It’s the end of 2021 (no, we can’t believe it either!) which means it’s Wonderpup of the year time! This is where each walker has chosen a dog that throughout the year has progressed massively and impressed us! As you can see, how team has grown quite a lot this year, and these are the gorgeous pooches that have made a difference.
Anna’s Wonderpup of the Year
My Wonderpup of 2021 goes to Bolt. Bolt’s mum messaged us a while ago asking for help with a reactive dog. She told us that Bolt hadn’t been socialised much as she simply is not too keen on other dogs being around her. Little did we know back then that this amazing girl will become a social butterfly. We started slowly with individual walks and gradually built Bolt’s confidence around other dogs. Now she absolutely loves her walks and on days she knows we are coming to pick her up she wakes her mummy up very early in the morning and awaits our arrival with excitement. She adores all her friends and is always in the middle of the group making the most of their play dates. I’m very proud of you Bolt.
Adam’s Wonderpup of the Year
Toby2 is my Wonderpup of the year. Me and Toby have had our ups and downs to say the least, but since he has been neutured and we worked on his behaviours, he has been consistently amazing while out on the groups. I can’t praise him enough and his owners are probably sick of me messaging after every walk to say how amazing he is doing! He is thriving in any group we put him in and and with any dogs. He fully deserves all the praise and attention he is receiving as I’m so happy to see how far he has come. Well done Toby!
Tracey’s Wonderpup of the Year
My 2021 Wonderpups are Daisy and Chester. Daisy and Chester’s hoomans contacted RDW because they were at their wits end with Capt. Chaos aka Chester, due to the fact that he was so lead reactive and walks were becoming very stressful and not a pleasure. Daisy was obviously reacting to her brother’s behaviour by becoming anxious and nervous.
I started walking these floofs in March this year. During our first few weeks Chester was very lead reactive with his little group, but as the weeks went on Chester soon learnt how to socialise and started to relax during his walks. Daisy was literally scared of her own shadow when she first started on her walks. Her tail remained tucked and there was no interaction from her at all, even when I went to collect them, she would try and hide.
Chester now absolutely loves his walks and is no longer lead reactive, so much more relaxed and actually interacts with other dogs, having struck up a special bond with Little Lexi. Daisy has equally improved as her brother’s behaviour has improved. She now absolutely loves her walks. Her beautiful tail is held high, she interacts with all the dogs in her group and even keeps coming up for cuddles all the time. I can’t tell you how proud I am of how far these two beauties have come!
Chloe2’s Wonderpup of the Year
My Wonderpup of the year is Beau. Love the reaction I get every time I pick her up. She is always ready and raring, then always on best behaviour having the best of fun with her friends! She started as a puppy at the very start of the year, so tiny and scared. It took her while to build her confidence up, but since then she hasn’t looked back. It’s been a pleasure to watch her grow into the most loving little beauty that she is!
Soph’s Wonderpup of the year
Wonderpup of the year goes to Luna! Not long after finding home with her new family in the UK, Little Luna extended her family by becoming a much loved member of RDW. Over the last 12 months, I’ve loved watching Luna transform from being very guarded and weary of other dogs, to an excited girl that loves her walks.
I remember her very first outing with me and she made no qualms when it came to telling Cooper she wasn’t going to play with him or any of the other dogs for that matter. I knew it would take some time for Luna to learn to socialise and settle into a new life with new friends. Despite finding it difficult to interact with other dogs, she has shown so much trust and love in humans, can’t beat a cuddle with this sweet girly.
Luna took each play date in her stride and slowly let her barriers down. I’ve loved watching her confidence blossom. Fast forward 12 months, and she can comfortably interact and initiate play with all other dogs. I’m so proud to see her racing around the field playing a game of chase. Good girl Luna, you’ve come so far!
