If you're reading this (if anyone is reading this!), chances are you're looking for a dog walker. Maybe you recently moved, and you're frantically Googling: Annex Dog Walker, Seaton Village Dog Walker, Bellwoods Dog Walker, new dog parent support group!
In all likelihood, you've been bombarded with not only 100s of different Toronto dog walking companies, but 100s of different Toronto dog walking companies offering entirely different services.
So how do you choose?
Importantly, Toronto dog walkers generally fall into two categories: leashed or unleashed. The right one is the one best meets YOUR DOG'S NEEDS!
So let's do this.
What are the benefits of offleash dog walking and what types of dogs get the most from this type of walk?
Social dogs love offleash dog walks. They thrive. With offleash dog walking, your dog will wrestle and play with a consistent pack of friends. However, dogs who are a bit shy or apprehensive can fare very well too, as they are brought out of their shells, continuously building confidence through exposure.
See Muddy, the pup featured in the picture above. She was formerly on leashed dog walks. She also used to be shy and generally uninterested in other dogs. Since joining K9 Kate's Pet Services, Muddy's mom, Barbara, and even their neighbours frequently report that Muddy is a changed woman. Yah Muddy!!!!!!!!!
High energy dogs who like to kick up their paws and run do great with offleash too; a one hour, offleash run provides significantly more exercise than a one hour leashed walk.
Retrievers, retrievers, retrievers. There is a reason they've been given this name. Retrievers want nothing more than to .... retrieve. Tossing the ball is not only tiring and fun but true to this dog's core nature.
Offleash is also great for older and younger dogs who are more vulnerable to Toronto's extreme climate; with an offleash dog walker, your dog can run in the lake at Cherry Beach when it's hot or return to a warmer environment (ie a heated car) when it's ice cold.
So who's better suited to ye olde leashed leash?
Fundamentally, the dog who loves to laze about in open, outdoor dog parks but really needs the exercise ... well, sorry buddy, you need a leashed walk!
Extreme resource guarder? Sorry, buddy, no one wants you to get into an unavoidable brawl at the park.
If your dog is overstimulated when offleash, stick with leashed, at least until that stimulation level is brought down a (thousand) notches or two.
Fearful or anxious dogs absolutely belong on a leashed walk.
Hopefully, this posts helps you and your dog find the right dog walker (and type of dog walk) for you!
