The lovely Flora. ❤️

Everything you need to know

At David & Michele Dog Walkers, we keep things clear and simple. Find answers below to common questions about group sizes, safety, and booking.

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about how David and Michele care for your dogs across Eastbourne, from our expert supervision to weather protocols and booking policies.

Do you accept one-off or ad-hoc bookings?

We work exclusively with regular weekly clients to ensure consistent social dynamics and routine. Once your dog is settled into our schedule, extra days can be booked up until 9:00 PM the evening before.

How much do your dog walks cost?

Our rates are £20 per walk Monday through Friday, £30 on Saturdays, and £35 on Sundays. As an added benefit, booking 3 or more walks per week includes free regular teeth cleaning.

How many dogs are in each walking group?

We keep our packs small, with a maximum of 4 to 5 carefully matched dogs. Crucially, both David and Michele are present on every single walk, giving your pet two dedicated handlers at all times.

Do you offer solo dog walks?

No, we specialize exclusively in small, well-supervised group walks. With two handlers monitoring a maximum of 5 dogs, every dog enjoys safe socialization, personal attention, and plenty of fun.

Is pick-up and drop-off included?

Yes! We collect and safely return your dog directly to your home in Eastbourne. Safe pet transport is included in your standard walk price.

What vaccinations and health requirements are needed?

All dogs must be fully vaccinated and up to date with routine flea, tick, and worming treatments. Neutering or spaying is required, though hormone implants are welcome and veterinary medical exemptions are thoughtfully considered.

What happens before our dog's first walk?

We begin with a complimentary, no-obligation meet-and-greet in your home. This allows us to meet your pup, discuss their personality, answer any questions, and ensure everyone feels comfortable before the first outing. 

How do you handle bad or hot weather?

Rain never stops us—we supply waterproof terrain bodysuits in small, medium, and large sizes. In hot summer weather, we strictly follow the 150 Rule, monitor ambient temperature and humidity, and use cooling mats and fans to keep every dog safe. 

What qualifications and emergency procedures do you have?

Michele brings extensive veterinary nursing experience, while David offers expertise in canine behaviour and training. We are both DBS checked, certified in canine first aid, and fully insured. For your peace of mind, our walks are GPS tracked, we keep your veterinary details up to date for any emergency, and two handlers are always present.

How does billing and payment work?

Invoices are issued weekly after Friday. Payments can be made easily via bank transfer, helping to ensure uninterrupted service and secure your dog’s place in their regular schedule.

What qualifications or certifications do you have as a dog walker in Eastbourne?

David and Michele are trained in canine behaviour, socialisation and veterinary nursing. We are NarpsUK Gold Seal certified, fully insured, DBS checked, and trained in canine dental care and canine first aid.

Dogs who walk with us three times a week also receive our complimentary dental care service, using Petsmile toothpaste to help keep their teeth and gums healthy.

How do you manage multiple dogs during group walks?

David and Michele lead every group walk together, so there are always two people keeping an eye on the dogs. We keep groups small—no more than 4 dogs, or occasionally 5 on especially busy days.

We only walk dogs for regular weekly clients. This means the dogs have time to get to know each other before walking together, and you will always know which dogs are in your pet’s group.

We also offer extra walks for our regular clients, 7 days a week. You can change your booking up to 9pm the night before, with no cancellation fee.

How do you ensure dogs are safe during walks?

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Every walk is led by two experienced handlers, and each dog wears a Pawfit 3 live GPS tracker so their location can be monitored in real time.

We only walk in secure, road-free locations, including woodland areas and the South Downs. With England’s unpredictable weather in mind, we also provide complimentary waterproof terrain bodysuits to help keep dogs warm, dry and comfortable.

For owners who prefer their dogs to remain on lead, we provide complimentary harnesses paired with premium 8-metre Flexi® leads. This gives dogs plenty of freedom to explore while remaining safely under control.

Transport is provided in a modern Nissan Qashqai Hybrid, fitted with sunshades on the side and rear windows, electric cooling fans, and cool mats in the boot area. Every dog is secured with a crash-tested harness and seatbelt clip, while a ThermPro device actively monitors both temperature in Fahrenheit and humidity levels.

During warmer weather, we follow our signature “150 Rule” — temperature (°F) plus humidity (%) — to determine whether walks should be adapted or cancelled to reduce the risk of canine heatstroke.

What areas or parks do you use for dog walking?

We’re proud to be official Forestry Commission members, which means we can use fantastic, approved trails for our walks. The dogs get to enjoy countryside adventures around Butchershole, Friston Forest, Seven Sisters Country Park and Abbot’s Wood. By sticking to these spacious, road-free woodlands and country parks, we give them plenty of variety, stimulation and safe places to explore—well away from traffic.

