Welcome Ramsay The Golden Retriever (and his 4 Dog Siblings !!)

As a dog walker and dog lover (ok ok fanatic), I am always excited to meet new dogs. Sometimes, though, I get a request that somehow feels uniquely close to my heart. This was and is the case with Ramsay.

First of all, I LOVE Golden Retrievers. If I were to reenter dog mom life, it would be with either a Golden Retriever or a Shih-Tzu, so a request from a Golden is always special in and of itself. Factor in Ramsay’s amazing age (13!) and I was done for.

Not only is Ramsay a wonder, his family is as well. His parents have amazingly rescued more than ten cats and dogs. What a privilege to get to work with such incredible people who care so deeply for our four-legged friends.

The rest of the doggy family is arriving in the next few weeks. Marian, thank you for letting us be your new dog walker and for giving so much to our canine and feline friends. We promise to love all of your dogs each and every walk.

Welcome Leo the Goldendoodle Puppy

Leo’s mom reached out last month: her Goldendoodle puppy was arriving soon and she needed someone who could visit with her puppy and, ultimately, become his dog walker. I was, of course, more than happy to step in! Just look at this adorable dood … oh boy. Leo starts tomorrow and we are so excited to watch him grow. Leo, we love you already.

Welcome Darwin the Rescue Dog

This beautiful boy started adventure dog walks last week, and we love him so much already. Darwin’s interests include sniffing bums, getting cuddles, and running with his new friends.

Welcome Sascha, the Dachshund, and Kim Crawford (no, not that Kim Crawford)

Two weeks ago, I received the best dog walking request yet. A woman by the name of Kim Crawford was searching for a new dog walker for her adorable Dachshund (I love the wine and the dog breed)

Things continued on a high note at our Meet and Greet. Both person and pup are so lovely. We can’t wait for Sascha’s first dog walk on Monday.

Kim and Sascha, welcome to K9 Kate’s Pet Services!

Welcome Silo the Shepador Rescue Dog

Silo’s parents reached out looking for both a Toronto Dog Walker and a Toronto Dog Trainer. We are so excited to get this girl started on Thursday. She will begin on private dog walks and, in time, hopefully be ready for group dog walks. Her goals include: reduced stranger danger and increased confidence around new people and dogs, Silo is sweet, loving and full of beans! I can’t wait to see her progress and grow with us!

Welcome To Dog Walks and Training, Nola the Toy Poodle

Nola darling! I had the pleasure of meeting Nola and her lovely mom Deniz last night. Nola is the latest Bloorcourt dog to join K9 Kate’s Pet Services. This little miss has some big goals and we’re going to help her realize them as best we can.

As is often seen in poodles, Nola can get a bit worked up and is easily triggered by loud noises. She’s also begun resource guarding in the home. She will be dog walking with our amazing small group dog walker, Erica, so that she can receive more intensive care while she settles and training with the wonderful Andrea Dinan.

Nola, we know you will rock it both in training and on your dog walks!! Get it, girl!

K9 Kate's Force Free Training

For the past 3 years, I’ve offered force free dog training to both walking and non-walking clients alike; unlike our dog walking, training is not confined to a service area so whether you’re in North Toronto, Rosedale or Bloor West Village, we can and would love to step in.

It’s time to meet the incredible women comprising our training team.

1. Andrea Dinan (CPDT-KA - IPDTA - KPA Foundations)

Andrea's training methods focus on motivating the dog (and dog parents) so that the training process is engaging and fun. 

Andrea is certified by the Council for Professional Dog Trainers (www.ccpdt.org) a member of the  International Positive Dog Training Associationand a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Andrea has specialized in many areas including leash reactivity, leash pulling and building confidence.

2. Louise Lawrence

Louise was born loving animals. She began walking dogs professionally in Bloor West Village in 2013. By 2015, she was walking dogs full time and a certified Animal Behaviour College Dog Trainer. Louise is a compassionate trainer who will work with you and your dog to achieve your training goals. She can often be found hanging out with her adorable cockapoo, Jynx.

3. Sarah Rix (CPDT-KA - IPDTA - KPA Foundations)

Sarah’s been a beloved member of the dog walking and training community for decades. She walked with Rover Achiever before deciding it was time to realize her dream of becoming a certified dog trainer. She currently walks and trains, and is a valued member of the K9 Kate’s dog training team.

