Fee Henry was used to, and was comfortable with, the daily
routine afforded her in six years as a Dental Nurse. But with no scope for
progression she needed a change.
In 2017, Fee took a leap of faith and plunged into the world
of domestic dog care. Now that her pet sitting and walking business ‘
Tails of Edinburgh’ is up and running she has no regrets.
“I don’t think I could go back. The dog walking is very
rewarding."
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| Fee Henry out walking with one of her Tails of Edinburgh groups. |
Pets have always been present in her life.
“I love dogs, I had dogs growing up. As a child I always
said I’d rather work with animals than people and when I was a teenager I
worked through my summer holidays walking dogs at a boarding kennel.
“So, years later when I was thinking about a new career,
someone I knew was using a dog walker and this sparked the idea.”
To find her feet in her new venture Fee first assisted a
lady who already had a dog-walking company.
It then took her almost six months to get fully set up with
her own company. Formalities included registering with the local council and
obtaining appropriate insurance. Fee also completed her first aid training for
dogs and continues to build experience through dog training courses.
Now into her second year, business is flourishing.
“It has grown hugely. You’ll be amazed how many people have
dogs and people now have the luxury of working full-time too, because you can
have a dog walker.
The 28-year-old has found that most of the dogs are well
behaved and have learned her commands quickly.
“I love seeing them pick up new things that I have helped
teach them. We practice things like
sitting before leaving their house and sitting before being let off the lead.
It gives us time to make sure they are safe and then they can have their
freedom.”
Certain breeds are easier to manage. “The most obedient are
Labradors - they are fast learners, and Shepherds are impressive as well.”
“It can be challenging when the dogs haven’t been trained
fully on recall (coming back when you call them). For me, it’s the number one
most important thing you should teach your dog. There can be areas that are not
safe and not every other dog we come upon is friendly.
“I sometimes use treats, but I prefer to reward them with a
lot of praise.”
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| Dogs playing together on a Tails of Edinburgh walk. |
Fee is aware that her new job carries with it acute
responsibility for the safety of the pets in her temporary care. She chooses
walks in open spaces where it is easier to keep watch over the dogs. Holyrood Park
is a particular favourite. Whinny Hill, Meadowfield Park, Dunsapie Hill,
Figgate Park and Portobello Beach offer variety.
All destinations are enjoyed by her canine friends, but Fee
now knows where their real passion lies.
“Their favourite walk is the beach, they love the beach! The
dog owners probably don’t love having the beach in their house, so we don’t go
all the time!”
In many ways the current trend for dog walking services is
proving highly beneficial for pets generally. Yet, the Kennel Club UK recently stated
that one in five dogs, sadly, don’t get a walk every day. We asked Fee why it
is important for dogs to stay active.
“They need mental stimulation – if they are bored and don’t
get exercise it’s not healthy for them and they can become destructive.
“Most humans wouldn’t live in isolation all day every day. Dogs
are not meant to be on their own. In the wild they would get to run where ever
they want and get to play with others.”
Each day is a new adventure.
“Our groups change through the week, so they don’t always
see the same dogs. When they see their best friends, they get all waggy-tailed
and excited.”
Fee explains that a high percentage of her dogs interact
well.
“They get along great, you would be amazed. A new dog can
take a little while to settle in because they all need to find their balance. They
might have a little disagreement and then it’s sorted.
“Some breeds have a bond because they have similarities, but
they are all mixed breeds and get on really well. I have never had any dogs
that don’t but if that was the case then we’d recommend a solo walk.
“They are pack animals so usually they want to have a group
to go around with. Quite often an owner says they are okay off the lead but
sometimes they get distracted or go to see other people. However, when they are
in a group they don’t want to go anywhere else, it helps them to stick
together.”
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| Follow the Leader with Fee Henry. |
Fee is also a dog and cat owner herself. She has a bulldog
terrier cross called Alba and Luka a rescue from Bosnia who is a Shepperd
mountain dog. Her cat Rufio makes it a full-house.
“Alba and Luka always come the morning walk and the
afternoon ones if they can be fitted in. They are very lucky. They can have
three hours of walking a day and then in the evening they still don’t look
tired - I think they are spoiled.”
So, whilst it seems Fee’s dogs are having a whale of a time
it is worth noting that the social aspect of her job is not confined to the
animals. Fee’s new partner is also a dog walker with a separate business. Their
paths crossed when both were out on their rounds.
“When you do dog walking you don’t meet many people, so it
was just by chance.”
Their relationship is offering up unforeseen possibilities.
“Right now, we’re considering options of expanding. We are
looking at possibilities of what we can do as a unit. It might be doggy day
care or some sort of boarding – with a small facility for the dogs to stay
between walks.”
Tails of Edinburgh currently offer dog walking services in
areas including Leith, Lochend, Hillside, Craigentinny, Portobello, Restalrig, Newhaven and North East of the City
Centre. Pet sitting and puppy sitting can include locations that are a further
away.
“It is a very competitive business and more dog-walking
companies are starting up all of the time because it is such a good job.”
Her advice to others contemplating a dog walking business is
do extensive research.
“I would say definitely volunteer first at a local shelter.
There are online courses you can do to get a wee bit of knowledge because it is
harder than you think. Trying to watch six dogs at the same time is demanding.”
Her Fitbit activity tracker indicates that she walks 10 –
15km every day. The tracker does not record her sleeping habits. But for the
record she sleeps, unsurprisingly, very soundly.
For
details visit the Tails of Edinburgh website at http://www.tailsofedinburgh.com
or their Facebook Page at https://en-gb.facebook.com/tailsofedinburgh/.
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