Questions we get asked a lot.

Get in touch via our contact form or email hello@dogs-etc.co.uk. We'll call you back within 24 hours to chat through what you need. If we're a good fit, we'll arrange a meet and greet so your dog can meet their walker before the first walk.

It's an informal introduction at your home. Your dog gets to meet their walker in a familiar environment, and you get to ask any questions. There's no charge and no commitment. We won't take a dog out until everyone's comfortable — including the dog.

Yes — we're currently taking new clients across all our services: walking, boarding, and training. We do have limited capacity because we keep our group sizes small, so it's worth getting in touch sooner rather than later.

We'll need up-to-date vaccination records, a spare lead, and any information about your dog's temperament, health, or behaviour that we should know. If your dog has anxieties, dietary needs, or medication, tell us upfront. We'd always rather know more than less.

Because that's what responsible care looks like. Three dogs means every dog gets proper attention, the walks are safer, and the quality of care is higher. We could take more dogs and make more money. We choose not to. It's an ethical decision, not a capacity limitation.

One full hour. Not 45 minutes. Not "approximately an hour." Sixty minutes of proper walking, exploring, and exercise. Pick-up and drop-off time is additional — your dog gets a complete hour of walk.

Yes. We collect your dog from your home and bring them back after the walk. It's all included in the £15/hour fee. No extras, no hidden charges.

Across South West Sheffield — we know the green spaces, woodland, parks, and quiet paths where dogs can be dogs. The exact route depends on the day and the dogs, but we always choose locations that are safe, interesting, and right for the group.

We aim for consistency because dogs thrive on routine. Your dog will have a regular walker and we'll only change this if absolutely necessary. If a change is needed, we'll let you know in advance and make sure your dog has met the replacement walker first.

We invoice regularly and accept bank transfer. We'll get you set up with a payment schedule that works for you. We keep it simple.

We understand things come up. We ask for at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice may be charged at the full rate — our walkers have reserved that time for your dog. For holidays or planned absences, just let us know as far in advance as you can.

Get in touch and we can discuss a schedule that works for you. We're flexible on frequency and happy to talk about what makes sense for your dog and your budget.

In a real home, not a kennel. Your dog lives as part of a household — sofas, gardens, human company. They eat at normal times, go on walks, and sleep somewhere comfortable. It's home boarding in the proper sense.

Yes — as many as you want. Photos, messages, whatever gives you peace of mind. Some owners want daily updates, some just want to know everything's fine. We'll match whatever you're comfortable with.

Always. We won't board a dog that hasn't visited first. Your dog needs to be comfortable in the environment before they stay overnight. We'll arrange a visit so they can explore, settle in, and meet everyone. No exceptions.

Their usual food (enough for the stay), any medication, their lead, and something that smells like home — a blanket or a favourite toy. Familiar items help dogs settle. We'll provide everything else.

Science-based, reward-focused methods. No dominance theory. No punishment. No choke chains, prong collars, or electric collars. We use positive reinforcement because that's what the evidence supports and that's what actually works long-term.

Maximum eight dogs. Small groups mean every dog and owner gets proper attention. We're not running a lecture hall — we're building skills, and that takes individual support.

The group programme works well for most dogs. If your dog has specific behavioural issues — reactivity, aggression, anxiety — we may recommend a one-to-one behavioural consultation instead. We'll always be upfront about what's right for your dog.

Yes. Training isn't just about the dog — it's about building understanding between you and your dog. You'll be there for every session, learning the techniques alongside them. That's how lasting change happens.

Yes. We carry full public liability insurance and professional indemnity cover. We're happy to share details on request. If someone's walking your dog, they should be properly insured — no exceptions.

Your dog's safety is our top priority. Our walkers are trained in canine first aid. If anything happens, we'll contact you immediately and take your dog to the nearest vet if required. We carry details of local emergency vets on every walk.

Yes. All team members are vetted and checked. We take this seriously — our walkers have access to your home and your dog. We wouldn't employ anyone we wouldn't trust with our own.

Tell us. This is exactly why we cap at three dogs and why the meet and greet matters. We carefully match dogs for each walk based on temperament, energy level, and compatibility. If your dog needs solo walks, we can arrange that. We'd rather adapt than force something that doesn't work.