tv/video work?
He’s done quite a lot of work, commercials, TV and films.
Please tell me a little more about Widget…
Widget is very outgoing, loves everybody and everything, he’s a huge character and loves to train and work.
Does he have a favourite toy?
All toys, he has a lot!
He’s got such a great personality I think he’s going to be a big star!
Considering crate training for your puppy or dog? While many people view dog crates as cages with cruel intentions, it’s actually been proven that dogs love a calm, safe place where they can rest and be by themselves. When introduced properly, crate training is an excellent way to give your dog a comfortable space of their own and help them learn new behaviours in the process. We’ve uncovered all the benefits and tips you need to know on when and how to use crate training as a tool and resource. Keep reading to learn more about crate training.
Why crate train?
Crate training is an important process in your dog’s life. Not only is it really helpful in potty training, but it’s also a great way to provide them with a secure space where they can retreat to in order to feel safe. So if you have a dog or new puppy in your life, take a look at all the ways crate training can be a useful tool in raising your new family member:
Security: In the wild, dogs are naturally denning animals, which means they instinctively seek out small spaces to create a den-like feel. Offering your dog a crate to use at any age actually appeals to their innate behaviours and desires.
Self-confidence: Think of how proud a toddler is when they learn how to use the ‘big potty’…the same is true for dogs! Through crate training, you set your pup up for success by helping them learn to reduce their wee and poop accidents.
Self-reliance: As much as we wish we could spend every waking hour with our furry friends, the fact remains that sometimes we have to leave them at the house alone. When you crate train your dog, you give them a stronger sense of confidence to be ok by themselves when you have to be away from them for a while.
Privacy: A dog crate can serve as a very useful time-out device for overtired puppies who need a break. It’s also a great place for your adult or senior dog to escape to when they want to be alone.
Practicality: Being comfortable with a crate is important for dogs as they will be exposed to one eventually. Whether at the vet, the groomer or travelling in a car, crates are often used in other places to keep your dog safe and secure. So best to get them comfortable with a crate at home first.
Make crate training an enjoyable experience
A dog crate is meant to be a positive environment for your dog to see as an enjoyable place to be. The best way to ensure they have this association is to create that positive feeling from the moment of introduction to the crate. Here are some ways you can make crate training a truly enjoyable experience for everyone.
Choose the right crate
Finding the best dog crate is key to the success of your dog learning to love it. Depending on what dog breed you have, you want to make sure the crate fits your dog’s size and ability to turn around while in it. Other features your dog crate should have are durability, comfortability and transportability. The Fido Nook dog crate is a wonderful option as it provides all of these features while also doubling as a sleek piece of furniture in your home.
Create a positive association
One of the fastest ways to a dog’s heart is through their stomachs. So in order to encourage a positive association with the dog crate, use food and dog treats as tools.You can even move their dog bowls closer to the crate so they see the positive connection of eating and crate naps so close together!
Create a comfy spot
Some dogs prefer laying on hard surfaces and might be quite content just napping on the bottom crate tray. However, most dogs (and their owners!) prefer a more cosy spot to sneak away to. Try a comfortable plush dog bed that fits inside the crate so they can have more padding to snooze on. Or, just lay down a few cosy dog blankets so your dog can create the nap nest they desire.
Play crate games
It’s completely normal for dogs and puppies alike to be uncertain of a crate at first. How would you feel about seeing something so foreign and new for the first time? One of the best ways you can make crate training a less scary experience is by making it fun – and what is more fun than playtime? Get on the floor and use different dog toys to throw in and out of the crate to encourage a fun and playful game that makes your dog more comfortable with the new space.
Have patience
Any dog can learn new tricks and that goes for crate training, too. But only if you have patience and take it slowly. Like anything new, if you rush the process it is unlikely to stick, which can lead to frustration for you both. So take your time and allow your dog to warm up to the crate in their own time. Before you know it, they will be sneaking away to it all on their own!
Omlet and crate training
At Omlet, we believe having a dog is more than just owning a pet, it’s a relationship that is to be fostered. So we design our products to cultivate that connection so you two can spend more time together building those bonds. We believe crate training is an invaluable tool and while we didn’t invent the dog crate, we did perfect it. The Omlet Classic Dog Crate is engineered with durable welded steel and two door options for easy placement and openings. Use it by itself or place it inside the Fido Nook, for a more sleek and modern design that complements your interior. Whichever option you choose, Omlet can help make crate training your dog an easy and enjoyable experience.
The NEW 2-in-1 Luxury Dog Bed with removable Crate!
Finally the bed and home your dog has always wanted is here! The new Fido Nook is a brilliant design featuring a cosy space for your dog’s bed
inside a modern piece of furniture, it even has a wardrobe to effortlessly stores all their things. Order the Fido Nook today and get Free Delivery!
