This may seem like a strange thing, but for a lot of us it’s a pet hate! And there are a few reasons for that.

1. Security. Security and safety is our number one priority. A lot of the time, us dog walkers will walk in very quiet remote countryside locations, perfect for a group of dogs to let loose and have some fun! But, there are some dangers. With dog theft on the rise, professional dog walkers and pet sitters have to be all the more vigilant. It simply wouldn’t be safe to be advertising out loud a place where we are walking groups of dogs regularly. We tend to have a few safety protocols in place, including phone trackers, dog trackers, apps, or even just a network of other dog walkers who know where you are just by seeing the unique tree in the background of a social media post! (Shout out to my dog walking Instagram friends!)

2. Peace and Quiet. If you’re thinking, “Well if you’re worried about dog theft, why not walk in a local park where the public can see you?” Good question! We prefer to be off the beaten track for a few reasons. Aside from it being more fun, our aim is to avoid the general public where possible. A group of 4-6 dogs can be quite intimidating to some people, and some dogs. Despite all my dogs having good recall and me putting them on lead when we do bump into people, sometimes their recall can fail, and it wouldn’t be a very fun walk if they had to keep going on and off lead the whole time! Another reason is the mixing of dogs. Our dogs are walked with other dogs they get on with; the dynamics are balanced and everyone is happy. The group sizes are kept to a maximum of 6 dogs; this is so I can keep an eye on everyone. If we regularly walked in parks with other people and their dogs, there would be loads of distractions for them, and I would have less control over what the dogs are exposed to (for example another dog running up to them all, or them running over to a family having a picnic!) I have heard some walkers say “The more the merrier” but personally I find if not properly monitored, things can get out control, and you can end up with over stimulated dogs pretty easily. There’s a reason the council guidelines limit us to six dogs per walk!

3. Our Discoveries. Part of our job is to go out looking for new and interesting walks for our dogs to enjoy. A lot of time is spent mapping and planning, checking out public footpath maps, and then figuring out the livestock situation (some fields may be crops one season, and sheep the next!). If you want to find some nice new walks for you and your dog, I suggest doing this too! There’s loads of online resources for finding walking routes but I prefer to use our local council’s map, available on their website.

4. Respect the Land. We are so lucky that we have some fantastic footpaths and bridlepaths in our area. We’re also thankful to the farmers and landowners who allow us on through their fields on a daily basis. We try to be incredibly respectful to the landowners, and leave as little impact on the land as possible. From picking up our dog’s mess, to litter picking other people’s rubbish, we respect the land and want to keep it clean! Sadly this isn’t the way everyone thinks and the few can ruin it for the many. By keeping quiet about our walks, they are more likely to keep their beauty and the farmers are less likely to get miffed!

On the flip side of all of this, if you employ a dog walker, you are within your right to ask what type of walks your dog will be going on. Will they be adventuring in fields and woodlands, or will they be going to the local dog park, or privately hired field?

So if you have ever asked a dog walker where they walked today and got an evasive response, now you know why!