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Sorry my veggie and vegan friends this one isn't for you! But if meat is your thing, then you will want to join me in celebrating one of my favourite treats (I prefer it raw by the way). British Beef Week is run by Ladies in Beef (no, not Lady GaGa) and is back in 2021 for its 11th year. You can join your humans in celebrating all things beefy at these 7 dog friendly places until April 30th. Shake Shack have 16 locations across London serving up tasty burgers made from 100% grass-fed Aberdeen Angus Beef and an all-beef German hot dog. Four Legged Foodies are welcome at all locations and can either share the human's burgers or get their own special treats of Red Velvet Biscuits by Outsider Tart, served with or without custard. Check their website or @shakeshackuk for which locations are currently open. The Eagle in Farringdon is currently closed because they can't offer outside dining but we had to mention them as their beef is off-the-scale amazing! This pared back gastropub dispenses with frills and gimmicks to concentrate on serving up food to die for and is one of our must try recommendations to all our friends. Menus are created daily and announced on @eaglefarringdon each morning. Beef dishes include things like Steak Sandwich and Bifana Marinted Rump. You can have a belated beefy celebration with them when they re-open on May 17th. The New Orleans Po Boy sandwich is the speciality of Poor Boys in Kingston and you can add Beef Brisket to your sandwich, mac n cheese or have it on its own. Visit their website for menus and @eatpoorboys for updates and mouth-watering photos. The beef is dry aged grass-fed Scottish Beef and is marinated and slow cooked to give that authentic Louisiana taste. The restaurant has outdoor seating in a quiet side street in Kingston town centre and Four Legged Foodies are always warmly welcomed. London House in Battersea is a Gordon Ramsay restaurant so obviously you can expect a high standard of food and their steak frites will not disappoint. Their pretty terrace looking out onto Battersea Square is currently open for all-day dining and the restaurant will re-open on May 17th. Visit their website for full menu and booking and follow them @londonhousegordonramsay We couldn't talk about beef without mentioning Chateaubriand Mondays* at Gazette. Grab a friend (I'm always free on Mondays) and share a 500g cut of French Charolais & Black Angus, 100% grass fed beef which is naturally reared in Surrey & aged for 28 days. *single portions are available from 6pm every Monday for just £14.50. Other French beef classics such as steak tartare, bavette and entrecote are always available. They currently have outside dining at all 4 of their London locations and booking is recommended though not essential. Visit their website for details and follow @gazettebrasserie for updates. Some people think of Argentina when you mention good beef and that's exactly what you get at Gaucho. Gaucho steaks come from premium Black Angus cattle who graze on seventeen different types of grass from the Pampas provinces of Argentina, in an area famed for its fertile soil. Four Legged Foodies are always welcome at their Richmond and Hampstead restaurants. 7 of their 12 London restaurants are open for outside dining and the rest will open on May 17th. You can also get their finish at home boxes delivered nationwide. Visit their website for more details. I hope you enjoy British Beef Week, please let me know of any recommendations for Four Legged Foodies and tag @the4leggedfoodie in your dining out photos for a feature! Archie

The first four-legged festival off the starting blocks this summer, Dogstival is set to be a brilliant and well deserved celebration for furry friends, after seemingly endless months of eat, dog walk, sleep, repeat. Glastonbury with the bark-factor, Dogstival 2021 will take place Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th June in the gorgeous surroundings of Burley Park in the New Forest, and promises a weekend dedicated to a dog’s enjoyment, fun, taste buds and more. And for all the lockdown pooches, it's the perfect opportunity to get out there and start ‘petworking’ with their fellow dog-kind. Here are some of the things you can look forward to as well as catching up with Archie and Nacho who will be there as VIPs. The main arena will have demonstrations from acclaimed gundog expert Sam Thatcher, Little Nippers and Lurchers & Hawk racing. It will also feature thrilling displays from Hampshire Fire & Rescue ‘Arson Task Force’ Dog Team, a flyball tournament with leading teams from across the south taking part, as well as fun quizzes and an old-fashioned sports day where owners can compete with their dogs to win prizes Other activities include canicross, flyball, agility and fun scent demo challenges, as well as the giant K9 dog diving pool for those who prefer their fun in water. There’ll also be fun canine IQ test, to reveal exactly ‘how smart is your dog?’ New for 2021 will be Barkour - a canine version of Parkour. An adventure playground for dogs and owner. There will be live music for the humans and 140 stalls for them to spend money on us pooches. Look out for our friends at ByBenji, Esmaes Pantry, Four Legs One Tale, Harbour Hounds, Hugo & Otto, Milo & Pi, Pippa & Company, The Posh Pet Kitchen. The Dog House stage will have talks and demonstrations from This Morning's Vet Scott Miller, a live canine cooking class and tips for puppies and first time dog owners from behaviourist Natalie Light. Humans and doggies will all be catered for with stalls selling every doggy delicacy imaginable and locally sourced food and drink, catering for all tastes or dietary requirements. Dogstival will be packed with epic photo props and opportunities, to capture the day on camera and share via social, so guests are encouraged to come groomed and dressed to impress! Dogstival takes place on 5th & 6th June 2021 at Burley Park, New Forest For more information and tickets, visit Dogstival.co.uk and follow their socials @dogstival. Tickets are priced £13.90 adults, £8 children 6 years old plus. Concessions available.

