Contented Canines with Jules Ballard

Contented Canines with Jules Ballard At Contented Canines, my mission is simple: to nurture calm, confident dogs and relaxed, supported humans through holistic methods.

Trauma Resolution, EFT, Essential Oils, Herbs, Acupoints, Chinese Herbs, Reflexology and other Energy Methods

Spring is the perfect time to start planning a sensory garden for your dog The ground is warming up. Plants are waking u...
31/03/2026

Spring is the perfect time to start planning a sensory garden for your dog

The ground is warming up. Plants are waking up. And your dog is naturally spending more time outside.

A sensory garden space isn’t about making it look pretty, it’s about how it feels to your dog.

🌿The scents they’re drawn to
🌿 The textures under their paws
🌿 The spaces where they can truly relax

If you’ve ever thought: “I’d love to do something like this, but I don’t know where to start…”

I’ve created a simple, guided workbook to walk you through the first steps. It’s gentle, intuitive, and designed to help you build something that actually suits your dog.
https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/courses/create-a-sensory-garden-workbook

And the best bit....it's only £5 (which is fully redeemable if you join my full course)

World Sleep Day is an annual event to raise awareness of sleep disorders in humans. Approximately 35% of humans suffer ...
13/03/2026

World Sleep Day is an annual event to raise awareness of sleep disorders in humans. Approximately 35% of humans suffer with insomnia which impacts both physical and mental health, adding to stress, decreased performance and focus, increased incidence of ill health and exacerbation of existing pain and conditions.

Good sleep has 3 elements; having enough hours so you feel rested and alert the next day, minimal interruptions so you are able to complete several full sleep cycles and enough deep sleep to be restorative.

A recent human review showed an association between poor sleep quality and higher aggression in 81% of the studies (van Veen 2021).

Our companion animals need good quality sleep too. Thinking about the above study, it would seem logical that if our dogs don't get enough good quality sleep it could increase their reactivity and add to their triggers.

Adult humans need between 7-9 hours sleep which is taken in one session (monophasic), usually at night. In contrast dogs are polyphasic sleepers, having several wake-sleep cycles throughout the day with longer periods in the afternoon and overnight. An adult dog needs between 12-14 hours sleep. Puppies need longer, sleeping 18-20 hours.

Dogs are social sleepers, preferring company when they sleep and often in an elevated position, given the choice. They need to feel safe and enabling them to choose where they sleep can help. Try to ensure they can have uninterrupted sleep if possible, not touching them when they are asleep, however tempting it is when they look so cute!!

Does your dog love chasing a ball?All of mine loved it, and it is so hard not to throw a ball for them when they look so...
10/03/2026

Does your dog love chasing a ball?

All of mine loved it, and it is so hard not to throw a ball for them when they look so happy and lovingly at you, but their bodies are not designed for the repetitive sudden stops and tight turns that fetch involves.

Many dogs thrive when we replace repetitive chasing with more mentally enriching activities, such as:

Scent work
ACE Free Work
Enrichment games
Swimming
Foraging activities

In my latest blog I explore:

-how a dog’s body actually moves
-why the shoulders take so much strain during fetch
-the behavioural effects of high-arousal games
-simple ways to make ball games safer
-enrichment activities that dogs enjoy just as much

This month inside our Holistic Haven Membership, we’re diving into the fascinating world of crystals — how they are form...
10/03/2026

This month inside our Holistic Haven Membership, we’re diving into the fascinating world of crystals — how they are formed, how they work energetically, how to cleanse and charge them, and simple ways you can use them to support your animals.

We’ve had several requests to open this session to a wider audience, so we’ve decided to offer a special one-month half-price membership so more people can join us.

For just £15, you’ll receive:

🌟 The Crystals Webinar
🌟 Our Monthly Q&A – 26th March
🌟 Full access to all membership content for the month
🌟 A special guest session with Homeopath Shaz – 9th April

It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore a gentle, holistic approach to supporting your animals while experiencing everything the Holistic Haven community has to offer.

There’s a moment many dog guardians know well…You stop throwing the ball and suddenly there’s a dog sitting in front of ...
08/03/2026

There’s a moment many dog guardians know well…

You stop throwing the ball and suddenly there’s a dog sitting in front of you, staring with those hopeful eyes, ball gently placed at your feet.

'Just one more'?

Most of us have spent years throwing balls for our dogs because they absolutely love it. But what many people don’t realise is that repetitive ball chasing can put a lot of strain on a dog’s shoulders and joints, and may increase the risk of injury and arthritis over time.

