Finchley Dog Walker

Finchley Dog Walker One-to-one dog walks & pet care for dogs who prefer a calmer approach. No groups. No vans. No rushed walks. Just patient, enrichment-led care tailored to your dog.

Especially suited to rescue, nervous, reactive & older dogs

Finchley & Muswell Hill | E Derek Chambers, known as Del, was born and bred in North London and has been around dogs all his life. His dogs have always been rescued

When he is not out walking, pet sitting or cat feeding, he runs an active local scout group in Highgate with over 100 emmebers from 6 - 14 years old

September is Happy Cat Month.Cats sometimes have a reputation for being independent and requiring very little from us. I...
05/09/2026

September is Happy Cat Month.

Cats sometimes have a reputation for being independent and requiring very little from us. In reality, their routines, environment and opportunities to behave naturally all matter.

A happy cat might enjoy:

• a quiet place where they will not be disturbed
• clean litter trays in suitable locations
• somewhere high to watch the world
• scratching areas and short play sessions
• fresh water placed away from their food
• choice over when to approach or retreat
• familiar routines and patient human company

The same principles matter when you go away.

My cat visits are not simply about putting food down and leaving. Depending on the individual cat, they can include refreshing water, cleaning litter trays, play, gentle company, enrichment and checking that everything appears normal.

Shy cats are never forced to interact. They are given time, choice and space while still receiving a proper welfare check.

I provide cat-sitting and feeding visits across Finchley, Muswell Hill, and selected nearby areas.

Find out more:

https://f.mtr.cool/yjotu1ffdf

What is the one thing that makes your cat happiest?

There are parts of professional dog walking that don't always make it onto the website.The muddy trousers are one of the...
04/09/2026

There are parts of professional dog walking that don't always make it onto the website.

The muddy trousers are one of them. 😂

This was today's view while I was apparently being asked a very important question.

One of the things I like about walking dogs one-to-one is that there's no need to rush through somebody else's agenda.

We can stop.

We can sniff.

We can investigate.

And, apparently, we can make certain some of the walk comes home on my trousers.

Not every Facebook post needs a big lesson attached to it.

Sometimes this is simply what a day at Finchley Dog Walker looks like.

Quiet doesn’t always mean settled.When school and work routines return, some dogs suddenly go from having company for mu...
03/09/2026

Quiet doesn’t always mean settled.

When school and work routines return, some dogs suddenly go from having company for much of the day to spending longer periods at home alone.

Some dogs bark, howl or scratch at the door. Others show quieter signs, such as pacing, panting, ignoring food, waiting by the window or struggling to settle properly.

This is not your dog being naughty. They may simply be finding the change difficult.

If you are unsure what happens after you leave, try safely recording the first part of your absence. You may discover that your dog settles quickly, or notice behaviour you did not know was happening.

A calm one-to-one walk or enriched pop-in can break up the day for a dog who is comfortable being left for shorter periods. Dogs showing panic or serious distress may need help from their vet and a suitably qualified reward-based behaviour professional.

I provide calm one-to-one walks and enriched home visits across Finchley and Muswell Hill.

Read my practical guide:

https://f.mtr.cool/c844yvdoai

Have you ever recorded your dog while you were out? Did anything surprise you?

The children know they're going back to school.Your dog doesn't.Tomorrow morning, uniforms go on, bags get picked up, an...
01/09/2026

The children know they're going back to school.

Your dog doesn't.

Tomorrow morning, uniforms go on, bags get picked up, and the usual school routine starts again.

For your dog, though, it might simply feel as though everyone has suddenly disappeared.

After weeks of summer holidays, some dogs have become used to having people around more often. Different mornings, later starts, days out, children coming and going-and probably a few more opportunities to hang around, hopefully, whenever someone opens the fridge.

Then September arrives, and everything changes again.

Some dogs will barely notice.

Others might find the suddenly quieter house and change of routine a bit harder.

It can help to think about their day from their point of view.

When will they get their walk?

How long will they be on their own?

Have their meal times changed?

Are they getting enough opportunity to sniff, explore and have some proper downtime?

And don't feel that you need to compensate for everyone being out by cramming excitement into the time you are home.

Sometimes a quiet one-to-one walk, plenty of time to sniff and then a good sleep afterwards is exactly what's needed.

That's one of the reasons I like walking dogs individually. I can adapt the walk to the dog I'm with and how they're feeling that day, rather than expecting every dog to want the same thing.

So while you're checking school bags, finding missing shoes and wondering where the last six weeks went, spare a thought for the member of the household who has absolutely no idea why everyone is suddenly getting up so early.

