Hair of the Dog

Hair of the Dog 🐾 Dog Walking & Daycare in Great Dunmow & surrounding villages 🐾

Home-from-home care focused on safe, structured walks & daycare.

Services: group walks, daycare, puppy visits, cat feeding. Licensed & insured (UDC 25/1200/BOARD)

🐾 A Quick Reminder of the Services We Offer at Hair of the DogOver the last few weeks, I’ve shared more about who I am, ...
04/09/2026

🐾 A Quick Reminder of the Services We Offer at Hair of the Dog

Over the last few weeks, I’ve shared more about who I am, how Hair of the Dog began and what a typical day looks like for the dogs in my care.

So, here’s a quick reminder of the services currently available.

🐕 Group Dog Walking

Dog walking is where Hair of the Dog began back in 2016 and remains a huge part of the business today.

Our walks are carefully planned around compatible dogs, with a focus on positive social interactions, enrichment and having fun. Whether we’re exploring the Flitch Way, local parks, open fields or secure fields, every walk provides physical exercise and mental stimulation.

🐾 Dog Daycare

Our home-based daycare offers a smaller-scale alternative for dogs who enjoy companionship, routine and a varied day.

Daycare dogs enjoy walks, enrichment, social interaction, relaxation and plenty of home comforts. Many also join our regular walking groups, giving them the chance to spend time with familiar friends and experience different environments.

🏡 Puppy & Pop-In Visits

Bringing home a puppy is exciting, but it can also be a busy time!

Puppy visits can help bridge the gap while you’re at work, providing toilet breaks, companionship, feeding if required, playtime and positive experiences in the comfort of their own home.

Pop-in visits are also available for dogs who simply need a comfort break, some company or a little extra attention during the day.

🐱 Cat Feeding Visits

It’s not just dogs that keep me busy!

I also provide cat feeding visits for feline family members who are happiest staying at home while their owners are away.

Visits can include feeding, fresh water, litter tray maintenance, medication where appropriate, playtime and, of course, plenty of fuss if they’re in the mood!

❤️ A Personal Approach

Whatever service you choose, my aim is always the same: to provide safe, reliable and professional care tailored to each pet’s individual needs.

Hair of the Dog may have grown and changed over the years, but it remains the same small, personal business built around strong relationships with pets and their owners.

🐶💛 Boarder of the Week – Dudley (aka Dudley Doodles) 💛🐶Our Dudley Doodles was back for another stay, and as one of our r...
03/09/2026

🐶💛 Boarder of the Week – Dudley (aka Dudley Doodles) 💛🐶

Our Dudley Doodles was back for another stay, and as one of our regular boarders, he's very much become part of the furniture here at Hair of the Dog.

Dudley had another lovely stay and was fantastic at welcoming some of our newer boarders into the household. He's brilliant with group dynamics and seems to have a real knack for helping everyone settle into the HOTD routine.

But Dudley's favourite thing? Human company 💛

He absolutely loves his fuss, his brushes, his cuddles and generally just being around us. In fact, given the choice between hanging out with the humans or the other dogs, I'm pretty sure Dudley would pick us every single time!

He's such a lovely, gentle boy and it's always a pleasure having him back with us.

We love you, Dudley Doodles. See you again soon! 🐾

🐾 How Much Exercise Does a Dog Really Need?It’s one of the questions I’m asked most often as a dog walker.And the answer...
02/09/2026

🐾 How Much Exercise Does a Dog Really Need?

It’s one of the questions I’m asked most often as a dog walker.

And the answer? It depends on the dog.

More exercise isn’t always better. Often, the quality of exercise matters more than the quantity.

When I use secure dog fields, I generally book them for 30 minutes. For many puppies and younger dogs, that’s plenty. Some dogs don’t need endless ball chasing, they’d much rather sniff, explore and take everything in at their own pace.

A dog’s age, breed, health, personality and even the weather can all affect how much exercise is appropriate.

🐶 Puppies

More isn’t always best for growing dogs. Their bodies are still developing, so excessive exercise can put unnecessary strain on growing joints and bones.

As a general guide, I often use the 5 minutes per month of age rule for structured exercise. A 4-month-old puppy, for example, might have around 20 minutes of purposeful exercise at a time.

