GROUP WALKS

Small, carefully matched groups designed to give your dog exercise, enrichment and calm social time

What your dog's walk includes

Each walk is designed to provide exercise, training, enrichment, and structured social time

For your dog

Carefully matched small group walks
Structured exercise and enrichment
Calm, appropriate social interactions
Safe transport in built-in travel crates
Gradual introductions to maintain harmony
New friends and lots of fun!

For you

A regular reserved walking space
Reliable pickup and drop-off
Post-walk reports and photos
Bookings and payment managed through an app
Clear communication and updates
Peace of mind that your dog is in experienced hands

Exercise, enrichment, and the right social matches

Trusted by dog owners in Bridgwater & beyond

"Zoe has helped us hugely with training day to day and we love seeing the girls get so excited for their walks with new doggo friends"

Holly & Lizzie - Nala & Lemon

“Zoe interviewed us about what we were looking for. We could see that her main concern was whether she was right for Jimi. He always looks forward to his walks and his recall is getting better all the time."

Kim - Jimi

"I cannot recommend Zoe enough! Even as I’m writing this I feel I need to keep her a secret. Fred and I just don’t want to share."

Beverley - Fred

more than just a walk

Additional benefits for group walk clients

PRIORITY ACCESS TO CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Early access to upcoming classes and workshops, so you can secure your space before bookings open to the public.

You’ll also receive a 10% discount on classes and workshops covering everyday skills such as recall, loose lead walking, focus and engagement.

STRUCTURED SOCIAL WALK INVITATIONS

Richer Dogs clients receive priority invitations to Structured Social Walks so you can secure your space before they are offered more widely.

These guided walks focus on calm, positive social experiences rather than uncontrolled free play, with support and guidance available throughout.

BIG ADVENTURE WALKS

Longer weekend adventure walks for existing Richer Dogs clients, with trips to places like the beach, the Quantocks, or the Somerset countryside.

These small group outings include enrichment activities, plenty of exploration, and up to three hours of carefully managed adventure time.

GUIDANCE & SUPPORT

As part of the Richer Dogs Family, you have access to ongoing support between walks, whether you need advice, training tips, or help working through challenges as they arise.

Richer Dogs was built to support you and your dog, and that support doesn’t stop when the walk is over.

Small groups, careful matches, better walks

Thinking about group walks for your dog?

Here's how it works

STEP 1

GET IN TOUCH

Send a WhatsApp message, book a quick call, or fill in the enquiry form. We’ll chat about your dog, your routine, and whether group walks would be the right fit.

STEP 2

MEET & GREET + ASSESSMENT WALK

We’ll arrange a Meet & Greet and assessment walk so I can get to know you and your dog, and answer any questions you may have.

STEP 3

INVITATION TO JOIN

If your dog is a good fit, they will invited to join the Richer Dogs family and carefully introduced to their new friends. This keeps walks calm, safe and enjoyable for all.

Groups are built slowly so that every dog is happy, safe and comfortable

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Straightforward answers to help you decide if Richer Dogs is right for you and your dog

How do I know if Richer Dogs is right for my dog?

Your dog’s safety and wellbeing always come first, so plans may occasionally change if weather or travel conditions make normal walks unsafe.

In hot weather, I may walk earlier in the day or choose shaded routes. I always consider each dog’s age, health, and breed when making these decisions. If needed, walks may be swapped for home or garden visits to make sure dogs are still cared for safely.

During storms or very windy conditions, dogs can sometimes feel unsettled, so walks may be adapted. This could mean smaller groups, more on-lead time, or switching to home visits where appropriate.

If home visits are needed, these may be slightly shorter than a usual walk so I can make sure any dogs who are home alone still receive care.

I also plan ahead where possible by checking weather forecasts and local roadworks in advance. If unexpected traffic issues arise, I may need to adjust timings slightly, but I will always keep affected clients updated.

My priority is always to make sure every dog is safe, comfortable, and well looked after, whatever the conditions.

How do you decide which dogs walk together?

Every dog is different, so group matching is something I take very seriously.

During the Meet & Greet and assessment walk, I spend time getting to know your dog’s personality, confidence levels, and how they respond to the world around them. I look at things like how they travel in the van, how they react to other dogs, people, and everyday distractions, and how easily they can stay engaged when we’re out walking.

