The Doggy Paddle Club: A Dream, a Journey and a Huge Thank You

With our booking calendar now open and our doors opening on Wednesday 25th November, it feels like the right time to pause, look back and say something very important:

Thank you.

Whether you have followed our journey from the beginning, shared a post, sent an encouraging message, offered a helping hand or simply told someone about The Doggy Paddle Club, you have helped bring this dream closer to reality.

Getting here has taken longer than I hoped. There have been planning applications, changes, decisions, plenty of learning and days when everything seemed to move very slowly. But behind it all has been an idea I have never stopped believing in: creating somewhere dogs and their people can enjoy spending time together.

Now, I can finally start sharing what that will look like.

More than somewhere to bring your dog

The Doggy Paddle Club in Barton upon Humber is about fun, discovery and connection.

I want it to be somewhere you can try something new with your dog, meet other people, make memories and feel welcome. Somewhere that recognises that every dog is different—and that enjoying yourself does not have to mean doing everything at full speed.

Some activities will be ready from opening. Others will develop over the coming months as our little community grows.

Here is what you can look forward to.

Puppy socialising: little paws, new experiences and new friendships

Our puppy socialising sessions will give puppies opportunities to explore new experiences at a gentle pace, with their people alongside them.

These are socialisation sessions rather than obedience classes. The focus will be on building confidence, discovering different sights, sounds and textures, practising settling and learning that being around other dogs does not always mean having to play with them.

Socialising is about much more than puppies meeting puppies. Sometimes, quietly watching something new is an experience in itself.

There will also be time for puppy parents to meet, chat and share the joys—and occasional chaos—of life with a young dog. From chewed slippers to those little moments of progress, it helps to spend time with people who understand!

Our initial six-week puppy socialising course runs on Wednesdays at 6pm, with limited spaces.

OAP dog socials: a gentler pace, with plenty of personality

Older dogs still deserve outings, interesting experiences and opportunities to enjoy themselves.

Our OAP dog sessions will offer a slower, calmer social setting, with room for different personalities and energy levels. There will be no pressure to join in with everything and no packed programme of constant activity.

Your dog might fancy a little play or a gentle explore. They might prefer to watch the room and enjoy being included. Or they might turn out to be the life and soul of the gathering!

The idea is to give them time and choice, without overwhelming them.

While the dogs enjoy their morning, their people can have a drink, a biscuit and a chat. These sessions are as much about companionship for owners as they are about an outing for their dogs.

Our initial OAP socials take place on Thursdays at 11:15am.

Weekend Discovery: something different to explore

Our Weekend Discovery sessions will follow a four-week rotation, with a different themed room setup each week before the cycle begins again.

These are owner-led sessions: we prepare the activities, and you explore them with your dog at their pace.

Expect opportunities for sniffing, searching, investigating, gentle movement and working things out together. You do not need a dog who knows lots of tricks. Curiosity is a perfectly good starting point!

For example, a woodland-inspired setup might include:

• Investigating a stone: a low, broad, stable stone to look at or sniff, with the dog choosing whether to approach or touch it.

• An optional paw target: an invitation to touch a suitable, stable stone with one paw, without anyone lifting or placing the dog’s feet.

• A woodland pathway: generously spaced stone markers to walk around together, with dogs able to stay entirely on the floor.

Simple activities can lead to lovely moments of discovery. A dog who pauses to investigate something unfamiliar is taking part just as much as one who confidently explores the whole room.

We also plan to introduce QR video guides to help you get started with selected activities.

Indoor room hire: a change of scene when the weather turns

As the days become colder, wetter and muddier, somewhere indoors to spend time with your dog can be very welcome.

Our private room hire gives you space for owner-led play, practising familiar skills or enjoying some time together away from the weather. Standard room hire is for the empty room, so you can bring suitable toys and plan activities your dog enjoys.

It can also be a lovely family outing. Think hide-and-seek, simple scent games and taking turns calling your dog—not every game needs lots of running to be fun.

Children can join in with adult supervision, with activities kept comfortable for everyone and space for dogs to take a break. A little shared play and discovery can make a rainy afternoon much more enjoyable.

Space for trainers, dog businesses and other groups

The room will also be available to professionals who need an indoor space for their own sessions.

That could include dog trainers, dog-related workshops or other suitable activities run by people working in the dog industry.

And it does not have to involve animals. If you need space for a meeting, a training course or a small group activity, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss what you have in mind.

