Not Every Dog Loves Walking, SAYS WILTSHIRE PET EXPERT.
As summer gets underway and more people spend time outdoors with their pets, a Wiltshire pet care expert reminds owners that not every dog enjoys heading out for a stroll.
Holly Bird, founder of premium pet sitting service Birddog Catwalk, says anxiety in dogs is more common than many people realise. And owners should not feel embarrassed about asking for help.
People often picture dog walking as wagging tails and happy walks through the countryside, but that’s not always reality,’ said Holly.
‘Some dogs feel frightened of strangers, nervous around other dogs or uncomfortable with changes to their routine. That doesn’t make them bad dogs.
‘We also know that owners of anxious dogs can sometimes feel embarrassed or worried about asking for help. Many fear judgement or being turned away. We want people to know that anxious dogs are welcome here.’
Based on her experience working with pets across Wiltshire, Bath, Bristol and the Cotswolds, Holly has shared some simple advice for owners of anxious dogs.
Take things at your dog’s pace
One of Birddog Catwalk’s clients, a collie cross called Elma, would bark whenever a new sitter entered the home and refused to come close.
‘Rather than forcing interaction, our sitter sat quietly and allowed Elma to observe her from a distance,’ said Holly.
‘There was no pressure and no expectation that trust would be amn instant thing. Over time, curiosity began to replace fear. And Elma became comfortable enough to approach our sitter and, at length, head out for walks.
‘Those first few sessions were not about walking at all. They were about relationship-building.’
Celebrate small wins
Another client, a German Shepherd called Shabba, was wary of strangers and reluctant to let a new sitter fit her harness.
Because Birddog Catwalk had cared for the owner’s cats, the usual meet-and-greet got skipped. When sitter Mia arrived for Shabba’s first walk, it soon became clear that the dog was uncomfortable around someone she did not yet know.
‘Instead of rushing the process, Mia slowed everything down,’ said Holly.
‘She contacted us for reassurance and advice. Together we worked through how best to approach the situation safely and in a calm manner.’
At length, Mia gained enough trust to fit the harness and take Shabba outside.
‘The first walk only lasted around 10 to 15 minutes instead of the planned hour. But from our perspective that was still a success,’ said Holly.
‘For anxious dogs, success does not always look like a perfect one-hour walk. Sometimes success is simply a dog feeling safe enough to approach someone new.’
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Holly says behaviours such as barking, hiding, freezing or defensive reacting are often signs that a dog feels frightened or overwhelmed, rather than being difficult on purpose.
There is no overnight fix for anxiety and we would never make unrealistic promises to owners,’ she said.
‘But what we can do is provide compassionate, experienced support that helps reduce stress and keeps both pets and people safe.
Every dog is different. Sometimes support means a longer meet-and-greet, a shorter first walk or allowing a dog the time they need to learn that someone is safe.
‘Pet care should never be one-size-fits-all. The dogs who need the most patience often have the most to teach us about trust, empathy and connection.’
Birddog Catwalk offers dog walking, pet sitting and home visits across Wiltshire, Bath, Bristol and the Cotswolds. To find out more, visit https://birddogcatwalk.com/
