To start with, any general info about their temperament is always appreciated. When it comes to dog walking and care, I always ask if a dog has any particular triggers on walks, including but not limited to squirrels, bikes, busses, and cats. I also ask how the dog is with strangers, and if they enjoy meeting and getting attention from strangers or would generally prefer to be left alone. One of the most important questions I’ll ask is how the dog feels about other dogs, particularly whether they are leash reactive, barrier reactive, or reactive towards particular sized dogs. This is very important information as I have experience walking dogs with all different levels of reactivity, and it’s crucial that I know ahead of time the best way to react to seeing other dogs on our walks. For cats I like to know a bit about their personality including their likes and dislikes, such as specific toys, treats, or places to be pet. I obviously need to know about any unique medical needs in order to provide proper care, but generally I find that most cats enjoy my company and that, while all cats are unique and have distinctive personalities, I don’t need as much info about cats as I would with dogs since we won’t be going on walks outside and consequently are not exposed to as many unpredictable experiences.

When I walk dogs, I often let them show me where they want to go, as long as it’s safe. Living in Chicago, the weather can be severe and unpredictable, so I also make sure that it is safe for us to be outdoors for the full time of the walk, and when it’s not I will do my best to make sure they do their business and then bring them back inside and play with them indoors for the remainder of the walk. For dogs who enjoy meeting strangers I will occasionally take them to the local coffee shop to give them a treat, as long as the owner permits it. I also enjoy taking dogs to local parks when possible.