This offer includes the Fido Nook 24″ and the Fido Nook 36″. Free delivery is only valid for a limited time and will be applied when you order – no promo code required. Subject to availability. The free delivery offer is valid on the Fido Nook 24″ and 36″ only, if you order additional items, a delivery charge will be added to your order. Omlet ltd. reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any point. Discount cannot be transferred to delivery or courses. Offer is only valid on fully priced items and cannot be used on existing discounts or in conjunction with any other offer. Free Delivery ends at midnight on Thursday 31st May 2018
Everyone is going barking mad about Crufts 2018! We were lucky enough to attend on Thursday which is the day dedicated to Working and Pastoral breeds of dog.
What is a working dog? A working dog is the type of canine who can be trained to perform tasks and tricks to assist in work or merely for entertainment such as the agility demonstrations you see on TV at Crufts. Working breeds can be used in the police, as therapy dogs, guide dogs etc. The breeds include Boxers, St.Bernards, Mastiffs, Dobermann, Komondor, German Shepherds and many more.
What is a Pastoral breed? A pastoral breed is typically referred to as a herding dog. These dogs are bred to work with livestock as guardians and to herd the animals around. The Kennel Club’s list of Pastoral breeds include, Collies, Welsh Corgies, Swedish Lapphund, Sheepdogs etc.
Upon arriving at the NEC in Birmingham, UK we were slightly overwhelmed with the size of this event, there’s so much to see and do, we would definitely recommend purchasing a show guide and looking online before you attend to plan out your day. We took our time looking around all the booths and learning about some great new products on the market, we also spent plenty of time over in the ‘Discover Dogs’ area where you can see hundreds of different dogs and breeds from countries across the world, we got slightly sidetracked in this area as we were able to cuddle the most adorable puppy.
We spoke with some fantastic charities throughout the day including rescue dogs, shelters and therapy dogs who have been assisting people with their disabilities, it was really rewarding to see how dogs can have such a positive influence on people’s lives. It was nice to be at an event dedicated to celebrating how great dogs are!
Towards the end of the day we made our way over to the Main Arena which is where you see the majority of the shows and performances on TV. The arena was huge but these dogs didn’t seem phased at all. Watching the dogs in the Freestyle Heelwork to Music category was incredible, the stories and choreography these owners and canines were able to perform was spectacular with Cinderella and her owner sweeping first prize with their Disney inspired tale. We were also able to catch the Kennel Club British Open Agility Final which was equally as impressive. This is the category where the dogs have to race around the arena in an assault course including hurdles, hoops, tunnels and the famous A frame, all of the trainers are kitted out in their sportsgear and trainers ready to sprint as they have to lead their pups around the course at lightning speed.
If you haven’t caught any of the Crufts coverage this year we would recommend having a look at clips on Youtube.
To start training your own puppy or dog we would recommend beginning with crate training as a first step before you try any of the hoops or hurdles! To check Omlet’s range of fabulous new Fido Studio dog crates, click here.
Heading out on a road trip with your dog? It’s great fun having a four-legged companion by your side for a long drive. Barking and singing along to your favourite playlist with the summer breeze blowing in your hair sounds blissful but, before you start your engine, buckle up for our doggy road trips dos and dont’s.
Safety first
Preparation is key to making sure your dog’s safety stays the number one priority on your adventure. In the UK, dogs must be microchipped by law. Once this is ensured, you should also check your pup is up to date with their vaccinations and in good health before heading out.
If you’re planning on a long road trip, slowly ease your dog into spending more time travelling in the car. Just like us, some dogs suffer from motion sickness when in the car, so it’s important to assess how they cope on shorter trips first. If car sickness is something that they experience, contact your vet to see if they can prescribe medication.
Seatbelts on?
So, you’ve taken your dog to the vet and know they’re a good traveller – now what? It’s time to consider how you plan on restraining your dog on the journey. Using a dog seatbelt, dog crate or a dog guard are 3 ways you can keep Fido secure whilst in the car. And, depending on what state you live in, using a dog restraint whilst travelling is mandated by law.
If a crate is your dog’s desired method of transport, the Fido Classic is the ideal choice. Available in 3 sizes, the crate can fit dog breeds as small as a Yorkshire Terrier to those as large as 70 lbs. The crate can easily be folded too, making it perfect for packing away once you reach your destination.
Crate training your dog is an invaluable tool and will make travelling a lot easier for both you and your furry friend. Rather than seeing it as somewhere restrictive, a crate is a safe space for your dog to retreat to, anywhere they go. It will also make the journey and trip away a lot less stressful for everyone involved. Follow our dog crate training guide and see how simple it is for your dog to settle when they’re away from home.
