As I stroll through the lovely streets and trails of Bristol, with two furry friends eagerly leading the way, I can’t imagine a better job than being a dog walker. I get to spend my days in the fresh air while bringing joy to dogs and relief to owners all over Bristol. As someone who has always loved animals, getting paid to walk dogs everyday is truly a dream come true.
Being a good dog walker requires a little more than just lacing up my tennis shoes, slipping into comfortable clothes, and heading out the door, though. I’ve spent years honing my dog handling skills, and my experience comes in handy when I meet and begin walking new dogs.
Every dog has a unique personality when he or she is on a leash, and it takes a patient and intuitive dog walker to conform to all these different personalities! Of course, safety always comes first. I have methods that ensure my furry friends behave well while on their walks and won’t, for example, go tearing off at the first sight of the squirrel! Carrying a little bag full of yummy, pup-friendly treats certainly comes in handy in such situations!
I also like to mix things up for my four-legged clients. Bristol has so many beautiful walking routes that I hardly ever take the same path twice. Providing your dog with new visual, tactile, and olfactory stimulation is one of the best parts of my job. I love to see tails thumping in excitement as dogs encounter something new and exciting.
Since exercise is of the utmost importance for both human and canine health, I like to adjust the pace of our walks to suit the needs of the particular dog. For example, some breeds need a long, hard workout to fully exhaust them and provide their owners with the peace of a well-behaved pooch at home.
Other dogs, especially seniors or those with underlying health conditions, might need a slower and gentler walk. They are still able to reap the benefits of moderate exercise, plus fresh air and new sights and smells are always a huge plus.
Walking multiple dogs at once is a skill that I’ve definitely sharpened over the years. It requires a good amount of focus to make sure the leashes don’t get tangled and to make sure that everyone keeps moving along in a timely manner. After all my experience in this department, I basically feel that I’m ready to begin an animal trainer in the circus! Really, how much harder could it be?!
Nothing is more satisfying than returning a happy, tired dog to his or her grateful owner at the end of a long walk. I love seeing my clients wagging their tails with happiness when they see me walking up to the door, and I equally love watching them retreat back into their homes and flop on the couch at the end of a good walk. Being a dog walker is good for the souls at both ends of the leash