Dog Walking
The Recipe for a good dog
is usually pretty simple – Good Diet, Good Exercise, Good Structure = Good Dog. Rove can definitely take care of one of those aspects for you; Good Exercise.
Whether you’re at work all day, incapacitated (short or long term) or for any other reason; you know your dog needs a little more exercise, freedom and fun. They are getting restless at home, and are in need of some extra stimulation.
Get them out of the house and tire them out, satisfy their need to explore and bring back peace and harmony in your household.
ROVE to the rescue!
How do you do this? Well, by contacting Rove of course! We’d love to include your dog on one of our three daily scheduled group walks. Here they can make some truly lovely new doggy friends, explore new places and get the extra stimulation that they crave. The Rove routes are usually a mixture of forest & field in order to give our sniffers and our runners the best of their worlds. Ensuring that we bring home your loving, good dog all nice and tired.
“A tired dog is a good dog”
One of Rove’s favourite sayings is “A tired dog is a good dog”. We want you to enjoy your dog and give your little woofer the best opportunity to be their very best self. To ensure this is the case, Rove is a verified member of the PDWA, who ask all their walkers to agree to use positive methods only and keep your walker learning and developing. Rove also adhere to the PIF & RSPCA guidelines for dog walkers to give you the best confidence that your dog will get the required attention on walks.
So how does it work and what is the usual procedure for a Rove Group Walk?
We pick up your dog, put on their equipment and attach one of our Halti leads, leave your home (locking up after!) and load your dog into our air conditioned and professionally crated van. Inside the van they are ensured their own safe space whilst we travel and pick up his or her walking buddies!
Arriving at our choice of park or bridleway, our little gang are unloaded and walked for a minimum of 60 minutes. Typically, we will only take one leashed dog on any walk. The dogs are brought back to the van where they are dried off, watered and loaded back up to return to your home! Here (if required) we can also give them a quick feed of some pre-prepped food.
Free meet & greet
To book in on one of our walks, we first need to book in a free meet and greet. This will give the walker and the owner the opportunity to discuss and assess if we can work together!
Service price
A place on one of our group walks starts at £12.
Your dog will need

Microchip & ID tag (on a collar or harness)

Valid veterinary records & regular flea and worm treatment

Basic doggy manners!

Appropriately fitting Collar, harness or other specialty equipment

A Cooling or Drying coat (optional)

