Have you ever hired a walker for your dog? Here’s why it’s great!
–
This week’s interview with Breton Kennedy of Walk & Roll Dog Walking details how pack walks can help your pup socialize with dogs, humans and can build their confidence.
–
Find Breton and Walk & Roll here –
Facebook: https://www.
Instagram: https://www.
Now, let’s get to the interview!
Transcription:
Laura Wombwell
Hi there, it’s Laura from Laura Wombwell Photography and joining me today is Breton Kennedy of Walk and Roll Dog Walking in Hamilton. Hi Breton. Great to have you here. So I would love to know how did you end up running a dog walking business?
Breton Kennedy
So, basically what had happened I was a dog walker in Toronto in my early 20s. I worked for a company there called City Dogs on the Go, they they don’t exist anymore. Basically, we’re picking up mostly yorkies, small dogs in the condos and lofts. I did that for about three years. From there, I segwayed into corporate events for a decade. Very different industries. Um, I got pregnant, and I decided that I didn’t want to be in Toronto anymore. I moved to Hamilton. Obviously, the housing, all of that’s much more affordable. So after I had my son, I was sort of weighing the pros and cons of my life. And I didn’t want to do 14-16 hour days working for a corporation. And I remembered my experience dog walking, and I noticed that no one was really, there weren’t very many companies here doing it. So I thought I would do it. Try it out. I did not expect the success that we’ve had. Yeah, we went from you know, I remember February 2019. When I opened the business, I had two clients and I went from that to about 47 clients in a year. So it was a huge, huge success.
Laura Wombwell
Oh, that is a huge jump. So what what sort of thing does Walk and Roll specialize in?
Breton Kennedy
So originally, we were just doing you know, your traditional city pack walks, it was really just about the group walks getting dogs out for socialization. I think 99% of our clients were commuters so they were you know, away from our home for a really, really long time. But since the pandemic, about a year ago, I launched the adventure hikes. And that’s really our cornerstone. Now everybody wants that, their dogs are gone for half the day. A lot of them are working from home. So it’s like a blessing. They’re like, please take my dogs so it’s been, that’s really largely been our business model has been the city walks and the hikes now.
Laura Wombwell
So talk me through an adventure hike. What would that be for your dog?
Breton Kennedy
Okay, so today actually, we had an awesome one, I posted a video on Instagram. We went over to Felker’s Falls, which is sort of in the Stoney Creek region. The dogs got to hike the Bruce trail, they got pretty hot. So we opted to go swimming on the top of a waterfall. You know, six dogs swimming in a waterfall cooling down. So basically, yeah, they’re on the trail for about two to two and a half hours. It’s great in the summer, because it’s so hot in the city. And obviously the trees in the water is great for them. So they come home exhausted, the owners are so happy. Yeah.
Laura Wombwell
Wow. So are all of your walks group walks? Or do you also offer one on one walks?
Breton Kennedy
We do offer some one on ones. But most of our walks are group, a lot of our clients, you know they they’ve had dogs with reactionary issues, or you know that they couldn’t be in a group. And I love working with those dogs to get them into a group because it’s so important for a dog to have other dogs in their life. Right. So the end goal is always to get the dogs into a group setting.
Laura Wombwell
Nice. And what are some of your favorite things to help both the owners and the dogs that with inside of your business?
Breton Kennedy
Like what do I help them with? So I’d say at least 70% of our dog clients are rescues. So all of them come with their unique quirks and some of them have some issues. I’m not a dog trainer, but I have had rescues my whole life. And I’ve worked with a behavioral trainer with my own dogs. So implementing that through exposure, positive reinforcement. We’ve had, you know, a lot of behaviors turn around where dogs couldn’t be around people or other dogs or whatever. And with a lot of patience and time we were able to sort of help those dogs come out of that which is really rewarding for us.
Laura Wombwell
Wonderful. And what’s something that you wish that folks knew about your industry that they might not?
Breton Kennedy
That it’s a serious industry and it’s a serious job. A lot of people, you know, a lot of people work in this industry there that aren’t, you know, insured, that aren’t unexperienced necessarily, they’re just sort of picking it up. But for me, like, I do a lot of work learning about dog behavior, working with dogs, and you have to really understand, you know, the, the social cues from a dog so that maybe they’re about to bite, you know, they’re about to, they’re very scared, like you, you need to have this knowledge. So it’s, um, yeah, it is a it is a serious industry. And I do take it very seriously what I do, my job is very playful. But yeah, just that, it is a lot of work. And we try our best to make every experience really amazing for the dogs.