Do you offer puppy walking services?

We do not offer standalone, ad-hoc puppy visits, as our service is designed around structured, regular group socialisation walks. However, we love welcoming older puppies into our established walking groups once they are fully vaccinated, with the agreement that they will be neutered or receive hormone implants as they mature.

To give them the best possible start, we incorporate complimentary recall training into our walks. This is highly effective in building reliable off-lead habits—particularly for puppies who join us three times a week.

What is the cost range for dog walking services in Eastbourne?

Weekday walks cost £20 per hour, Monday to Friday.

Because fuel costs have gone up, we are not currently offering multi-walk discounts to new customers. Existing clients will keep their current rates. We are keeping an eye on fuel prices and hope to bring these discounts back soon.

If you find us through Three Best Rated® or a customer recommendation, your first walk is £17.

Weekend care is available for our regular clients: £30 per hour on Saturdays and £35 per hour on Sundays.

How do you provide services for less active dogs?

Our walking groups often include dogs of different ages and energy levels. That is no problem—we adjust the pace when needed so everyone can enjoy the walk.

Dogs who know each other well often choose to stay together, whatever their age or speed. Being with familiar friends helps them feel comfortable, happy and mentally stimulated as they stroll along.

What is the duration of dog walking sessions?

Every walk lasts a full hour, starting when we arrive at the trail. Travel time is not included in the hour.

With pickup, travel and the walk, most dogs are out for around 2 to 2.5 hours in total. This can vary slightly depending on traffic and the weather. We collect and transport dogs safely in our Nissan Qashqai Hybrid.

We know how muddy the English weather can be, so we clean and dry your dog before bringing them home. We can also feed your dog and give oral medication if needed. With our veterinary nursing experience, you can feel confident that your dog is in safe hands.

What details do you need from dog owners before starting a dog walking service?

Prior to commencing any service, we conduct a comprehensive complimentary Meet & Greet consultation. During this consultation, we require evidence of current vaccinations, confirmation of neutering status, complete veterinary contact details, microchip information, and a thorough overview of the dog’s health requirements and recall reliability.

To maintain the highest standards of safety, all new dogs are initially walked using a secure harness and Flexi® lead throughout their assessment period. Once the dog has become settled and its suitability has been established, introductions to our existing walking groups are managed gradually and carefully to support a safe, stable, and harmonious pack environment.

How many dogs do you walk each week?

To give every dog the care and attention they need, David and Michele keep the business small. We look after a maximum of 13 dogs at a time. From Monday to Friday, we run three one-hour group walks each day, leaving at 8:30, 11:00, and 13:30. Weekend walks are available on request for our regular clients. Times can be arranged to suit your needs.

Do you offer daycare services?

We offer daycare for dogs that we walk every week.

We can collect your dog in the morning, either after 7:00am or after 10:00am, and look after them for the day. They’ll get two hours of walking spread throughout the day, along with plenty of play, rest and time with other dogs. Food and drinks are included.

After a fun, active day, we’ll bring your dog safely home after 2:30pm.

Do you offer a service specifically for high-energy or highly fit dogs?

We offer a Complete Day Service, developed specifically for exceptionally active dogs and available exclusively to our regular weekly clients. Under this premium service, dogs are collected after 07:00 and returned home after 14:30.

The programme includes three separate one-hour walks, professionally managed and balanced with scheduled rest periods and light refreshments throughout the day. This structured approach supports each dog’s stamina, hydration, and overall wellbeing.

🌟 Bonus Excellence Standards (Our Premium Additions)

 

• Two Handlers on Every Walk: David and Michele lead every group walk together. We do not use third-party walkers or send one person out alone. Having two of us there means we can keep a close eye on every dog, respond quickly if needed, and give each dog proper attention.

 

• Experienced Care for Dogs with Medical Needs: With a Level 4 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, we have the knowledge to spot signs of tiredness or discomfort early. We can support dogs with more complex medical needs and give oral medication after walks when needed, at no extra cost.

 

• Safe Travel in Warm Weather: We check the temperature and humidity in our Nissan Qashqai Hybrid before every trip. This helps us make safe decisions in warm weather. The car has cooling fans and cool mats to help keep dogs comfortable while they travel.

 

• Private Updates for Our Customers: Active customers can join our private Facebook group. We share daily photos and videos of the dogs on their walks, so you can see what your dog has been up to and watch them enjoy time with their friends.

 

Ready to join our walking family?

Book a free, no-obligation meet-and-greet at your home in Eastbourne and see how our tailored walks can benefit your dog.

Address

Windward Quay

BN23 5UE Eastbourne

Opening hours

Monday to Friday

7:00 am to 4:00 pm