I would love to see the room become a useful space for local people and businesses.

And, of course… swimming!

Swimming is a big part of The Doggy Paddle Club—and something I cannot wait for you to experience.

It offers dogs a different way to move, play and spend time with their owners. For dogs who enjoy the water, it can be an exciting change from their usual activities.

And yes, you can get in the water with your dog!

You do not have to stand at the side watching all the fun. Sharing the experience can become a special part of your time together.

One comment we have received captures that feeling beautifully:

“I wasn’t sure, but as soon as I got in the water, my everyday world went to the back of my mind. Seeing my dog swim and have fun, and having fun myself, was a breath of fresh air and a break from normal working life.”

That is something I hope we can offer: time to put everyday distractions aside and simply enjoy being with your dog.

Every dog’s introduction to the pool will be different, and we will take things at a pace that suits them. Our sessions are recreational swimming; dogs with health concerns or recovering from injury should have veterinary advice before booking.

A club with community at its heart

Alongside our regular sessions, I want The Doggy Paddle Club to make a positive contribution beyond our own four walls.

Over the coming months, I will be developing ideas for:

• Community projects that bring people and their dogs together.

• School projects that give children opportunities to get involved, be creative and learn about animals.

• Animal rescue support, exploring practical ways our club and its community can help.

• A young people’s training academy, with the longer-term aim of helping young people develop skills, confidence and an interest in working with dogs.

These projects will take time and the right partnerships to develop properly. I will share more as each one takes shape.

A little shop with more to come

Our shop will also grow over the coming months, with useful products, treats, gifts and a few things you might not expect.

I want browsing to be part of the enjoyment of visiting. There will be more to discover as we settle in, listen to your feedback and learn what you and your dogs love.

And for adventures beyond the building, remember to explore The Doggy Paddle Explore Club, with outdoor challenges to enjoy with your dog and family.

Thank you for helping us get here

The Doggy Paddle Club started as an idea, but your encouragement has helped me keep moving towards making it real.

Thank you for your patience while I worked through planning permission. Thank you for following the updates, celebrating the progress and sticking with me through the waiting.

There are still finishing touches to complete and plenty of ideas to develop, but I am so excited to welcome you and your dogs.

Bookings are now open, ready for our opening on Wednesday 25th November.

Have a browse around the website, see what takes your fancy and come 11:27 PMand be part of our next chapter.

If you have any trouble using the website or booking a session, please email thedoggypaddleclub@gmail.com, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

With love and a very big thank you, Helen 🐾

Book your visit

Three Local Schools, Three Dog Themes, One Community Art Project!

We’re excited to share that Castledyke Primary, St Peter’s Primary and Bowmandale Primary have all confirmed they are happy to take part in The Doggy Paddle Club’s community art project!

After meeting with the schools, the next stage is now in the hands of their teachers and children. Each school has its own dog-themed topic to explore, with pupils creating artwork that will help bring the outside of our centre to life.

We can’t wait to see their ideas, their creativity and, of course, plenty of wonderful dogs!

More than a drawing project

This project is about giving children the chance to create something for their community while learning more about the dogs who share our lives.

Across the three schools, the themes are:

• Working and Assistance Dogs — exploring the amazing jobs dogs do, from helping people with disabilities to supporting emergency services.

• Healthy and Happy Dogs — discovering what dogs need to feel well, including exercise, rest, play, companionship and care.

• Understanding Dog Communication — learning how dogs use their bodies and behaviour to show how they feel, and why respecting their space matters.

Each theme offers plenty of inspiration for artwork, alongside opportunities to talk about kindness, responsibility and the relationship between people and animals.

Will your child be involved?

If your child attends one of the three participating schools, they may soon come home talking about their dog-themed artwork!

Teachers will organise participation within their own schools, so look out for information from your child’s school about which classes or year groups will be involved.

You could start a conversation at home by asking:

“If you could draw a dog doing something amazing, what would it be?”

Perhaps they’ll imagine an assistance dog helping its owner, a happy dog enjoying a sniffing adventure, or a dog showing us it needs a little quiet time. There are so many ways to tell a story through a picture.

What could children learn?

Alongside developing their artistic skills, we hope the project will encourage children to:

• Recognise that dogs have feelings and individual needs.

• Understand that caring for an animal involves responsibility.

• Appreciate the important roles dogs play in people’s lives.

