Bucks'n'Barks

22/02/2024

We're happy that mud is good for business, but everyone here in the UK has definitely reached this point by now!

22/09/2023

Today is PDWA National Dog Walker Appreciation Day so here's a Shout Out for all the wonderful professional dog walkers out there! 👏👏👏💙🐾

“You are just a dog walker!” – we get told this all the time!!!

In actual fact, we are so much more!

We are trusted guardians who bond, exercise and enrich a dog’s life in all weather!

We enable owners to work or socialise with the knowledge their dog is exercised safely if they themselves have no time, energy or are too poorly to do so themselves.

Not just walks ! We provide enrichment and quality time.

We give owners peace of mind their dog’s welfare is paramount and adapt our days to ensure this during inclement weather for example.

We risk assess constantly but if an accident does happen we are first aid trained to look after dogs in our care.

We keep up to date with PSPO’s, Dog Law etc.

We build relationships with our dogs and know their “normal” so we can recognise changes such as tummy troubles, new lumps, different gait or mood etc., and report them swiftly.

We learn as much as we can about canine communication, seasonal hazards, breed traits and find suitable outlets for each one where we can.

Many of us go on to become groomers, pet nutritionists, trainers, behaviourists, pet photographers etc.

We love the dogs in our care. We laugh at their antics, we worry when they are poorly and we cry when we lose them.

We are so much more than “just a walker” and never doubt that.

So……..
Dog Walkers: tell us who you are and where you are based! (members and non-members welcome)
Owners: if you have dog walker help, flag them here and tell us what you appreciate the most about them!
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03/08/2023

Recently I read "If you have a dog walker, you shouldn't have a dog."

This is my boy, he has a dog walker 2 days a week, on my busiest days. The days when I'm too wiped out to offer him the decent romp in lovely natural environments that he deserves.

'Dog walker' is such an understated title.

These guys are the bridge between the modern reality our dogs have been thrust into, that's so at odds with their genetics.

The vast majority of dogs were not born to be content with 15 minute pavement walks, but you need to work to pay the bills. I get it.

Did you know behaviour problems rarely occur in nature?

Our dogs are captive animals.

Sit with that one as long as you need.

They were not designed for sofa snoozing and short restrictive walks on a tight lead on paved ground.

When behaviour problems occur in captive zoo animals, we recognise it as the wrong environment for these animals to thrive....

In dogs, we just shoot for compliance and slap on a lazy excuse like 'dominance' or 'stubborn'.

Good dog walkers are a modern day gift to our dogs, and if you use one, you are an ace guardian who chooses to recognise the innate needs of your dog, and respect them for who they are.

You're not a lazy guardian; you're an enlightened one.

Huge high five to all the dog walkers out there, including my own Paw Legged Friends Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Wakefield - thank you for making our restrictive, modern world a better place for our four legged friends 💛

14/06/2023

Keep a watchful eye on your pups x

20/04/2023