Welcome Back to Adventure Walks, Phoebe!

This little love muffin joined K9 Kate’s Pet Services when she was only 9 weeks old. First, we would have puppy visits (ie cuddle fests). In a flash, Phoebe had her third round of shots and was ready for the dog park. Together, we ventured to all of my favourites: Coronation Dog Park, Stanley Dog Park, Cherry Beach … you name it. We had a bit of a break after moves and changes to life circumstances, but I am thrilled to say she’ll be back with us soon. I love you so much, Phoebes.

Welcome To Dog Walks and Training, Euclid the Bouvier

I met Euclid, his mom Jess, and their bunny Kramer last night and boy, did I fall hard for this dude! Euclid is the most recent Seaton Village dog to join K9 Kate’s, both for dog walks and for training. He will be walking with me and training with the amazing Andrea Dinan. We both love him very much already!

Jessica, thank you for letting me be your new Toronto dog walker.

Welcome to Adventure Dog Walks, Bogey the Morkie

Bogey joined K9 Kate’s last week and rocked his first dog walk. Led by the amazing Tracy Healy, Bogey and his new friends upped the adorable factor at Cedarvale Ravine. Bogey, we can’t wait to get you out for more adventures. Julie and Stephen, thanks for letting K9 Kate’s be your new Toronto dog walker … and for letting us hang out with your special little guy!

Welcome Linus the Ladradoodle

Nice kicks, Linus!!!

This sweet Ladradoodle joined K9 Kate’s adventure dog walks last week and, boy, do we love him already. Linus’ parents reached out after a recent move to Seaton Village left them without a dog walker. I am thrilled that they did; Linus is sweet, social, and unspeakably adorable!

Welcome to K9 Kate’s, Linus! Meghan and Brian, thank for letting me be your new Toronto dog walker.

Finding a Toronto Dog Walker: Tips, Tricks and Suggested Companies from K9 Kate

Unless you’ve been directly referred to a dog walker via a friend or a dog professional, chances are you’re left with Google. While this can be helpful, it can also - like all Google searches- lead to a rabbit hole. Dog walker X doesn’t service your area, dog walker Y is booked, dog walker Z doesn’t provide force free options, and dog walker double ZZ was outright rude when you spoke.

Toronto dog owners, you deserve better. Let me help you.

Let’s start with the big G. Google likes websites with activity and will place them top of its search list. The issue: these companies may be irrelevant in your quest for a Toronto dog walker. Solution: get specific.

Use key words like your neighbourhood (dog walkers work in specific neighbourhoods only). For instance, K9 Kate’s operates in Seaton Village, The Annex, Little Italy, Trinity Bellwoods, Rosedale and Deer Park. Reaching out to a dog walker who services High Park when you lives in The Danforth isn’t efficient.

Next up, know what service you’re looking for and enter it as a keyword. For instance, if you are looking for offleash dog walks, include this in your Google Search. Different dog walking companies offer different types of walks. K9 Kate’s is among a handful of companies that offer both on foot and adventure.

And then there’s force Free! K9 Kate’s is a fear free dog walking company. I believe that a skilled walker does not need aversive training methods like prong or shock collars. We can get dogs to do what we want and so you can you. Why use fear when you can use love?

With this in mind, please note that I will not knowingly refer dogs to a company that is not fear free. I think it’s antiquated and your dog deserves better.

If you are not in K9 Kate’s service area , please feel free to reach out and I’d be happy to connect you with companies including:

Toronto Tails

LLDT

Mutt Love

Citizen Canine

Sarah Rix

Unleashed in the City

Toronto Humane Society

Adventure Club

City Dogs

She said Walk

Benevolent Beasts

Sparky’s Comrade

Oh my Dog

In the Lead Dog Walking

Woofs Upon a Walk

Woof, Waggle Walk

PetsGo!

Dog’s World Walking

Pup Tent

Liberty Pooch

Pooped Pooches

Philippa Curtain

They Walk Dogs

Diamond Dogs

Wag and Bone

A Couple of Mutts Dog Walking

St. Clair West Dog Walking

(to name a few).

I hope this was helpful in your quest to find a Toronto dog walker. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Thanks and have a great long weekend.