In my latest blog I explore:

-how a dog’s body actually moves
-why the shoulders take so much strain during fetch
-the behavioural effects of high-arousal games
-simple ways to make ball games safer
-enrichment activities that dogs enjoy just as much

If you’ve ever felt a little conflicted about the game of fetch, this blog might offer a different perspective, without guilt or judgement.

Because the goal isn’t to take joy away from our dogs… it’s to help them stay comfortable, healthy and happy for as many years as possible.

You can read the full blog here:
https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/blog/the-hidden-risks-of-ball-throwing-for-dogs-and-safer-ways-to-play

Today is National Be Heard Day. It was originally set up for small businesses to make their presence known, however I l...
07/03/2026

Today is National Be Heard Day.

It was originally set up for small businesses to make their presence known, however I like to interpret it as a day where you get to speak up about anything.

The throat chakra is all about communication and self-expression, and some of the ways you can support it are with foods, crystals, essential oils, sound and colour.

Perhaps wearing something light blue or turquoise, offering your dog a turquoise blanket to lie on, listening to ocean waves music or the frequency 741 Hz, eating sharp fruits or tree growing fruits, interacting with light blue or turquoise crystals and using essential oils such as German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), Lemon Grass (Melissa officinalis), The Mints (Mentha x piperita, Mentha spicata) and Rose Geranium.

If you would like more information about using essential oils, colour, herbs, sound and other energy therapies to balance your dog and yourself, then why not book a 1-1 and support my small business.

Inside Holistic Haven Circle, the lotus reminds us that healing is not linear, it spirals, expands, contracts, and bloss...
06/03/2026

Inside Holistic Haven Circle, the lotus reminds us that healing is not linear, it spirals, expands, contracts, and blossoms in its own time.

Here we explore emotional wellbeing, natural remedies, holistic practices, and the deep inner work that helps both people and companion animals thrive.

If you’re feeling called toward gentler, more grounded living…
You’re already on the path.
We’re just here to walk it with you.

https://holistichaven.newzenler.com/

To read more about the lotus check out this blog

https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/blog/the-lotus-the-symbol-behind-holistic-haven-circle

Just like the lotus rises through murky waters, our emotions often surface from places we’ve buried for years.And that’s...
04/03/2026

Just like the lotus rises through murky waters, our emotions often surface from places we’ve buried for years.

And that’s not a failure, that’s healing. The lotus teaches us that purity and beauty don’t come from avoiding darkness, they come from journeying through it with courage.

Wherever you are on your healing path, trust that the light is already reaching for you. And you are absolutely capable of meeting it.

To read more about the lotus check out this blog

https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/blog/the-lotus-the-symbol-behind-holistic-haven-circle

Contented Canines isn't just about dogs...we work holistically with cats too.Some of the common issues I am consulted fo...
02/03/2026

Contented Canines isn't just about dogs...we work holistically with cats too.

Some of the common issues I am consulted for are:

Cats who won't use their litter tray
Cats who are over-aroused
Cats who are aggressive to people and other animals
Cats with anxiety
Cats with cognitive decline
Cats and dogs that struggle to live together and
Introducing a cat to a new dog or introducing a puppy to an existing cat

All of these are approached in a holistic way using gentle methods, ACE Free Work and botanicals.

Did you know every chakra symbol from the 7 chakra system contains a lotus?Each set of petals represents qualities we’re...
01/03/2026

Did you know every chakra symbol from the 7 chakra system contains a lotus?

Each set of petals represents qualities we’re learning to develop or let go of, from grounding at the Root to awakening at the Crown.

It’s a reminder that the journey upward is layered.
Petal by petal.
Lesson by lesson.
Light by light.

Which chakra feels like your focus right now?

To read more about the lotus check out this blog

https://contented-canines.newzenler.com/blog/the-lotus-the-symbol-behind-holistic-haven-circle

I share my life with Dakota, a GSD aged 4 and Millie, a Spitz/Husky aged 3, I treasure them both and appreciate their di...
14/02/2026

I share my life with Dakota, a GSD aged 4 and Millie, a Spitz/Husky aged 3, I treasure them both and appreciate their differences. Share what you love about your dog in the chat

For a long time, I edited myself.Not because animal communication wasn’t part of my work, but because I was aware of how...
11/02/2026

For a long time, I edited myself.

Not because animal communication wasn’t part of my work, but because I was aware of how easily it can be misunderstood. This year, I’ve stopped doing that.

Animal communication has always been woven through how I support dogs and cats, particularly during times of transition. It isn’t separate from my botanical or behavioural work, it informs it. I don’t ask for belief, just presence.

I’ve shared more about why I made this choice, and what it means for my work, in a longer piece on my blog. If it resonates, you’re very welcome to read it

Address

Salisbury

Telephone

+447818942141

Website

https://holistichaven.newzenler.com/

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