06/06/2026
Where is your dog walker actually taking your dog? 🗺️
I have a very strong opinion on this. 20+ years of professionally walking dogs will do that to you.
Where you walk a client's dog is one of the most important decisions you make as a walker. And I don't think enough people are talking about it.
Here's how I see it.
If your experience is "I love dogs" but you're walking on private rural property where the worst thing a dog encounters is a porcupine, okay. Risk is lower. Not eliminated, but lower. I can almost get on board with that.
But if your experience is "I love dogs and I've owned a couple of doodles" and you are taking multiple client dogs off-leash together in public areas?
We have a serious problem.
And if YOU don't have a problem with that, you haven't been around dogs long enough.
Because anyone with real experience, when they picture multiple dogs of different breeds and temperaments running off-leash together in a public space, gets a minor heart attack just thinking about it.
The variables alone 🤮
And we're not talking about variables with minor outcomes. We're talking variables that could seriously injure or kill a dog that doesn't belong to you.
I get it. These walkers love dogs. That's genuinely wonderful. I just wish that love came with the self-awareness to recognize that love is not enough.
At the very minimum, if you insist on group off-leash walks and you don't have the experience to back it up, rent a private space. Remove the public variables. Lower the risk for dogs you are responsible for.
Because those dogs deserve better than "I really love them though."
Dog walkers, where are you walking your clients' dogs? And dog owners, do you actually know? ⤵️⤵️
