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 🐾
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