Expansion of Dog Walking Service area: Rosedale

Happy almost Thanksgiving, Toronto dog lovers. I hope that you have your loosest fitting pants out and ready!

We have begun to accept dogs for group and private dog walks in Rosedale. If you or someone you know is looking for a dog walker, please let them know that K9 Kate’s is in the area, and we’re ready to walk your dog!

Thanks and happy holidays once again!

Welcome to Dog Walks, Winston and Bogart, The Dainty Mastiffs!

Marc reached out last weekend; he had recently moved to Forest Hill with his two AMAZING pups and was in need of a new dog walker. I knew in advance that I would be meeting two Mastiffs, a personal favourite- I love the giant breeds, their leaning, generally sweet temperaments, and cuddling capacities. These boys are so loving and kind; I can’t wait to get them out next week. Marc, thanks for letting K9 Kate’s be your new Toronto dog walker.

Welcome to Dog Walks, Finn, the Cavalier Spaniel

Julia reached out a few weeks back about dog walking for her adorable pup, Finn. Despite being outside of our former, east boundary, Yonge St., we went for it … and I decided to expand our service area (we are now offering dog walks in Rosedale and Yorkville)! So, if you live near Ramsden Dog Park, buy you groceries at Whole Foods on Avenue Rd., AND you need a dog walker, well, we should speak :)

Finn will have his first official K9 Kate’s dog walk next week. We can’t wait to get to know him!

Welcome to Adventure Dog Walks Otis, the rescue American Bulldog

Otis’s mom reached out a few weeks ago saying she had a new rescue dog and needed a new Toronto dog walker. She let me know that she had already begun force-free training with Jon Fowles and I was immediately impressed; as most people know I am vehemently opposed to aversives and subscribe to force-free philosophies on dog handling. Otis had his first dog walk on Thursday, and was AMAZING! He and fellow Bulldog (British) Baymax, were alllllll over each other in the best of ways! I love watching Bulldogs play, and apparently I am not alone in this; everyone at Bickford Dog Park that day was watching them with smiles on their faces. Otis, welcome to K9 Kate’s, we love you so much!

Welcome back Shaia to Dog Walks, the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Our beloved Ridgeback had a temporary break last year but recently rejoined her friends and I in the dog park. We’ve been frequenting another favourite Toronto dog park, Ramsden, near Yorkville. It has brought me so much joy to see Shaia’s own elation as she plays with her former pack mates. Shaia, we love you big girl!

Welcome to Adventure Dog Walks Lucy, the Boston Terrier / French Bulldog Mix

This little nugget started dog walks last week and, oh dog do we love her! Lucy, another Seaton Village pup, had been off of dog walks for the past year while her mom was spending time with her and her human baby.

Lucy’s parents were concerned that the time off may have jeopardized her sociability. With this in mind, we started dog walking with one other dog, in a very controlled environment. It was quickly apparent that Lucy is not just comfortable with other dogs, she’s a 10! Lucy quickly graduated to group dog walks. Lucy, I am so happy to be your new dog walker and I love you already!

Welcome to Offleash Dog Walks Burrito the Rescue Dog

Burrito started adventure dog walks last week. He is the third Kensington Market dog to join K9 Kate’s in recent months. Here he is with dog best friends Koda, the puppy Golden Retriever, and Milton, the puppy Labrador Retriever. Together, the Three Amidogs have wrestled and cuddled at Grange Dog Park, next to the AGO, Seaton Village’s local Bickford Dog Park, and downtown’s (and my favourite!) Coronation Dog Park. Burrito, we love you so much already, dude!

Welcome to Adventure Walks Scrabble, The Rescue Dog

Scrabble joined dog walks last week and has been an incredible to addition to our pack. He is so sweet and playful, and we adore him already. Scrabble is another reminder of the value of rescuing; there are so many amazing dogs who don’t have homes. Why not consider rescuing one? Princess, Laila, Scrabble, Blue, Gert are just a handful of the rescue dogs K9 Kate’s has walked and loved so much. If you’re thinking about getting a dog, please consider adoption. I posted recently a list of suggested organizations including Toronto Humane Society and K9 Adovcates Manitoba. Thanks and enjoy your day and your dogs!!