So how far do you go? Is walking the walk something you take seriously? I know for a fact I walk further when I’m in the company of a dog.
So what about choice of footwear? Not so much the boots but what about the socks? Where do your loyalties lie?
These socks will let everyone know the answer : loud and clear!
Big feet :Irish Woolfhound?
Small feet : Chihuahua?
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Those socks don’t look like proper walking socks but they’re nice. With a dog I walk as far as they can manage or as long as I’m told by the owners. I generally walk the dogs longer than they’re used to because many owners, in my experience, don’t have the time especially if working full time. I’ve had dogs that have joined me for several hours. While I walk without dogs it’s preferable with them
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I walk with dogs as much as they want and can handle. I usually go for much longer walks than the owners themselves, and they’re always super happy about it – I guess over time, daily walks tend to get shorter when life gets in the way. For me, if we’re looking after a dog, then the dog is on holiday too – and on holiday, you do what brings you joy (which doesn’t mean eating until you burst, haha!).
So I try to play, cuddle, and walk with them as much as possible. Some dogs absolutely loved doing 10–15 km a day with us – and we loved it too. Others, especially older ones or those with thick coats in summer, we’d take on shorter walks during the cooler hours. I think you can tell pretty quickly what a dog enjoys and can handle. We only take on long-term sits (3+ weeks and more), so there’s always enough time to figure out their rhythm.
During the wet UK months, I wear my walking wellies – and I was genuinely surprised at how easy it is to walk 10+ km in them. In Germany, when you hear “rubber boots,” you think of gardening, not hiking. But UK wellies are built differently – brilliant, really. And since I never avoid a puddle, they’re just perfect for me.
Of course, wellies are only great if you wear the right socks – otherwise they keep sliding down nonstop. I usually wear proper hiking socks, and in colder weather I also wear fleece-lined tights underneath, so the socks don’t keep slipping down smooth, shaved legs 
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Talk of rubber and shaved legs.. where are you leading us Fatamorgana? I’m on my way!
Great advice about socks and tights .. my dear 99 year old Dad had to wear medical tights at one point.. I’m trying to avoid that as long as possible!
Yes I agree the dog is on holiday and there are some good reasons some Home Owners aren’t able to deliver the long walks: work constraints, stroke, over weight, asthma etc. I love walking the extra mile .. or two!
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I’m a couch potato, so sitting dogs is when I get walking the most.
I follow hosts’ guidance and read the dogs’ signals, then adjust as needed. Like with one doggo, I saw that he was drooping by the end of walks as prescribed by the hosts, so I adjusted the ratio of time split among walks. He then did better. I also took him to the beach, three hours round trip, and drove him to different neighborhoods, and he seemed energized by the variety. He got loved on by many tourists at the beach, including foreign visitors, who asked to pose with him for photos. 
The hosts’ review said, in part: “Maggie was an absolute delight to work with before, during and after her sit. Just be prepared for your dog to greet your return with mixed emotions LOL. Maggie took XX on many more adventures than we typically do and sent us charming pictures and reports of their exploits together.”
On another sit, the doggo and I walked loads all over Stratford-upon-Avon in the U.K., which is idyllic and very welcoming of dogs. It helped that he was super social and got along with people and pets, never met a stranger. He even did well on a tour boat, ferry boat, Ferris wheel and hop on, hop off tour bus. And when some of my friends made a day trip from London, he and I met them for lunch and then walked for hours, showing them around town. Doggo seemed to have fun the whole time and never flagged. I’ve happily sat him twice.
On a Glasgow sit, that lovely doggo and I explored countless places, including a stunning historic cemetery. We kept running into the host’s friends all over town, which was fun, because they were lovely — that doggo was recognizable, as well as popular with strangers. It felt like I was escorting a celebrity. 
One dog got ridiculously short walks from her humans, poor thing. I routinely took her on more walks and longer spans and she pooped more often than her humans had described. Her humans expressed appreciation that I walked her so much, despite heat and humidity. She seemed very happy. Her humans said she wanted to walk farther than normal on their return.
I’ve also sat some dogs who never go on walks. Two little seniors had had back surgery and their humans said best to keep them in their yard, which was lovely and roomy. On another sit, that poor doggo was so nervous that she was on anxiety meds. Her human said I could attempt to take her out, but she’d probably resist. When I tried, the poor thing was trembling as soon as we got onto the front staircase outside, so I didn’t force her. She loved her backyard, where she enjoyed chasing squirrels and birds.
On yet another sit, I met maybe the laziest dog on Earth. She would hilariously splay herself like a spatchcock chicken, resisting walking. She’d quickly pee or poo right by her house and then run to the door, barking nonstop to be let into the house again. I couldn’t even grab the mail, trash cans or newspapers before she’d be barking, barking, barking to return indoors. Often, I’d have to carry her partway, to get her walking. Then she’d have no choice but to walk home. She was a senior, but her humans said she’d resisted walking since she was young.
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I wear thicker socks on walks but I do have a couple of cat themed tee shirts and dog themed tee shirts. I have one with both. I wear them the first day I meet the pet parent and sometimes when walking the dog.
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the dogs we sit get many more walks than they are used to. I ask the hosts if it’s okay. Morning and evening walks are a given. But then my 3 kids will each take homeschool breaks and want to go for a walk and always ask “mom, wanna walk with me?” Sure!! Time to spend with my child, dog gets another fun walk, and I get more exercise than I’m used to. The only problem is if the weather is hot. Then it’s a no go and the kids play chase inside with the dogs.
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