Nice 6 pack!

Here is an example of one of my dog walks. All the dogs have lots of fun and exercise in the country and the woods and enjoy running, jumping and swimming as part of their daily exercise. There’s no street walking on leads, just good old fashioned pack behaviour to stimulate the mind and body of your best friend. Read more

TakeMyLead Logistics

We are proud to announce our new arrival to the company, she is a Citroen Relay 1.9L Diesel Van.  Our new arrival shown below will improve on both fuel efficiency around town and comfort and safety for your dogs. It also means that we can now offer a pet taxi service should you require transport for your dogs to the kennels prior to your well deserved holiday or if you get stuck for transport to the vet or groomer.  On delivery of our Citroen I was amazed at how easy this vehicle was to drive and park, it’s turning circle is so good that it can turn 360 degrees on a mini roundabout which I can’t even achieve even in my wife’s Peugeot 206. I do hope that you like the eye catching graphics.

NEWS – Dog Safety and comfort
In my quest to provide your pets with the best conditions whilst traveling to and from walks or between vet or kennel visits (Pet Taxi), I have just purchased some new extremely strong dog crates for the van. These custom dog crates and are constructed from aircraft aluminium which make them extra strong & very light, each crate has vents all round for excellent air movement/cooling.

Each one of these crates is to be lined with Vetbed
* Very long lasting
* Machine washable
* Thick pile (25mm)
* Double woven – makes it harder to chew.
* Hygienic – non irritant and non-allergic, will not support bacterial growth.
* Recommended by vets – the beds they use the most.
* Drains and dries fast – keeps your pets warm and dry even if accidents happen.

TakeMyLead van showing graphics

On Board Dog Shower

From time to time some of my dogs like to get down and dirty, sometimes in deep mud (this is fine by me), at other times some like to raise/lower their scent pattern and roll, in, well,  this stuff is so disgusting that even the foxes disguard it. Whilst smelling foxy in the forest is socially acceptable for the pack, smelling this bad is not acceptable whilst traveling back home in the van. What’s required is a power shower that can be used whilst still at the walk site.

Introducing the Hand Pump Pressure Washer

‘The Hand Pump Pressure Washer is the most versatile water-saving product we’ve come across. It relies neither on electricity nor a hosepipe, so you can use it for just about everything, at any time and anywhere, whether at home or in a remote field. With its adjustable pressurised spray delivered through a handy trigger system, you can use water efficiently and effectively, choosing to apply a range of sprays from concentrated jet to a fine mist.

Hand Pump Pressure Washer

Product Specifications Total capacity – 11.70 litres Working capacity – 11.0 litres Pressure – 0.4 MPa or 58.01 psi Net Weight (without water) – 2.2Kg Height – 60cm Hose length – 250cm Also good for cooling down ‘Hot Dogs’ and refilling water bowls for thirty hounds.

Cool Dogs travel in TakeMyLead style – Hot Dogs are only good inside buns

I have now found two very cool and green solutions to bringing in cool air and also for the extraction of warm air from the interior of the dog van.  Without using any other power but that of the sun, whether on the move or whilst stationary, cool fresh air can be drawn into the van and hot air expelled (need to add one above the drivers side – wife’s suggestion lol)

Introducing:  The Solar powered roof vent with Rechargeable battery

The Solar powered roof vent with Rechargeable battery Solar powered roof vent with Rechargeable battery

Solar vent/solar powered roof vent with Rechargeable NiMh Battery. This model is a new breakthrough in technology, an extractor ventilator powered by sunlight, ambient lights, no electricity nor any other man made power source. No wirings, no plugs, no noise, and once installed no running cost whatsoever. Low Profile Solar Ventilator Rechargeable Battery will charge the battery during the day and will run off the battery during the nght.The low profile solar ventilator provides silent and reliable ventilation, keeping living areas comfortable and improving air quality even when you are not there! Ideal for caravans, conservatories, sheds, greenhouses and much more.

