Finchley Dog Walker

06/06/2026

Worth watching

From guidance on selecting the right kennel to identifying red flags, Dr Scott is here to make sure you know exactly how safe your dog is during their stay.

01/06/2026

Need calm, reliable pet care in Finchley and nearby areas?

I offer dog walking, house sitting and cat visits for pets who do best with gentle, one-to-one care.

No vans.
No group walks.
No rushing from house to house.
No forcing dogs into situations they find too much.

Just calm, practical care built around your pet’s normal routine.

Dog walking is one-to-one and starts from your door. This is ideal for older dogs, rescue dogs, nervous dogs, reactive dogs, or dogs who simply prefer their own space.

House sitting means your pets stay in their own home, with their usual smells, beds, walks, feeding times and routines. This can be a much calmer option than boarding, especially for dogs who struggle with change.

Cat visits include feeding, fresh water, litter trays, medication if agreed, photo updates and basic home checks.

I also care for rabbits and small pets.

Every visit is tailored to the animal in front of me. Some dogs need a sniffy walk. Some need a slow potter. Some cats want company. Others want food, clean litter, and to be left in peace.

If you are planning a holiday, a long day out, or just need regular support, feel free to get in touch.

Finchley Dog Walker
Dog walking, house sitting and cat visits
Calm, local pet care since 2011

31/05/2026

it’s so important to check that boarding providers are properly licensed.

Just a reminder for dogs that are happier staying in their own home, I offer house sitting, which can be a great alternative to boarding. I offer cat visits too, including feeding, litter changes and a bit of company while you’re away.

Feel free to message me if you’d like to chat about dates.

Demand for boarding is through the roof right now! 🚨🐾

If you're looking for dog boarding this summer, PLEASE check the provider has a valid council licence.

✅ It's not just a box-ticking exercise – it's the law.

✅ A licence means they’ve been inspected and meet DEFRA standards for safety, cleanliness, and welfare.

✅ It covers things like emergency plans, secure premises, and how many dogs they’re allowed to care for.

Always ask to see a licence – a good boarder will be proud to show you. 🐶💼

Check out out licensed home dog boarders here 👇
https://yappily.co.uk/explore/

31/05/2026

Sunday morning enrichment 🐾

Sunday mornings are a lovely time to slow things down, and enrichment doesn’t need to be complicated.

A few minutes spent scattering breakfast in the garden, hiding treats around the room, using a snuffle mat, or giving your dog something safe to chew can help them use their brain as well as their body.

Enrichment gives dogs choice, encourages natural behaviours, and can help them feel more settled afterwards. It is not about keeping them busy for the sake of it. It is about giving them something meaningful to do.

So while the kettle’s on this morning, try one simple enrichment activity and see how your dog responds.

Need ideas that suit your dog’s age, confidence and routine? Send me a message, and I’ll happily help.

29/05/2026

☀️ 25°C might not feel extreme to us… but for many dogs it is still far too warm for long walks.

Dogs do not cool down like humans.
Even on a “not too bad” day, pavements, humidity and excitement can quickly push them into overheating.

That’s why some dogs benefit far more from calm mental enrichment at home than a long walk in warm weather.

Here are a few simple ideas you can try instead today:

• Scatter feeding in the garden or on a towel
• Frozen carrots or dog-safe frozen treats
• Sniff boxes with crumpled paper and hidden treats
• Short shaded sniff walks instead of long marches
• Lick mats or stuffed Kongs
• Basic training games for 5 minutes indoors
• A calm nap near a fan with fresh water available

Mental exercise can tire dogs out safely without overheating them.

Sometimes slowing things down is the kindest thing we can do

28/05/2026

This weather is exactly why welfare-first dog care matters right now. ☀️🐾

At the moment, many dog professionals are having to make difficult decisions because putting dogs first is not always the most profitable option.

For me, that means:
•No walks
• shorter enrichment walks when needed
• slower sniffy walks in shaded areas
• home visits instead of long walks during peak heat
• changing routines around the weather rather than forcing dogs to “push through”

Or maybe just cancelling altogether

Sometimes that means earning less.
But dog welfare has to come first.

If you know a local dog business genuinely trying to do the right thing during this heat:
🐾 Tag them
🐾 Follow their page
🐾 Share their posts

Small local businesses survive because of community support.

At Finchley Dog Walker, I have always believed in calm, one-to-one care.
No pack walks. No chaotic van runs. Just local walks, patience, routine and enrichment-based care tailored to the individual dog.

If you enjoy my local guides, dog welfare content and advice, you can support my work here ☕🐶

https://f.mtr.cool/ueruhbambz

27/05/2026

Many people assume cats naturally cope well in hot weather.

Some do.

But every summer, vets see cats struggling with dehydration, overheating and heat stress, especially indoor cats living in flats or homes that trap heat overnight.

Signs your cat may be too hot can include:
• panting
• lethargy
• hiding away
• reduced appetite
• drooling
• lying stretched out on cool floors

A few small changes can make a big difference:
• fresh water in several rooms
• keeping blinds closed during peak heat
• creating cool quiet spaces
• avoiding stressful travel
• checking rooms that stay hot overnight

Cats often cope better with calm familiar routines at home during heatwaves rather than travelling somewhere unfamiliar.

That is one reason many owners now choose home cat visits during summer holidays.

I’ve put together a practical Summer Cat Safety Guide covering:
• heatstroke signs
• keeping indoor cats cool
• flats during heatwaves
• hydration tips
• summer holiday care

Hopefully it helps a few cats stay safer and more comfortable this summer.

27/05/2026

Friends and family often mean well.

And sometimes, they are a huge help.

But dog care is not always as simple as “popping in” or “taking them for a quick walk”.

Some dogs need more than kindness.

They need:

• a familiar routine
• calm, confident handling
• someone who can read dog body language
• clear boundaries
• patience if they are nervous, excited or unsure
• consistency every time

This matters even more for rescue dogs, anxious dogs, older dogs, puppies, and dogs who do not cope well with change.

A professional dog walker or sitter is not just there to fill a gap.

It is planned care.

It is predictable care.

And for many dogs, that makes life much easier.

I offer calm, one-to-one dog walking, house sitting and pet care in Finchley and nearby areas.

No vans. No group walks. Just steady, local care built around your dog.

Message me if your dog does better with routine, patience and familiar care.

25/05/2026

Monday heat warning: 32°C is too hot for normal dog walks

Today is forecast to reach around 32°C.

That is danger-zone weather for dogs.

At this temperature, dogs can overheat quickly, even if they seem keen to go out. Heatstroke can happen fast and can be life-threatening.

My Extreme Weather Policy will be in place.

This means walks may be changed to:

• early, cooler visits where possible
• short toilet breaks only
• shaded sniff time
• home visits
• water, rest and enrichment indoors

I will not take risks with dogs in this heat.

Please watch for signs of heatstroke:

• heavy panting
• drooling
• weakness
• bright red gums
• confusion
• vomiting
• wobbling
• collapse

If you think your dog is overheating, move them to a cool place, offer small sips of water, cool them gradually, and contact your vet straight away.

Please also check the ground.

If the pavement is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for their paws.

On days like this, skipping a walk is not lazy.

It is responsible.

Keep them cool. Keep them shaded. Keep them safe.

FinchleyDogWalker.co.uk

24/05/2026

Older dogs still lie to get out and see the world and smell new things

You never refused a walk. Why today?