Group Walks

A lot of people ask me how I possibly manage to walk six dogs at once — and the short answer is: with a lot of care, experience, and a very specific process.

Group dog walking isn’t just about grabbing a few dogs and heading out the door. It takes time, observation, and planning to make sure each group walk is safe, fun, and fulfilling for every dog involved.

Here's how I make it work:

🐾 The Process

1. Meet & Greet
Before anything else, I meet every dog in their home environment. You can tell a lot from that first interaction — how a dog responds to commands, their comfort level, and how they react to someone new. It sets the tone for everything that follows.

2. One-on-One Time
I always spend time walking a new dog solo before introducing them to any group. This gives me a chance to learn their personality, how they respond to other dogs (both up close and at a distance), their energy levels, likes/dislikes, recall, and how they handle distractions. Basically, I figure out what makes them tick — and how to set them up for success.

3. Matching the Group
Once I’ve gotten a solid feel for a dog, I look for the right group match — based on personality, energy, and play style. I never group dogs together based solely on location. That might mean your dog has a slightly longer van ride, but I’ve worked hard to make sure it’s super comfortable: clean, cosy, non-slip flooring, fresh water and safe travel at all times.

🐾 Things I Always Consider

Size & Lead Manners: I’d never group together six large dogs who all pull — that’s a recipe for chaos. I’m always thinking about safety, both for the dogs and for me.
Group Size: Some dogs thrive in a group of 5–6, while others do best in a smaller crew of 2–3. Bigger groups can overwhelm some dogs and lead to overstimulation or undesirable behaviour.
Play Style: A dog’s play style depends on age, breed, temperament and past experience. Some are rough and tumble, some prefer gentle sniff-and-walk play, and others are toy-driven. Knowing how a dog plays helps me pair them with the right pals — and avoid stress or mismatched energy.
Age & Health: Older dogs, young pups, or those with medical needs may not be suited for a fast-paced, high-energy group. For them, I adapt the pace and group size to match.
Experience Level: Dogs who’ve done group walks before often settle in quickly. Newer dogs are introduced slowly and only when they’re ready — no pressure.

🐾 Built-In Training

Group walks aren’t just a workout — they’re a chance to reinforce good behaviour. I weave in basic obedience in a fun, low-pressure way. Think:

Sit-stays with distractions
Waiting calmly before crossing roads or receiving treats
Practicing good lead manners in a group setting
Encouraging a “calm state” during transitions and rest breaks

The Bottom Line

I put a lot of thought into every walk, and every dog. It’s not just about exercise — it’s about giving your dog the structure, fun, and companionship they need to thrive. Every group is built intentionally, every dog is known and understood, and every walk is an opportunity for your pup to have the best part of their day.