• Explore how to behave calmly and respectfully around dogs.

• Feel proud of contributing to something their community can enjoy.

Children don’t need to own a dog to take part. Curiosity, imagination and a willingness to learn are what matter.

From the classroom to our centre

The plan is to bring the children’s artwork together into displays for the exterior boards at The Doggy Paddle Club, creating a colourful celebration of our local schools and their ideas.

We want children to be able to walk past with their families and say, “Our school helped make that!”

Once the artwork is ready, we’ll share updates on how the displays come together and plans for celebrating the finished project.

A thank you to our schools

A huge thank you to the heads and teachers at Castledyke Primary, St Peter’s Primary and Bowmandale Primary for welcoming the project and helping us get it started.

Building The Doggy Paddle Club has always been about more than creating a place for dogs to swim and play. We also want to build connections with local families, schools and the wider community.

This project is a lovely first step, and we’re looking forward to seeing what our young artists create.

Will your child be taking part? We’d love to hear what they’re looking forward to — and keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for project updates!

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  Barton St Peter’s Primary — community art project partner

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  Castledyke Primary — community art project partner

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  Bowmandale Primary — community art project partner

Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Nancy’s Story for Itchy Pet Awareness Month

If you've ever found yourself asking “Why is my dog so itchy?”, you're definitely not alone.

Constant scratching, paw licking, nibbling and rubbing can be frustrating to watch — particularly when you have absolutely no idea what's causing it.

We know that feeling very well at the Doggy Paddle Club because of Nancy, our Dogue de Bordeaux.

Nancy has struggled with itching, and one of the hardest parts has been trying to work out why she is itchy.

Is it her dog food?

A particular treat?

Grass or pollen?

Something she's come into contact with?

An environmental trigger?

Or something completely different?

When your dog can't tell you what's bothering them, you start questioning everything.

That's why Itchy Pet Awareness Month feels particularly relevant to us this August.

Why Do Dogs Itch?

There isn't one simple answer to why a dog scratches.

Dogs can experience itching for many different reasons, including fleas and other parasites, skin problems, environmental allergens and food-related issues.

Summer can make things even more confusing because our dogs may be spending more time outdoors around grass, plants, pollen and insects.

That's why persistent itching shouldn't automatically be put down to an allergy or food intolerance.

If your dog is excessively scratching, licking or chewing themselves, developing sore skin, losing fur or experiencing recurring problems with their skin or ears, speak to your vet.

But as owners, we can also start paying much closer attention to what's happening in our dog's everyday life.

That's exactly what we did with Nancy.

Our Experience With a Dog Sensitivity Test

We wanted to investigate whether anything in Nancy's diet might be worth looking at more closely.

We discovered a pet sensitivity test that could be completed at home.

There was no complicated procedure involved.

We simply cut a small sample of Nancy's hair, sent the hair cuttings away and received a detailed report after they had been analysed.

It was an accessible way for us to gather some additional information without immediately spending a large amount of money.

However, there's an important distinction.

The test we used was a bioresonance sensitivity test. It isn't the same as veterinary allergy testing and it doesn't diagnose a food allergy or medical condition.

We therefore didn't treat the results as a definitive list of things Nancy was allergic to.

Instead, we used them as another piece of information to help us look more closely at her diet.

What Did Nancy's Dog Sensitivity Report Find?

This was where things became really interesting.

Nancy's report identified different levels of reported reactivity across a large number of ingredients.

Among the ingredients reported in the higher reactivity category were beef and several beef products, grouse, sea bass, turkey gizzard, herring oil, salmon oil, pumpkin seed, walnut and wheat flour.

There were also ingredients in the moderate reactivity category, including duck, boar, mackerel, pigeon, chicken fat, cow's milk and some dairy products, sweet potato, oats and spelt.

But there were also plenty of foods for which the report showed no reported reactivity, including chicken meat, lamb, pork, rabbit, goat, kangaroo, quail, salmon, rice, potato, peas, pumpkin, carrots and broccoli.

It gave us somewhere to start.

What Surprised Me About Nancy's Results

One of the most interesting things for me was how specific some of the results appeared to be.

For example, chicken meat itself wasn't reported as reactive, while chicken fat appeared in the moderate category.

Similarly, salmon wasn't reported as reactive, while salmon oil appeared in the higher category.

It made me realise how easy it is to look at the front of a bag of dog food or treats and think you know what's inside.