We recently welcomed little Nacho into our lives but before we made our decision to get a second dog we thought long and hard about the impact that having 2 dogs would have on our lives. More importantly, we considered how it would affect Archie. Archie is now 11 and has always been fantastic with other dogs (even puppies) thanks to our commitment early on to make him well socialised. He is also used to having other dogs at home as we look after dogs while their humans are away. However, he has never had a young pup to contend with. We wanted Nacho to be able to learn from Archie and for him to hopefully pick up some of his characteristics (yes even some of the naughty ones) but we did realise that Nacho would have his own character and would never be identical to Archie. If you decide to get a second (or third, fourth...) dog then just throwing them together and hoping for the best could result in a very unhappy household so here are some things to consider before you decide and to help your transition into a multiple dog household. I Need Some Space! This photo is cute and went down a storm on Instagram but Nacho was sleepy and quiet when we put him in Archie's bed, the only time he will let this happen at the moment! Your older dog will have established his space in your home; his bed, the sofa, maybe even your bed, and will not take kindly to that space being invaded by the young pretender. Avoid conflict and even potential depression to your older dog by giving them their own space in the first few months. We are using a crate for Nacho and he already knows that when he's in there it means it's nap time. Some dogs will adopt the crate as their space for life and you can make them more homely (and nicer in your home) with a Crate Set from DogCo. Let your older dog decide when he's happy to share his space but don't try and force it. Feeding Frenzy A frenzy is exactly what you DON'T want when it comes to mealtimes as this is one of the most likely times fights can break out. Keep mealtimes calm by feeding your dogs separately until you can be sure they can eat happily together. If one or both of your dogs is a fast eater, get them a feeder like Lickimat® to help slow them down as they will probably try and finish before the pup. The same goes for treats. You will be using treats for training the pup but they can also be used to reward the older dog for being tolerant. If there are 2 humans in your house, split this time between you, if you are on your own then give the older dog a long lasting treat or puzzle like K9 Connectables (see Archie's Offers for discount code) to keep him occupied whilst you are training the pup. Image courtesy of @little_lu_pug Play with me! Pups are super playful and toys are great for keeping them occupied and developing their natural instincts like chasing and pouncing. If your older dog is still enjoying toys then he may become protective of his, so ensure that they each have their own and separate them at playtime if necessary to avoid conflict. If, like Archie, your older dog isn't too playful now, give him some space to relax while pup plays. While Nacho has his crazy playtime, we let Archie on the sofa so he can just watch from a safe spot! You will find a great selection of toys for dogs of all ages at Hiro + Wolf, For The Love of Bonner and Harbour Hounds. Time for Walkies Walking together is an excellent time for your dogs to bond and is one of the times when having another dog really helps because the pup will not want to wander far from their idol! We suggest you get your pup out on walkies even before they are allowed to walk on the ground by using a carry bag or sling or maybe a stroller for larger dogs. The earlier they get out in the world the better as it allows them to get used to the sights and sounds of your local area. It also means that your older dog doesn't miss out on his usual walking routine. Once your pup is fully vaccinated and allowed out walking you will still have potential difficulties in terms of how long and how far each dogs needs to walk each day. We are still using the sling for Nacho on walks as he doesn't need to walk as long as Archie. In a couple of years, when Archie will be 13, we will find it is potentially the other way round. This is one of the key things to think about if you are considering getting a very different dog as your second one. If you currently live alone with an elderly Pug and are thinking of getting a Labrador, think carefully about how you will manage their very exercise different requirements! If you plan carefully and put some house rules in place, there is no reason why you can't have all your four legged friends living together in peaceful harmony and having fun together whilst you enjoy multiple love and affection. Just like our friends the Cavdashians!

The time has come, finally! After 4 long months of waiting, we can drag our humans back to the pub on Monday 12th April. There is a BUT though and that is we can only sit outside. Well lucky for you, I happen to know of lots of great places we doggies can dine with the humans who have fantastic outside spaces. Here are 7 of my favourite London pubs with gardens so you have no excuse to not eat out every day. Can't wait to have a pint with you soon! Lass O'Richmond Hill This Young's pub not only has a great terrace at the rear with awning covering and heat lamps but is also staffed with some of the most dog friendly people in Richmond. They are leaving some tables unreserved so you can just turn up and the humans can enjoy their delicious food then take you for a walk in Richmond Park which is 100 yds away! Read Archie's full review here and follow @lassorichmondhill for menus and updates. Black Horse This is one of our local pubs here in Kingston and it has a large, enclosed outdoor dining area at the front of the pub. Four Legged Foodies always receive a warm welcome at this Hippo Inns pub with treats and water available and there is a great selection of food for the humans including an outdoor pizza oven. Read Archie's full review here and follow @blackhorsekingston for menus and how to book. The Woolpack This Bermondsey boozer has a fabulous garden at the rear which is now covered so you can be protected from the British weather. Doggies are very welcome as Bermondsey is one of London's most dog friendly areas! The humans can enjoy great pub grub with a large selection of beers. Read Archie's full review here and follow @woolpackbermondsey for how to book. The Drapers Arms This neighbourhood pub in Islington is one of the favoured destinations of our good friend Jasper . They have a lovely enclosed courtyard garden and doggies are always welcome. Food is fresh and seasonal and they serve up delicious Sunday roasts. Read Jasper's full review here and follow @thedrapersarms for details of how to book. The Brown Dog This pub is tucked away in Barnes but it's worth seeking out for it's food alone. They are so dog friendly that they named their pizza hut in the garden The Doghouse and their pizzas are all named after their favourite doggies! Read Archie's full review here and follow @doghousebarnes and @browndogbarnes for menus, bookings and updates. The Windmill This Young's pub on Clapham Common has loads of outdoor space and is the perfect spot after a walk. Resident dog Max will make sure all our four legged friends are cared for and the humans can enjoy great food. Read Archie's full review here and follow @windmillclapham for updates and how to book. The Refinery This Drake and Morgan bar on Bankside has a large outdoor area enclosed in a white picket fence with heaters and plenty of blankets. All their bars are super dog friendly with treats and water provided and the humans can enjoy great food washed down with a fabulous selection of cocktails. Read Archie's full review here and follow @therefinerybankside for updates.

