Not All Dog Walkers Are Created Equal

Why Experience and Safety Matter More Than Ever.

These days, anyone can start a dog walking business. A cute logo, a lead, a few dogs—and off they go. No experience, no training, no real understanding of what they’re doing.

And that’s a problem.

The industry has become flooded with well-meaning people who love dogs—but don’t always know how to handle them safely. And in a world where your dog’s well-being is on the line, experience isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential.

The bond we have with all our dogs is incredible. They're our extended family,.

So What Sets Flintastics Apart?

At Flintastics, we’ve been doing this professionally since 2015. That’s over a decade of being out in the field, working with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and personalities. We’ve built our business around understanding dogs as they are, not as we wish them to be.

And crucially—we don’t just say no to difficult dogs. We ask what they need.

Carl and the wonderful Boris during a session with us

We’ve taken on many dogs who were turned away by other dog walkers or daycares. Often, it’s because they didn’t "fit" the environment or were seen as "too much." But rather than rejecting them, we’ve worked with those dogs to understand their needs and help them become compatible with our groups—at a pace that suits them.

We’ve also faced unexpected emergencies. Once, we collected a dog with a severe side injury after a cyst burst along their ribcage. The owners were away and completely unaware. But thanks to our teamwork, calm heads, and experience, we got that dog to the vet quickly and safely.

This is what experience looks like. It’s not just walking dogs—it’s showing up for them when it really matters.

Training courses and qualifications are Great—But It's Not Enough.

We’ve both completed canine first aid courses, worked with a variety of professional trainers, and taken multiple online courses. But here’s what we’ve learned: in such an unregulated industry, hands-on experience counts more than anything else.

Books can’t teach you how to read a dog’s subtle signals when they’re uncomfortable. Or how to de-escalate a situation calmly. That kind of learning happens when you’ve walked hundreds of miles, met hundreds of dogs, and built lasting bonds with the ones others gave up on.

Cuddles are part of the job- no matter what!

Our Core Values: Safety, Structure, and Enrichment. Every dog is different—just like every human. No two dogs learn in the same way. That’s why structure and safety are at the heart of everything we do.

Dogs need more than a walk. They need outlets for their brains. Mental enrichment is vital for their wellbeing and helps prevent behavioural issues from developing. We treat dogs as dogs—not as furry children. That means setting clear boundaries and giving them the tools they need to succeed.

Our secure field allows us to manage larger groups responsibly. We avoid overwhelming public spaces where multiple off-lead dogs can cause fear or chaos—especially for reactive dogs or the people walking them.

Gus, a white shepherd during a session with us at our Playpark.

We’ve seen a growing trend of children offering dog walking services for pocket money, or dog walkers taking out far too many dogs at once. It’s worrying.

Walking dogs isn’t just a stroll in the park. It can be unpredictable, even dangerous. One wrong move, one bad encounter, and a situation can escalate fast.

We’ve also seen reactive dogs being handled by walkers who don’t understand how to support them—and end up making things worse. After having a reactive dog ourselves, we’ve learned how to handle those situations with confidence and empathy.

If you’re looking for someone to care for your dog, ask the right questions:

• Are they insured and DBS checked?

• Do they have experience with your dog’s behaviour type?

• How many dogs do they walk at once?

• Do they use secure areas or public parks?

• What happens in an emergency?

• Can they provide testimonials?

  
  

We love it when we turn up to a meet-and-greet and the client has a long list of questions. It shows us that you care—and we’re more than ready to answer honestly, because we know we can.

Your dog deserves nothing less.

We’re here to give dogs what they actually need. Not the quickest option. Not the cheapest hour-long loop. But a place where they’re seen, understood, and set up to thrive.

That’s the difference experience makes. And that’s the heart of Flintastics.

We’re always happy to chat about how we work, what we do differently, and how we might help your dog feel more understood and fulfilled.

Get in touch here, or browse our services to learn more.