Wonderful Walkies Torbay

Wonderful Walkies Torbay

and Pet Services
Fully Insured.    DBS Police Checked.    Canine First Aid Training.

Hello and welcome to Wonderful Walkies Torbay!

We are a professional, highly experienced and friendly dog-walking and pet services company based in Babbacombe, Torquay. We pride ourselves on offering a professional and reliable dog-walking service in Torbay and the surrounding area and we can walk your dogs and take care of your beloved pets anytime that you can’t be there or anytime you just need a helping hand.

With over 8 years’ experience walking dogs of different sizes, breeds, abilities and temperaments and a lifelong love of all animals, we treat your companions as our own, with all the love and respect they deserve.

At Wonderful Walkies Torbay, we understand that life can bring unexpected challenges, so no matter whether it’s a busy work schedule, change of plans or you simply need a bit of extra help exercising your dog or taking care of your beloved pet companions, we will always strive to help you and your pets when we can.

Ready to find out more about our services?

Click on the links above to find out more about the services we offer and discover why people in Torbay trust us with their beloved pets.


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About me

Hi, I’m Jo and I love dogs! In fact, I love all animals, and always have, resulting in me growing up with animals all my life! Over the years, I have been owned by cats, dogs, a pony, rabbits, hamsters, birds and fish!

But dogs always make me smile! In fact, I’m never happier than when out walking with dogs, no matter the weather! So, in January 2013, I decided to start volunteering in a local animal rescue centre. My continuing 8+ years as a weekly volunteer dog-walker at the rescue centre has enabled me to gain a wealth of experience walking dogs of many breeds, sizes, abilities and temperaments. As a result, I am also very experienced in handling more difficult dogs, dogs which are nervous, fearful or reactive. In addition, I have also developed a good understanding of canine behaviour and positive training techniques.

I have also volunteered as a cat socialiser in another local animal rescue centre.

After being a full-time English language (efl) teacher for over 20 years, I was made redundant due to Covid-19 in 2020. Following this, I decided to combine my love of dogs and passion for walking into a new career, and so “Wonderful Walkies Torbay” was born!

I am fully insured, DBS police-checked and training in canine first aid, giving you full peace of mind whilst using my services.

My partner Matthew, who has also volunteered for many years as dog-walker in a local animal rehoming centre, sometimes accompanies us on our walks, often resulting in even more play interaction with the dogs!

Services

I will arrange to meet you and your pet/s in a place of your choosing so that we can all get to meet each other before committing to any of my services. It is important that you and your pets meet me, and vice versa, to make sure we all feel at ease with each other.
I offer a no obligation consultation, for us to assess the exact services which are most beneficial to you and your pet/s, to fill out some straightforward paperwork and to discuss any special requirements, and most importantly, to get acquainted with each other!
All documents can be photocopied on request for your records.

Dog Walking

Tailored dog walks fulfilling every dogs’ needs!
At Wonderful Walkies Torbay, we offer a variety of dog walking options, to satisfy every dog (and owner’s!) needs. From a gentle stroll to stretch the legs, with plenty of time to sniff all the interesting things along the way, to high-energy doggy hikes with boundless adventures across varied terrain, your canine companion will get all the physical and mental stimulation they need!

I will collect your dog from your home and return them back home in my fully insured vehicle. Rest assured your dogs will be transported safely with us as we use seatbelt harnesses or secured crates to ensure the safety of your canine companions whilst being transported by us. We also carry a Canine First Aid Box in our vehicle.
Most of our group walks last approximately 1 hour. However, shorter or longer walks may be available on request, including ½ day and whole day doggy hikes. Please ask for details.

Wonderful Walkies Torbay will quite literally go that extra mile for you and your pet!

Our group walks offer your dog the chance to exercise and play safely within a well-mannered pack. The benefits of our group walks not only include exercise which is both mentally and physically stimulating but also provide the perfect opportunity for dogs to socialise appropriately together, building confidence and trust and group walks also help reinforce your dog’s good social skills.
At Wonderful Walkies Torbay, we understand that just like people, all dogs are different and have their own preferences! We like to see all dogs as individuals and to ensure a safe and enjoyable walk for all dogs in our care, we group our dogs according to many different criteria, including fitness, temperament and ability.
Our walks are always varied to keep your dog interested and engaged and we always use a positive approach. We guarantee that your dog will have a fun and mentally stimulating walk and will return home to you more tired and satisfied each and every time!
Our group walks last a minimum of 1 hour. With pick-up/drop-off times, your dog will usually be with me for 1½ -2 hours.

*Please note: For all group walks, I can only accept well-socialised dogs, and dogs which do not pull too strongly on lead. If this is not your dog, then a 1:1 walk may be a better option.

Got a higher-energy dog that needs more exercise? No problem! Your dog will walk and play with us for 2-3 hours. Great for dogs that need that extra bit of time to burn off their excess energy! The walks will be varied and include mentally stimulating activities as well as the extra physical exercise.

