The Dog Nonna

04/06/2026

Every rescue dog arrives with a “suitcase”

One filled with feelings, experiences, memories, habits, coping strategies and lessons from a life before you.

The interesting thing is that when they first arrive, you don’t get to see everything that’s been packed away.

Only “essential” things are unpacked.

Some take a little longer to find.

Some are hidden in the corners and only appear once the dog feels safe enough to show them.

Some don’t seem important at first, until one day they suddenly are.

…I’m just back from a really lovely session with a fairly new rescue dog who is still settling in, or “unpacking” as I like to call it.

Today’s session was a reminder that understanding a rescue dog isn’t about rushing to the end of the story. It’s about being curious, patient and giving them the time and space to unpack at their own pace. One great way to do this is by using Sarah Fisher’s ACE. A really wonderful methodology and observation tool - this is only one of many activities I have in my trainers toolbox!

I use it alongside my holistic coaching skills to give support emotions and wellbeing at both ends of the lead …and yes I’m here for the dog parents too. 🥰

🐾💛 If you’ve recently welcomed a rescue dog into your life and would like support navigating those early weeks and months together, send me a message. I’d love to help.

Min | The Dog Nonna

Photo credit: Min Southcott
Named: “Dog Wood”

03/06/2026

Calling all New Puppy Parents living in Exeter and surrounding areas
Become a VIP puppy parent with 10% off My New Puppy & Me

This is for you if:

✔️ You’ve recently brought home a puppy

✔️ You’re struggling to make sense of all the conflicting advice online

✔️ You’d like guidance that’s tailored to your puppy and your family

✔️ You want reassurance that you’re on the right track

As part of the My Puppy & Me package, you’ll receive:

🐶 One-to-one support tailored to you and your puppy

🐶 Puppy Socialisation Guide

🐶 Puppy-Proofing E-book

🐶 Feeding Tracker

🐶 Sleep Tracker

🐶 Daily Routine Planner

🐶 Practical guidance for real life with a puppy

Most importantly, you’ll have someone in your corner when the questions arise, confidence wobbles, or puppy life feels harder than expected.

Because sometimes what puppy parents need most isn’t more information. They need a village.

A safe place to ask questions, celebrate wins, work through challenges and know they’re not doing it alone.

As one of this month’s 5 VIP Puppy Families, you’ll receive 10% off the package price in exchange for honest feedback as I continue developing the programme.

Places are limited so every family receives the time and support they deserve.

Comment PUPPY below or send me a message to find out more.

03/06/2026

🐾 Calling all Exeter and surrounding area new puppy parents! 🐾

Have you recently welcomed a puppy into your home?

💛Maybe it’s your first puppy.

💛Maybe it’s been years since you last raised one.

💛Maybe you’ve had children since your last dog and everything feels a little different this time around.

If you’re feeling excited, overwhelmed, exhausted, or all three at once, you don’t have to do this alone.

Each month, I open just 5 one-to-one VIP Puppy Family places for those who would like personalised support through the early weeks and months of puppy life.

This might be for you if:

✔️ You’ve realised there’s more to this early stage of settling in than you thought?

✔️ You’re struggling to make sense of all the conflicting advice online

✔️ You’d like guidance that’s tailored to your puppy and your family

✔️ You want reassurance that you’re on the right track

As part of the My New Puppy & Me package, you’ll also receive access to all these resources:

🐶 Puppy Socialisation Guide

🐶 Puppy Proofing E-book

🐶 Feeding Tracker

🐶 Sleep Tracker

🐶 Daily Routine Planner

Plus:
🐶 One-to-one practical support and guidance tailored to real life family situations.

Most importantly, you’ll have someone in your corner when the questions arise, confidence wobbles, or puppy life feels harder than expected.

Because sometimes what puppy parents need most isn’t more information. They need a steady guide.

A safe place to ask questions, celebrate wins, work through challenges and know they’re not doing it alone.

As one of this month’s 5 VIP Puppy Families, you’ll receive 10% off the package price in exchange for honest feedback as I continue developing the programme.

Places are limited so every family receives the time and support they deserve.

Comment PUPPY below or send me a message to find out more.

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

10% off The Dog Nonna Puppy Package

You’ve bought the puppy.
Now get the support.

✔ First puppy?
✔ Been years since your last one?
✔ Navigating puppy life alongside children and busy family life?

I’ll help you understand your puppy, build confidence and start off on the right paw.

Offer ends this coming Sunday at midnight.



📩 Send me a message to secure your place.

01/06/2026

Hello June!
I love a month that begins on a Monday! How about you!

To celebrate this (and why not!) I have a Puppy Offer That’s too good to pass up on!
Until midnight on Sunday, I’m offering 10% off The Dog Nonna Puppy Package.

This package is perfect if:

🐶 You’re a first time puppy parent
🐶 It’s been a while since you last raised a puppy
🐶 You now have children and family life looks different
🐶 You want to raise your puppy with kindness, confidence and realistic expectations

My role is a little like a puppy doula, helping you understand your new family member, avoid common pitfalls and build routines that work for everyone.

We’ll cover everything from puppy behaviour and settling in, to involving children safely and creating a calm foundation for the future. You’ll have access to toileting sleeping and feeding trackers - I know your children will love filling these in! And I’ll even throw in my socialisation e book

Because puppyhood doesn’t come with a manual but it can come with support.

📩 Message me before midnight Sunday to claim your 10% discount. Or comment PUPPY PLEASE - in the comments! And I’ll be in touch!

Every dog deserves a future. Every human deserves a plan.

🐾 Min | The Dog Nonna

27/05/2026

I don’t care about my rubbish editing but I do care about my message

It’s a touchy subject this one - but one we should consider when the reality of life with dogs in our modern world, means we can’t always leave them behind or, our plans limit how well we can accommodate the dogs overall welfare…

My garden sessions are all about sensory exploration or as I like to call it a “Nose Gym” workout!
A great whole body alternative to a walk in this weather
Cost is £35 per session - email: min@TheDogNonna or DM and let me help you tire out your dog whilst you sit back with a drink and observe what your dog is doing and feeling!

27/05/2026

Gone fishin’

What your go to enrichment, for hot days?

25/05/2026

Just because they managed a walk yesterday…

Doesn’t mean they will today…

Please stop walking your dogs in this heat unless you genuinely have to and yes sometimes it’s a must for essential reasons, such as toilet visits, vet appointments or grooming. Keep it short, slow with plenty of time and options to stop, rest and rehydrate… no judgment, I’m just reminding you

Here’s why:
Heat builds.
Humidity matters.
Bodies tire.
Dogs don’t sweat like humans do.

And dogs will often keep going even when they are struggling. We need to be responsible and have their backs.

Older dogs.
Puppies.
Arthritic dogs.
Flat faced breeds.
Large coated breeds, are all at higher risk, but any dog can overheat.

Save yourself the stress, the vet bill and the guilt you’ll be left with and find an alternative activity that can replace their main daytime walk.

Walking earlier and later can give them all the benefit from cooler temperatures.

And no excessive ball throwing either!

TRIGGER WARNING:
Remember a missed walk won’t hurt your dog. Heatstroke can, or worse still cause death.

I’ve had to comfort someone who thought their dog would cope but ended up needing help carrying their dead dog back to their car…

I never want to experience an incident like that ever again it was heartbreaking to witness, the grief and the feeling that it could’ve been avoided- there is little comfort in moments like this…

For the love of dogs and their human too

Min