I take pet safety very seriously. Each dog is different and I think it is important to start with what the owner has to say about their dog's behavior. Is your pet an escape artist? Does your dog guard food, toys, people, places, etc? Does your pet get along with other animals? Is your dog reactive on leash? Does your dog like to chase cars or squirrels or bikes? Being informed ahead of time allows me to better handle and keep your dog safe on walks. With cats I am very careful about where they are when I go in and out to prevent any darting outside. Some basics things to know in regards to my standard handling for dog walks: • I avoid other dogs and don't allow interaction just in case, even if your dog is friendly. • I bring them close or in a heel type position to pass people and other animals for safety and to prevent interaction. • I do not allow dogs off leash. • I stick to sidewalks and trails. (Obviously there may be streets without sidewalks in which case we stay to the side and find a route with safer walkways.) • We stop before crossing the street. • I re-lock the door while we go for our walk.