Laura Wombwell
So with so many families, bringing new pets into their homes over this past year, one thing that I keep hearing over and over again, is how important it is to, even if you’re not back at work yet, start getting your dog socialized, start getting your dog used to other people and used to, you know, what’s going to be a new normal for them. So have you seen folks starting to reach out for that?
Breton Kennedy
Yeah, I’d say that we’ve acquired probably about a dozen new clients, I call them the COVID dogs. You know, they they’ve adopted the dogs during COVID. And they haven’t really been able to introduce them to their friends and family, other dogs. For a time the dog parks were closed in our city, so they couldn’t even do that. And these dogs tend to be very, very nervous, very nervous of people, other dogs. So, um, yeah, it’s important to start when they’re young, right, so that this doesn’t become a lifelong issue for them. It really enriches a dog’s life, obviously, to get out there with other dogs. They’re pack animals, right? So starting now is really important before going back to work and adding stress to your dog’s life, right?
Laura Wombwell
Absolutely. So what would you say are some of the benefits for folks who maybe haven’t considered a walker.
Breton Kennedy
And, again, most people are at home. So a lot of people just totally kind of are like, I don’t need a dog walker right now. But again, if you don’t get your dog out in social settings, you may run into issues when you may have to go back to the office, or when you maybe you want to go on a vacation one day when the borders are open again, and you leave your dog. So, you know, these these behaviors and these skills for dogs are really important to learn. So it’s a huge benefit to get them out with a dog walker. So it’s a different person, and of course, different dogs.
Laura Wombwell
Excellent. I know. COVID has changed a lot of different business models. And I know you mentioned that you had opened in 2019. So you had some pre-COVID time, what are some changes you’ve had to make over the past year?
Breton Kennedy
I’ve totally remodeled my business, for the most part, we were exclusively just city walks. And then I added the adventure hikes in 2020. And that’s sort of been it’s been huge for us. We went from doing one a week to doing four we’re adding a fifth. So yeah, it’s been that sort of saved us during COVID, to be honest with you, so. And you know, it saved a lot of our owners sanity. So it was win win for everybody. Yeah, COVID was really hard because we were shut down twice. But we came back. But when I say we I have an employee as well. So the two of us, it’s still the two of us. We’re still working, and we’re happy to be here.
Laura Wombwell
Nice. So if folks were interested in booking a walk, what’s the process? How do they find you and how do they sign up?
Breton Kennedy
Well, I definitely started a website that I have not finished, I find most of our people are reaching out to us through Instagram or Facebook. Instagram tends to be our best platform because I’m always updating our stories. You can really see what we’re doing all share videos of our hikes. People love to know what trails I’m on and things like that. So that would be the best probably way to see the business and you can message us there on Facebook, on WhatsApp, email, phone, whatever is easiest. And the process is always a meet and greet which is of course complimentary. With COVID it tends to be in your backyard. So I come out, meet to meet your dog. Make sure everybody’s comfortable and then we can discuss your needs from there.
Laura Wombwell
So because you focus primarily on pack walks, is there are there like set packs, or do they change?
Breton Kennedy
They do tend to change. But typically what the hikes it’s always the same. So it’s always the same group every week on like, Wednesday or Thursday, we’re adding Monday. The reason for that is with the hikes they really pack together. It’s a very interesting dynamic, it’s totally different than the city walks. If you watch my videos, you’ll see a perfect line of six dogs just like together which is really cool to see. And that takes time to get there. So I don’t love switching up the hikes for that reason. With the walks, they change all the time, for a couple reasons. More dog exposure for your dog is very important for their socialization. And yeah, it’s just it’s also based, sort of like in the city and what dogs are going to work together that day and that kind of thing. So scheduling as well.
Laura Wombwell
Excellent. So for your adventure hikes, do you have a favorite place to go?
Breton Kennedy
Oh my god. There’s so many. We’re so lucky. We are surrounded by trails. When I moved to Hamilton, I didn’t even realize it’s there just so much. My favorite local trail is Smokey Hollow. And you absolutely cannot go there with dogs that pull though. So it’s just a very steep, very steep and you’ll fall off a cliff. But that’s my favorite trail for sure. With the dogs. I love the Main Loop trail and Dundas and Dundas Valley conservation. Massive wide trail with like creeks running through it, the dogs can like, run through the creek. I was there today as well. So that’s a great option.
Laura Wombwell
So we’ve chatted a lot about what you do with other people’s dogs. I would love to hear a little bit about your dog.