Image courtesy of @barneycockapooadventures We all know just how good the last 12 months have been for our doggies. Despite the many humorous posts on Instagram of dogs rolling their eyes as their lead is waved at them for the fourth time that day, in reality they have loved having the whole family around more and spending time with us outdoors. But all good things must come to an end (only dogs would call the pandemic a good thing) and as we slowly but surely emerge from home offices and start to enjoy (??) the daily commute to the office again, there is just one problem. WHO IS GOING TO WALK THE DOG? Image @kxdogs You may already have a dog walker from before lockdown and hopefully you will be able to engage their services again. But if not, or if you got your dog in the last 12 months, you will find yourself needing to employ a professional dog walker. If you type "dog walker London" into Google, you will get pages and pages of results. So who do you choose? To whom do you entrust the latest (and let's face it best) member of your family? Here are some things to consider when looking for a dog walker and 4 London dog walkers who meet all those requirements. Image @litosbanditosdogwalking Where will your dog be walked? Professional dog walkers in London don't usually cover a wide area as the logistics of getting around to pick up and drop off in busy London traffic makes that impossible. So you can immediately slim down your search to ones that cover your area. You will then see from their website where they take the dogs once they pick them up. Lito's Banditos are ideally located in the middle of Battersea Park, Wandsworth Common and Clapham Common so your dog will be walked in one of these beautiful London green spaces. I operate on foot so your dog will get the optimal amount of exercise necessary to make sure they come home happily worn out and stimulated enough to rest until you're back with them. Amie and her trusty sidekick Theo the miniature pinscher are the perfect choice for dogs who don't travel well in vehicles. Amie will walk your dog in a small carefully selected group for at least one hour and can also offer solo walks by request. Lito's Banditos also offer pet sitting services and dog photography. Visit their website to find out more and how to contact them. You can also see more photos of their daily walks and all their happy customers @litosbanditosdogwalking Image @itsadogslife.islington Who will be walking your dog? Most London dog walkers work alone or with one or 2 helpers but it is important to know exactly who will be responsible for your pooch. You may choose your walker based on a recommendation from a dog friend or you may have met them walking in your local area. It is still important to check they have 2 basic requirements of a professional dog walker: - They are DBS checked - they will have keys to your home and will be entering when you are not home so you need to trust them. - They have insurance - in case of accidents whilst your dog is in their care. Once you have established this then it's a good idea to meet your new walker and introduce them to your dog. Maybe arrange a walk together so they can meet your dog with you. You don’t need to be best friends with your dog walker but it’s important you have confidence in them. Our dogs are all different and some take longer than others to trust people, especially rescues so you need to know that your walker has your dog’s best interests at heart. Anna from It's A Dog's Life Islington knows the importance of keeping owners reassured whilst their dog is in her care. We keep you updated on your dog's adventures throughout the day on Whatsapp, and we take care of your pet like they're our own It's A Dog's Life walk no more than 4 dogs at a time and offer a mixture of street and park walks so your dog will get to explore a variety of sights and sounds in their area and is great for getting dogs used to city life. If you live in the Islington, Angel, Barnsbury, Highbury Fields area visit their website for more details and how to contact Anna. You can also see photos of their happy clients @itsadogslife.islington Image @kxdogs Who will be your dog's new friends? I’m a firm believer that dogs should be walked in groups of similar sized dogs. Of course it’s possible (and really cute) for a chihuahua to be best friends with a Great Dane but when it comes to walking, their needs are very different. I’ve seen too many small pups being dragged along, as the walker tries desperately to keep up with another dog four or five times the size. Ask your walker how many dogs they walk together and what other dogs are in the pack. If your dog doesn’t like particular breeds or isn’t good with unneutered males or won’t tolerate pups etc etc, you need to let your walker know so they can avoid any unnecessary conflict. Your dog’s walk should be enjoyable not traumatic and if you get the right mix in the pack, he will look forward to his hour with his pals every day. Tom from King's Cross Dogs has one mission in life - to be your dog's second best friend. Be assured that I will treat your dog as I treat my own, with all of the care and playfulness they need. Tom picks up dogs from King's Cross and Bloomsbury and takes them on canal side adventures or off lead walks on beautiful Primrose Hill. King's Cross Dogs also offer full day adventures and holiday boarding. Visit their website for more details and how to contact Tom. You can also see photos of their happy clients @kxdogs Will your pup be safe and secure? We already mentioned 2 basic requirements that every professional dog walker should have but you should also check a few other details to ensure your pup is kept safe whilst out with their walker. A professional dog walker shouldn’t walk more than 4 dogs at one time. Any more and it becomes increasingly difficult to keep an eye on them all, especially if they are all off lead. Always let your walker know if you prefer your dog to be kept on a lead. If your dog is going to be transported in a vehicle you should check that he has plenty of space away from other dogs and that the vehicle has air conditioning. A good dog walker will never leave dogs unattended and out of sight in a vehicle for more than a couple of minutes. This is particularly important at the moment with an increase in dog theft. With easy Dog Walker London your dog's welfare is their top priority. They are a team of experienced dog professionals who are all fully insured, DBS checked, pet first aid trained and have all taken a course in canine behaviour and leadership skills. Our vehicles are fully kitted out and ventilated for the safe transportation of you beloved pets easy Dog Walkers also offer house and pet sitting and all bookings are made through your own online portal and booking system. You can book and track your walks from your phone. They aim to be as convenient and flexible as possible with a team of professional pet lovers and you don't need to worry about leaving cash out as they bill you at the end of each month. Visit their website for more details and follow them @easydogwalkerlondon

