Victoria Bark - Professional Dog Walking Services
About Me
Victoria Bark is a dog walking and daycare service based close to Victoria Park in Glasgow's West End and provides services for you and your dogs in Scotstoun, Jordanhill, Whiteinch, Knightswood and Broomhill.
I have always been besotted with animals, especially dogs and have collected many furry, scaly, and feathery waifs and strays over the years as well as volunteering with various animal charities. A love of travel resulted in a career of almost three decades based around teaching English as a foreign language and working and supporting international students in tertiary education.
However, COVID, an inevitable mid-life crisis and a needy spaniel gave me the perfect opportunity to change tack and take the plunge to spend more time with dogs! So, after lots of practice doggy walks with the lovely Kate at Waggin Trails in 2021, I decided to set up Victoria Bark and here we are!
As I needed to utilise the services of a dog walker for my own dogs while I was at work, I understand how finding the right dog walker for you and your dog(s) can be challenging. It is extremely important to me that the dogs and their needs are at the top of the priority list but I am also keen to support the human guardians as best as I can too.
Victoria Bark covers Scotstoun, Jordanhill, Whiteinch, Knightswood and Broomhill
My Philosophy
My dog walks are small (6 dogs maximum) and last around an hour. It is important to me that I interact fully with your dogs on the walks, offering opportunities for play, sniffs, swims and whatever takes their fancy (within reason of course). Most walks take place in Dawsholm Park but I try to vary the location occasional and take them to Mugdock Park and other great places for walking in and around Glasgow. Group walks are generally great fun for dogs and as a result they tend to stick together as a pack, so I love to walk the dogs off lead whenever possible but only when the location has been fully risk assessed and their recall has been put to the test with long lead walks.
My Approach
When it comes to human - doggy interaction, I fully embrace modern dog training methods and ascribe to the school of positive reinforcement which is based on mutual trust and respect. This approach helps me to build (hopefully) long term relationships with your dogs as well as with my own. I am committed to understanding the canine experience from their point of view!
When it comes to the dog parents/guardians, I appreciate the need for flexibility as well as routine. In addition to regular walks for your dogs, I can offer day care and boarding. Additionally, if you need to stay late a work, or have a family emergency, I will do my best to be flexible and accommodate your needs whenever possible.
Communication is key and I will endeavour to keep you fully updated on your dogs walks and stays with me and provide frequent postings on our closed facebook group for Victoria Bark Clients only.
Qualifications
In addition to various academic and teaching qualifications, I hold an Ofqual accredited level 3 certificate in Petsitting and Boarding and a certificate in Canine First Aid.
I am currently studying canine behaviour & training with the Institute of Modern Dog trainers
I am Chair of the Board of Trustees for the assistance dog charity Bravehound https://www.bravehound.co.uk/about/
Other documentation available for inspection
Disclosure Scotland – certificate of basic disclosure
Full dog walking insurance with Axa, including public liability.