Short walks, training, social experiences, enrichment and plenty of rest are all important too. Puppies need to learn how to switch off, not just burn energy.

🐾 Adult Dogs

Exercise needs can vary hugely between adult dogs. A young Labrador, Spaniel or Vizsla may need considerably more stimulation than a Bulldog or companion breed.

But even within the same breed, every dog is different. I’ve met energetic Bulldogs and very laid-back Spaniels, which is why I always look at the individual dog rather than relying on breed stereotypes.

❤️ Senior Dogs

Getting older doesn’t mean a dog stops enjoying walks.

My own boy Buster is a perfect example. At 15, he still loves getting out, exploring and taking everything in at his own pace.

For senior dogs, walks may become shorter, slower or more frequent. Sniffing and exploring can provide valuable mental enrichment without requiring strenuous exercise.

🧩 Exercise Isn’t Just Walking

Sniffing, exploring, training, food enrichment, social interaction and experiencing different environments can all help keep dogs happy and fulfilled.

Good exercise isn’t about exhausting a dog.

After all, a fulfilled dog is far more important than simply a tired dog🐾

🐶💛 Back with the Harlow Crew!It was so lovely being back with my Harlow crew this week.It's always so nice seeing all th...
02/09/2026

🐶💛 Back with the Harlow Crew!

It was so lovely being back with my Harlow crew this week.

It's always so nice seeing all those familiar faces, getting back into their routines and spending the day doing what I love 🥰

I really do feel so lucky to have been part of these dogs' lives for so many years, and I still love seeing them when I can ❤️

Already looking forward to next week! 🙌🐶

🐾 Client Spotlight: BaileyThis week's spotlight goes to Bailey. ❤️If you've been following Hair of the Dog over the last...
31/08/2026

🐾 Client Spotlight: Bailey

This week's spotlight goes to Bailey. ❤️

If you've been following Hair of the Dog over the last year or so, there's a good chance you've seen this little Frenchie pop up in plenty of pictures.

Bailey is more of a boarding dog than a daycare regular, but he has joined us for daycare a few times and has also been out on a few walks with us.

One of the things I love most about Bailey is how settled and comfortable he is when he's here. It's truly become a home-from-home for him.

While many dogs enjoy the walks, enrichment and social side of daycare, Bailey's favourite part is often much simpler, spending time with his best mate, Buster.

The two of them have formed quite the friendship over the last year or so. They'll happily share beds, potter around together and keep each other company throughout the day.

In fact, there have been plenty of occasions where I've been busy getting on with jobs around the house, only to realise the boys have quietly disappeared. More often than not, I'll find them both upstairs in the bedroom, fast asleep on their beds together, completely content and enjoying a peaceful afternoon snooze.

Of course, Bailey still enjoys joining us on walks, seeing his doggy friends and taking part in all the usual Hair of the Dog activities. But one of the lovely things about daycare is that every dog enjoys it in their own way.

Some dogs come for the adventures.

Some come for the social side.

Some come for the enrichment.

And some, like Bailey, seem to have mastered the art of balancing all of the above with a very healthy amount of napping!

Watching dogs settle in so comfortably that they genuinely treat the house as their second home is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

We're very lucky to have you as part of the Hair of the Dog family, Bailey.

Does your dog have a best friend they love spending time with?

🐾 Currently in My 10th Year of Hair of the DogIt’s hard to believe I’m now in my 10th year of Hair of the Dog, with the ...
28/08/2026

🐾 Currently in My 10th Year of Hair of the Dog

It’s hard to believe I’m now in my 10th year of Hair of the Dog, with the business celebrating its 11th birthday next year!

What started as a dog walking business in 2016 has grown into something I could never have imagined.

🐾 The Beginning

Before Hair of the Dog, I spent two years working professionally with dogs for established pet care companies across London and Essex.

Those years gave me invaluable hands-on experience with dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages and personalities, and confirmed that working with dogs was exactly what I wanted to do.

🐾 2016 – Hair of the Dog Begins

In 2016, I took the leap and launched Hair of the Dog, initially focusing on dog walking and building relationships with local owners, one walk at a time.

🐾 Growing Alongside My Clients

Over the years, many of the dogs I walked became part of my extended Hair of the Dog family.