Image courtesy of @kobebabybear Once you've decided to get your puppy, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget what a big impact your new arrival is about to have on your life. We pick up our puppy Nacho on 6th April and although we already have Archie, it's been almost 11 years since he was a puppy and we realised we'd forgotten how challenging those first few weeks/months were. We also realised just how much preparation is needed. If you have a dog already, you may be lucky enough to have things he can share (albeit reluctantly) with the new arrival and some things you can recycle (we still have every collar Archie ever wore). But there are some things you will still need to get before your puppy arrives at his forever home. Here are the main things you need to get organised and then you can relax and focus in on that excitement again. Set Up Insurance The minute the breeder hands over the pup to you, he is your responsibility so insurance needs to be set up in advance with that date as the policy start date. You will be extremely lucky if your dog doesn't have at least one major health problem or accident during their life and vet fees do not come cheap. Archie has had 2 fatty lumps removed in the last 2 years and each time that was over £700. He also spent 3 nights at the RVC when he was 3 as he had suspected meningitis. Luckily it wasn't but the bill was still over £2,000. We never wanted to find ourselves in a position where we had to think about the cost of taking care of any health issues Archie (and now Nacho) has and that is why we will always have insurance. And it's not just health issues you need to consider. Dogs are also very accident prone and if yours has an accident like being hit by a car, you may not just have a vets bill but also a claim for damage/injury to the car owner. All pet insurance policies include third party liability cover up to £2,000,000. We recommend you go for a Lifetime policy which is offered by all reputable companies like Waggel and Bought By Many. Image courtesy of @canecorsolondon Find a Vet You will need to register your pup with a vet as soon as possible and get him in for a full health check within his first 2 weeks home. The vet will also give you his vaccination schedule and tell you about flea and worming treatments. Many vets now have monthly payment plans which cover the cost of these treatments and consultations so you can budget throughout the year. Most people will choose the vets nearest to them which is wise in case of emergency or you may want to choose a vet recommended to you by a friend. You can also find a list of UK vets here. It is important to find a vet you trust and who you feel understands your dog. Buy the Essentials This could be a very long list depending on what you class as essential for your pup but let's put that diamond studded collar to one side for now and concentrate on the true essentials you should have before you collect your puppy. You will need: - 2 bowls - one for food and one for water. We recommend Hero bowls by Hownd. - A bed and/or crate - depending on where you decide your pup is going to sleep. Your pup may chew their first bed so probably wise not to spend too much on it. Toys and brain games - to begin with, just enough to keep him entertained. We recommend K9 Connectables. - Food - see our blog post "What Should I Feed My Dog" for suggestions. - Treats - small puppy treats for training. Visit Be Kind Treats for a selection of puppy treats. - Puppy Pads - for those inevitable accidents! (If you don't have a garden we recommend a Piddle Patch) - A brush - get your pup used to being brushed from an early age to avoid problems later. We recommend the Pet Teezer puppy brush. - Puppy Shampoo - bathing is another thing to get them used to as soon as possible. We recommend Playful Pup by Hownd. - Puppy Collar - we recommend you get your pup used to wearing a collar around the house before you go out walking. Be sure to remove it whenever your pup is left unsupervised in case it gets caught on something. To Crate or Not to Crate? That is the question! When I got my first dog 30 years ago (showing my age here), I had never heard of crate training but now it seems to be accepted as the way to go. It did work well with Archie and we will be doing it again with Nacho. If you are still undecided as to whether crate training is for you, look out for our upcoming blog about puppy training at home. Decide on Some House Rules You may want to keep your dog out of certain rooms in your house or not want them on your bed or sofa. For example I keep Archie out of the kitchen while cooking as I believe that is an accident waiting to happen! Whatever you decide for your own home, the key thing is to have everyone in your home on the same page. There is nothing more confusing for a pup to be encouraged on the sofa by one human, only to be told off by another. Image courtesy of @barneycockapooadventures Puppy Proof Your Home Your pup will be immediately inquisitive about his new surroundings when he arrives home and there are certain items you will need to protect from potential destruction and others you will need to remove for your pup's safety. If this is your first dog, check out this list of hazardous items some of which can be fatal to dogs. This is includes plants, food and chemicals. Puppies also love to chew, especially until the get their adult teeth (around 30 weeks old) so you will need to remove anything precious or potentially dangerous such as electric cables. Make sure your pup has plenty of interesting chew toys to keep him occupied and keep his eyes off your designer shoes! The PDSA have a full guide on puppy proofing your home here. Book Puppy Classes We highly recommend you take your pup along to classes even if you've had dogs for years and are confident in your training abilities. Puppy Classes will help you with basic training but they are also a great place for your pup to socialise with other dogs, humans and children. Good puppy classes with reputable trainers such as Lady and The Hound get booked up quickly so you will need to get your pup signed up in advance. Puppy classes are generally for pups up to 20 weeks old. We look forward to sharing our puppy journey with you. Please tell us in comments if there is a particular subject you think we should cover.

