Tail-wagging and trustworthy dog-walking services in Southampton
Feeling hesitant about leaving your furry friend in someone else’s care? Worry not!
It’s natural to have concerns when trusting somebody else with your pet, so I’m here to offer reliable pet services that will ease your mind.
With my extensive experience and genuine love for animals, you can rest assured that your dog will receive the attention, care, and exercise they need to thrive.
Tailored adventures for small dogs and spaniels
Like humans, dogs can sometimes feel a little off, and at other times they can have so much energy they’re like a Duracell Bunny – with new batteries!
You know where I’m coming from right? I speak from experience with my own energetic Spaniel whose vigour never seems to diminish (and which I wouldn’t want any other way).
With this in mind, it’s my priority to ensure your dog is getting the right amount of stimulation when we go on our adventures.
I don’t hurry our walks. I don’t step count. I don’t worry about how many miles we have or haven’t covered. I factor in how your dog is feeling and monitor their behaviour to determine what happens on each and every walk.
Be that strolling through the countryside taking in the plethora of smells or running through the forest to their heart’s content, I adapt my walks to suit your dog’s needs on the day.


On some walks the dogs are filled with pure excitement, running alongside their friends through the woods and having so much fun they don’t want it to end.
At other times they simply enjoy a gentle stroll through the countryside, spending all their time sniffing the huge variety of scents – which can actually be more stimulating for them than exercise alone.
And if your dog finds these smells exciting, we don’t rush to get to the next ‘checkpoint’. After all, the time they have on our walks is for them, not me.
I also interact with your dog on every walk, so I’m continually talking to them, having fun with them, and reassuring them – especially if they’re nervous.
I don’t use aversive methods but always try to encourage your dog with treats and use particular cues on every walk to help keep their attention on me. This helps to improve your dog’s recall, whilst also encouraging skills such as sits, waits and stays. Most importantly, we always have fun!
~ Lucy, Southampton ~
Peace of mind
Pawsitively reassuring Southampton's canine community
Imagine this scene...
One morning, you rise bright and early, preparing for another day at work. After a quick stroll around the block with your furry companion, you head out for the day.
As the hours pass, thoughts of your beloved furbaby at home start to cross your mind.
Suddenly, a cheerful ping interrupts your day – it’s a message from your trusty dog walker! The photos attached are of your pup having a blast, putting your mind at ease and filling you with joy.
Now, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your dog is in capable hands. And let’s be honest, probably having more fun than you are. With that peace of mind, you can dive back into your day’s activities without a worry in the world.
Wouldn’t you love to experience that peace of mind?
Well, with me, you can!
As a devoted dog mum myself, I understand the immense comfort that comes from knowing your furry best friend is being well taken care of. And better still — seeing them having a blast with their buddies!
What to expect
How I offer you reassurance - because life isn't all bells and whistles
Live updates, photos and videos
Provided the circumstances allow, I always take photos and videos of the dogs enjoying themselves on our walks.
If you’re feeling particularly nervous, or your dog has only just started coming out with me, I’ll be more than happy to update you on how they’re doing, with live updates wherever possible.
GPS Trackers
It happens to the best of us - dogs can bolt.
In my experience, this will generally happen if a dog gets spooked, or they have an unexpected and sudden urge to chase something. It will also depend on your dog’s fight or flight risk.
Some dogs are so confident, nothing tends to startle them.
Others can run for the hills.
A couple of my clients have booked walks with me because their pets were nervous or had bolted in the past. They needed my assistance to build their confidence and to help them become socialised so they wouldn’t feel the need to run off just because another dog approached them.
Some were so nervous, I would spend weeks, sometimes months, walking them with a long line until they gained enough confidence to go off lead.
Yet regardless of how much recall training you do, it's an unfortunate fact that, once in a blue moon, your dog might bolt. You can do everything in your power to prevent this from happening, but a dog is a dog, so it's important to be conscious of this - always.
So how can you ensure your dog returns even when they're well trained, have amazing recall and walk brilliantly off lead?
I go above and beyond to keep your dog safe and offer a GPS add-on service, which gives me your dog’s live location on each and every walk. If Fido bolts, I'm fast on my heels in the same direction!
Transparency
It’s my mission to always communicate with you openly and honestly.
If your dog has had an off day or got up to a little mischief (they are dogs after all), I will let you know.
If there have been any setbacks, I will explain why and what the plan is moving forward.
Conversely, I also share progress, achievements and any positive developments that have taken place on our walks.
Strava
This app is another form of security, which I use daily to track our routes wherever we go.
Not only does this prevent me from getting lost on our walks (yep, I once walked in a complete circle and ended up back where I’d started whilst trying to find my way out of a forest), but it also lets me write private notes if I have any observations at the end of a walk.
So, if I notice anything in particular about the dogs, I make notes in Strava. This is great for updating clients on ‘how the walk went today’.
Bells and whistles
Even if life isn't all bells and whistles, I certainly use them.
In addition to GPS trackers, I carry a whistle to help ensure good recall.
And for those little monkeys who enjoy chasing each other through the woods (no names mentioned Brodie and Hetty), I attach bells to their harnesses which helps me identify which direction they're running in. All of this to offer peace of mind.
A happy dog is a happy home
Finally, I pride myself on the results. Every day your dog goes home happy, I have accomplished what I set out to do.
What's on the menu?
Dogs thrive on social interactions, so wouldn’t it be wonderful to see your furry friend out and about, releasing pent-up energy, and joyfully playing with their pals? Plus, exercise works wonders for their mental health!
Group walks
If the idea of your dog joining a group with larger breeds leaves you feeling uneasy, you’re not alone. Whether your pup is of a timid nature or you’re simply worried about potential mishaps, Small Paws Outdoors offers a safer alternative.
Naturally, it’s normal to have concerns about your pet’s well-being. Small dogs are more delicate than their larger counterparts — they may not have the same stamina or resilience, and some are so tiny they could easily be overlooked or accidentally stepped on.
For me, it’s not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Your dog’s safety and comfort are my highest priority, which is why each of my group walks is carefully customised to match your pup with companions of similar size and temperament.
Pawsitively prepared - essential requirements for a fun and safe dog walking experience
- Basic training and recall: This will help your dog feel comfortable and secure during walks, and facilitate positive interactions with other dogs.
- Good-fitting harness: This ensures that your dog is safe and comfortable during walks and helps maintain control in various situations – please enquire for advice.
- Up-to-date vaccinations or titre testing: To protect the health of your dog and others they come into contact with.
- Social compatibility: Dogs must be able to socialise well with others, creating a harmonious experience for all.
- For puppies: They must be at least 8 months old and have some basic training and recall, as well as good walking manners, especially on a lead.