Specializing In Private Dog Walking and Drop-In Pet Sitting
PRIVATE DOG WALKING
TOP 3 REASONS WHY DAILY WALKS ARE IMPORTANT
1. PHYSICAL HEALTH
The most obvious benefit of daily walks is the improvement in your dog's physical health. Exercise promotes better sleep, prevents joint pain and stiffness, stimulates bone growth, muscle growth, and therefore improves mobility. Being outside and simply breathing fresh air will aid their cognitive and cellular functions! Not to mention, having access to regular bathroom breaks reduces the chance of illness such as UTI's, supports healthy bladder function and reduces accidents inside.
2. MENTAL HEALTH
While backyards are beneficial and convenient, it is also essential for dogs to explore outside their yard. Regular walks help to reduce boredom, anxiety, and destructive behaviors. Walking around the neighborhood is especially important because of the way dogs understand their environment. When a dog stops to sniff something, they are collecting information about the other dogs (and people) that live in their neighborhood. This is their way of connecting with their community and communicating
messages. By sniffing what some have dubbed "pee-mail", dogs are able to discover many things about their neighbors including: the sex of the dog, if they are spayed or neutered, their stress level, if the dog was sick or healthy, how long ago they were there, and much more! Not allowing them access to this information could be considered equivalent to taking away one of our human senses, such as sight. In her book "Inside of a Dog", Alexandra Horowitz writes, "As we see the world, the dog smells it. The dog's universe is a stratum of complex odors. The world of scents is at least as rich as the world of sight." Click here to watch a video that explains more about how dogs smell and what it means to them
3. SOCIALIZATION
Remember when humans were forced to stay inside for almost all of 2020? It was a difficult time for a lot of us and we may have even started acting a little weird. I think we all talk to ourselves a little more than we used to! Now imagine being stuck inside indefinitely, that's what it's like for your dog if they don't get regular walks! Exposure to new sights, sounds, smells, and other creatures is essential to a dogs health at any age. Regular socialization (even from a distance) can reduce anxiety and increase
confidence. Walks are a great time to practice communication and basic training requests which can often help to minimize reactivity over time.
THE PRIVATE WALK: AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE
I specialize in private walks within your neighborhood! A private walk is a VIP solo experience for the special dog(s) in your household, during which your pup gets the one-on-one time and affection they crave!
Private walks vs. pack walks - which is better?
Pack (group) walks can be great for certain dogs, but for many it is not the ideal experience you might think. Pack walks can leave some dogs feeling overstimulated and anxious. In this type of setting it is easy for triggers to quickly stack up and send your
dog over threshold. When this happens, stress hormones are released in their body that can last for up to 72 hours! If your dog does get to this point, they might be hyperreactive or even aggressive in situations they may normally tolerate. This is similar to when humans have a bad day and everything seems to be going wrong. If it is bad enough, it might eventually lead to us snapping over something small. Trigger stacking can be dangerous for dogs and should be avoided.
Individual private walks are great for all dogs, but they are especially beneficial for dogs that experience anxiety, or reactivity. Since there are no car rides beforehand, each walk starts out nice and calm. Similarly, since there are fewer dogs present, it is easier to control and avoid triggers along the way. The result is an elevated experience that is safe, stress free and focused. This is exactly the mind-set you want your dog in while they are practicing their leash skills and basic manners.
Is your dog a senior? Are they a puppy? Does your dog have medical concerns? Are they fearful or introverted? Solo walks are better overall, because they allow for a customized experience based on what your dog needs most. Whether your goal for them is exercise, socialization, mental stimulation, leash training, or something else, I am happy to support them on their journey towards progress.
OPTIONS AND PRICES:
PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOOD WALKS
20 minute walk - $25
30 minute walk - $35
45 minute walk - $50
60 minute walk - $65
Don't see what you're looking for? Contact me!
When deciding the length of visit you need, make sure to take into account your dog's energy and fitness level. If they are super high energy or become destructive while you are away, a longer walk is recommended.
Visits can always be customized and split to include time for play, snuggles, or meals.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
ALL WALKS INCLUDE:
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Quick clean up of any accidents
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Private walk
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Water refill
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Meal time (if requested)
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GPS tracking
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Photo updates & visit report
SERVICE TIMES AND DAYS:
Monday - Sunday
Morning:
Midday:
Afternoon:
Late Afternoon:
9:00am - 11:00am
11:00am - 1:00pm
1:00pm - 3:00pm
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Evenings available by special request.
Choose a time frame that best fits your dog's needs and I will arrive within that window! If you need a specific arrival time I will do my very best to accommodate your request but it cannot be guaranteed. These hours can be flexible so if you need an evening or early morning walk please let me know.
SERVICE AREAS:
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Feminist Dog Walker is based in Fairview Park and serves surrounding areas in North Oakland and South Berkeley. This map only shows approximate service areas. Please contact me with your address for more information.