Image courtesy of @the_life_of_claude The last 12 months has seen a huge rise in UK dog ownership with suggestions that the number of households with a dog has increased by 60% since 2019. The demand for puppies in the UK is now so high that there is officially a national shortage, with breeders reporting up to 50 enquiries per day from hopeful puppy parents to be. Dog charities are extremely concerned that this will result in an increase of abandoned dogs as people's lives start to return to normal and the dog no longer fits in with their routines. Here at Four Legged Foodies we are about to welcome a new puppy into our lives but before we even approached a breeder we gave it serious consideration, even though we already have a dog! In fact, we gave it the same amount as we did 11 years ago before we welcomed Archie into our lives. We look forward to sharing our new puppy journey with you but if you are considering getting a puppy yourself, we urge you to consider the following areas first. The same considerations can be applied to getting an older or rescue dog. So, are you ready for a puppy? Image courtesy of @thetedtimes Emotionally We believe this is the first thing every potential dog owner should consider. Dogs bring absolute joy to our lives but also quite a lot of stress and worry. If you've never had a dog before, let me run you through some of the things that can happen to cause you stress (these have all happened to me): A greedy pup almost chokes to death by wolfing down food too quickly, an inquisitive pup runs out of the front door to chase a cat, runs into a road chasing a squirrel, disappears on a walk because he found an abandoned sausage roll, eats chocolate and is rushed to the vet.... See what I mean? and that's just Archie, not to mention the numerous health issues you will face, the worry every time you have to leave him home alone, the threat (both real and imagined) of being attacked by other dogs....the list goes on. As an owner about to get a second dog, I have also had to consider that he has a lot to live up to in Archie - despite all the above incidents, he really is still the best dog ever! You may have recently lost a dog and are looking to get another and you need to prepare yourself that your new dog will be different, even if the same breed and you must try to not keep comparing them as this could affect your bond with the new pup. If you think you can handle all this because the benefits really do outweigh the potential worries (would I be getting another four legged foodie if that wasn't true?) then you are ready emotionally to get a puppy. Image courtesy of @barneycockapooadventures Physically I'm not going to sugar coat this, puppies are HARD WORK! Puppies sleep for around 18 hours per day, unfortunately those hours aren't always when you sleep! Until your pup learns to control their bladder and bowels, you will be up at least once in the night with them or face a mess the following morning! Crating your pup does not mean that they can go all night but I'll cover more of this in another blog! For the other 6 hours of the day you will be on constant watch for your puppy needing the toilet until they are trained, which will be around 6 months but longer for some pups. You will also be constantly running around trying to stop them causing mayhem in the house like chewing furniture, shoes etc. Then when you finally get out walking with your pup, you will start on recall training but even the smartest of dogs don't get this right every time. Pups just want to explore and play with other pups so there will be times when you have to chase after your dog. You may also need to think about any allergies you have or if you suffer from asthma as certain breeds will not be suitable for you. Owning a dog will always have some physical element as they need exercising so you will need to think about your own capabilities over the next 15 years or so. Obviously, you can always pay a dog walker if your health circumstances change but the levels of exercise required is worth considering when you decide on a breed. If you are up for all this and can't wait to get out there exercising with your dog, then you are ready physically to get a puppy. Image courtesy of @little_lu_pug Practically This is the topic of the moment as the increase in dog ownership is mostly down to our changes in working circumstances. With many of us currently working from home, we find ourselves in the perfect position to welcome a dog into our lives. But will this be a permanent change? What happens when you go back to the office? We had a gap between dogs of 7 years because we both worked long hours and we didn't want our dog to be left home alone all day. With our previous dogs, we had parents living nearby who took care of them all day but then we moved to London and not only had no family nearby but also lived in a flat with no outside space. We didn't get Archie until I changed my career and we moved to a garden flat. We have been lucky to find 3 rental properties where we can have Archie but there is still some stigma attached to dogs and not every landlord will allow it as they worry about damage and mess so be sure to check with yours before you go ahead and get a pup. Your home set up is another thing to consider. Is your house big enough for the breed you choose once they are full grown? Do you have a secure garden? Do you have stairs to access your property? Pups aren't good at stairs for their first few months so think about the size of dog you choose. A Golden Retriever can be up to 19 kilos by the time they are 4 months old! That's a lot to carry up and down stairs several times a day. Maybe you will be lucky enough to be allowed to take your dog to work with you. If so, is your dog up for travelling on public transport? Will you be able to carry your dog up station escalators? If you are committed to creating the right environment for your dog, you will have many years of absolute pleasure and there are always solutions if your circumstances change such as hiring a dog walker or using doggie daycare. Which brings us on to the next topic. Image courtesy of @ladybalieythecavalier Financially After the initial cost of buying your pup, the average cost of taking care of him is £2,000 per year. So over an average lifetime of 13 years that's £26,000!! And if you're a super pampered pooch like Archie and his pals it will be considerably more. There are some obvious costs such as food, insurance, vets fees and things like beds, collars, toys etc but there are also costs you may not have considered if this is your first dog. As we looked at earlier, your situation could change and you may need to hire a dog walker which will be around £15 per day. Daycare is around £25 per day. If your dog needs professional grooming that will set you back at least £200 per year. What about when you go away? if you don't have family or friends to step in, you will have to pay for dog boarding or kennels, which will add at least £140 to the cost of a 7 day holiday. If your dog has behavioural issues, you may need to hire a professional trainer. Puppy classes cost around £150 for a few week's course but one to one training can cost over £100 per session. If you're crazy enough (like us) to get a second dog, then obviously that's all doubled! Financial reasons are one of the most common given for owners having to rehome their dogs so it is best to have a good idea of what's in store. If you think you are in a good position financially and, like us, you agree that a dog is worth every penny, then YOU ARE READY FOR A PUPPY. Stay tuned as we guide you through our puppy journey together and hopefully provide useful information for fellow puppy owners. Here is a sneak preview of our new pup Nacho who arrives home on April 6th.

