Finding the right dog walker or pet carer is personal.
Pets are family, and handing over the lead to someone else takes trust. That trust matters even more when a dog has specific needs, worries around other dogs, or simply needs a slower and more understanding approach.
That’s one of the reasons Kia’s Walks & Companion Care has already started building such a good reputation across County Durham.
Run by Kia, the business is built around real experience, patience and genuine care for dogs of all ages, breeds and temperaments.
Kia is fully insured, DBS checked and qualified in dog walking, pet sitting and pet first aid. But more importantly, there’s a real personal story behind the business. It’s not just about filling time slots with walks. It’s about understanding dogs properly and making sure they feel safe, happy and cared for.
Here are three reasons why booking Kia’s Walks & Companion Care could be one of the best things you do for your dog.
Every dog gets treated as an individual
Some dogs love group walks and want to make friends with every dog they see. Others would rather keep their distance and enjoy a quieter walk without the chaos. And honestly, that’s normal.
One thing that makes Kia’s Walks & Companion Care stand out is the amount of care that goes into understanding each dog’s personality and needs. That approach comes from personal experience.
Kia explained: “The inspiration behind starting Kia’s Walks & Companion Care stems from my own dog, Hope. Hope is a 4 year old Border Collie and she is my world, I’ve entered adulthood with her and she’s been my rock the entire way. Although she has the kindest heart, she’s unfortunately always been dog reactive, and I know personally how difficult it can be to enjoy dog walking with a reactive dog.”
That experience means nervous dogs, reactive dogs or dogs that simply need a bit more patience are not treated like a problem. They’re understood.
“Trusting another person with your fur baby can be extremely daunting, so I’m here to ensure I get to know each client and dog individually and tailor each service to each dog,” Kia said.
That kind of thinking makes a huge difference. Dogs are not robots. They all have different boundaries, confidence levels and routines. Some need calm reassurance. Some need structure. Some just need someone who understands when they’re having an off day.
The inspiration behind the business also came from watching Hope build a close bond with her own dog walker over the years.
“We previously had a dog walker for Hope who unfortunately had to change her career due to an injury. Seeing how much Hope idolised her and how happy she was to see her everyday made me realise how much I’d love to make tails wag every single day. I watched her business grow for 4 years and honestly I was just stunned! Both Hope and Claire, the previous dog walker, have inspired me massively.”
And that care clearly runs through everything at Kia’s Walks & Companion Care. There’s genuine understanding behind the service, not just a timetable and a lead.
Hope herself is still at the heart of the business too. As Kia says, “She’s been my rock through thick and thin and if she could speak… I’d be in trouble.” Thankfully for Hope, dogs can’t share embarrassing stories.
Experience matters more than people think
Dog walking might sound simple on paper. Put lead on dog. Walk dog. Bring dog home. But anyone who owns a dog knows there’s far more to it than that.
Dogs can be anxious, over excited, stubborn, nervous, reactive, distracted or all five within the same five minutes. Being able to handle those situations calmly is important.
Before launching Kia’s Walks & Companion Care, Kia worked in a doggy daycare and walking facility for two years. During that time she cared for up to 20 dogs at once, which gave her practical experience with a wide range of breeds, temperaments and behaviours.
Kia explained: “Through this I gained confidence, skills and knowledge making me much more aware and comfortable around dogs. The experience and knowledge I have is so important when it comes to owning a dog walking business, because it’s not just about dog walking, it’s about understanding each dogs individual needs, requirements, boundaries and personalities.”
That last part is probably the most important. Understanding dog behaviour is a massive part of keeping dogs safe, calm and happy.
It also helps owners feel more relaxed. Leaving your dog with somebody else can feel stressful at first. But knowing your dog is with someone qualified in pet first aid, fully insured and DBS checked offers real peace of mind.
And because Kia has experience working with dogs of different ages and temperaments, services can be adapted properly. Young dogs might need help with lead manners and basic training. Older dogs may need slower paced walks and more patience. Reactive dogs may benefit from quieter routes and one to one care.
That flexibility matters because dogs don’t all fit into the same box. Some dogs are basically tiny furry athletes. Others act like walking to the end of the street deserves a medal and a nap afterwards.
The important thing is understanding what works best for each individual dog. That’s clearly the focus at Kia’s Walks & Companion Care.
The business is built with genuine care and long term goals
Some businesses feel transactional. This one doesn’t.
Everything about Kia’s Walks & Companion Care feels personal because it is personal. The business was built from real experiences, genuine love for dogs and a clear understanding of how important trust is between owners, dogs and carers.
That also shows in Kia’s long term plans for the business.
“I’d love to grow Kia’s Walks & Companion Care in the future and cover the entire county, maybe even further!” Kia said.
But growth is not just about expanding for the sake of it. There’s also a strong focus on learning and improving services over time.
“I’d also love to go into the training side of things further down the line, I know all the basics such as puppy & leader training, which I always try to incorporate into my walks, but growing my business and adding different aspects is a dream. I’d love to have a service for everyone!”
That attitude says a lot. It shows ambition, but also care about doing things properly.
Kia is realistic too. “With only recently starting out these are definitely a long way down the line and require a lot of time and effort, but I know that the correct mindset and approach will get me there!”
That mindset is probably why so many owners appreciate smaller local businesses like Kia’s Walks & Companion Care. There’s real passion behind it. Dogs are not treated like numbers on a booking sheet.
At the centre of everything is simply making dogs feel comfortable, safe and happy. Whether that’s a calm solo walk, a fun group walk or companionship while owners are busy, the goal stays the same.
And really, every dog deserves that kind of care.