Breton Kennedy
So this is Leroy, I’ll lower the camera for you. Leroy, here buddy. Show them your beautiful. Yes, this is Leroy, he’s and he will be 11 June 28. So he’s quite old for a French Bulldog. He doesn’t do much let me be honest, I just bought him a wagon. So he could come. So I also have a three year old son so him and I will take them to the park. Recently, he went to a waterfall. He can’t really walk, only one or two blocks. This weekend. He’s coming camping. I had to amp up all my cooling gear for him. He’s got like a cooling mat, and like a little vest and all this stuff. And I think I’m going to take him kayaking.
Laura Wombwell
Oh, wow.
Breton Kennedy
He’s got a life jacket, I just really feel like 11, he’s in his golden years. I want to just, you know, give them the best last few years that he’s got.
Laura Wombwell
Absolutely. And how did he come to live with you?
Breton Kennedy
So when he was, prior to Leroy, I had an English bulldog who had passed away and I love Bulldogs and have a very soft spot for them. Um, so I did kind of interesting because I couldn’t find one and I didn’t want to get a puppy. So I posted on like kijiji that was looking for like a French Bulldog. Um, and then this couple reached out to me and said, I he was terrorizing your child like their baby and they needed to rehome him. So I met them in like Ottawa, I drove to Ottawa.
Laura Wombwell
Wow,
Breton Kennedy
I met him, and he was hilarious. I loved him, and I took him homehome. Yeah, he’s been such a great part of the family. My son loves him. He does terrorize children though. He’s a good boy. Yeah, he’s a great dog. Yeah. And I will say get pet insurance.
Laura Wombwell
For sure. So I know Leroy is a sassy senior now. But are there any favorite things that he likes to do in Hamilton or the area?
Breton Kennedy
He just wants to be involved. That’s his life. His goal and his life is to be as involved as possible. He loves seeing people he loves like, I live in like a duplex. So there’s a family upstairs who just wants to sit outside with them on the hammock. So he doesn’t really want to do exercise. He just really wants to be involved. Whatever you’re doing, he needs to be doing it too.
Laura Wombwell
So before we end off today, I have a few quickfire questions for you. All right, so cat or dog?
Breton Kennedy
Dog.
Laura Wombwell
Favorite breed?
Breton Kennedy
I’m gonna say a mastiff.
Laura Wombwell
What is Leroy’s favorite treat?
Breton Kennedy
He’s allergic to absolutely everything. So raw salmon.
Laura Wombwell
Wow, okay. Is Leroy full of beans full of dreams are full of something entirely different?
Breton Kennedy
Always totally full of beans and gas.
Laura Wombwell
Bulldogs right? If a human actor were to play Leroy in a movie, who would play him?
Breton Kennedy
I’m gonna say oh my god. I can’t remember the actor’s name, Samuel L. Jackson.
Laura Wombwell
Hey, I love it. So Leroy’s got some attitude.
Breton Kennedy
Oh, yeah.
Laura Wombwell
Finally, if money and time were no object, what’s one amazing thing that you would do to spoil Leroy?
Breton Kennedy
Money and time are no object. Um, I know these are quickfire questions. You know what, no COVID and all the money I would throw Leroy, a huge party, where everybody has to spend five minutes petting him and he would just be delighted.
Laura Wombwell
I love that answer so much. So I really appreciate your time today Breton. But before we end off, I would love to know, how can the southwestern Ontario pet community best support you and your business?
Breton Kennedy
So with all small businesses, obviously, right now, the biggest thing is, of course, like promoting our business and showing people what we’re doing. Yeah, it’s always so helpful for that kind of thing. Just so we can reach our clients that are looking for our services. So this interview is great for that reason, and also to meet you and all of these things. Yeah, it’s great reaching out and finding other people in the pet industry network for sure.
Laura Wombwell
So if folks want to follow you on social media, where can they find you?
Breton Kennedy
I really think Instagram, although I just started Tiktok today. I’m 33 this year, and I’m like, I don’t know how to do this. Like, oh, I started Tiktok. But mostly I’m updating on Instagram. So it’s Walk and Roll Ham Ont. That’s sort of like our city, hamont all one word. And pretty much almost every day I’m updating, I post a lot of what trails I’m on and things like that people really like to know where they should be taking their dogs. So even if they’re not looking to hire us, give us a follow up just so you can kind of see some cute dogs doing cute things too.
Laura Wombwell
Well, thank you so much for sharing a little bit of your time with us today. I really do appreciate it.
Breton Kennedy
Thank you. Thanks for having me.
Laura Wombwell
So this is Laura from Laura Wombwell Photography and I am here with Breton Kennedy of Walk & Roll Dog Walking, and we both hope that you and your pets have an awesome day. Bye!
Do you want to be the next interview? We’d love that!
You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or send us a message! Can’t wait to see you next time!