Fan cross section

Features On and Off switch Provides more than double the airflow of most similar sized solar vents High efficiency crystalline solar cell No wiring required and never drains your boat or motorhome batteries Two high capacity AA NiMh batteries mean the solar vent can operate day or night Can run for 48 hours without sunlight Ventilation shaft can be closed from the inside to avoid water ingress in rough seas or during heavy rainfall Easy one-click intake/exhaust/off airflow selection

Activity Friday – Please be patient whilst this splendid movie loads (broadband required)

Instead of our usual dog walking in Harpenden, Wheathampstead or St Albans, I took the guys and girls over to Sherrards Park for some dog walking in Welwyn Garden City. As with any good trip out I packed a nice picnic and plenty of fresh cool water for the pack to drink, our activities for the day included mud bathing, running, jumping, chase, tumbling, barking, hiding and last but not least swimming.

After the swim we all practised walking to heel along the cinder path stopping only for the odd toe to tail shaking exercises and then it was back to the car for a nice drink and a few well earned very healthy kibble treats. All the dogs were towel dried and rested before we set off for a leisurely drive back home.

The last job of the day was to vacum jack russell sized hair ball from the back of the car. lol

TakeMyLead  prioritises the safety of your best friend and carries a full canine first aid kit on board. Daryl carries the micro personal protection kit plus CZ2 Spray and dressings with him during walks. Read more

A well balanced and socialised dog is a very happy dog.

Dogs are social creatures and love to play, sniff exercise with their friends. Well exercised, socialised and trained dogs make it easy for you to take them out to parks, on holidays and on visits to friends or familys’ homes without it being stressful for either of you. A well balanced and socialised dog is a very happy dog.

For below gallery controls click on Slideshow window first (grey strip under picture, not picture)

Gallery Controls: G Key = Show Gallery I Space Bar = Play/Stop I Arrow Keys = Forward/Back I

Nice day for a thick winter coat! For the very cold weather invest in a dog coat for short haired breeds. Visit your vets for a checkup before the cold weather strikes and watch for signs that your pet is cold. Like us, dogs will shiver in response to being cold. Cold weather may exacerbate certain conditions, such as arthritis. Sudden changes in the weather or drops in temperature may affect dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. After road walking your dog in the snow always wash their paws to remove any salt that can sting their pads.
Exercise, stimulation and social interaction are all essential for a dog to remain healthy.

We are so lucky to have all this wonderful new forest site on our doorstep

The Woodland Trust has purchased 858 acres (347 hectares) of land to create the new Heartwood forest, having raised over £4 million towards this huge green site.

Just behind Harpenden and Wheathampstead and adjoining Nomansland Common at the back of Sandridge just three miles north of St Albans, it’s going to be the largest new continuous native forest in England.

Incredibly, will take just 12 years to turn what is currently bare farmland into a flourishing green woodland, complete with a diverse range towering trees and wildlife.

The site currently contains 44 acres of ancient woodland, which now sadly makes up only two per cent of UK landcover.

If you would like to know more please visit http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/appeals/index.htm

Give your Dogs a day out whilst you and the girls go shopping

‘Buy My Wardrobe’ is a couture fashion recycling event coming to London this January. Buy My Wardrobe brings together 20 selected Wardrobe Mistresses to sell the contents of their designer closets. The nearly-new garments of Gucci Group Executive Mimma Viglezio, TV Presenter/writer Giselle Morley and more will be sold at 50-75% off original retail price. Buy My Wardrobe events delight budget, style and eco-conscious shopper alike, flaunting vintage, couture and boutique fashions from designers including Chloe, Marc Jacobs and Gucci. You can also indulge in professional makeovers and treats from sponsors including Eylure, Perrier Jouet and Spa Paradise.

Buy My Wardorobe
Saturday 31st Jan 09 12noon- 5pm @ Adam St Members Club, London WC2

Every dog has a pre consultation prior to acceptance on a walk. This is preferably with the owner, who is invited to meet with their dog and some of the walking dogs. This allows for a supervised introduction for the dogs before they meet again, an assessment period, reassures the owner that their dog is in safe competent hands and as a dog and walker bonding session.

All dogs are worked at a pace that suits them on and off the lead and are reinforced positively with favourite treats. No ball games are used as a form of exercise and toys are discouraged. Exercise and mental stimulation are facilitated by the walker with basic obedience practise and the experience of the pack for appropriate socialising.

All dogs are collected and only returned after at least a 1 hour walk. Some walks are longer, especially on a nice day,  a good walk can’t be rushed.

Please read our terms and conditions for more information.