Finchley Dog Walker

Finchley Dog Walker One-to-one dog walks & pet care for dogs who prefer a calmer approach. No groups. No vans. No rushed walks. Just patient, enrichment-led care tailored to your dog.

Especially suited to rescue, nervous, reactive & older dogs

Finchley & Muswell Hill | E Derek Chambers, known as Del, was born and bred in North London and has been around dogs all his life. His dogs have always been rescued

When he is not out walking, pet sitting or cat feeding, he runs an active local scout group in Highgate with over 100 emmebers from 6 - 14 years old

Before anyone starts counting how many sleeps there are until Christmas...I'm not ready either. 😂We're only just reachin...
30/08/2026

Before anyone starts counting how many sleeps there are until Christmas...

I'm not ready either. 😂

We're only just reaching the end of August; the summer holidays aren't quite over, and I don't even put my own Christmas tree up until the middle of December.

So I promise I'm not trying to rush us into Christmas.

There is, however, one bit of Christmas that I do need to think about early — pet care.

If you're planning to go away over the festive period, you might need house sitting for a dog who's happiest staying in familiar surroundings.

You might need visits for a cat who'd much rather remain in charge of their own home.

There might be rabbits to feed, or one of the slightly less conventional residents I've been known to look after.

And unlike Christmas dinner, I can't solve an overbooking problem by putting another chair at the table.

There's only one of me, so Christmas availability — particularly house sitting — is naturally limited.

That's why I'm mentioning it now, while Christmas still feels comfortably far away.

If you’re planning to travel over the festive period and would like to discuss care for your pets, send me a message, and we can work out what would suit them best.

You can also find out more about my holiday pet care here:
https://f.mtr.cool/hyzo3gsw2n

That's it.

No countdown.

No Christmas music.

And absolutely no tree before mid-December. 🎄😂

People sometimes ask what vehicle I use to collect the dogs for their walks.Well, here it is.It’s a Mercedes, so obvious...
30/08/2026

People sometimes ask what vehicle I use to collect the dogs for their walks.

Well, here it is.

It’s a Mercedes, so obviously I like to maintain certain standards. 😂

There is just one small problem...

I don’t actually collect dogs.

No van. No car. No driving around picking up a group of dogs.

I come to your home, and your dog's walk starts and finishes at their own front door.

So unfortunately, the pink Mercedes will have to stay parked for now.

Probably just as well. I’m not convinced the boot space is up to much.

Some animals stay with you long after you've said goodbye.Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, a day to remember the...
28/08/2026

Some animals stay with you long after you've said goodbye.

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, a day to remember the dogs, cats and other much-loved animals who are no longer with us.

In my work, I've had the privilege of getting to know a lot of animals over the years.

Some I've walked for years. Some I've visited in their homes. Some I've watched grow older, slow down and need their routines adapted as life changed.

And inevitably, there have been some very difficult goodbyes too.

You remember their individual ways.

The dog who always stopped at the same place.

The cat who eventually decided you were acceptable.

The particular look that meant they knew exactly where the treats were.

The little routines that didn't seem particularly significant at the time, but somehow became the things you remember most.

So today is simply for them.

For the animals we've loved, cared for and still find ourselves talking about years later.

If you'd like to, share a photo or a favourite memory of an animal you still miss in the comments. I'd genuinely love to hear about them.

WHY TRUST FINCHLEY DOG WALKER WITH YOUR PET?Choosing someone to walk your dog or look after your pets isn't just about f...
27/08/2026

WHY TRUST FINCHLEY DOG WALKER WITH YOUR PET?

Choosing someone to walk your dog or look after your pets isn't just about finding someone who's available.

You're trusting them with an important member of your family and, often, with the keys to your home, too.

I'm Del, and I've been running Finchley Dog Walker since 2011.

Over those years, I've looked after all sorts of dogs, from straightforward happy walkers to rescue dogs, nervous dogs, older dogs and those who need a little more patience and understanding.

My approach is deliberately personal.

I look after one household at a time. There are no group walks, no van collections and no rushing from dog to dog.

Walks are adapted to the dog in front of me, with time to sniff, explore and enjoy being a dog.

I've also continued learning throughout the years, including canine first aid, dog body language, reward-based training and enrichment.

I'm fully insured, Enhanced DBS checked and hold an Ofqual Level 3 qualification in Canine First Aid.

But qualifications are only part of it.

For me, good pet care means noticing when something isn't quite right, respecting what an animal is telling me, and never forcing a dog through something simply because it's more convenient.

Whether I'm taking your dog for a walk, staying in your home while you're away or popping in to look after your cat or other pets, I want you to know they're being cared for as individuals.

That's the Finchley Dog Walker approach.

One household at a time. Calm, patient, individual care.

If you'd like to find out whether I might be a good fit for you and your pet, you can get in touch through my website or send me a message.

Apparently shouting at your vacuum cleaner isn't the way to convince your dog that you've defeated it. 😂I heard this dis...
26/08/2026

Apparently shouting at your vacuum cleaner isn't the way to convince your dog that you've defeated it. 😂

I heard this discussed on Radio 2 this morning, after a social media trend suggested that people should pretend to argue with their vacuum cleaner to reassure dogs who are frightened of it.