Any specialty treats for allergy or dietary requirements
Rove FAMILY
Ready to Book?
So, if your dog needs some extra exercise, for whatever reason, don’t let it become a problem. By walking safely and securely whilst providing a fantastic environment to play and explore, Rove can bring you home a happy and tired dog.
Get in touch now and book your free Meet & Greet to discuss your needs!
FAQ
How do you gain access to my home?
I will need access to a key, typically, an owner will grant the walker a copy of their house key to be used for access. Alternatively, a key safe is a fantastic idea, however, if the key is not present at the time of walk, the walk will still be charged. Rove is also DBS checked to give you confidence that we are responsible enough to hold your key.
How long are the walks?
Group walks are always a minimum of 60 minutes – the only times this fluctuates is if our walkers get particularly filthy; it’s an exceptionally hot/cold day; or there is an incident that needs to be dealt with immediately.
What do you do in extreme weather conditions?
Extreme weather (Defined as heat and cold, not rain) are usually dealt with on a case by case basis. We will never endanger your pet and we always consider the owner’s situation. For example, an owner who is unable to walk their dog because of a physical inhibition will likely be rescheduled whilst an owner who is at work will likely have their pet visited instead of walked.
Rove try and function as much as possible, and only cancel when absolutely necessary. We like to pick shady, dirt tracks to avoid the heat and ensure we carry plenty of water when heat is the issue.
How many dogs do you walk at one time?
The optimum (and average) number is four and the van is crated specifically for 4 dogs. We walk from four households, but will never have more than six in any walk. Four works very nicely as it gives the dogs and the walker enough time together, maintains a lovely balance of control and also means the group walk enough (as opposed to spending half of the walking time picking up poop!).
What poo bags do you use?
Rove use Beco’s Biodegradable bags. We are actively looking for a better alternative as biodegradable bags are actually not that environmentally friendly, and typically the poop goes to landfill and petrifies.
For now, we try and bag as many poops in a single bag as possible (to minimise environmental impact) and we are looking to use cornstarch or other compostable bags, but they have to work for some… very large poops which is why we have yet to change! Please do get in touch if you have recommendations though.
Why do you only take one leashed dog?
Leashed dogs can be an anchor and inhibit a walkers flexibility to problem solve whilst you’re walking. This is purely to minimise risk on all behalfs.
Why do you use your own leads?
To ensure the leads are safe and to work with the walking belt that we use. Halti leads are widely available, they offer a great adjustable system allowing Rove to give or retract freedom as necessary. We also carry a long line for some of our leash-bound woofs so they can at least get a little more freedom.
I have a Big/Small dog or a Sharpei/Staffordshire bull terrier/Akita or other dog that is sometimes deemed ‘undesirable’, will you consider walking them?
Yes. Rove are not afraid of any breed, we hold no breed prejudice in the slightest. We consider every dog on their merits, their faults and work with them accordingly. The van is also wonderfully fitted for large dogs, so please don’t be afraid to approach us with anything!
I have a grumpy dog, will you walk them?
We will consider all dogs, and if they can be worked with (and the owner is flexible and understanding) we can usually accommodate.
Will you train my dog?
Awkwardly, the answer is yes and no. As mentioned, your dog is expected to have recall and basic manners. We try to use your commands as far as possible.
Whilst there is a small amount of training, this is more what I would call the dog learning the walkers expectations of them.
Are you accepting adhoc walkers?
This is largely dependant on your dog(s) behaviour. If they are very responsive and obedient? Certainly! But, if they struggle on introductions, or their listening ears aren’t quite so sharp? Then unfortunately we would spend so much time focusing on the adhoc that our regular would suffer, which isn’t what we want.
How often do you recommend you should walk our dog?
In order to set up some understanding between walker and pet, we recommend a minimum of two per week. This allows the walker to bond nicely and your dog to avail of meeting other puppies and have lots of fun!
How do you check my dog is safe to go off lead?
It’s usually pretty quick that you get an idea of how well a dog listens; but typically, we’ll do at least one leashed walk, build them up on that to a long line, and then leave the long line trailing behind them, and finally then off lead. They will need to show an ability to listen and a want to work with the walker.
We do understand that sometimes focus is tough and we will work through this as best as possible. Though, on occasion, we may ask you, Mum and Dad, to do some homework with your dog to try and help us get them aligned with the needs of a group walk!
My dog is currently working with a trainer/behaviourist/vet behaviourist, will you still walk them?
Yes! We will happily have a good conversation with your trainer, doggy professional to professional in order to discuss the exact needs and specifications for your pup. We will work to the trainers best advice, as well as we can.
The only things that may become an issue is if Rove’s methodology (Positive training) conflicts with your trainer. If that is the case, we can recommend new trainers (and certainly can say that anyone from the IMDT would be a great place to start), and if that cannot happen, then unfortunately Rove isn’t the walker for you.
Why do you keep dogs on lead if they have been given off-lead permission?
For a variety of reasons! The dog may be new, the dog may be uncertain of the other dogs, or vice versa, sometimes it’s simply because if Fido and Talullah are off lead together the play gets too rough, or mischief starts to grow! Typically we try to avoid pairing ill-fitted dogs together, but sometimes emergency dictates otherwise!
Do you bring toys on walks?
No. This one is a tough one because we know that a lot of dogs love to chase a ball, or fetch a stick, or similar. We actively discourage toys on walks as it is one of the few things that can make even the most peaceful dogs become protective over – and sadly the increased risk to your dog and others is just not worth it.
What if my dog gets travel sick or anxious in your van?
This one is tricky… anxiety can sometimes be treated. Thunderjackets, or lickimats put on the wall of the van can comfort or entertain for short periods of time, respectively. But, if they cannot travel, we cannot walk them.
My dog has not been neutered, will you walk them?
This largely depends on the dog and the group they will be walking with. Some other males find intact males quite scary, and it can be quite disruptive. We rather our puppies are neutered before 18 months for the peace of all our walkers.
My bitch is not spayed, will you walk them?
Yes, however, it is the owners responsibility to inform the walker if their dog is in season. They can not be walked on group walks if this is the case. Rove will accept no responsibility for any accidental pregnancies.
So, if your dog needs some extra exercise, for whatever reason, don’t let it become a problem. By walking safely and securely whilst providing a fantastic environment to play and explore, Rove can bring you home a happy and tired dog.
Dog walking service in Essex covering: Basildon, Billericay, Noak Bridge, Pitsea, Laindon & Langdon Hills
Check out the blog

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ROVE Services

Dog Walking
This is our most frequent service! We take out up to four dogs per walker. We pick them up from your home, and take our fun little group off to one of the local country parks, bridleways or other fun locations.
Your dog will get to run, play, sniff and explore and make lots and lots of new friends.

Puppy Visits
You’ve just gotten a new puppy! Congratulations! I hope that the little one is fitting in nicely at home. Perhaps you need a little extra help to raise those four adorable little paws? Rove can help break up their time at home with puppy visit service.
We can come in, cuddle, play, feed and let them out for a little tinkle.

Cat Feeding
Holidays are so tough when you have to leave a member of your family at home, or even if you’re out for the night and won’t be home until late. As a fantastic alternative to a cattery, Rove are here to help.
Visits can be tailored exactly to what you need, giving you security and peace of mind, not only about your cat but about your home.

Small Animal Visits
Lizard, Hedgehogs, ducks or chickens! It really doesn’t matter how big or small your pet is, Rove are capable to look after your pet whilst you’re away, leaving them in the comfort of their own surroundings and keeping things as normal as possible.
Rove are here to make your life (and your pets!) as easy as possible!

Equestrian Care
Horses need a very particular sort of care, if you’re not there, you can rely on Rove to help! Not everyone is horse confident, let alone knowledgeable and capable.
Would you trust anyone to look out for colic or lameness? We muck out, we groom, we keep your horse as comfortable as possible whilst you’re out of town.

Wedding Chaperoning
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! You’ve sorted the guest list, tables, venue and all of that, but there is something missing… your pet.
The quandary becomes how you involve them and still get to do your whole day as planned… a professional wedding chaperone is your way forward.