frequently Asked Questions

• Why is it so important to walk my dog?

 

Exercise (walking) is the most important part of a dog's health. In the wild, dogs roam for miles every day and that natural instinct to roam is still present in all dogs -- even yours. All dogs have different levels of energy -- but even dogs with the lowest amount of energy need at least an hour of continuous exercise a day, most experts agree.

A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Through regular walking, many behavior issues can begin to be resolved -- after a long walk, your dog is in a calm state of mind and is more receptive to training and behavior corrections.

Many dog owners feel that a yard or an outside place for their dogs to play is enough. It's not. To your dog, your yard is nothing more than a large kennel. They must be able to travel over a distance at a continuous pace every day to get proper exercise.

• What is your dog philosophy?

 

Dogs are animals that have their own unique needs separate from humans that must be met to maintain a happy, healthy and balanced life. We strives to help address those needs by looking at the examples nature provides, specifically walking dogs in small groups, outside and over a distance, migrating together with us being their pack leader just as they would in the wild. By using this natural, holisitic approach, we are able to help you maintain your dog's health at the highest level. We're not going to spoil your dog or work with them as if they are small children. This just creates more problems and leads to unhappy dogs.

• My dog has behavior issues, aggression, anxiety, fixations can you still walk them?

 

Yes, dogs should enjoy being in the company of other dogs and we specialize in addressing these kinds of problems. The vast majority of behavior issues are related to a lack of brisk daily exercise and ineffective communication between dog and human. We specialize in small, structured group walking, non-verbal communication, and maintaining the correct pack dynamic. Most dogs don't exhibit the same behavior problems you may experience when they are with us.

• I would prefer you to walk my dog privately, do you offer this?

 

Dogs are pack animals by nature so if there are concerns with having your dog walking in a group, we'd be happy to help address them. Please contact us with the exact details so we can help resolve this.

• Why do other dog walking services make a big deal about the benefits of private walks?

 

Most dog walking services do not have the proper training and experience to do what we do. Professional dog walking isn't something anyone can just decide to do. Dog walking is a skill that needs to be learned just like driving a car, especially in an urban environment. For every extra dog we walk, it requires more focus and skill to properly maintain the pack and handle distractions. Our walkers go through a two-week training program before they are allowed to walk groups by themselves. We teach basic dog psychology, effective non-verbal communications, specific training to correctly use industry-approved collars (choke, martingale, Gentle Leaders, prong, etc.) and proper urban dog etiquette.

• What happens if my dog becomes injured in your care?

 

This is a good question and one owers should ask of any service provider. First, we'll immediately assess the situation, get all parties' information, contact you and take your dog for medical treatment if necessary. Accidents are very rare and when they do happen they are usually a result of an interaction between us and an irresponsible third party, not between dogs under our care.

• Why should I trust you to take care of my dog?

 

We are well-versed in how to safely navigate the unique situations that an urban environment presents - from elevators and narrow hallways to large public gatherings and off-leash dogs/strays that approach. We do a thorough, complimentary introduction session with you and your dog to capture a complete profile so we know exactly what they need. You will receive regular communication that will track your dog's progress & any important information we learned while visiting with your dog. We pick-up poop with Mutt Mitts -- 100% biodegradable plastic bags that are kind to the earth. We will treat you, your pets, your home and your property with respect. We all have dogs too - so we know just how important it is to know your dogs are well taken care of while you are working, out of town, or on vacation. We are available whenever you need us -- including evenings, weekends & holidays.