Episode Transcript
[00:00:02] Speaker A: Welcome to the Muddy Paws Insurance Podcast. I'm your host, Dawn Cross, and today we'll be chatting about transforming dog walking experiences with Laura Arden-Brown Operations Manager and Helen Brown, Director, Paw Paddock.
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[00:00:22] Speaker B: Well, welcome to the podcast. It's really amazing to have you guys on. If I could get you to off with if you introduce yourselves and what you get up to in the business.
[00:00:30] Speaker C: Yeah, of course. Thank you for having us on.
My name's Laura, so I joined the business in 2023.
Started initially on customer service and as the roles kind of developed, my focus has shifted slightly. So I'm now in charge of developing the site. So, looking for new sites, liaising with landowners, land agents and just really focusing on trying to find new paddocks across the south and managing the team, supporting everybody as we can, alongside the other directors as well.
[00:01:07] Speaker D: Hi, my name's Helen and I'm the director and Marketing manager.
I actually co founded the business of my husband Rob, so I oversee all the marketing strategy, working alongside my colleague Kirsten.
So we just try and get the word out there about Paul Paddock and launching new sites and all that sort of fun stuff.
[00:01:32] Speaker B: That sounds amazing. So I think the big million dollar question today is, you know, how did Paw Paddock come to be? Obviously this is something that's quite unique. I personally have not come across yet as a pet parent.
[00:01:45] Speaker D: Yeah, of course.
We started back in 2018.
We've got a spanador called Bramble and she had a terrible recall.
Would literally hunt for pheasants, partridge, anything she could get big scented dog and we would find dog walking really stressful with her.
It would just be quite a process. We'd always be worried about her running off and that sort of thing. So we were sort of looking for a space that we could take her where we'd feel really safe.
So we're looking for it and we actually.
My husband managed a farm, the family farm, so he decided to diversify and set up the first secure dog walking field, which is where Paul Paddock was born, really.
And from that point on it, we just saw the demand for other dog owners that really struggled with recall, etc.
And there was such a demand for it. We then decided to sort of expand and we opened up our second site in Westbourne, which is a few miles down the road, and we just saw it going from strength to strength, really. We just saw the demand and so many people in need of that sort of space. That we just started to expand and now we've got, yeah, 21 sites across the south coast now.
[00:03:15] Speaker B: That sounds amazing. I think it's really key as well is that obviously not every dog is going to be absolutely friendly, be absolutely fine with just having a little walk around and you know, we'll be able to recall on point, you know, even if you do a bunch of training, some dogs, they do not want to be trained. So to have that safe space. Sounds amazing.
[00:03:35] Speaker D: Yeah, it really is that and I think a lot more dog owners now don't sort of, you know, are wary of other dogs, you know, the dog etiquette and all that sort of thing and you know, new rules coming in with ban breeds and that sort of thing. So I think it's, you know, something that is that dog owners are looking for so that they can go for a stress free walk.
Yeah,
[00:04:05] Speaker B: it's amazing. So obviously we've been hearing some of the benefits being able to do it, you know, it's a fairly private place to be able to go, not having to worry about encountering other dog walkers. So you know, why should dog parents use paddocks? Because obviously, you know, something a bit different, a bit new and not everyone's gonna I the concept.
[00:04:25] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean it certainly provides that enclosed secure space for customers. So and it also just creates a really stress free environment. So as we've mentioned, if you do have dogs that have bad recall, you know that there's only a certain distance they can go and they can't get out once you're in the paddocks.
It also gives a inclusive space as well. So you know again that once you've booked your session, you're not going to have other dogs if that's concern coming in the paddock with you. It would just be your dogs or friends, family up to the limit on the paddock.
So it really gives that area for security really.
And also we've touched on band breed. So if you do have a band breed, again you have that area to ensure that your dog can be off lead unmuzzled and just enjoy their walk.
And I mean there are various reasons why customers will use the paddocks. So it could just be because they want the space. It couldn't, you know, they might not have a ban breed or an aggressive dog or a dog with bad recall. So puppies training dogs in season. Occasionally we'll have paddock customers booking paddocks for that reason as well. So it really does vary, but it's certainly a good space for Them to come and enjoy.
[00:05:56] Speaker B: It's really important as well, I think. Were you saying about it being a safe space because of, you know, you've got the band breeds, but even just down to, you know, we have some dogs and pups still nervous around other dogs, especially after the pandemic, and not being able to socialize and learn those skills and to be able to maybe, you know, pet parents could meet and then help kind of facilitate those social interactions without worrying, oh, there's a random lady with a dog there who's got bad recall and it's going to, they're going to scare the dogs and there could be, you know, a nasty bite that could happen because, you know, dogs are going to react in way as well.
[00:06:34] Speaker C: Especially like you mentioned with the pandemic, the number of dogs that people got in the pandemic and then they didn't have that automatic kind of. Yeah, they weren't integrated with other dogs like they would do normally.
