Confessions of a Dog Walker: Things I Never Thought I’d Say
- Debra Cavlan
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
A community-driven, structured dog walking company
By Debra Cavlan | Aug. 14, 2026
I Talk to Dogs. A Lot.
Okay, let's just get this out of the way.
I talk to dogs. A LOT.
And I'm not talking about the normal, “Who's a good boy?” kind of talking.
I'm talking full-on conversations.
"Okay, buddy, we're not eating that."
"Why are you barking at a leaf?"
"Yes, I know there's a squirrel. I saw it too."
"No. We're not going that way."
"Okay... fine. One more sniff."
If you've ever wondered what happens when you spend a good portion of your day surrounded by dogs...
Well...
You start talking to them like they're people.
And honestly?
I'm pretty sure they understand me.
Okay here we go...
Confessions of a Dog Walker: Part 1
These are my dog-walking confessions...
because apparently I have a few things to confess...😆
🐾 Confession #1
I Know Who's Going to Cause Trouble
You know that look?
Every dog has it.
The look where they suddenly get very quiet.
Their ears change.
Their eyes get REALLY focused.
And you just know.
Something is about to happen.
Sometimes I don't even need to see what they're looking at.
I already know.
"Don't even think about it."
And then they look at me like:
"Who, me?"
Yes.
You.
😂
Confession #2 - I Celebrate Poop💩😂
I never thought this would be something I'd openly admit.
But here we are.
I celebrate poop.
A perfectly timed poop on a walk?
That's a win.
A dog who has been holding it forever finally goes?
Huge win.
Multiple dogs all take care of business without turning the walk into complete chaos?
I'm basically celebrating like we just won the Super Bowl.
This is dog walking.
Nobody prepared me for this part. Well, except maybe my kids.
😂🐾
Confession #3 - Dog Hair Is Now an Accessory 🐾
At some point, you stop trying to keep dog hair off your clothes.
You just accept it.
It's on my clothes.
It's in my car.
It's probably on my phone.
I'm pretty sure I've found dog hair in places that make absolutely no sense.
And somehow...
I don't even care.
If you see me and I'm covered in dog hair, just know:
I'm working.
Confession #4: Every Dog Has a Personality
This is probably one of my favorite things about dogs.
They're not just "dogs."
They're individuals.
You've got the class clown.
The diva.
The old soul.
The nervous one who needs a little encouragement.
The one who thinks every human is their new best friend.
The one who believes every dog they see desperately wants to play.
The one who is convinced they're the leader of the entire pack.
And then...
There's the one who just wants to sniff.
Everything.
Every blade of grass.
Every bush.
Every tree.
Every molecule of air.
And you know what?
Sometimes I let them.
Because that's part of being a dog.
Confession #5: I Have Conversations With Their Owners About Their Dogs Like They're Our Children
"How was Buddy last night?"
"Did he eat?"
"Was he good?"
"Did he sleep?"
"Did he do that weird thing again?"
😂
And honestly, I love it.
Because when someone trusts me with their dog, I want to know their dog.
Not just how far they walked.
Not just how long they were out.
Them.
Their personality.
Their habits.
Their little quirks.
What makes them happy.
What makes them nervous.
What makes them completely lose their minds over a squirrel.
Those little details matter.
Confession #6: I Get Way Excited When the Dogs Get Excited
You know what never gets old?
When the dogs recognize the routine.
They see the leash.
They see me.
They know what's happening.
And suddenly it's:
"ARE WE GOING?!?"
YES.
WE ARE GOING.
😂🐾
That excitement is contagious.
And watching a dog who may have started out nervous or unsure slowly become confident?
That's even better.
Those are the moments that make me realize just how much I love what I do.
Confession #7 - Sometimes the Dogs Are My Therapists ❤
Okay, maybe that's not technically their job.
But...
Dogs have a way of making you slow down.
They don't care about your schedule.
They don't care about your emails.
They don't care about your to-do list.
They want to sniff a tree for five straight minutes because apparently this particular tree contains the secrets of the universe.
And maybe they're right.
Maybe we should slow down sometimes.
Take the walk.
Smell the roses.
Or, you know...
Sniff the tree.
Confession #8: I Probably Love Your Dog a Little Too Much
There.
I said it.
Your dog might technically be your dog.
But after spending time together?
I'm probably going to get attached.
I'm going to notice when they're having a weird day.
I'm going to celebrate when they do something they've been working on.
I'm going to miss them when they aren't there.
And I'm absolutely going to be excited to see them again.
Because that's what happens when you spend your days building relationships with these goofy, amazing creatures.
They become part of your life.
The Real Confession
Here's the thing I never expected when I started doing this.
I knew I loved dogs.
What I didn't expect was to love the life that comes with them.
The early mornings.
The muddy paws.
The barking.
The laughing.
The crazy moments.
The quiet walks.
The dogs who make you work for their trust.
The dogs who greet you like you've been gone for ten years even though you saw them yesterday.
The owners who trust you with their family.
And the pack that somehow becomes its own little community.
That's what The Gentleman’s Paw means to me.
It's not just about walking dogs.
It's about creating experiences for them.
It's about giving them structure, exercise, socialization, and a chance to just be dogs.
And somewhere along the way...
I became part of the pack too.
So, Yes. I'm a Dog Person.
I talk to dogs.
I celebrate poop.
I carry treats.
I have dog hair everywhere.
I know which dogs are troublemakers.
I negotiate with stubborn dogs.
I probably say "good boy" and "good girl" more times in a day than I say my own name.
And I wouldn't change a thing.
Because every day is different.
Every dog is different.
And every walk gives me another story.
So if you ever see me walking down the street talking to a group of dogs...
No, I haven't lost my mind.
I'm just at work. 😂🐾
And honestly?
It's probably the best job I've ever had.
❤️ Welcome to life Behind the Leash at The Gentleman’s Paw.
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If you're in our service area around Santa Clara and the Bay Area, and you'd like us to meet you and your companion—and maybe make some fun memories with our pack for me to write about later... 🐾
(click this button..... ya, this one down below 😉)
P.S. Don't worry I won't write stories about the human companions.
Remember I love Dogs More 😜
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