One of the first things you will think about when you pick up your puppy will be what you should be feeding him. If you've been a dog owner as long as I have, you will remember the days when we only had to decide which flavour Pedigree Chum to choose and the excitement when new brands like Cesar (or Mr.Dog as it was called to begin with) started appearing on the shelves. One thing that was constant until quite recently, was that the pet food market was dominated by large multi-national companies. Both the examples above are affiliate companies of Mars. Today's dog owner not only has a greater selection of food to choose from but also an ever increasing number of small, independent pet business from whom to buy it. The sheer amount of choice can be mind blowing to the new dog owner who may worry that the wrong choice could effect their dog's well being. So how do you decide what to choose for your dog? You may ask a friend what they feed their dog? Ask your breeder or vet for recommendations. But everyone has their own ideas and will claim what they feed is the best and you are left still scratching your head. In reality, most of us find our way through trial and error and rarely will a dog eat exactly the same food his whole life. Archie is 11 in April and is currently on his 4th brand. My suggestion is to first determine what type of eater your dog is, which can take a little time and can also change with age, after that do your own research to choose a type of food and brand that also fits in with your lifestyle and budget. What type of eater is your dog? Your pup will most likely fall into one of three groups when it comes to food: The Foodie - like Archie, if your dog is a foodie they will eat ANYTHING. This can bring it's own problems but when it comes to choosing their food, the world is your oyster (Archie hasn't tried them yet but give him time)! The Fusspot - a fussy eater can be very frustrating and worrying. I have known dogs to refuse to eat for up to 4 days! Sometimes it can be just a case of finding what they like and then sticking to that forever. More often with a fusspot, you will find they like their food one minute then refuse to touch it the next. All you can do, is keep trying to encourage them to eat but you may have to accept that you have to offer them a variety throughout their lives. Require a special diet - dogs, like humans, can suffer from food allergies and other medical conditions that require a special diet such as pancreatitis.* The most common allergen in dogs is related to grains, so gluten, wheat, barley etc. Luckily there is a large selection of grain free dog food available and you can find something to suit most intolerances. You should always seek advice from your vet if you suspect any intolerances or medical conditions.* Once you have determined what type of eater your dog is, you can move on to deciding what to feed. Here are some pros and cons of the main food types and our favourite companies from which to get them. Wet Food and Kibble - Edgard & Cooper Wet Food and Kibble has come a long way in recent years and you can now find something to suit most dogs requirements including grain free, organic and low calorie. Some people don't like wet food because it can have a strong smell which can linger on your dog's mouth. Kibble remains the nation's favourite as it is easy to store, with long shelf life and is good value for money. It used to be thought that the crunchy biscuits were good for teeth but this has been challenged recently as kibble can remain between dogs teeth, causing plaque and bad breath. It is therefore recommended that you brush your dog's teeth daily when feeding kibble. All Edgard & Cooper wet food and kibble is made from good quality, fresh meat, fruit and vegetables. They don't use any processed meat or ground up bones and their food is slow-baked to lock in goodness and flavour. They have a good range of flavours available which is all grain-free and also have an organic range. Plus some tasty treats too! If you decide to try Edgard & Cooper for your dog, you can get 20% off you first order with code FOURLEGGEDFOODIES. Raw Food - Bella & Duke The raw food diet started to grow in popularity around ten years ago (although it has been around much longer) and since then it has continued to grow as dog owners strive to find the perfect diet. Raw food for dogs is one of the oldest diets, but when it became more difficult to source raw meat from the local butchers, an alternative source was required. Owners report a variety of benefits of feeding raw food including improved skin and coat, better bowel movements and increased energy. Some owners are wary of handling raw meat and it can be difficult for vegetarians and vegans to have in the house. Even some meat eaters can be put off by offal and chicken feet! Bella & Duke food contains 80% raw minced meat mixed with raw vegetables, and other natural ingredients such as herring oil and turmeric. They have a range of flavours and menus to suit every dog from puppies to working dogs and even a superfood range with natural anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants. All their food arrives frozen and is well packaged but if you are still put off by its appearance or if you have limited freezer space we recommend trying Bella & Duke Raw Dry Food which has all the same nutrients but is then freeze dried and can be stored in a cupboard. They also have a variety of raw treats. If you would like to try a raw food diet, order here and a 50% discount will automatically be applied at checkout once you have completed your dog's details. Fresh Food - Butternut Box The most pampered of pooches get their owners to cook for them every day which is all well and good but who has the time for that? The freshly prepared dog food by subscription is the latest addition to the pet food market and in the UK started with Butternut Box in 2016. Now you can get homecooked food delivered to your door without spending hours in the kitchen - it's like Deliveroo for dogs! They currently have 6 flavours and you can choose your preferences when you complete your details. The food arrives frozen and needs to be stored in the freezer, defrosting what you need each day. The only negative we can think of to this food is if you have a lack of freezer space. If so, you can arrange to have smaller, more frequent deliveries and once defrosted, it will keep in the fridge unopened for up to 7 days. A range of treats are also available. if you'd like to try Butternut Box you can order here and get 50% off your first 2 boxes.(Discount automatically applied).