Reminders of home
Road-tripping is great, but pangs of homesickness can set in at some point. Dogs can experience this too, so it’s a good idea to pack a few of their favourite things to remind them of home. Dog toys are essential for going away with your pup, just as they are back at home. Keeping your dog stimulated is super important once you arrive at your destination, so take along a long-lasting toy such as a Kong that will keep them entertained for hours, even in a new environment.
Or how about taking along their cosy dog blanket or super soft dog bed for them to rest on when you stop? Omlet’s Cushion dog bed is the go-anywhere bed, perfect for taking from place to place whilst promising a pillowy soft sleep.
What’s more, you can even match your dog’s bed to their collar and leash with Omlet’s Dog Walk Collection. Shop from a range of designer dog collars and leashes in 8 signature prints, inspired by the beauty of the humble dog walk. Plus, don’t forget about a dog poop holder, also available in matching prints to add a little flair to not so fun part of pet parenthood.
Pit-stops pending
Your and your dog’s bags are packed and you’re ready to go! But just before you hit the road, make note of any breaks you’ll need to take. It goes without saying you should never leave a dog alone in the car. Regardless of the time of year, the temperature your car can reach unattended can be fatal for dogs, albeit dangerously hot or too cold. Cracking open a window is not enough to keep your dog safe from the elements when trapped in a car, so you’ll need to choose suitable pit-stop locations that are dog friendly. A quick search will bring up a number of locations where your pup will be able to stretch their legs, use the toilet and have a drink. Whilst your dog might not need to go potty as frequently, depending on their age, it’s wise to stop off somewhere every couple of hours for a break.
Omlet and your dog’s adventure
Whether you’re heading out on a big adventure or staying at home, Omlet has the products your dog needs to continue thriving. From ultra-soft dog beds to easy-to-travel dog crates and cosy dog blankets, we expertly engineer everything you need as a pet parent to ensure your four-legged friend lives their life to the fullest.
We often get asked to give advice for keeping your four legged friends pawfectly groomed and healthy and have therefore put together some tips with help from our friends at Penelope’s Dog Grooming and Therapies.
Daily Skin Check – by keeping up a regular grooming regime at home for your dog this also gives you the opportunity to check over your dogs skin and notice any potential health risks such as: rashes, bald patches, fleas & ticks, lumps & bumps etc.
Fur maintenance – brushing is important for both long and smooth coated dogs – a slicker brush should be used for long coated dogs on a daily basis to remove excess fur and prevent matting. For a smooth coated dog a rubber brush is great for removing excess hair whilst helping to lessen shedding.
Ear Cleaning – Ear infections are common for all breeds of dogs but proper ear care for your dog will reduce the chance of infection. We recommend using a herbal ear cleaner. After flushing with an ear cleaner, gently massage the base of the ears to distribute the solution around the ear folds before using a cotton pad/bud to remove excess dirt. A good rule of thumb is to do this once a week.
Pawdicure – To trim your dogs nails you will need a good quality nail clipper and some styptic powder is also handy incase the nail is cut too short. You will want to be careful not to cut the quick (vein running down the nail) when doing this – if you are unsure on where the quick ends you may want to seek help from a vet or qualified groomer. Short nails are important as nails that are too long can splinter and cause unnecessary pain.
Teeth Cleaning – Brushing your dogs teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste designed especially for dogs will help to prevent decay and disease. If you’re uncomfortable or unsure on brushing your dogs teeth then a breath spray or water additive for dogs is also a great option for keeping teeth clean.
Tear Staining & Wrinkles – dogs are prone to getting what is known as tear staining around their eyes if they are not cleaned regularly. There are a number of products on the market to help get rid of these but daily cleaning can prevent them from happening in the first place. For wrinkly dogs (e.g. Bulldogs, pugs, etc) the folds on their faces should also be cleaned daily to prevent infection as well as keeping them clean.
Healing balms – healing balms are great for relieving dry, cracked paw pads and noses. As well as this these balms will help to protect against every day wear and tear. It is a must for using in extreme weather conditions as it gives protection against; hot pavements, ice, salt and road grit.
Inverted tail pockets – dogs with screw tails are open to a number of potential infections, wrinkles provide a dark and moist space where bacteria, yeast and other infections thrive and so daily cleaning is essential. The tail pocket should be cleaned to remove dirt and then dried completely to help stop moisture from growing into bacteria.
Diet – a dogs coat is often a reflection of what they eat: feeding high quality food with good, digestible protein sources can be the difference in a dull, coarse, lifeless coat and a shiny, silky, healthy coat. We recommend a raw diet with added fruit and vegetables as this is associated with improved over all health. A few benefits of a raw food diet include; healthy coat and skin, cleaner teeth and fresher breath, higher energy levels, a stronger immune system and improved digestion.