And if the return to your normal routine means your dog could do with a regular one-to-one walk during the day, you're very welcome to message me and have a chat.

The children know they’re going back to school. Your dog doesn’t.As Barnet schools begin to reopen, many households are ...
01/09/2026

The children know they’re going back to school. Your dog doesn’t.

As Barnet schools begin to reopen, many households are returning to their usual work and school routines.

For some dogs, the summer holidays have meant more company, later mornings, different walking times and children being around during the day. Then, almost overnight, the house becomes much quieter.

A sudden change can lead to pacing, barking, chewing, toileting indoors or difficulty settling. This is not your dog being naughty. They may be struggling with the change.

Try to keep mornings calm and predictable. Give your dog time for a toilet break and a proper sniff; avoid dramatic goodbyes and leave only enrichment items you know they can use safely.

A calm one-to-one walk or enriched pop-in can also break up a long day with company, movement, sniffing and individual attention.

I provide one-to-one dog walks and enriched home visits across Finchley and Muswell Hill. No vans, group walks or collection rounds. Just calm, local care from someone your dog can get to know.

Read my guide to helping your dog cope at home:
https://f.mtr.cool/d9q299ecmb

To discuss your dog’s routine, WhatsApp me on 07707 763344.

Has your dog noticed that the household routine is changing?

Well, someone’s making the most of the low water levels… 😂This pipe is normally underwater.Apparently the local swan fam...
31/08/2026

Well, someone’s making the most of the low water levels… 😂

This pipe is normally underwater.

Apparently the local swan family have decided that while it’s exposed, it makes a perfectly acceptable swan sun deck.

Even better, they’d formed an orderly queue along it. A bit of preening, a bit of lounging and absolutely no intention of moving for anyone.

You do see some wonderfully random things when you spend your working day wandering around North London.

I suspect they’ll be slightly disappointed when the water level comes back up, and their new seating area disappears.

HOW CAN FINCHLEY DOG WALKER HELP YOU?Not every dog needs a group walk.And not every pet needs the same kind of care.That...
31/08/2026

HOW CAN FINCHLEY DOG WALKER HELP YOU?

Not every dog needs a group walk.

And not every pet needs the same kind of care.

That's why I keep things personal and look after one household at a time.

I provide:

One-to-one dog walks

Individual walks from your dog's own front door, adapted to their pace, confidence and needs. No group collections and no vans.

House sitting

For dogs and other pets who are happiest staying in their own home while you're away, with their familiar routines and surroundings.

Cat visits

Feeding, fresh water, litter care, company and enrichment while you're away, with updates so you know how they're getting on.

Rescue and nervous dog support

Calm, patient care for dogs who may need more time, space or understanding.

One-to-one training support

Practical, reward-based support to help you and your dog practise skills and build confidence. I'm not a behaviourist, and I'll happily work alongside your trainer or other appropriate professionals.

I've been providing pet care around Finchley and Muswell Hill since 2011, and the principle has remained pretty simple:

One household at a time. No groups. No vans. No rushed care.

If you're looking for someone to simply fit another dog into a busy round, I'm probably not the dog walker for you.

If you're looking for someone who gets to know your pet as an individual, we may be a very good fit.

You can send me a message or visit the Finchley Dog Walker website to find out more.

Before anyone starts counting how many sleeps there are until Christmas...I'm not ready either. 😂We're only just reachin...
30/08/2026

Before anyone starts counting how many sleeps there are until Christmas...

I'm not ready either. 😂

We're only just reaching the end of August; the summer holidays aren't quite over, and I don't even put my own Christmas tree up until the middle of December.

So I promise I'm not trying to rush us into Christmas.

There is, however, one bit of Christmas that I do need to think about early — pet care.

If you're planning to go away over the festive period, you might need house sitting for a dog who's happiest staying in familiar surroundings.

You might need visits for a cat who'd much rather remain in charge of their own home.

There might be rabbits to feed, or one of the slightly less conventional residents I've been known to look after.

And unlike Christmas dinner, I can't solve an overbooking problem by putting another chair at the table.

There's only one of me, so Christmas availability — particularly house sitting — is naturally limited.

That's why I'm mentioning it now, while Christmas still feels comfortably far away.

If you’re planning to travel over the festive period and would like to discuss care for your pets, send me a message, and we can work out what would suit them best.

You can also find out more about my holiday pet care here:
https://f.mtr.cool/hyzo3gsw2n

That's it.

No countdown.

No Christmas music.

And absolutely no tree before mid-December. 🎄😂

Address

29A Granville Road
London
N12

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+447707763344

Website

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