New to an area? Finding dog walking company
Moving somewhere new means a fresh set of pavements, parks and puzzled-looking neighbours. Your dog will settle in far faster than any of us do, so let them lead the way.
When we talk to owners who have moved house, the same thing comes up. The boxes get unpacked, the broadband gets sorted, and then there is a quiet moment when you realise you do not know a single person nearby. Your dog, of course, has already made friends with a lamp post.
We built Packmates partly with this in mind. If you are new to a town, a village or even just a different bit of the same city, here is how we would go about finding some walking company.
Let the dog do the introductions
Dog owners are, on the whole, a friendly bunch, and we say that from experience. A dog on a lead is the world's easiest reason to say hello, and nobody has ever had to explain why they are talking to someone else's spaniel.
The trick is simply to keep showing up. Walk the same park or lane at roughly the same time for a week or two, and you will start to recognise the same people and dogs. Recognition turns into a nod, a nod turns into a chat, and before long you know the name of a Labrador called Biscuit and almost nothing about her owner.
That is perfectly normal, and it is how many local walking groups begin, ours included.
Look around before you arrive
If you know where you are moving to, you can start early. In Packmates you can browse by town, village or postcode, so you can see what is going on near your new home before you have unpacked a single box. It is something we wish we had had on our own moves.
The same goes for visits. If you are away for a week or a long weekend, you can explore walks where you are staying without changing your home area in the app. It is a lovely way to meet a local or two, or just to find a good route with a dog who knows the ropes.
Post a walk of your own
If nothing near you quite fits, post your own. If you already have a favourite loop, post it and others can ask to join. If you are new and would simply like a friendly face, tick Flexible on time so people know they can suggest a slot that suits them.
Say a little about your dog, the pace you like and the sort of walk you have in mind. Be honest that you are new to the area, because in our experience people tend to be warmer than you expect. Someone nearby may well have been in the same position a year ago, and we have all been there at some point.
I moved to a village where I knew nobody. I posted a walk, flexible on time, with my two terriers, and within a week I had a loop, a coffee spot and a new friend.
Your first few weeks, step by step
Find your routine
Walk the same two or three places at similar times. Dogs and owners love familiarity, and so do the other regulars you will start to recognise.
Browse nearby walks
Search your town, village or postcode in Packmates and see what other owners have posted. Note which walk types look right for your dog.
Send a request
Ask to join a walk that suits you. The organiser will approve or decline, and you can agree the time and a public meeting point privately.
Go along and enjoy it
Keep the first walk simple, as we would. An hour, a loop, a chat and perhaps a quick goodbye is a perfectly good first outing.
Follow up
If you enjoyed it, say so, and favourite the owner so they are easy to find again. Suggest a repeat if it suits you both.
Knowing the local ground
Part of the fun of a new place, for us at least, is discovering where to walk. Local owners know which fields are muddy, where the cows are, which car park is free on a Sunday and which pub has a dog bowl by the door.
- Ask about local rules, such as lead requirements in parks or seasonal restrictions on beaches.
- Find out where dogs are welcome, and where they are not.
- Learn the quiet times for popular spots, which is useful if your dog prefers space.
- Ask about the local vet, groomer and emergency out-of-hours arrangements, in case you need them.
If you are a fan of a good urban loop, our guide to city park loops for busy owners has plenty of ideas for fitting a decent walk into a packed day.
Staying sensible with new people
Meeting new people is lovely, and we think it is still worth being a little careful. Everyone on Packmates is 18 or over and has verified their email and phone, but you are still meeting someone new.
Before you meet someone new
- Choose a public meeting point, never a home address.
- Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Keep your phone charged and the chat open.
- Trust your instincts. You can always leave politely or decline.
- Report or block anything that does not feel right. Our support page explains how.
For a longer guide, see meeting a stranger for a dog walk safely.
Give it a few weeks
Nobody makes a whole circle of friends in a single week. But a place does start to feel different once you have a few people you wave to and a path you know like the back of your hand.
Whenever you are ready, we would love you to take a look at what is happening near you, read how Packmates works, or find out how to join the beta. Your dog is already ahead of you. They have probably decided the whole street belongs to them.