Made in UK Day on March 9th celebrates all the wonderful business who manufacture their products right here on British soil. By buying a Made in UK product you are not only supporting British craftmanship, saving essential skills and boosting our economy, you are also lowering your carbon footprint. Lots to feel good about then! So why not get your pooch involved too by treating him to a new bed by the wonderful DogCo. DogCo was started in 2020 by Caroline (the brains behind Dog Atelier Hugo & Otto) in a quest to bring British made luxury at affordable prices to the dog bed market. Caroline has created 4 collections inspired by her travels whilst working for British Airways. Each collection; Ireland, Scotland, Kent and Cornwall showcases beds that are inspired by the natural beauty of those regions, like the sand of the Cornish coves, the heather of the Scottish Highlands and the cherry farms of Kent. See all the collections on their website and follow them @dogco.uk Each DogCo bed is made using quality fabrics such as Irish linen, gingham and velvet to provide your dog with the upmost comfort and ensure he gets the best snoozes. The variety of their designs from cushion beds to scooped front and even cosy crate sets means they really do have a bed to suit every dog. DogCo support other small UK businesses in the making of their beds and are accredited by Made in Britain®

One positive outcome of the pandemic is that many families have been able to get the dog they long desired but which their working patterns prevented. With many people finding themselves now working from home and able to spend more time with the newest addition to the family, the UK has seen an explosion of puppy ownership. Lockdown has been great for the whole family to be together at home, to walk together and generally bond with their new pup. But what about training? We strongly believe that every new puppy owner, whether experienced or not, should go along to puppy classes but these haven't been able to go ahead for some months now. Fear not new doggie parents! You can still get that essential early training online with our friends at Lady and the Hound. Imogen runs Puppy School, puppy socialisation and canine coaching courses in Richmond, Hampton, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge which will start to resume in April but in the meantime you don't need to miss out on this key stage of your puppies development. All you need is a computer which supports Zoom, a bit of space in your house and some high value treats and Imogen will guide you through the training. Puppy School This a six-week course with up to 8 puppies in the class and each session lasts for one hour. Online Puppy School is for pups of all ages (physical classes have an age limit of 20 weeks) and aims to provide you and your pup with some basic commands such as come, sit, wait, leave it. The classes also help owners get ahead of any potential bad habits before they become a problem, such as jumping up at people, play biting, pulling on lead. Training your pup should be taken seriously but that doesn't mean it can't be fun too! Imogen ensures that the classes are conducted in a fun, rewards based manner so that training your pup is enjoyable for the whole family. She especially welcomes any children to join in. Once Puppy School is completed, your pup will receive a certificate of graduation and a rosette then you can continue to put what you learnt into practice or book private training if there are particular areas you would like to focus on with your dog. If you want to continue with training, you and your pup can progress to Juniors Class for adolescent dogs (post-COVID as this is not available online). The 6 week Puppy School Course costs £180 and you can book here. Private Puppy Training You may feel that group classes aren't for you or you may want a more tailored training course for your pup so you'll be pleased to know that Private Puppy Training with Lady and The Hound is also available via Zoom. These one to one sessions are for puppies of any age and last for 4 weeks, following an initial consultation. The basic training covers the same key areas as Puppy School but with a more tailored approach to meet your puppies needs and the ability to focus on particular problem areas such as destructive behaviour or recall. The whole family is once again encouraged to take part to make the experience fun for you and your pup. If your dog still has or develops any issues as he progresses into adulthood, you can book further private consultations via Zoom. The 4 week course costs £300 and can be booked here. For further information on training courses from Lady and The Hound visit their website which also includes a roadmap of plans for recommencing face to face training.