Once you've got an itchy dog, you suddenly find yourself studying the tiny ingredients list on the back!

Helping an Itchy Dog Doesn't Always Have to Start With Spending a Fortune

This is one of the main reasons I wanted to share Nancy's story.

When you're worried about your dog, it can feel as though finding out what's wrong is automatically going to involve spending hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

There are situations where veterinary tests, medication and treatment are absolutely necessary.

But there are also simple things owners can do to start gathering useful information.

For us, sending Nancy's hair cuttings away for a sensitivity report was one of those things.

It hasn't medically diagnosed the cause of Nancy's itching.

What it has done is encourage us to look much more carefully at what she's eating and consider whether there are patterns we hadn't previously noticed.

Sometimes the first step isn't finding the answer.

It's knowing what questions to start asking.

Check What's Actually in Your Dog's Food and Treats

Nancy has turned me into an ingredient detective!

If you're investigating whether food might be connected to your dog's itching, don't just look at the flavour written on the front of the packet.

Read the complete ingredients.

Look at:

• their everyday dog food

• training treats

• chews

• dental products

• supplements

• enrichment foods

• anything regularly added to meals

It can also be tempting to change lots of things at once because you desperately want your dog to feel better.

But if everything changes simultaneously and your dog's itching improves, it can be difficult to know what actually made the difference.

If you're considering an elimination diet because of suspected food allergy, speak to your vet about doing it properly rather than simply removing lots of foods yourself.

Keep an Itchy Dog Diary

One of the simplest and cheapest things you can do is keep a diary of your dog's itching.

Record what your dog eats, the treats they've had, where you've walked and anything unusual they've encountered.

You could record:

• what food they ate

• treats and chews

• enrichment foods

• walks and locations

• time spent in long grass

• swimming or water activities

• shampoos and grooming products

• particularly bad itching days

• particularly good days

• changes to their skin, paws or ears

Take photographs too.

Something that doesn't seem significant today might become much more interesting when you notice the same thing happening repeatedly.

It also gives you useful information to discuss with your vet.

Signs Your Dog May Be Itchy

An itchy dog doesn't necessarily spend all day dramatically scratching.

Look out for behaviours such as:

• excessive scratching

• licking or chewing paws

• rubbing their face

• nibbling at their coat or skin

• repeatedly licking the same area

• red or irritated-looking skin

• changes around the ears

• thinning or damaged fur

You know what's normal for your own dog.

If something changes or you're concerned, get veterinary advice.

Nancy Has Changed How We Think About Treats at the Doggy Paddle Club

Going through this with Nancy has also influenced how I think about the Doggy Paddle Club.

Food can be a fantastic part of canine enrichment.

Treats can be hidden for sniffing activities, used in enrichment toys or given as rewards when a dog is trying something new.

But Nancy has reminded me that every dog is an individual.

Something that's perfectly suitable for one dog might not be suitable for another.

That's why knowing about a dog's dietary requirements and ingredients that owners want them to avoid will be important when we're using treats during activities at the Doggy Paddle Club.

It's another small part of creating an environment that's centred around the individual dog.

When Should You Speak to Your Vet About an Itchy Dog?

Please don't assume persistent dog itching is simply a food sensitivity.

There are many potential causes.

If your dog is constantly scratching or licking, their skin becomes red or sore, they're losing fur, they're experiencing recurring ear problems or their behaviour changes because they're uncomfortable, contact your vet.

And if you're worried about your dog, you don't need to wait for their symptoms to become severe before asking for advice.

What Nancy Has Taught Me About Having an Itchy Dog

The hardest part is looking at your dog and thinking:

“Just tell me what's bothering you and I'll fix it!”

Unfortunately, they can't.

So we become detectives.

We read dog food labels.

We question treats.

We remember where they've walked.

We look at the grass they've been rolling around in.

We photograph their skin.

We make notes.

And sometimes we get it wrong and start investigating something else.

Nancy has taught me that you don't necessarily have to have all the answers immediately.

Sometimes you just need somewhere to start.

For us, a few hair cuttings and a sensitivity report gave us another piece of Nancy's puzzle.

And if sharing Nancy's experience during Itchy Pet Awareness Month helps another owner start asking questions about their own itchy dog, then hopefully our experience can help someone else too.

Here's to happier dogs — and hopefully a little less scratching. 🐾