Georgina @ Paws In The Park Area: South West London & Surrey, South East Contact Details | Interview | Recommendations Interview with... Georgina @ Paws In The Park
What services do you offer?	Dog walking and house sitting. I also offer pet taxiing services and will happily accompany dogs on vet visits if their owners are unable to do so. I often taxi dogs to the poodle parlour too.
If you do dog sitting in your house, is your garden secure?	N/A
If you do dog walking or dog sitting, how long are your walks with the dogs normally?	I walk the dogs for at least an hour normally about 70-75 minutes. I take the weather into consideration when walking; i.e., if it is a lovely day and the sun is out we may go to Bushy Park or an open common, but if it is quite hot, rainy or windy, we will go to Esher Common, Oxshott Woods or the Chantries and use the woods as protection. If I have a lot of spaniels and labs on my walks (and they are all allowed to swim) we will often include a dip in a lake or pond as part of the walk. I like to give the dogs variety and interest in their walks and try to vary our venues each day. Places I walk on a regular basis are: Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Home Park, Hogsmill Riverside at West Ewell, Nonsuch and Cheam Parks, Esher Common, Oxshott Woods, Ripley Common/Canal, Bookham Common and the North Downs – St. Martha’s, Chantries, Blackheath and Sheepleas.
How many dogs do you take into your house or on your walks?	I am insured for up to 6 dogs per walk, but only have groups this size if I know they all get on well together.
Do you offer any activities for the pets in your care? For example Kong toys, search exercises, etc	Quite often when I start walking a new dog/dogs, sometimes their recall isn’t too good so I challenge them with some search/attention exercises. I either take them on walks through bracken and keep diverting off onto different paths and quite quickly I notice them watching where I walk and sticking closer to me. Alternatively, I will walk through wooded areas and if the dogs go too far ahead, I hide behind trees and remain hidden until the dog(s) come and find me. I have found this makes the dogs more responsible for keeping an eye on me. Both methods have worked extremely well, especially with two deaf dogs that I walk on a daily basis.
How many pets do you have yourself and what are they?	I have one dog, a Jack Russell Terrier called Elvis, which is quite appropriate as he is from America. He is 10 years old and still as feisty and energetic as he was as a two year old. Elvis loves the walks and all his buddies and never seems to tire, even when we are on the fourth or perhaps fifth walk of the day. To him it’s just another opportunity to test out his squirrel hunting techniques.
What are your hobbies?	I go to the theatre and cinema quite a lot. Love the whole experience of visiting the Tate Modern from walking along the South Bank to dining at their restaurant at the top of the building with its incredible views. I like to visit other museums and galleries and shopping in London. I love to eat out, especially sushi. And, I regularly attend salsa classes, which I find a great brain challenge and fun laughing experience -- especially since I was born with two left feet!!!
Is there anything that you would always recommend others to try?	Many things not connected with dog walking but as far as the dogs are concerned, the most important things I’ve learned are how much our hounds like to socialise and how they like to have friends to walk and play with. Also, to touch a dog with loving, confident hands – try it, a dog knows how you feel about it by the way you touch them and don’t forget to play gently with their ears and they’ll love you forever!!!
Do you have dreams for the future?	Well, I’m another one who would like to win the lottery… But on a more realistic scale, I would like to organise some days at the beach for lovely walks and swims for next spring/summer. I also keep toying with the idea of setting up a singles dog walk for the first Saturday of every month. Hey, great way for like-minded doggie people to get together - right!!!

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Georgina @ Paws In The Park

22 January 2008

We highly recommend Paws in the Park to look after you precious little ones. Our (rather stubborn) Scottie has been looked after by Georgina for months and we are very pleased the quality of service and care she provides. Georgina is very friendly and pleasant and our dog adores her. N Taplin

19 June 2006

Georgina has been my George’s guardian for 6 years, walking her and looking after her whenever I go away. George loves her Aunty G to death, I never have to worry when I know Georgina is looking after my George. George has had her health problems and Aunty G has always been supportive and helped out whenever and whereever possible. We couldn’t be without her, totally trustworthy and responsible. kay elliott

19 June 2006

I have been using Georgina for a few months now and I can highly recommend her. She is amazingly cheerful and reliable. She walks in different places all the time and takes the weather into consideration when choosing where to go. More then often she takes the dogs for more than the one hour which is brilliant. I can recommend her without any hesitation - she is a great person. vanessa ringshall

19 June 2006

Georgina is reliable, full of good humour and my dog loves her. Rosie Fyles

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