Dogwalking - A typical day - written by Matt Morgan

When I look back at my old office job, I know deciding to leave and becoming a dog walker was the best decision I ever made. As a professional dog walker, I get to spend every day with all types of dogs and the sense of purpose in training a young or difficult dog provides me with a real sense of acheivment and purpose. I truely believe that dogs are a girls best friend!

My day starts with training 2 3month old Rottweilers called Coco and Channel. They stayed with me while I house-trained them, which takes roughly two weeks. Now when I go to their owner's house to collect them for class, it is like being welcomed by a long lost friend! There is always lots of cuddles and stroking before we set off on our walk!

My first walk is with two Labs, a Hungarian Vizsla, a Norfolk Terrier, a Cairn Terrier and a beautiful Dachshund. They are old acquaintances these days as I have been walking them for over 2 years. Every pick up I am greeted with extreme pleasure, as I am the key to their enjoyment for the day. They all love the park, but more than this they love being part of a social pack. Dogs, as we know are pack animals and being part of a dog walkers round gives them such a release and enjoyment. It can also iron out any social behavioural problems a dog is having.

Lunchtime and my training session starts with Rocky a 9month old Maltese, who will not stop barking!!! He lives up to his name and not his size barking at dogs, people, sticks, trees, basically everything he comes into contact with! I have been working with him for 2 weeks and already the improvement is undeniable. I tell the clients he has what I call 'Tom Cruise syndrome'; he overcompensates because of his small stature! He will join the pack next week, which should alleviate most of his anxieties

My second round is another mix of breeds, which includes the famous Kensington Puggles. (a Pug beagle cross). People have stopped cars on Kensington High street to find out the breed of these dogs, they are that cute! Tonight the Puggles and Tasha, my King Charles will be coming to stay with me for two weeks while their owners are away. The dogs always have as good a holiday as the owners do!

My life as a dogwalker is hard physical work. As a trainer I have been bitten, scratched and had damage to both of my knees from restraining and retraining dogs. This aside, I believe it was what I was born to do. I love all of my dogs as if they were my own and they are all so happy to be able to play with eachother, it makes everything worth while. As the great George Orwell wrote 'four legs good, two legs bad', which are my sentiments exactly when it comes to any working environment!!

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