I also look at their energy levels and social style. Some dogs prefer calm, steady companions, while others enjoy more playful, energetic groups. My goal is always to match dogs with others they will feel comfortable and relaxed around.

Groups are built slowly and carefully so that every dog can settle in at their own pace. This helps keep walks calm, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

If I feel a dog isn’t quite ready for group walks yet, I’ll always be honest and explain why. Sometimes I may recommend some training first, or starting with solo walks to help build the skills and confidence needed to join a group successfully.

It’s not just about putting dogs together, it’s about putting the right dogs together.

What happens at the Meet & Greet and assessment walk?

Don’t worry – the Meet & Greet isn’t a test! It’s a chance for us to get to know each other and make sure Richer Dogs is the right fit for you and your dog.

We’ll spend some time chatting about your dog’s routine, personality, and anything important I should know, such as health needs, allergies, or behaviour quirks. It’s also your chance to ask questions and make sure you feel completely comfortable placing your dog in my care.

The assessment walk then gives me the opportunity to see how your dog moves through the world. I’ll look at things like how they respond to new environments, what they enjoy, and anything they might feel unsure about.

For example, if a dog feels hesitant about travelling in the van, I’ll spend time helping them build confidence so they feel relaxed before starting group walks. It’s all about setting them up for success.

My goal is to understand your dog properly so I can make the best decisions about their care and the groups they join.

What if my dog has never walked in a group before?

That’s absolutely fine. Many dogs have joined Richer Dogs without any previous group walk experience.

New dogs are always introduced gradually so they can build confidence and feel comfortable. Usually this means meeting one suitable dog first, then slowly building up to walking with two or three, before joining their regular group.

This process takes a little time, but it helps make sure every dog feels relaxed and that the existing group dynamics stay calm and balanced.

By the time your dog joins their regular group, they’ll already be familiar with their new walking friends, which helps make the transition much smoother.

Do you walk dogs walk off lead?

Group walk dogs enjoy a mixture of on-lead and off-lead time, depending on what is safest and most appropriate for each dog.

All new dogs start on a long line (a 30ft biothane training lead) while I build a relationship with them and assess their recall. We play recall games during walks to help build reliable responses, and dogs often learn good habits from walking with more experienced group members too.

Dogs are also put back on lead when needed, for example when moving between the vehicle and the walking area, when passing other dogs or people, or whenever I feel it’s the safest option. I also regularly practise “back on lead” games so dogs are happy to come back in when asked.

If I ever feel a dog needs a little extra support again, they may go back onto a long line for a while. This isn’t a step backwards, it’s simply part of keeping everyone safe while still allowing freedom where possible.

Safety always comes first, and I’ll always keep you updated on your dog’s progress.

How long are the walks and how often do they happen?

Group walks are around 45 minutes long. Over the years I’ve found this to be the ideal length for the way I structure my walks.

Because walks include training games, enrichment activities, and free play, finishing at around 45 minutes helps make sure dogs are mentally as well as physically fulfilled, without becoming over-stimulated. This means they usually return home ready to relax rather than wired or overtired.

Once your dog has joined, their regular weekly walks are automatically booked for you, so you don’t need to remember to book each week or worry about losing your space. Your dog’s place is reserved for them.

If you ever need an extra walk or need to cancel because you’re away, this can be managed easily through the client app or by messaging me.

Group walks usually run between 11am and 3pm. Exact times can vary slightly depending on weather, traffic, or group logistics, but I always aim to be as consistent as possible and will do my best to accommodate scheduling needs where I can.

How do bookings and payments work?

Once your dog has joined Richer Dogs, their regular walks are automatically booked on the same days each week, so you don’t need to remember to book or worry about losing your place.

Walks are invoiced weekly in advance, with payments taken securely through the client app. When you join, you’ll receive a welcome email with everything you need to get set up, including simple instructions for downloading and using the app.

If you ever need to cancel a walk because you’re away, you can do this easily through the app or by messaging me. I ask for two weeks’ notice for cancellations, as spaces are reserved for each dog.

I understand that sometimes plans change unexpectedly. If a cancellation happens within the notice period it will still be chargeable, but I’ll always try to offer an alternative day where possible.

If you’re ever unsure, just ask – I’m always happy to help.

What happens in bad weather or if there are travel delays?