Jess’s Wonderpup of the year
My Wonderpup of the year has to be my gorgeous little Minnie Mouse. When I first met Minnie she was forever shaking in the van, she was nervous of all the other dogs, would duck and dive away from them on her walks and originally came to walk with me due to her reactive behaviour towards other dogs. Minnie is now one of the best behaved dogs I walk, she is always SO excited to come for her walks, she literally screams in excitement when she hears the van pull up, she will run and play with any of the other dogs, she doesn’t care about age, sex, size she will race and chase with the best of them! Minnie is the perfect pooch for other dogs to learn from these days and I will often add new nervous or reactive dogs to her group as I know she will take them under the wing and be a kind and confident role model. I am so proud of how far my little shadow has come and although it was a tough decision she definitely deserves the crown!
Although I could only chose one baby, I had to give a special shout out to Barney and Ivy who I also think have done amazing this year – going from nervous and reactive to confident and playful in their groups and with any other dogs we put them with! Well done babies, you all make me so proud
Elli’s Wonderpup of the Year
My Wonderpup of the year is Missy! I used to walk Missy in 2020, but the groups of dogs I placed her with weren’t quite the right fit. At the start of this year, Missy was moved into groups with different walkers and was living her best Frenchie life with her Frenchie friends! I missed her a lot but was glad to hear she got on so well. I left walking full time in the summer but have been coming back to cover walks here and there. Missy was put in my diary for a number of walks and I couldn’t wait to see her again and the progress she has made. Within just a few minutes of the first walk back with me, I was so, so, impressed with her! Rather than being stuck right by my side, she was off running around the field, picking up the biggest sticks she could fine, and playing nicely with her friends. I’ve seen Missy a few times since and every time, I’ve been so happy with her behaviour! Well done Missy, you’re a lovely girl!
Ash’s Wonderpup of the Year
My Wonderpup of the year is Rumple. Rumple has improved beyond measure with his interactions with other dogs. I used to have to be so selective with who Rumple enjoyed his walks with but now I find it so much less of a worry as every walk he gets better and better. He is so much more content and will happily walk and even play with others he isn’t used to. I am so proud of how much he has come on this year. Rumple you are the most loving boy and the whole team adore. Keep up the excellent progress!
Tat’s Wonderpup of the Year
My Wonderpup of the year has to go to Paddy. This boy is so special to me and he has come so far since we first met. It has been absolutely amazing to see Paddy’s confidence grow and he is the perfect role model to other dogs. He is so well behaved and feels like a little helper on my walks. He is always either under my feet smiling at me or reining in his little sister. Paddy was timid when I first met him and wasn’t too sure about coming with me but he’s now my little bestie and cannot wait for our walks. He’s been an absolute dream to have!
Chloe’s Wonderpup of the Year
My Wonderpup of the year is Dino. Dino has always been a loveable rogue, initially we really struggled to place him in a group were he wasn’t constantly searching for power and domination. He first accepted some smaller female dogs and gradually started to get comfortable enough to truly play without feeling any need to prove himself among the group. Patience and consistency stood the test of time and has meant Dino now goes out and has become good friends with both male and female dogs. As with any journey it has not been without its set backs; that being I am so incredibly proud of how far he has come and he 100% deserves the title of Wonderpup of the year!
Sally-Anne’s Wonderpup of the Year
Wonderpup of the year has to go to Ozzy dude. I have had the pleasure of taking Ozzy on puppy socials since he first started. He has come such a long way since the shy and timid boy on our first walk. Ozzy is such a wonderful boy always listening to my commands and having a fab time with any dogs he walks with. I love how excited he gets when he knows I’m coming to pick him up. Can’t wait to see him again in the new year. Thanks for always being such a good boy for me.
Becky’s Wonderpup of the Year
Bonnie is my Wonderpup. When I first started walking Bonnie, although she was very excited to go on a walk, she didn’t really want to stray far from me or get involved with everyone. Bonnie has grown so confident since starting, she runs wild with all her friends and doesn’t look back, she gets on with with everyone. Her recall is so much better and she always comes for cwtches throughout the walk. I have loved watching you grow Bonnie. Keep up the good work.