Contented Canines with Jules Ballard

14/05/2026

17/04/2026

Holistic Haven Circle turns one this month… and we’re celebrating

Just over a year ago, Holistic Haven Circle was just an idea… a quiet nudge that there needed to be a space where people and their animals could be supported in a more compassionate, connected way.

A year later, it’s become something truly special.

Not just a place to learn, but a place to feel, connect, learn, explore, and to be held in understanding.

On the 22nd, we’re gathering for a special birthday session, a moment to reflect, connect, and honour everything this space has become over the past year.

If you’ve ever felt curious about the circle, or wondered what it might be like to be part of it…This is a lovely place to begin.

A gentle step in. A warm welcome waiting. Come and celebrate with us

https://holistichaven.newzenler.com/courses/holistic-haven-circle-membership

14/04/2026

I love this time of year where the plants and flowers are coming back to life and starting to bloom.

It is the perfect time of year to start planning your own sensory garden for your dog to explore.

I'd love to see some photos of your dogs interacting in the garden

https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/courses/create-a-sensory-garden-workbook

09/04/2026

My dog Millie loves her sensory garden, whether she is just chilling or actively sniffing and engaging with the herbs.

If this series of posts has inspired you to build your own sensory garden then this workbook might be just what you need to get you started

It’s just £5 and if you choose to go deeper later, you can put that towards my Sensory Garden Course.

https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/courses/create-a-sensory-garden-workbook

05/04/2026

There’s a moment…
when your dog is outside, nose to the ground, completely absorbed in the world.

Not rushing. Not distracted. Just… being. And it makes you wonder, what if they had more of that?

More space to explore, more calm, more moments where their nervous system can soften. Spring is the perfect time to begin creating that for them.

I’ve put together a Sensory Garden Workbook to help you start seeing your space through your dog’s eyes (and nose)

It’s just £5 and if you choose to go deeper later, you can put that towards my Sensory Garden Course.

No pressure. Just a place to begin.

https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/courses/create-a-sensory-garden-workbook

31/03/2026

Spring is the perfect time to start planning a sensory garden for your dog

The ground is warming up. Plants are waking up. And your dog is naturally spending more time outside.

A sensory garden space isn’t about making it look pretty, it’s about how it feels to your dog.

🌿The scents they’re drawn to
🌿 The textures under their paws
🌿 The spaces where they can truly relax

If you’ve ever thought: “I’d love to do something like this, but I don’t know where to start…”

I’ve created a simple, guided workbook to walk you through the first steps. It’s gentle, intuitive, and designed to help you build something that actually suits your dog.
https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/courses/create-a-sensory-garden-workbook

And the best bit....it's only £5 (which is fully redeemable if you join my full course)

13/03/2026

World Sleep Day is an annual event to raise awareness of sleep disorders in humans. Approximately 35% of humans suffer with insomnia which impacts both physical and mental health, adding to stress, decreased performance and focus, increased incidence of ill health and exacerbation of existing pain and conditions.

Good sleep has 3 elements; having enough hours so you feel rested and alert the next day, minimal interruptions so you are able to complete several full sleep cycles and enough deep sleep to be restorative.

A recent human review showed an association between poor sleep quality and higher aggression in 81% of the studies (van Veen 2021).

Our companion animals need good quality sleep too. Thinking about the above study, it would seem logical that if our dogs don't get enough good quality sleep it could increase their reactivity and add to their triggers.

Adult humans need between 7-9 hours sleep which is taken in one session (monophasic), usually at night. In contrast dogs are polyphasic sleepers, having several wake-sleep cycles throughout the day with longer periods in the afternoon and overnight. An adult dog needs between 12-14 hours sleep. Puppies need longer, sleeping 18-20 hours.

Dogs are social sleepers, preferring company when they sleep and often in an elevated position, given the choice. They need to feel safe and enabling them to choose where they sleep can help. Try to ensure they can have uninterrupted sleep if possible, not touching them when they are asleep, however tempting it is when they look so cute!!

10/03/2026

Does your dog love chasing a ball?

All of mine loved it, and it is so hard not to throw a ball for them when they look so happy and lovingly at you, but their bodies are not designed for the repetitive sudden stops and tight turns that fetch involves.

Many dogs thrive when we replace repetitive chasing with more mentally enriching activities, such as:

Scent work
ACE Free Work
Enrichment games
Swimming
Foraging activities

In my latest blog I explore:

-how a dog’s body actually moves
-why the shoulders take so much strain during fetch
-the behavioural effects of high-arousal games
-simple ways to make ball games safer
-enrichment activities that dogs enjoy just as much

10/03/2026

This month inside our Holistic Haven Membership, we’re diving into the fascinating world of crystals — how they are formed, how they work energetically, how to cleanse and charge them, and simple ways you can use them to support your animals.

We’ve had several requests to open this session to a wider audience, so we’ve decided to offer a special one-month half-price membership so more people can join us.

For just £15, you’ll receive:

🌟 The Crystals Webinar
🌟 Our Monthly Q&A – 26th March
🌟 Full access to all membership content for the month
🌟 A special guest session with Homeopath Shaz – 9th April

It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore a gentle, holistic approach to supporting your animals while experiencing everything the Holistic Haven community has to offer.

08/03/2026

There’s a moment many dog guardians know well…

You stop throwing the ball and suddenly there’s a dog sitting in front of you, staring with those hopeful eyes, ball gently placed at your feet.

'Just one more'?

Most of us have spent years throwing balls for our dogs because they absolutely love it. But what many people don’t realise is that repetitive ball chasing can put a lot of strain on a dog’s shoulders and joints, and may increase the risk of injury and arthritis over time.

In my latest blog I explore:

-how a dog’s body actually moves
-why the shoulders take so much strain during fetch
-the behavioural effects of high-arousal games
-simple ways to make ball games safer
-enrichment activities that dogs enjoy just as much

If you’ve ever felt a little conflicted about the game of fetch, this blog might offer a different perspective, without guilt or judgement.

Because the goal isn’t to take joy away from our dogs… it’s to help them stay comfortable, healthy and happy for as many years as possible.

You can read the full blog here:
https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/blog/the-hidden-risks-of-ball-throwing-for-dogs-and-safer-ways-to-play

07/03/2026

Today is National Be Heard Day.

It was originally set up for small businesses to make their presence known, however I like to interpret it as a day where you get to speak up about anything.

The throat chakra is all about communication and self-expression, and some of the ways you can support it are with foods, crystals, essential oils, sound and colour.

Perhaps wearing something light blue or turquoise, offering your dog a turquoise blanket to lie on, listening to ocean waves music or the frequency 741 Hz, eating sharp fruits or tree growing fruits, interacting with light blue or turquoise crystals and using essential oils such as German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), Lemon Grass (Melissa officinalis), The Mints (Mentha x piperita, Mentha spicata) and Rose Geranium.

If you would like more information about using essential oils, colour, herbs, sound and other energy therapies to balance your dog and yourself, then why not book a 1-1 and support my small business.