Summer Pet Care Tips: Managing Dogs, Kids & BBQ Season with GJPS

Well, woof, what a couple of weeks it’s been! As the summer holiday rush ramps up, we’ve been juggling more balls than a golden retriever on a tennis court—while delivering top-notch pet care, dog walking, and family-friendly routines across South Warwickshire.

POV: Juggling Dogs Like Tennis Balls

Between updating Dog Passports (because yes, every good pup deserves a proper travel doc), social media planning that's multiplying faster than Labradoodle zoomies, and making sure the team is all paws on deck, we’re in full swing. And that’s before factoring in parenting duties… because running a pet care business with a kid off school? That’s elite-level multitasking.

🐶 Meet Our Apprentice: Tilly the Tiny Trainer

This year, we’ve got Tilly stepping up her game—official apprentice, future dog trainer, and all-around tiny human with a big heart. She’s already bossing the pack (with a little help from behind-the-scenes hand signals, of course). She’ll have your dog sitting, staying, and searching for hidden treats before she hits double digits.

Tilly The Apprentice

Jodi summed up our summer vibes perfectly: “It’s certainly a challenge—but definitely a fun one! I try to work in small chunks, whether it’s popping home between walks or having Tilly join me for a few. She’s very much part of the team, and loves giving the dogs commands. We play games like 'search and find' and practice recall with a twist (me hiding behind trees is now standard). We also avoid the busiest parks when we can—but when we can’t, we break out all the tricks: treats, toys, and focus games to keep everyone calm, connected and confident.”

✏️ Back to School (For the Dogs Too!)

August is Back to School month on our social media! Whether you’ve got kids at home, dogs that are slightly confused about why the house is full of small loud humans again, or both—we’ve got you covered.

We’ll be sharing helpful tips and tricks for your dogs to keep things calm, fun, and chaos-free. Expect advice on enrichment, managing routines, and how to help your dog (and your sanity) adjust to the seasonal shift.

We asked our lovely Alex to share her best advice for helping kids and dogs live in harmony during the holidays, and here’s what she said:

“One of the first lessons we taught our kids was about respecting the dog's safe space—whether that’s their bed, crate, or hidey-hole under the table. If they’re there, we leave them be. But we also encourage the kids to get involved with the positive stuff: helping with feeding (under supervision!), checking water bowls, and playing calm treat games to build bonds.”

It’s these small, everyday interactions that help create lasting respect—and trust—between kids and dogs.

✨ Need a little help getting everyone settled back into routine? Keep an eye on our social media this month for practical tips, training ideas, and a few fun games to keep tails wagging and households harmonious.

If your dog needs a little extra dog support during the summer shuffle, feel free to reach out—we’re always here to help you and your canine companions navigate the chaos with confidence. Whether you’re based in South Warwickshire or just visiting over the summer, our team is here to offer calm, structured support for your dogs—no matter how chaotic the season gets!

📧 info@gemmaspetservices.co.uk📞 07306 566389📱 Instagram & Facebook: @gjpetservices Why not just visit our services page: Pet Care Services | Dog Walking & More | Warwickshire

🔥 BBQ Season: A Sausage-Scented Minefield

Ah yes, the unmistakable smell of chargrilled sausages and sizzling veggie kebabs is in the air. But BBQ season is not without its hazards, especially for our four-legged food lovers.

We turned to Adam, Pickle’s human, for some tried-and-tested BBQ survival tips:

“She’s a total foodie, so first rule: tell everyone not to feed her scraps—no matter how cute she looks. She’ll eat anything and everything. I keep her away from the BBQ with gates or closed doors, and when things get busy, she stays near me. She’s crate-trained, so a quick ‘in your bed!’ helps if she gets too excited or starts practicing selective hearing (which she’s very good at).”

From hot grills to dropped skewers, there’s a lot to watch out for—so keep an eye on our Instagram for BBQ safety tips to keep those tails wagging and noses out of trouble.

🐰Not Just Dogs — We Love Cats, Bunnies & All the Small Furries Too!

Sure, dogs steal a lot of the spotlight — but at Gemma and Jodi’s Pet Services, we’re equally crazy about cats, bunnies, and all those adorable small furry friends. Just ask Amy, our resident diva cat who demands extra cuddles and a sunbeam to lounge in every afternoon. Or Rose, the cheeky rabbit who loves her daily garden adventures and the occasional carrot treat.

And we can’t forget Milo, the mischievous ferret who’s always up to something sneaky and keeps us on our toes!

We know every pet is unique, with their own quirks and special needs. Whether it’s Amy’s particular feeding routine, Rose’s hopping exercise sessions, or Milo’s playful bursts, we tailor our care to suit them all. So while you’re busy living your life, you can relax knowing your entire furry family — big or small — is in safe, loving hands.

Because at the end of the day, it’s about love, care, and a little bit of fun for every whisker, paw, and tiny foot!

💔 Saying Goodbye to Scout

And finally, a more heartfelt note. The past few weeks have been filled with hope, sadness, and deep reflection as we supported the search for beautiful Scout.

While we hoped for a different ending, her memory will remain a part of our pack forever. Scout was one of those dogs who left pawprints on your heart—calm, loyal, and always so gentle with the group.

Finch

We’re honoured to continue walking her brother, Finch, and so grateful for the friendships and connections that have grown, even in such a heartbreaking time. To Scout’s family: thank you for allowing us to be part of her story.

Thanks for walking this journey with us—muddy paws, sunny trails, BBQ chaos and all. See you next time!

Love and Care When You’re Not There,

The GJPS Team