About Del Chambers: The Person Behind Finchley Dog Walker

Calm, personal pet care from someone who takes time to understand your animal

Hi, I’m Derek Chambers, although most people call me Del.

I own Finchley Dog Walker, an independent pet-care business I’ve run since 2011.

I provide house sitting, cat sitting, one-to-one dog walking and other personalised pet-care services in Finchley, Muswell Hill and selected nearby parts of North London.

I know how much trust is involved in handing someone your house keys, leaving your pets while you go away or asking somebody else to walk a dog who may be nervous, reactive or simply a little awkward but awesome.

You want to know who’s looking after them, that their routine will be respected and that somebody will notice if something isn’t quite right.

That’s the sort of care I’ve built my business around.

When you contact Finchley Dog Walker, you’re dealing directly with me. I’m the person who meets you, gets to know your animals and provides their care.

No different walker arrives each week, and no rotating team of pet sitters.

Just one familiar person who gets to know your pets as individuals.

Get in touch and tell me about your pet

How Finchley Dog Walker began

Animals have been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Growing up, our household included dogs, budgies, hamsters and other small pets. We also had German Shepherds, so I learnt early on that animals have different personalities, routines and needs.

But living with my own rescue dogs really shaped how I think about animal care.

My rescue dog Roxy played a particularly important part in the decision to start Finchley Dog Walker.

When I was looking at dog-walking options, I realised how many services relied on collecting several dogs, transporting them in vehicles and taking them out together.

There was nothing necessarily wrong with a well-managed group walk for a dog who enjoyed that environment.

But I knew it wasn’t the right approach for every dog.

Some needed more space, a predictable routine and somebody who would take time to understand them.

After being made redundant from my previous career in 2011, I decided to turn my experience and love of animals into a business.

Finchley Dog Walker was born.

Roxy, and later Missy, taught me a great deal about patience, trust and the importance of understanding the individual dog. Although they’re no longer with me, their influence is still very much part of how I work.

More than fifteen years after starting the business, I’m still learning from the animals I care for.

And that’s one of the things I love most about the job.

What makes my approach different?

One household at a time

Whether I’m walking your dog, visiting your cat or staying overnight to look after your pets, I provide personal care for one household at a time.

I don’t mix dogs from different households, and I don’t run a high-volume collection service.

That means I can concentrate on the animals in my care rather than trying to fit them into a standard routine.

No vans, cars or group walks

My dog walks begin and end at your front door.

I don’t transport dogs in vans or cars for walks, and I don’t take unrelated dogs out in groups.

Instead, we explore local routes and familiar places at a pace that suits your dog.

That might mean a walk through a local park, a gentle sniff around the neighbourhood or a quieter route away from something your dog finds difficult.

The aim isn’t to cover as many miles as possible.

It’s to make each walk appropriate, enjoyable and worthwhile for the individual dog.

Read about my solo dog walking service

A little more understanding for nervous and rescue dogs

Having lived with rescue dogs myself, I know that progress doesn’t always happen quickly.

Some dogs are worried by traffic; other dogs by unfamiliar people or new surroundings. Others need more time to settle with somebody they don’t know.

I don’t believe in forcing a dog through a situation simply because we’ve planned to go that way.

Sometimes giving a dog more space, changing our route or allowing a little extra sniffing time is the better decision.

My approach is calm, patient and reward-based, with a strong emphasis on reading body language and helping dogs build confidence.

Find out about rescue and nervous dog support

More than just dog walking

Although the business is called Finchley Dog Walker, these days dog walking is only part of what I do.

I also help people care for their pets and homes when they’re working, away for the day or taking a much-needed holiday.

My services include:

• House sitting and overnight pet care so your animals can stay in their familiar home, with their usual routine followed as closely as possible.
• Cat sitting and feeding visits, including feeding, litter care, companionship, appropriate enrichment and updates.
• Solo one-to-one dog walking for dogs who benefit from individual attention.
• Rescue and nervous dog support for dogs who need patience, consistency and quieter experiences.
• Rabbit, guinea pig and small-animal care to help suitable pets stay comfortable in their own surroundings.
• One-to-one dog training support to help owners practise everyday skills, play reward-based games, and build confidence.

What connects these services is the same approach: getting to know your pet, respecting their routine and providing the care they actually need.

For house sitting in particular, I know how reassuring it is for owners to leave their pets at home with someone familiar.

Your dog can sleep in their usual bed. Your cat can keep their favourite hiding place. Your pets can follow their normal feeding and care routine.

And you can enjoy your time away knowing who is looking after them.

Explore all my pet-care services

Experience, qualifications and professional standards

I’ve worked professionally with dogs and other pets since 2011, but I don’t think experience alone means you should stop learning.

Over the years, I’ve invested in training and continued professional development covering canine behaviour, communication, first aid, enrichment and handling.

