FAQs
Easy – send me a message!
We’ll arrange a quick meet & greet (for free!), chat through your dog’s routine and needs, and find where they fit within the pack.
Yes! I’ll personally collect your four-legged friend and, if needed, transport them safely and comfortably to our walking spot. Travel time isn’t included in your booked walk, so the full time is spent sniffing, exploring, and having fun.
- Solo walks: 1 hour. This can be a mix of indoor and outdoor enrichment to suit your pup!
- Group walks: 1 hour.
- Home visits/drop-ins: 30 minutes or 1 hour.
- Adventure walks: typically run for 6 – 7 hours, inclusive of travel, with a minimum of 4 – 5 hours of Adventure.
Yes. When your floof first joins the pack, I’ll keep a close eye on how they settle in and make sure they’re relaxed and enjoying themselves. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit for any reason, I’ll be honest and happy to recommend a better-suited option (for example, solo walks or a different service).
Group walks are kept small – a maximum of four dogs – so everyone is closely supervised and the vibe stays calm, fun, and safe.
Only with written permission and only when it’s safe and suitable on the day (location, weather, recall, behaviour, etc.).
Off-lead time is never guaranteed – safety first, always.
Wild Side Canines ask that you take reasonable measures to ensure your dog is free from contagious/infectious disease and kept up to date with parasite control.
Please notify me immediately if your dog is unwell or has been exposed to anything contagious, including (but not limited to) Kennel Cough/Bordetella, Parvovirus, worms, fleas, infectious skin conditions, or intestinal parasites.
Yes – absolutely, as long as they’re happy walking together. I also offer a small multi-dog discount for dogs from the same household.
I’ll return your pup happy, content, and ready for a well-earned rest. Mud happens (it’s the Wild Side!), so if we’ve had a mucky one, I’ll do a quick rinse where appropriate and towel them off before bringing them home.
Dogs travel in my fully insured Dacia Duster. Each dog has their own secure space, with good ventilation and soft matting for comfort (especially for joints and paws). The vehicle is cleaned after every mucky adventure.
Yes! Adventure Days are a full-day countryside outing for dogs who love to explore. Expect big sniffy adventures, structured breaks, loads of enrichment, and a very sleepy dog at the end. Adventure Days typically run 8.30am–5.00pm (pick-up/drop-off within that window).
Whatever your pet needs! Typically: feeding, fresh water, a tidy up, play/enrichment, cuddles/companionship, and a short toilet break if needed – plus a photo update for you.
I’ll always do my best to help where I can, but availability can be limited. My diary is structured around regular clients and carefully planned groups, so one-off bookings aren’t always possible – and for group walks, a last-minute drop-in isn’t always the best match. Regular walks tend to work best so your dog can build a routine, bond with me, and feel confident with the pack.
I ask for 48 hours’ notice for cancellations. Late cancellations (under 48 hours) are charged in full.
If you’re going on holiday and want me to hold your regular slot, a retainer fee of 50% may apply.
Yes!
For additional dogs from a multi-dog household I offer a discounted rate on group walks and adventure days.
- Join the Pack – £14 per additional dog.
- Walk on the Wild Side – £38 per addition dog.
I’m based in Lochend and cover Greater East Edinburgh, roughly Newhaven to Duddingston. If you’re not sure you’re in my catchment, just drop me a message and I’ll confirm.
I work within these windows:
- Morning walks: 8.30am – 11.00am
- Mid-day walks: 11.15am – 1.45pm
- Afternoon walks: 2.00pm – 4.30pm
Timings can vary due to traffic, roadworks, weather and the needs of the dogs in my care. Please note: because pick-up, drop-off and travel are separate from the booked walk time, your dog may be out of the house for longer than the scheduled walk duration.
Enrichment-led adventures full of sniffing, exploring and structured play, all tailored to your dog. I also reinforce good habits in a calm, reward-based way (think polite lead manners and calm greetings). You’ll always get an update afterwards.
Often, yes. Many dogs do best starting with solo walks so we can build trust and confidence at their pace.
That said, if a dog has severe reactivity or significant behaviour issues that create a safety risk (to people, other dogs, or themselves), I may not be able to take them on.
I’m not a qualified behaviourist or trainer, and in those cases, I’ll always recommend working with an accredited behaviourist or trainer first – then we can revisit walking support when it’s safe to do so.
Carefully! I match dogs by size, energy, play style and temperament so they’re comfortable together and can build great bonds. If a group dynamic isn’t working out I’ll recommend an adjustment that best suits everyone.
Your dog’s safety and happiness always come first.
As these are longer, highly active days, Walk on the Wild Side is best suited to fit, healthy dogs who are physically and mentally ready for it. As a general guide, I recommend these days for dogs aged around 12 to 18 months and up, once growth plates have fully developed.
Younger pups, more fragile seniors, and certain brachycephalic and miniature breeds may be better suited to another service that still offers enrichment, just at a gentler pace.
If you are unsure, I am always happy to talk it through during the meet and greet and recommend what will suit your dog best.
No. I’m a reward-based, force-free handler so I don’t use prong collars, electric/shock collars, nor am I trained on how to use any aversive tools. If your dog currently uses one, I’m happy to chat about appropriate alternatives so we can keep walks comfortable and positive.
Intact dogs can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Females in season are solo walks only (no group walks) for everyone’s comfort and safety. If your dog comes into season, please let me know as soon as possible so we can try and accommodate them with a different service, or reschedule.
Not at all. Clients are welcome to give me a set of keys. Keys are stored securely in a lock box and labelled with non-identifying information, and I’m insured for key handling.
Yep, we’re out in most weather, as long as it’s safe and suitable for the dogs. If conditions aren’t dog-friendly (ice, high winds, extreme heat, etc.), I’ll adjust the plan and can offer an alternative (like a drop-in visit or a shorter lead walk).
For my regular walks, I like to stay fairly local and mix up routes to keep things fun, enriching, and safe. You’ll often find us exploring different paths around Holyrood Park, Craigmillar Castle Park, Leith Links, Lochend Park, Figgate Park and other nearby green spaces. I rotate routes regularly, so your pup gets plenty of variety and their walks stay exciting and fulfilling.
For Adventure Days, we head further afield for bigger explorations think hill walks in the Pentlands or a seaside splash at Yellowcraigs. We’re so lucky to have such incredible landscapes right on Edinburgh’s doorstep!
Yes – if you provide the food and clear instructions. This is especially handy for puppies, seniors, or dogs on specific diets.
I will not feed a dog after extensive exercise as to avoid gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), more commonly known as bloat.
Yes! I’m happy to pop in for cats and small pets too – feeding, fresh water, a tidy up, companionship, and a little enrichment to keep them happy while you’re out.
I don’t usually offer evenings or weekends, but I may be able to make occasional exceptions for regular clients. If you need something outside my usual hours, send me a message and we can chat.
Yes – I’m fully insured, Disclosure Scotland checked, registered with the City of Edinburgh Council, and certified in Canine Emergency First Aid.
Still have questions? Get in touch!