The Paw Project

26/07/2025

Whatever you do, be more dog. Live in the moment, enjoy simple things, be mindful and go outside
Happy weekend everyone

25/07/2025

🐾 The Power of Touch: Strengthening the Bond Between You and Your Dog

Touch is one of the most profound ways we communicate with our dogs — not just emotionally, but physiologically. It influences bonding, nervous system regulation, trust, and even learning.

🐶 Reinforcing Calm and Connection

Gentle, intentional touch — like a soft chest stroke or ear rub — activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting feelings of safety, relaxation, and emotional security (McMillan, 2002). It’s more than affection; it’s neurobiological reassurance.

🐶 Dogs Feel More Than We Realise

A dog’s skin contains a dense network of mechanoreceptors, which detect:
• Pressure and vibration
• Movement and stretch
• Temperature and texture

This sensory input is constantly interpreted by the nervous system. In clinical massage therapy, we harness this sensitivity to reduce muscle tension, promote circulation, and facilitate pain relief (Millis & Levine, 2014).

🐶 Sensitive Areas to Be Aware Of:

✨ Ears, paws, muzzle – packed with sensory receptors
✨ Underarms, abdomen, inner thighs – often delicate
✨ Neck, lumbar spine, hips – frequent sites of muscular tension

Always observe your dog’s response — tension, flinching, or withdrawal are cues to slow down, adjust, or stop.

🐶 Why This Matters

Understanding how dogs interpret touch allows us to:
• Strengthen trust and communication
• Recognise areas of discomfort or pain
• Enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic handling and massage

In the context of clinical bodywork, touch becomes a therapeutic tool — not just for physical benefit, but for emotional wellbeing too.

Touch is connection.
Touch is communication.
Touch is healing.
Touch is care.

📩 Lisa@emccm.co.uk
📞 07418 082 240

References:
• McMillan, F. D. (2002). Development of a mental wellness program for animals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 220(7), 965–972.
• Millis, D. L., & Levine, D. (2014). Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (2nd ed.). Elsevier.

24/07/2025

Our bubble machine

23/07/2025

The little man was tired tonight after his first go at man trailing. He really enjoyed it and was a little star. Jenny from canine cadence makes it such a nice experience for everyone.
There are so many activities out there. It’s about finding the ones you and your dog enjoys. Everyone is different. It’s about the bond and the fun and the exercise.
And there are more
If you are a dog trainer and want to use just message me

22/07/2025

This morning felt like autumn. Foggy and lots of spider nets. Have you noticed the blackberries are ripening?
Why is this important? Autumn and blackberries means we have to look out for harvest mites. They’re seasonal and live in grass and bushes especially brambles. They bite any mammal passing their home and can be extremely irritating.
You can see bright orange coloured spots in between toes or other folds. Some dogs are really sensitive and can get very sore.
They also have been connected to seasonal canine illness, which is like a really bad allergic reaction with sickness and diarrhoea.
So please check your dog’s feet and wash them. If in doubt contact your vet

21/07/2025

⁉️not to be missed⁉️

I’m absolutely delighted to be hosting Claire Brown again but this time for her unique accept and respect course.

A deep dive into relationships with our canine friends.

This course is for everyone from puppy owners starting out, sports dogs needing that extra something to increase team performance or dogs that can’t quite cope with everyday life.

Claire’s courses are fluid to benefit the people attending to the maximum.

Please get in touch to book your spot.

19/07/2025

Whatever you do enjoy your weekend.
Maybe you’re having a spa weekend with your auntie like Maiken and auntie Tosca
They’re all nice and clean and relaxed
Wishing you a great weekend

18/07/2025

Paula .dogsalon is working away. What started as one day a week is becoming a full time job.
It just shows how much Paula loves her job. All the dogs enjoy their bath and groom.
Now even better with air con
Please contact Paula directly and follow her .dogsalon

17/07/2025

⁉️ LOST DOG TRACKING LEVEL 1 ⁉️

⁉️Do you want to be a lost dog tracking team or Buddy?⁉️

I'm delighted to have secured dates for Claire to come over again and do a level 1 lost dog tracking course .

If you are out of area and want to do this as a dog handler full support will be given throughout your training from me and my team, we would love to increase teams in areas without any.

👉👉28th, 29th & 30th may 2026👈👈

A full indepeth 3 full day course starting you on your journey to become operational teams.
(Level 2 and 3 required to be operational)

Claire is dedicated to providing the UK with the best tracking teams available therefore you become part of the team and have backup as such with opportunities to add training CPD with them too.

I'm delighted to offer this as a team of dogs in the area will be a massive bonus.

👉👉The venue is the paw project in newthorpe.

Handler spaces are £320 - 2 spaces available

Buddy spaces £75 - spaces

If you wish to join us as a spectator/buddy you will be just as valuable, you will get to watch the whole 3 days and also join in with training some of the dogs. As a dog handler team you are never sent out alone, so buddy's are a vital part of the operation. Or if your just interested in finding out that little bit more about LDT or the way it's trained join us.

The buddy's on the last course I attended all got an amazing amount of info from it.

👉A bit about the trainer/owner North k9

Claire has a career spanning over 20 years training people and their dogs and has run Northk9 training since 2012 she has vast experience in different breeds with a huge passion and specialism for sighthounds

Claire has been working as an operational Lost Dog Tracking handler since 2018; she is currently one of the leading experts in this highly specialist field, training and running the largest team of operational Lost Dog Tracking dogs and handlers in the UK. Claire has worked on cases across England, Scotland, and Wales, and delivers courses all across the UK and Channel Islands.
She is the founder and owner of Lost Dog Tracking Network and she is also one of the founders of Scent and Track UK.

Away from tracking Claire competes in the sport of IGP with her youngest Malinois Blitz, they compete at national and international level and have been members of team GB at the FCI world championships 2 years in a row (23/24)

17/07/2025

This sounds really interesting. I’ll definitely have a look

The book is ready!! 🎉
Everything you need to know to create your own enrichment garden.
It covers anatomy & physiology and what is actually happening to your dog as they navigate around the garden, choosing, planting, and caring for herbs, the importance of a chemical-free garden, and how to add in texture and terrain to enrich the senses.
There are chapters on nature and wildlife, and also the benefits you will gain by sharing the garden with your dog. Here is the link to buy the eBook, and if you would like a physical book, it will be available for pre-order. Many thanks for your support and patience.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FHKYK5T9