Stretch Their Legs is a dog walking and animal services provider based in Wellington, Somerset. I am passionate about animals and their care, and recognise that with the busy lives of today everyone needs a little help – be it walking their dog or making sure their small furries have fresh food and water. Â I can provide all of these services and more. Â I am experienced with all kinds of domestic animal pet care from hamsters and mice to cats and dogs, and everything in between, even some exotics like pygmy hedgehogs and snakes.
I understand how important it is to have implicit trust in your dog walker, we are taking care of a family member after all! I can provide solo and group walks (limited to 4 dogs) and always try to take them somewhere varied and interesting.
I know that every dog has its own personality, some are playful, some are aloof, some are confident explorers and some have fear and anxiety issues. I have experience with multiple types of dog personalities, especially anxious and reactive dogs and do everything I can to accommodate all dogs with regard to where, when and with whom I walk them. Getting the right mix of dogs on a walk is vitally important to ensure safety and that everyone has a good time.
To maintain high standards as a dog walker I’m fully insured, DBS checked and level 2 qualified in Canine First Aid. I also believe in keeping up to date with legislation and training and am constantly updating my knowledge with training and seminars.
As well as providing the following services, I recognise that everyone is an individual and will have requirements that may not fit these services exactly. Please contact me to discuss your circumstances and I will try to arrange a bespoke package for you.
Dogs are incredibly intelligent and social animals and it is important they receive exercise and stimulation every day to keep them fit, happy and healthy. This is not always possible with the pressures of everyday life; this is where a dog walker comes in!
We like to walk our own dogs up in the hills every day – we live in a beautiful area and it would be a shame for the dogs to miss out on the sights and smells! Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise to a dog. Letting them have a good sniff around exercises their brains as well.
I offer group and solo dog walks depending on availability and what suits your dog. Some dogs are not suited for group walks for a wide variety of reasons.
Our walks are generally in the Blackdown Hills and are for an hour. If your dog is on a solo I can do more or less time based on your dog’s needs. We explore on our walks and go off the beaten track, the dogs do get muddy and have a great time. I have a sprayer set up in my van to wash dogs down at the end of a walk and have a bottle of fox poo shampoo on hand for those pups who enjoy something a little more fragrant to roll in!
On every walk, I take a good supply of Feelwells Healthy Natural Training Treats, water (in warmer weather), a dog first aid kit and, as a responsible dog walker, plenty of poo bags!
As with any reputable dog walker who walks multiple dogs, my vehicle has been customised to allow me to safely travel a group of dogs. All dogs are travelled separately in the van unless they are from the same household and can travel safely together. My van has custom cages that have individually lockable tailgates and escape hatches to allow for access in the event that the boot cannot be opened.
My vehicle is also fully air-conditioned so the dogs are comfortable travelling in all weathers. I do not provide walks in hot weather – walks are either moved to the morning or changed to drop-ins to protect the dogs.
My first visit will be to your house to get to know you and your dog. During this visit, I will ask questions, take notes and generally familiarise myself with your dog and their needs. This visit is free of charge.
It’s inevitable that at some point you will need to be away from home for longer than normal periods of time. As a pet owner, it’s a concern to leave your pets and you will want the best care for them in your absence. I provide a drop-in service for all animals to make sure they are happy and comfortable while you can’t be with them.
I provide home visits/drop-ins for all animals. If you have a mixed animal household I will generally charge the one rate rather than a confusing combination!