Testimonials and Reviews

Trusted with pets, homes and routines across Finchley

Choosing somebody to walk your dog or look after your pets while you are away involves a lot of trust.

You are not simply handing somebody a lead.

You may be giving them the keys to your home, asking them to care for a nervous dog, trusting them with an older pet’s routine or relying on them while you are hundreds of miles away.

I am Del, the person behind Finchley Dog Walker. I have provided professional dog walking and pet care since 2011.

I specialise in calm, personal care for one household at a time, including solo dog walking, house sitting, cat sitting and support for rescue, nervous and reactive dogs.

These are some of the things clients have said about trusting me with their pets.

What clients trust me with

House Sitting Reviews

For me, successful house sitting and in-home pet care is not simply about staying overnight.

It is about helping your pets keep as much of their normal life as possible while you are away.

Sometimes the difference that makes to the owners is just as important.

I particularly like this message because it explains what good pet care can make possible.

Knowing that the dogs could stay at home and be looked after meant the family could go away together again.

That is a much bigger result than simply completing a booking.

Archie could stay at home while his family went away

“Derek lived in and looked after our dog for one week whilst we went away. He arranged a meet-and-greet in advance to get to know Archie and also spent time understanding his routine and quirks. It was evident chatting to Derek that he is very knowledgeable about dogs and their behaviours, as well as being passionate about animals. Whilst away, Derek kept us informed, sharing pictures of his walks with Archie and chilling out at home together.”

House sitting client – Facebook review

“He is our number one choice”

“Derek looks after our dogs when we go away and is a trustworthy and kind dog sitter. He is our number one choice and the dogs both love him, even Rodney who is not easily won round.”

House sitting client – Facebook review

If your dog is happier sleeping in their own bed and following their familiar routine, you can read more about house sitting in Finchley and nearby areas.

Find out bout my house sitting service

Nervous, Reactive and Rescue Dog Reviews

Some of the dogs I work with find the world a little more complicated.

They may be nervous around unfamiliar people, worried by other dogs, reactive on lead, newly rehomed or simply happier when things are kept calm and predictable.

I do not expect every dog to trust me immediately.

Building that relationship can take time.

“Derek has built up his confidence”

“Derek has been walking our nervous dog for the past two years. Derek has built up his confidence, and he gets so excited whenever he comes to collect him. Our dog truly loves Derek, and we are so pleased.”

Jordanna Curtis – client review

For me, this is one of the best measures of a successful relationship with a nervous dog.

Not how far we walked.

Not how quickly we got somewhere.

The fact that a nervous dog has developed confidence and is genuinely pleased when I arrive.

Calm support for a nervous and reactive German Shepherd

“Del was absolutely brilliant walking and pet-sitting my dog Enzo. Enzo is a nervous and reactive GSD, but Del was completely calm and competent in handling him. Enzo was so happy!”

Facebook review

If your dog is a little awkward but awesome, newly rescued, nervous or reactive, you can read about my approach to rescue and nervous dog support in Finchley.

One-to-One Dog Walking Reviews

I deliberately provide solo dog walks rather than pack walks.

No vans are collecting several dogs and no requirement for your dog to fit into a group.

That can be particularly valuable for nervous dogs, reactive dogs, older dogs and dogs who enjoy having their walk to themselves.

Chaya

“Del has been walking my Rottweiler Chaya for the past year. It’s been great to find someone who will do one-to-one walks with her and also doesn’t mind big dogs. Chaya is dog reactive on lead and Del handles her perfectly. She loves her walks with Del and she’s also been better behaved since she has been going out with Del. Del is calm with her and she loves him. Highly recommended.”

Client review – Facebook

Being a big dog does not automatically make a dog difficult.

It does mean that calm handling, suitable equipment, awareness of the environment and giving the dog enough space can become even more important.

You can find out more about my one-to-one dog walks in East Finchley.

Reviews From Long-Term Clients

One thing I am particularly proud of is the number of clients and pets I have known over a long period.

I established Finchley Dog Walker in 2011, so some reviews on this page go back a number of years.

I have kept a selection because the things people mentioned then are still important to how I work today.

“A real godsend”

“Derek was a real godsend. He took Molly out in the morning and afternoon, even on Christmas Day, and also helped with shopping when I was on crutches. I would really recommend Derek as he will do his best to accommodate you and goes beyond dog walking.”

Client review – Woodside Park, Finchley N12

“Ruby has been transformed”

“Ruby has been transformed since Derek started taking her out daily. I find him trustworthy, friendly and very accommodating, even with last-minute changes and requests. I would not hesitate to recommend Derek to friends.”

Client review – Finchley N12

“He took the stress out of the transition”

“Derek has walked our dog since I had to return to full-time work. He took the stress out of the transition, and Cassie seems very happy in his company. I can strongly recommend him if you’re thinking of using Finchley Dog Walker to look after your dog.”

Client review – Finchley Central

Some details of how I work have naturally changed since these older reviews were written. For example, in extreme heat, ice, storms or other unsafe conditions I follow my extreme weather policy rather than walking regardless of the weather.

What has not changed is the importance I place on reliability and knowing the individual pet.

Cat Sitting Reviews

Dogs may feature heavily on the website, but they are certainly not the only animals I look after.

With cat sitting at home, the relationship can look very different.

Some cats greet me when I arrive.

Some want a fuss or a game.

Others would much rather I sort out their dinner, clean the litter tray and leave them to supervise me from a safe distance.

I am quite happy to let the cat make that decision.

That simple detail about the cats coming to greet me means a lot.

Cats do not need to be forced into interaction. Part of good cat care is learning what each individual cat is comfortable with.

Reliable care when it matters

“In the past, Derek has taken my cats to the vet for check-ups and treatment and has always been reliable. I have no problem recommending him.”

Client review – Finchley

If you would prefer your cat to remain at home while you are away, you can read about my cat sitting service in Finchley.

What These Reviews Tell You About How I Work

I could tell you that I am reliable, patient or good with nervous dogs.

It means much more when clients tell you themselves.

Across these reviews, the same themes appear repeatedly.

That is the kind of pet care I want Finchley Dog Walker to be known for.

One Person Looking After Your Pet

Finchley Dog Walker is an independent business.

When you contact me, you are talking to the person who will actually be caring for your pet.

There is no rotating team of walkers and no anonymous member of staff arriving at your door.

For many of the pets I work with, particularly rescue dogs, nervous dogs and animals who rely heavily on routine, that consistency matters.

You can read more about me and how I work before deciding whether I might be the right person for your pet.

Which Service Are You Looking For?

Looking for Someone You Can Trust With Your Pet?

Every pet is different.

A review cannot tell you whether I am definitely the right person for yours, and I would never want it to.

That starts with a conversation.

Tell me where you live, what kind of care you need and a little about your pet. If your dog is nervous, reactive, elderly, newly rescued or has particular routines or requirements, tell me about those too.

I will be honest about whether I think I can help.

Tell Me About Your Pet

Looking for one-to-one dog walking, house-sitting, or pet care in Finchley, Muswell Hill, or nearby

Have I Looked After Your Pet?

If I have walked your dog, looked after your cats, cared for your pets or stayed in your home while you were away, thank you for trusting me.

If you would like to leave a review, I would genuinely appreciate it.

The most useful reviews are simply honest ones. You might mention which service you used, what your pet is like and what made the biggest difference to you.

Please send directly via WhatsApp o

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review over the years.

A quick note about testimonials

The reviews above describe individual clients’ experiences with their own pets.

Every animal is different. Before taking on a new pet, I will talk through their needs, routine, behaviour and anything else I need to know so that we can decide whether the service is appropriate.