My background includes:

• Ofqual-regulated Level 3 Canine First Aid qualification.
• Additional canine first aid learning.
• Canine body language and communication.
• Practical learning around reactive, nervous and rescue dogs.
• Reward-based and games-based training approaches.
• Canine enrichment and confidence-building activities.
• Experience assisting at Tip Top Dog School.
• Continuing professional development in puppy care and senior dog welfare.
• Enhanced DBS check through my involvement with Scouting.
• Insurance for the pet-care services I provide.
• Yappily-approved pet professional since 2025.

I don’t use aversive equipment or punishment-based handling methods. I believe in working with an animal, not frightening or forcing them into compliance.

I’m also clear about the limits of my experience.

I’m not a veterinary surgeon or clinical animal behaviourist. If I think your pet needs veterinary attention or specialist behavioural support, I’ll say so.

You can read more about my learning, qualifications and professional standards, including supporting certificates, on my Qualifications and Training page.

Proud to be part of the local community

Finchley isn’t just where I work. It’s also a community I’ve been involved with for many years.

Outside of pet care, I’m involved with 224 North London Air Scouts and the East Finchley Festival.

Scouting has been a particularly important part of my life. It involves responsibility, safeguarding, supporting young people and working with other volunteers.

In many ways, those same values apply to pet care.

People need to know they can rely on you, that you’ll communicate clearly and that you’ll take your responsibilities seriously.

I enjoy knowing the people, pets and familiar places around Finchley, from the quieter local streets to the green spaces around East Finchley and Muswell Hill.

Keeping my work local also helps me provide a more personal service.

My main areas include North Finchley (N12), Finchley Central (N3), East Finchley (N2), and Muswell Hill (N10), with selected nearby N11 addresses.

House sitting may also be available in Whetstone (N20) and Highgate (N6).

Check the areas I cover

What my clients say

One of the nicest things about this work is knowing that owners can relax because their pets are being cared for.

After a house-sitting booking, Dave and his family sent me this lovely message:

“Thanks for looking after the dogs and the house. Give us 24 hours, and we’ll start planning our next getaway!”

Dave and family, house-sitting clients.

That’s the sort of feedback that makes the work worthwhile.

It isn’t simply about completing a dog walk or putting food in a bowl.

It’s about helping people feel comfortable leaving their pets in somebody else’s care.

You can read more experiences from local owners on my Testimonials and Reviews page.

Sharing what I’ve learnt with other pet owners

Alongside my local services, I also enjoy sharing practical pet-care advice through this website.

I’ve been writing about dogs and animal care for many years, and the website has grown to include guides about rescue dogs, behaviour, enrichment, first aid, cats, rabbits and other household pets.

My aim is to make useful information easier to understand, whether you live in Finchley or elsewhere in the UK.

I draw on practical experience, continuing education and established animal-welfare guidance. Where something needs veterinary or specialist advice, I want readers to know that too.

You can explore these resources in my Dog and Pet Care Guides.

How to get started

Choosing someone to care for your pet is a personal decision, and I want you to feel comfortable before you book anything.

The first step is simply to get in touch and tell me a little about your animal and what you’re looking for.

If I cover your area and the service suits you, we can discuss your requirements and arrange an introductory meet-and-greet.

It’s a chance for me to understand your pet’s routine, personality, likes, dislikes, and any health or handling considerations.

It’s also your chance to ask questions and see whether I’m the right person for your household.

There’s no need to rush that decision.

Frequently asked questions

Will you personally look after my pet?

Yes. Finchley Dog Walker is my independent business, and I personally provide the care I accept. I don’t operate a rotating team of walkers or sitters.

Do you only look after dogs?

No. In addition to dog walking, I provide house sitting, cat feeding and sitting visits, and care for suitable rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small pets.

Can you help if my dog is nervous or reactive?

Potentially, yes. I have experience working with rescue, nervous, sensitive and reactive dogs who benefit from calm, individual care. I’ll discuss your dog’s needs and assess whether the service is suitable and within my experience.

Do you offer boarding or group dog walks?

No. I don’t offer boarding in my own home or group dog walking. My house-sitting service takes place in your home, and dog walks are one-to-one, with dogs from the same household where appropriate.

Are you insured and DBS checked?

Yes. I am insured for the pet-care services I provide and hold an Enhanced DBS check through my Scouting work. You can find more details on my qualifications page.

Let’s talk about your pet

If you’re looking for a dog walker, house sitter or pet carer who offers calm, reliable, individual attention, I’d be happy to hear from you.

Whether you have an enthusiastic puppy, a slightly awkward but awesome rescue dog, an older cat who loves their routine or a household of different animals, I’m always happy to discuss what might work.

Tell me your postcode, the service you’re looking for and a little about your pet.

I’ll let you know whether I can help.

Telephone or WhatsApp: 07707 763344

Email: info@finchleydogwalker.co.uk

Contact Del at Finchley Dog Walker