Good for nervous, anxious or reactive dogs, or dogs which simply need to learn some good doggy manners (ie strong lead pulling). 1:1 dog walks take place in an appropriate setting and give your dog the chance to burn off some excess physical and mental energy. With over 8 years as a volunteer dog walker in a local rescue centre, I am very experienced at handling dogs with these types of issues.
Regular, appropriate and stimulating exercise is highly beneficial for your dog’s overall physical and mental wellbeing. Daily exercise has been proven to relieve stress and boredom and in turn can curb many unwanted and inappropriate behaviours, such as chewing objects in the home, excessive barking and other nuisance behaviours.
Solo walks last for 1 hour.

Pet Services

Sometimes, your pet may need a little extra attention during the day when you can’t be there, and this is often the case for people with a busy work schedule and those who are away from home in hospital, on holiday etc.
We can visit your home to check on and reassure your pets, feed and provide fresh water, do puppy interaction visits, short walks or let pets outside into an enclosed garden, clean out cat litter trays, refill pet-feeding stations etc. We deal with all pets from cats and dogs, to small furries, birds and reptiles.

Let us help transport your pets to and from various places when you aren’t able to. This service is often useful for trips to the vets, dog groomers, from one home to the other etc. Your pet will be transported safely with us in our fully insured vehicle and we use seatbelt harnesses or secured crates to ensure the safety of your beloved pets whilst being transported by us. We also carry a canine First Aid box in our vehicle.
Please ask for details.

Sorry – Doggy Daycare in my home is currently unavailable.
Half-day and Whole-day walking options may be available. Please ask!

* Please note, prices are subject to change.

FAQs

At Wonderful Walkies Torbay, we understand that leaving your beloved pet and sometimes access to your home in the hands of somebody new can be extremely worrying, so for your peace of mind we have tried to provide answers to the many questions we often get asked. If you have any further questions, or are unsure in any way, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!

We cover Torquay, Paignton and the surrounding areas. Please note, for distances greater than 5 miles, a surcharge may be required.

Yes, we are fully insured and have commercial vehicle insurance. We are DBS police check certified and training in Canine First Aid.

We only walk dogs in small groups, usually 3-4, with a maximum of 6 dogs in accordance with local authority regulations and our insurance policy.

We understand that just like people, all dogs are different and have their own preferences! We like to see all dogs as individuals and to ensure a safe and enjoyable walk for all dogs in our care, we group our dogs according to different criteria, including fitness, temperament and ability. All owners are asked about their dog’s medical and behavioural history, and we only accept well-socialised and healthy dogs on our group walks. (Please see T&Cs for more detail).

Some dogs are not suitable to join a group walk. Dogs deemed not suitable to attend our group walks may be offered the solo walk option.

Sorry – bitches in season or pregnant cannot join our group walks.

Here in Torbay, we are blessed by having some wonderful walks nearby! We tailor our walks to the needs of the particular pack. We offer a variety of dog walking options, to satisfy every dog (and owner’s!) needs. From a gentle stroll to stretch the legs, to high-energy doggy hikes, your canine companion will get all the physical and mental stimulation they need! Our walks are always varied to keep your dog interested, we can often be found on beaches, in woodland, fields and meadows and other safe, open green spaces. To ensure a safe and enjoyable walk for all the dogs in our care, we only walk in an environment which is suitable for all the dogs in that particular group.

Most of our group walks last approximately 1 hour. However, shorter or longer walks may be available on request, including ½ day and whole day doggy hikes. Please ask for details.

When a new client contacts us, we take brief details and arrange a suitable time to come and meet the owner and the pet/s for a FREE 30-minute consultation, in a place of their choosing.

It is a no-obligation consultation, and if you decide to go ahead with any of our services, we will try our best to accommodate you with a suitable time there and then. For arranged dog walks, I will collect your dog from your home at the agreed time and return them back home in my fully insured vehicle.

At Wonderful Walkies Torbay, we understand that life can bring unexpected challenges, and last-minute changes. We will always try to accommodate any changes, but please give us 24 hours’ notice and we will not charge you for your cancellation.

Full payment for services is to be made within 7 days of receipt of invoice by cash, or bank transfer. We kindly ask that all monies are paid in full by that time; if payment is not made within this time 2.5% of the total bill will be added for each day that payment is overdue.

In extreme weather (e.g. very hot/cold weather, thunder etc) walks may be shortened to ensure the comfort and safety of the dogs and walker.

Your pets will always be transported safely with us in our fully insured vehicle and we use seatbelt harnesses or secured crates to ensure the safety of your four-legged companions whilst being transported by us. We also carry a Canine First Aid Box in our vehicle.

Please tell us where the lead and/or harness is, and any other equipment we may need (as discussed at the consultation). If we require access to collect the dog when you are not there, please discuss this with us during the consultation and we can arrange to take keys or other details if necessary.

Please be aware that your dog may come home muddy, wet or sandy after a great day out. If this is something that you are concerned about, please speak to us about it during the consultation. If you would like us to towel dry your dog on return, please leave a towel by the door for us to use on return.

* We recommend that your dog has not eaten in the hour before we collect your dog to ensure sufficient time to digest food before any exercise or play. Failure to do so may result in the potentially life-threatening condition Bloat (Gastric Torsion).


t. 01803 323338  m. 0777 88 53 163  e. jo@wonderfulwalkiestorbay.com