There are so many dog collars on the market, it's hard to know which to choose! We tried and tested 5 different types of collar so we can let you know what to expect and help you find the right one for your dog. It's important to get your puppy used to wearing a collar as soon as possible. Even before they are out walking so they can get used to the feel of it around their necks and you don't later encounter any problems taking a collar on and off. The next thing to get right before you order a collar is the fit. You should be able to fit 2 fingers between the collar and your dog's neck so, when measuring the neck, be sure to add a couple of centimetres. All good dog collar companies will have a sizing guide and help on how to measure on their websites. Next you need to choose a design/material: Leather Leather collars are hardwearing and sturdy. They can be more expensive but if you find a well made one, it will last for years. They are also easy to keep clean so a good choice if your dog likes to get muddy! If your dog likes to swim, the leather can suffer from water marks. Be sure to choose a collar that is made from genuine leather as bonded leather is not as sturdy. All leather collars from Dogs and Horses are handmade in London using the softest leather which is stitched rather than riveted. The quality of Dogs and Horses collars is exceptional and completely worth the investment. They are available in padded, rolled and hound design and prices start at £32.50. Use code ARCHIELOVES10 for 10% off. Rope Rope is a natural material and although not quite as hardwearing as leather, a good quality rope collar should still be able to withstand considerable and water contact. A well made rope collar will be free from any toxic dyes which can rub off onto your dog. Oonalfie's rope collars are made from the highest quality, double braid, marine rope. Each collar is individually designed and handcrafted in Oxfordshire. Oonalfie have several designs to suit dogs of all sizes and prices start at £59.50. Polypropylene Polypropylene fabric is derived from the second most popular plastic in the world. The main benefit of this fabric is that it doesn't absorb moisture, making it an ideal collar choice for the adventurous dog who is happy to be out in all weathers, getting filthy and even swimming! It is also one of the lightest synthetic fibres in existence. All Reg and Bob collars are made for dogs who want to be dogs and the polypropylene webbing is ideal for them. With a Reg and Bob collar you don't need to sacrifice style for the sake of practicality as they come in a range of vibrant colours to suit dogs of all shapes and sizes. Prices start at £17.00 Use code ARCHIELOVES15 for 15% off. Suede This one is for city dogs, special outings and sassy little divas! If you like to frequent dog friendly places like Archie and his friend Daphne, you might want to keep a collar for special occasions, one that you don't wear to the muddy park! Suede is soft, lightweight and comfortable, making ideal for smaller necks including sight hounds. Rudy and Lou have a selection of suede collars all with added Swarovski crystals for that extra bit of luxury. Rudy and Lou suede collars are made of super soft calf leather and prices start at £25.00 Use code ARCHIELOVES20 for 20% off. Photo credit @daphnethewondersossige Neoprene Neoprene is a type of rubber (it's what wetsuits are made from) and is a popular material for dog collars because it is strong and flexible and, of course, waterproof! After a lot of use, these collars may start to fray at the edges. All collars and harnesses by DogLDN are lined with neoprene for extra comfort and padding. Their collars include matching bows and start at £12.50. Harnesses You may find that your dog is more suited to a harness than a collar. Harnesses are great for certain body shapes such as dachshunds and pugs but also good for any dog that likes to pull as it eases the strain on their necks. It is essential that you get a well fitted harness as you can otherwise put strain on other areas of your dog's body. Hiro + Wolf harnesses have lightly padded cotton chest plates which evenly distributes weight across the body making walkies a more comfortable experience Prices start at £45

Canine enrichment is a relatively new term in the dog owners vocabulary, so what does it actually mean and how can we achieve it for our own pups? Think of it as walkies for the brain! We all know the importance of regular physical activity for our doggies but we can often forget that it's just as important to exercise their brains. Boredom can often result in bad behaviour and mental stimulation helps prevent this. Here are 6 ways to enrich your dogs lives. Lickimat™ Using a slow feeder such as Lickimat™ satisfies your dog's natural instinct to forage whilst also making meal times more interesting. Eating the same food from the same bowl every day can become boring so use Lickimat™ to introduce new ingredients and flavours. The Lickimat™ Slomo is divided into 4 sections enabling your dog to enjoy a mixture of dry food, wet food and treats. Slow feeders also aid digestion by preventing your dog from gulping down their food in on go! Get yours from all good local pet boutiques such as The Hound Hut. K9 Connectables Interactive toys such as K9 Connectables teach dogs to use their brains to work out how to get food and satisfies their natural hunting instincts. K9 Connectables toys are made from super tough nylon, meaning they can withstand even the strongest of gnawing which is great for your dog's teeth and gums. You can keep adding to your K9 Connectables collection to make the game even more fun. Use code ARCHIELOVES10 for 10% off when you order yours! Kong® Most of us will have one of these in our doggie cupboard! Kong® are the original interactive toy and have been around since 1970. The Kong® Classic can be used as a slow feeder, a treat dispenser and a toy. The shape of the toy means that once full of goodies, your dog will have to work extra hard to reach it. You can even freeze your filled Kong® to make it last longer. The durable design and bounce means you can also use it outside as a throw/fetch toy. Kong® have a wide variety of products to suit your dogs size, age and chewing power. Get yours at all good local pet stores such as The Hound Hut (pictured). Kiwi Walker Octopus Many dog breeds were bred to be working dogs but the modern pooch, especially those living in cities, don't get to use their inherent skills. Playing fetch is a great alternative and not only provides mental stimulation but provides plenty of physical exercise too. It's also a great way to bond with your pup. Make fetch more fun with a colourful foam toy like the Kiwi Walker Octopus. These toys are seriously strong but also lightweight. They even float so great for the swimmers! You can pick up a selection of Kiwi Walker toys at Dog and Groom in Wandsworth (pictured). Puppy Toys Puppies need constant stimulation to keep their attention during training. An interactive toy will keep them focused as it will satisfy a puppies curiosity of things they don't understand. The colours and shapes will keep them interested and they will want to discover what's rattling around inside. Starting your dog early is the best way to hone his problem-solving skills and overall intelligence. Ask your local pet boutique to recommend the best toy for your puppy. Pet Pavilion stores (pictured) have a great selection. *photo credit @itspomegranate Homemade Enrichment There are many ways to use household items to provide mental stimulation for your dog. We drilled holes in an old tennis ball to create this slow feeder for Archie. See how we did it here. You can even create a whole obstacle course around the house using boxes or toilet roll holders with treats hidden which is great to get your dogs using their noses. Follow @pawsitivemyotherapy for more ideas.