Puppies grew into adults, new dogs joined the group, and wonderful friendships developed with both dogs and their owners.

Many clients who originally came to me for walks later trusted me with daycare, boarding and holiday care too.

🐾 A New Chapter

As the business grew, so did the team. At one point, I had four members of staff working with me, which was an exciting chapter for Hair of the Dog.

Eventually, I moved from Harlow to Dunmow and began rebuilding the business in a new area.

I worked towards my licence and Level 3 qualification so I could offer daycare and boarding to the highest possible standard, something I’m incredibly proud of.

One of my biggest achievements has been obtaining and maintaining a
Higher Standards Animal Activity Licence, reflecting the care, knowledge and welfare standards at the heart of my business.

🐾 Today

Today, Hair of the Dog is still what I always wanted it to be, a small, personal business providing safe, professional and enriching care for every dog who joins us.

Whether you’ve been with me since the early walking days or have joined more recently, thank you.

I genuinely couldn’t have done it without all the wonderful dogs and owners who have been part of the journey.

Here's to the next 10 years!

🐾 The Benefits of Group Dog WalksGroup walks are about so much more than simply exercising dogs.When carefully managed, ...
26/08/2026

🐾 The Benefits of Group Dog Walks

Group walks are about so much more than simply exercising dogs.

When carefully managed, they can provide confidence building, social opportunities, mental enrichment and plenty of fun along the way.

One of my favourite things is watching dogs develop friendships and become part of a familiar group. Over time, many dogs learn from one another, gain confidence and become more comfortable exploring the world around them.

🐶 Building Confidence

For some dogs, being around calm, confident companions can be incredibly beneficial.

Exploring new routes, navigating different environments or simply discovering that the world isn’t as scary as they thought can all help build confidence.

🐾 Socialisation in the Real World

Socialisation doesn’t just mean dogs playing together.

Good socialisation is about learning to coexist comfortably around other dogs. Group walks allow dogs to walk together, explore together and enjoy each other’s company naturally, without the pressure of constant interaction.

🐕 Mental & Physical Enrichment

Every walk provides opportunities to sniff, explore, investigate and experience different sights, sounds and smells.

Whether we’re exploring the Flitch Way, visiting local parks, heading across open fields or enjoying a secure field session, the environment itself provides valuable mental stimulation alongside physical exercise.

🧩 How Daycare & Group Walks Work Together

At Hair of the Dog, daycare and group walking complement each other beautifully.

Many of our daycare dogs join regular group walks, giving them the chance to socialise with familiar walking companions, experience different environments and become part of the wider Hair of the Dog community.

It creates a lovely balance of activity, enrichment, companionship and rest.

❤️ It’s All About the Right Group

One of the most important parts of my job is understanding which dogs are suited to group walks and carefully considering group dynamics.
When the group is right, the walks become enjoyable for everyone, dogs and humans alike!

Does your dog have a favourite walking friend, or are they more of an independent explorer?

🐶💛 Happy International Dog Day! Today is all about celebrating the wonderful dogs who make our lives brighter, messier, ...
26/08/2026

🐶💛 Happy International Dog Day!

Today is all about celebrating the wonderful dogs who make our lives brighter, messier, funnier and, quite honestly, so much better!

From the young pups discovering the world, to our golden oldies, rescue dogs finding their confidence, working dogs, family pets and everything in between, every dog deserves to be celebrated today.

I'm incredibly lucky that my job allows me to spend my days surrounded by dogs and to be trusted with so many amazing personalities. Over the years, they've taught me so much about patience, trust, resilience, companionship and unconditional love.

And of course, I couldn't write an International Dog Day post without mentioning my own boy Buster. At 15 years old, he's definitely earned his place as today's honorary guest of honour! 🥹

From the dogs I've walked over the years, the ones I've boarded, my current walking gang, the dogs who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and all the wonderful faces still to come, thank you for making Hair of the Dog what it is.

Every single one has left a paw print on my heart 🐾❤️

So today, give your dog an extra cuddle, an extra treat, their favourite walk (weather permitting 😉), and remind them just how loved they are.

Happy International Dog Day, doggos! 🐶💛

Address

Flitch Green
Great Dunmow
CM63FU

Telephone

+447526725030

Website

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