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How to set up a dog-walking group How to set up a dog-walking group
(about 5 hours later)
Some things are worth getting out of bed for. Many, as we know, are not, especially on a Sunday morning. Last weekend, just when I fancied a lie-in, I was woken by my 17-month-old miniature schnauzer yelping and scratching at the bedroom door. Get up, the beast was surely saying, today's the day, we've got our first dog-walking group.Some things are worth getting out of bed for. Many, as we know, are not, especially on a Sunday morning. Last weekend, just when I fancied a lie-in, I was woken by my 17-month-old miniature schnauzer yelping and scratching at the bedroom door. Get up, the beast was surely saying, today's the day, we've got our first dog-walking group.
Pepper and I had arranged to meet almost a dozen dogs and as many friends at a cafe near my local park. Our aim was to walk, talk and repair to the cafe for coffee, all within an hour and a half.Pepper and I had arranged to meet almost a dozen dogs and as many friends at a cafe near my local park. Our aim was to walk, talk and repair to the cafe for coffee, all within an hour and a half.
Dogs do have to be exercised but it can feel a bit of a task. Lonely, even. Turning it into a social activity makes it easier – and reassuring, as you get to share experiences with other dog owners.Dogs do have to be exercised but it can feel a bit of a task. Lonely, even. Turning it into a social activity makes it easier – and reassuring, as you get to share experiences with other dog owners.
"This is like a mother and toddler group, only better, obviously," said Laura Binder, down from her farm in Yorkshire with her rescue pug Betty, four. "Dog-walking is quite solitary. It's a real mood-booster watching your dogs running around together, and chatting with other dog-obsessed people.""This is like a mother and toddler group, only better, obviously," said Laura Binder, down from her farm in Yorkshire with her rescue pug Betty, four. "Dog-walking is quite solitary. It's a real mood-booster watching your dogs running around together, and chatting with other dog-obsessed people."
We all kept our dogs on leads for this inaugural meeting, starting off in a tight group as we headed uphill, the dogs clearly excited by finding themselves in a huge pack. But people soon splintered off into smaller groups to chat. I loved the experience, and it's a simple thing to arrange and do regularly. Here are a few tips:We all kept our dogs on leads for this inaugural meeting, starting off in a tight group as we headed uphill, the dogs clearly excited by finding themselves in a huge pack. But people soon splintered off into smaller groups to chat. I loved the experience, and it's a simple thing to arrange and do regularly. Here are a few tips:
Allow enough timeAllow enough time
Agree timings well in advance. Fix a time, and work in a half-hour leeway, as in 9am for a 9.30am departure. State the finish time – say 11am. It is unrealistic to meet up and be off on your walk within five minutes of your meeting time; the half hour allows for latecomers and means you're not waiting around.Agree timings well in advance. Fix a time, and work in a half-hour leeway, as in 9am for a 9.30am departure. State the finish time – say 11am. It is unrealistic to meet up and be off on your walk within five minutes of your meeting time; the half hour allows for latecomers and means you're not waiting around.
You also need to plan a route to suit the dogs' abilities as well as the fitness of the whole group. Do a trial run first, then agree the next meeting's route in advance.You also need to plan a route to suit the dogs' abilities as well as the fitness of the whole group. Do a trial run first, then agree the next meeting's route in advance.
Who to inviteWho to invite
Anyone should be able to join, as long as they bring a dog. James Stone, who loves dogs but works long hours as a shipping co-ordinator, borrowed Frieda, the photographer's miniature schnauzer, for our inaugural meeting.Anyone should be able to join, as long as they bring a dog. James Stone, who loves dogs but works long hours as a shipping co-ordinator, borrowed Frieda, the photographer's miniature schnauzer, for our inaugural meeting.
"I've wanted a dog for a long time, but I am never home. It wouldn't be fair on the dog. It's good to know there's a group I could hitch up if I do ever get one.""I've wanted a dog for a long time, but I am never home. It wouldn't be fair on the dog. It's good to know there's a group I could hitch up if I do ever get one."
Talking and walkingTalking and walking
The talking is the thing. While it may be dog ownership that draws you together, you'll hopefully find, like us, that there is loads to talk about besides rip-off vet bills, and canine bowel movements and how a dog (mine) can end up being microchipped twice. "It's a bit like speed-dating," said Sue Breen, a lawyer who came with her whippet, Poola, and her daughter, Mimi, nine. "You can only talk for a short period of time as there is always a dog crisis, so if someone is boring you can move. Also, it's cross-generational – you meet people you wouldn't ordinarily have a connection with. Better still, you don't have to talk about yourself; for me, it was therapeutic to focus on the dogs."The talking is the thing. While it may be dog ownership that draws you together, you'll hopefully find, like us, that there is loads to talk about besides rip-off vet bills, and canine bowel movements and how a dog (mine) can end up being microchipped twice. "It's a bit like speed-dating," said Sue Breen, a lawyer who came with her whippet, Poola, and her daughter, Mimi, nine. "You can only talk for a short period of time as there is always a dog crisis, so if someone is boring you can move. Also, it's cross-generational – you meet people you wouldn't ordinarily have a connection with. Better still, you don't have to talk about yourself; for me, it was therapeutic to focus on the dogs."
Dog dynamicsDog dynamics
Like humans, dogs don't always gel. Temperaments clash. If a dog bullies or worries other dogs, say something to the owner before it's too late. A basic canine club rule: good behaviour all round, or you're out. Simon Holmes, an actor who came along with his elderly dog, Billy, rightly suggested that owners need to be prepared to walk at the pace of the slowest dog. A potential stumbling block is a dog in the pack that won't come back when it's off the lead; that could slow the whole walk down.Like humans, dogs don't always gel. Temperaments clash. If a dog bullies or worries other dogs, say something to the owner before it's too late. A basic canine club rule: good behaviour all round, or you're out. Simon Holmes, an actor who came along with his elderly dog, Billy, rightly suggested that owners need to be prepared to walk at the pace of the slowest dog. A potential stumbling block is a dog in the pack that won't come back when it's off the lead; that could slow the whole walk down.
Keep it socialKeep it social
The reward for us, the Roaming Rovers, was gathering at the cafe at the end of the walk. (If it is the dead of winter, choose a pub or cafe that lets dogs inside.) Once the dogs settled at our feet,we debated the merits of our new pack. We all agreed it was great for the dogs to socialise with each other and get to know other breeds, and energising for us. As Estelle Rubio, owner of one-year-old Chewy, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, says: "This morning has got me out into the fresh air and I've met new people, which I love. It's made dog-walking a social pursuit." The Roaming Rovers will return – we're meeting up next month.The reward for us, the Roaming Rovers, was gathering at the cafe at the end of the walk. (If it is the dead of winter, choose a pub or cafe that lets dogs inside.) Once the dogs settled at our feet,we debated the merits of our new pack. We all agreed it was great for the dogs to socialise with each other and get to know other breeds, and energising for us. As Estelle Rubio, owner of one-year-old Chewy, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, says: "This morning has got me out into the fresh air and I've met new people, which I love. It's made dog-walking a social pursuit." The Roaming Rovers will return – we're meeting up next month.
Over to you
Are you already a member of a dog-walking group, or have you been inspired to set up your own? We'd love to hear how you got on, and see pictures of your pack.
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