It sounds funny, but for a worried dog, adding a human shouting to an already noisy and scary machine could make the whole situation even more worrying.

If your dog isn't keen on the vacuum cleaner, I'd rather make things easier for them.

Give them somewhere they can move away to, don't force them to investigate it, and introduce it gradually at a level they can cope with. Calm behaviour around it can be rewarded with something they enjoy.

And remember, what looks like a silly fear to us can feel very real to the dog.

Although I have to admit, judging by the amount of dog hair some vacuum cleaners have to deal with, they probably are the enemy.

It's International Dog Day today. 🐾I've been working with dogs since 2011, and you'd think by now I'd have them all figu...
26/08/2026

It's International Dog Day today. 🐾

I've been working with dogs since 2011, and you'd think by now I'd have them all figured out.

I haven't.

Because one of the biggest things dogs have taught me is that they're very good at being individuals.

One dog wants to get going and explore everything.

Another would happily spend half the walk investigating the same patch of grass.

One wants to cover some ground.

Another prefers a slower wander with plenty of time to stop and sniff.

Some dogs greet me as though I've returned from a three-year expedition.

Others give me a look that suggests my arrival has interrupted something important.

And that's exactly why I don't think there's one definition of a good walk.

The longer I've done this job, the more I've learnt to watch the dog in front of me.

How are they feeling today?

What are they enjoying?

Are they comfortable?

Do we need to change the plan?

Sometimes good care means doing more.

Sometimes it means slowing things down.

And occasionally it means accepting that we're apparently going to spend a significant portion of today's walk investigating one bush.

That's one of the things I value about walking dogs one-to-one. I can adapt the walk to the dog I'm with rather than expecting them to fit into somebody else's pace or routine.

So on International Dog Day, here's to all the dogs I've had the privilege of getting to know over the years.

The confident ones. The cautious ones. The speedy ones. The sniffers. The youngsters. The oldies.

And all the dogs who keep reminding me that the dog in front of you matters more than any rulebook

What's one thing your dog has taught you? I'd love to hear it.

Your dog doesn't know it's a Bank Holiday.They just know Monday suddenly looks a bit different.You might be home when yo...
25/08/2026

Your dog doesn't know it's a Bank Holiday.

They just know Monday suddenly looks a bit different.

You might be home when you're normally at work. There might be visitors coming and going, a family day out planned, different walk times or a much busier park than they're used to.

For some dogs, that's brilliant.

For others, all that change can be a lot.

So if you've got plans this Bank Holiday, it's worth thinking about what your dog actually enjoys rather than automatically including them in everything.

A quieter walk before somewhere gets busy might suit them better.

They might be perfectly happy staying at home rather than joining a packed family day out.

And if you've got visitors, giving them somewhere quiet to settle away from all the activity can be just as important as making sure they're included.

Sometimes doing what's best for our dogs means letting them miss out on something they wouldn't have enjoyed anyway.

Are you planning a dog-friendly day out, a quieter walk or a relaxed day at home this Bank Holiday?

Does your dog always eat their meals from a bowl?There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a food bowl. Sometimes, though, p...
24/08/2026

Does your dog always eat their meals from a bowl?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a food bowl. Sometimes, though, part of a dog’s meal can be turned into something a little more interesting.

Scatter feeding in the garden, hiding food for them to sniff out, using a snuffle mat or putting some of their meal into a suitable food toy can encourage natural behaviours and give their brain something to do.

For some dogs, especially those who enjoy using their nose, a few minutes searching for their dinner can be just as valuable as adding a bit more distance to a walk.

Of course, enrichment doesn’t have to be complicated, and it should always suit the individual dog. Sometimes a bowl in a sunny spot is exactly what’s wanted, as demonstrated here!

I try to include simple opportunities to sniff, explore and think as part of the everyday care I provide. It’s not about constantly entertaining dogs. It’s about giving them appropriate choices and letting them be dogs.

How does your dog prefer their dinner: bowl, scatter, snuffle mat, food toy… or anything and everything?

Sone good advice for any floppy ear dogs
24/08/2026

Sone good advice for any floppy ear dogs

Giving someone a key to your home is a big deal.I know you're not simply booking someone to walk your dog or pop in to s...
23/08/2026

Giving someone a key to your home is a big deal.

I know you're not simply booking someone to walk your dog or pop in to see your cat.

You're trusting me with access to your home when you're not there.

And I don't take that lightly.

When I arrive, I'm thinking about more than the walk or visit ahead.

Is the door secure behind me?

Is your dog behaving as I'd normally expect when I arrive?

Has your cat eaten?

Is there anything in the house that doesn't look as it normally does?

And when I leave, have I followed your instructions and left everything secure?

Most of those things aren't particularly exciting.

They probably won't make it into a photo from our walk or an update about your cat.

But they're part of the responsibility you've trusted me with.

I've been doing this since 2011, and I still don't think being handed someone's house key should ever feel routine.

You're not just trusting me with your pet.

You're trusting me with your home too.

Address

29A Granville Road
London
N12

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+447707763344

Website

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