Bonding – the emotional bond between an owner and their dog is something that money just can’t buy and daily grooming is a way to make that bond even stronger! Grooming your dog regularly from an early age helps them get used to being handled, which will make it easier to look after them properly in later life. We recommend setting aside a set amount of time each day to groom your dog – no matter what breed you have.
Lauren from Penelope’s Dog Grooming and Therapieshas provided some more information about their salon:
At Penelope’s we pride ourselves on the well-being and care of pets. No animal is ever forced into unnatural or uncomfortable positions and they are free to take breaks when they need. We have worked to create a calm, safe and stress free environment where dogs can be groomed, pampered and spoiled. We offer lots of different treatments and use a variety of techniques as we know that each individual dog is one of a kind and so deserves a unique experience with us at Penelope’s. For more information visit their website here
Interview with Augusta Henning, Louis’ proud new owner!
When and where did you get Louis from?
We got Louis from a local breeder, about twenty minutes from Wokingham, at the end of September.
What’s Louis’ personality like?
Louis is very affectionate – he loves people and is always trying to jump up at passers-by when we go for a walk. He also likes to lick our faces to show his affection! He likes to play a lot, but also understands when it’s time out.
How have you found training Louis?
Louis is a great learner so we’ve had good fun teaching him obedience at our weekly puppy class and after! We have crate trained him right from the beginning which means we can leave the house in comfort that he won’t tear our flat to shreds. He loves his crate and now sees it as a safe haven – he even knows when it’s bed time and hops right in.
What’s his favourite toy?
Because Louis is still teething, he likes toys that he can sink his teeth in to – he’s got a soft cuddly elephant and hedgehog, and some harder pulley toys which allow us to play with him. He also loves his squeaky Brussel sprout toy – which makes a funny noise.
Funniest thing Louis does:
When he gets over-tired, he runs around the garden like a mad-man – we didn’t know what was wrong with him at first! He also likes to watch TV, especially if there’s an animal on the screen. Finally, he can see his reflection in our fridge, so will sometimes claw at it because he thinks it’s another dog!
If you would like to put your pet forward for next month please email marketing@omlet.co.uk with a picture and a brief introduction. All pets are welcome 🙂
As the pollen count in the UK has begun to rise in the recent weeks, us humans are not the only ones suffering from hay fever. Your pets can also struggle with the allergy so here are some top tips to reduce the side effects.
If your dog likes to run through fields and flowerbeds or roll about in the grass, you might want to think about keeping him or her on a lead for your walks.
Keep your pets well groomed throughout the pollen season. This includes keeping their coats short and giving them weekly baths to make sure there’s no pollen lingering.
Don’t forget to wash their beds as well, too often people concentrate on the animal and not on its habitat. We would suggest a weekly deep clean of all bedding and comforts to remove any excess pollen.
Truffle is a 5 month old Cockapoo. She lives with her owner Lynn and her family including 2 chickens called Octavia and Florence. Each morning Truffle races out to see the chooks although her devotion is not entirely reciprocated! Truffle enjoys a fresh raw egg twice a week thanks to her feathered friends.
Lynn said “Truffle’s delighted to be pet of the month! She was bought from an excellent breeder – Anzil Cockapoos in Knowsley near Liverpool. We got her in January and she now lives with us in Chester along with our four cats and two chickens who are lovely Pekin Bantams.”
“She has a wonderful personality and has almost got us trained to pander to her every whim. She is fun loving and very devoted to us.”
Apparently her favourite toy varies but is currently a small teddy bear made for dogs. She also loves squeaky toys!
“Truffle has bags of character. When she is hungry she goes into the kitchen and looks pointedly at her bowl. As you can see she has very expressive eyes.”
According to Lynn she’s funniest when she has a mad half hour and races frantically around the garden. Much to the concern of the chickens watching from their Eglu.
Look at how photogenic this dog is, we <3 Truffle!
If you think your pet deserves to be ‘Pet of the Month’ please email sam@omlet.co.uk with a picture of your pet and a short description.
Lani is a 10 month old working English Springer Spaniel who belongs to Elise one of our Customer Service Team. Elise went and got Lani from Hereford in September 2015 and they have been inseparable since!
Elise describes Lani as a very sweet and calm dog who loves to roll on her belly and apparently she ‘enjoys her tickle wickles.’ As she is still very young, Lani is like a rocket, she flies for the ball any time Elise throws it. She also loves her kong, in the morning it’s the first thing she wants, “she will grab it and run in circles with her blue kong in her mouth.”
According to Elise, the funniest thing Lani does is she rolls on her belly every time she sees a dog or human and starts to lick their hand.
If you think your pet should be our next ‘Pet of the Month’ please email sam@omlet.co.uk with your entries, include your pet’s name, age, breed and a picture. We’ll be in contact if we would like to know more about your pet.
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