[00:06:50] Speaker D: I think also, like, there's definitely like, oh, sorry. I think there's definitely like a community created with Paul Paddock, like online, like especially on Facebook and Facebook groups that like, obviously our customers comment and that sort of thing, and they're able to communicate with other customers that are also going through those issues. So, like, pandemic dogs that, you know, haven't had that socialization that actually we see stories of like that they've met up and they've, they've. They've had those dog walks together and they've been able to socialize their dogs. So it's nice being able to offer a little bit more than just, you know, booking the field is that it's that community sense that, that we've kind of created.
[00:07:39] Speaker B: I think as well, community is such a big thing to build upon. I think, you know, similar if you're, you know, you have a child or, you know, you are dealing with certain circumstances, having that community to rely upon for, you know, just anything. Just whether, you know, it's with social interactions or like, you know, I've been dealing with certain kind of issues with my dog. Like, how did you get through, you know, them destroying the furniture? Because, you know, they're. They were teething, as it were, and they really wanted to feel everything by mouth first. You know, being able to rely on is, I think, something that's really beneficial and overlooked in this day and age.
[00:08:18] Speaker D: Yeah, for sure. And I think, you know, so many people were, you know, looking for other people that are going through something and connecting with people, and it's yeah, it's nice to be able to offer a space that people can, you know, communicate when they're struggling with something or.
Yeah. Want to ask for advice, etc.
[00:08:38] Speaker C: 100%.
[00:08:40] Speaker B: I think what's really interesting as well is that obviously, you know, you guys look after these paddocks is that times where dog walkers have just, you know, they've gone along like a really nice nature walk and stuff. But obviously dogs can get into anything and find anything, so they might eat something they shouldn't do, you know, or like people have just obviously littered and then put a bunch of stuff places and dogs, they love to just go for something as soon as you tell them no as well. They definitely are in there as quickly as they can. So be able to have a safe space. Well, where, you know, there isn't anything like a foreign object that then could become a vet visit later on. I think is probably a really good positive effect as well.
[00:09:17] Speaker C: Yeah, definitely. Yeah. I mean, we obviously visit our sites regularly just to carry out full maintenance checks. But also we find our customers are brilliant where we're not there all the time. But like we've mentioned the community, our customers are brilliant at giving us feedback and reporting any issues so we can deal with them really quickly.
[00:09:39] Speaker B: That's absolutely amazing to hear.
I think my main question is, is it like, you know, is there anything else you'd like to add? You know, this is an amazing service and obviously you guys are expanding every day. You know, you're always looking for new places to set up.
[00:09:56] Speaker D: Yeah, for sure.
I mean, you know, a key thing for us is obviously like creating more of these spaces, you know, because there is such a demand now.
And I think once use our sites, they, you know, they are become like regular customers.
But I think it's just like the ease of, you know, what sets us apart from maybe other individual kind of businesses that are doing it is that, you know, we've got a booking system, bespoke booking system and app. It just allows us to like, allows customers to book our system, our paddocks really easily.
It means they can, yeah, book. All they have to do is just turn up, drive into the parking area, gates are shut behind them and they have that space sort of completely securely.
And I think, yeah, as you know, Laura is very much head of, is the expansion of trying to find new sites.
But for us it's making sure that, you know, the sites are as easy as possible for our customers and they're the right thing for them.
[00:11:03] Speaker C: Definitely. And like Helen mentioned with the, the booking app and the website, it works so well. You can create your account from there, you can easily manage your bookings. So the, the website, you can obviously download the app and once you've got your account set up, you can see all your upcoming bookings. We'll send regular reminders prior to your session.
And then also with the booking app, we have a wish list. So if our paddocks are quite busy, they do get booked up, but if there's a specific date that you're looking for, you can add that onto your wish list. So if there is a cancellation, then you'll get an alert and then you'll be able to go on and book report maintenance issues direct through the booking app.
Yeah. So obviously the website is brilliant, but if you do have access to the app, then that's really helpful as well.
And then for us just continue to expand, still look for, look for new sites if there is any land available. Most of our paddocks are pretty rural, so that then still gives the feel that you're in, in a nice rural location for your dog walk.
But yeah, and also for a landowner, it provides a regular income for a piece of land that they don't necessarily use very often.
[00:12:25] Speaker B: That sounds like a win, win for everybody.
Well, thank you so much for coming, you guys. Coming on today, it's a really amazing sort of different business model. I'm really glad to hear that there's something that a lot of people benefit from, especially those with dogs who are, you know, nervous band breeds, that sort of thing. It sounds like some amazing work.
[00:12:50] Speaker D: Yeah, it's nice, it's nice to be a part of, isn't it? Definitely, yeah. We've got, we've not got a huge team, so we're all very, you know, very close in the office and very sort of excited to see where it goes and, yeah, see how many more fields we can find.
[00:13:08] Speaker B: That sounds brilliant. Well, thank you both for appearing today.
[00:13:12] Speaker D: No worries. Thanks for having us.
[00:13:24] Speaker A: Thank you to my guests today, Laura and Helen, for chatting about the amazing work poor paddocks offer with secure and safe fields for dog owners.
[00:13:31] Speaker B: If you'd like to know more about
[00:13:32] Speaker A: how to book paddock, please click the link in the description.
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