Meet the Dog Walker
I’m Jessica Dolce, just a stubborn, high drive, well-meaning mutt.
Home grown in NJ and Philly, I’m now living in Maine.
I’m an animal welfare advocate, humane educator, writer and speaker. I’ve worked in animal shelters, holistic pet stores, for raw dog food companies, and with dog trainers. But through it all, I’ve always been a Dog Walker.
I’ve been professionally Dog Wrangling for almost ten years and I’ve seen it all. Now it’s time to share what I’ve learned.
I’m the weirdo that created DINOS™: Dogs in Need of Space. Call me crazy, but I’m on a mission to educate the public about leash laws and being respectful of each other’s space.
I’m pro-laughter. And I think you guys are awesome.
Have a question? Email me at: info@notesfromadogwalker.com
DINOS™ is not available for commercial use.
Interested in reprinting, distributing, or reblogging?
There are handouts available for anyone to print and share!
If you would like to reblog, please use the following guidelines:
-Reprint articles in entirety, exactly as they were orginally written
-Author byline at the top: Jessica Dolce
- Followed by “Reprinted from Notes from a Dog Walker”, with a live link to: http://notesfromadogwalker.com
-If using the photos, please provide credit to photographer, if noted here.
p.s. I know you guys know this already, but don’t be silly about what you read here. If your dog is having serious behavioral issues, please contact a professional for an evaluation. The tips shared here are some good stuff, but they don’t take the place of an in-person consult with a trained pro. For real: You will not hold the author of this blog responsible for any incidents related directly or indirectly to the materials published within this site. www.notesfromadogwalker.com assumes no liability or responsibility for your actions.
Thank you kindly!
Hi Jessica. As the owner of a DINOS I just love your wonderful article. I am also head instructor of the Hobart Dog Training Club in Tasmania and I was wondering if you would allow me to reprint (with full credit to you) your article and manifesto in our (free) club newsletter. Even though I live in a small state thousands of miles away the problem is still as rampant here as it is in the US and everywhere else. People here desperately need to read this kind of info. Cheers. Jody.
Hi Jody, I’m not sure if I got back to you earlier, but I wanted to tell you that you are welcome to share! Please reprint the articles in their entirety, with credit to Jessica Dolce and a link to the blog (notesfromadogwalker.com) Thanks!!
Love your blog! As a fellow dog walker, your words are what most new and old dog owners need to read. I work in downtown NYC….I see it all and hope that your words reach these people. Down with Flexi leashes on city streets!
Best, Judy Kaplan
Thanks Judy! Dogwalkers never get a break from this, since we’re out all day, so I think we have a unique take on what it’s like to Walk With DINOS : )
Love to hear your tips on keeping your back and shoulders safe while walking dogs that aren’t so easy on leash. I’m a walker and trainer and after just a few years of doing this job my poor back just SCREAMS some nights. Yoga helps, as does encouraging clients to buy no-pull products for their dogs but being yanked around is inevitable. Any secrets from a veteran?
I wish I had the magic answer, but I’m creaky some days too! Back when I walked dogs 7 days a week, I used to get massages a lot! And Pilates is good for your core, which helps keep you upright when the dogs are pulling. Oh, and tiger balm is handy for knots in your shoulders ; )
Loving this down in Philly. One of our clients who has a DINO sent me the link. It’s so perfect we shared it with the entire staff. MDIFs – classic. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had this exact conversation: “My dog is friendly.” “Mine isn’t, can you grab your dog?” (Not sure if you heard but there was a really brutal dog attack in December in Grad Hospital. Off-Leash, pregnant dog nearly killed another leashed dog.) Now that our own pooch is getting older he’s become a part-time DINO. (Some days he’s just a grumpy old man…) We’re really getting behind leash-efforts in the City and this is perfect!
Hi Carrie,
Philly is where I dealt with some of the most “enthusiastic” MDIFs I’ve ever met, not to mention a lot of reckless owners that created really dangerous situations (like what you mentioned – that’s waaay beyond an MDIF and plain old criminal behavior), so I’m happy to hear your crew enjoyed the post!
Have you heard of Dog Flags? They might be a helpful addition to your client’s leashes: http://www.dog-flags.com/
And please keep me posted on any new leash law efforts in Philly – I’d be happy to promote!
I love your blog – just found out about it from another Leonberger owner on our group. We were actually discussing aggressive behavior in a training class. I have this type of issue with my Leo/Kuvasz mix. He is certainly a DINO! He has some aggressive type behavior (that is probably insecurity and feeling he must protect me) when we go to public places. We are working on it.
I see you are in Maine. I am in Augusta. Where are you?
Karen
Hi Karen, I’m down in the Portland area! Do you volunteer with the Leonberger rescue in Maine? If so, we might have met in the past. I used to work for Stella and Chewy’s and would often see that rescue at local events : ) Thanks so much for reading!
I am indeed the person with the Leos that works with a Leo rescue group – I am with LeoPALs now. I think I remember you with S&C. The boys still love that stuff but don’t get it very often. Your blog is great – you may be getting readers from the Leolist – the link to your blog was posted!
You DINOS materials need to be posted at dog stores, parks and everywhere really!!!!
Karen
Thanks Karen! There are pdfs of some of the blogs (look under the tab ‘All Things DINOS” on the homepage) and feel free to print and post them any place you think they could help!
You’re site is AMAZING. I am a guardian of two DINOS (Pug and boxer/staffie) and this site puts a voice to how I have been feeling for so long. Thank you so much for all that you do for DINOS!
Hi Anita, Thanks for giving two DINOS a loving home! And if you’re on the DINOS Facebook page, I’d LOVE to see a photo of them ; )
I’m glad you’re here with us – thanks for reading!
Jessica
Jessica, I’m so happy to have found your blog!
My husband and I adopted Jetta, an Australian Shepherd/Black Lab cross, last year. When we first would have her out on walks, she would sit quietly as I interacted with people. After a few months, her behavior changed, and we think it’s because she realized she was in her forever home, and she didn’t need to be on “best behavior” to avoid being shipped to another foster home. She became very reactive to people and dogs approaching or anyone making loud or sudden movements.
I’m a first-time dog owner who’s had to do a lot of work to develop confidence around my dog, and it’s paying off. We just finished 2 months of private training with Jetta, and she’s learning not to be afraid out for our walks because I’m taking care of making sure we’re both safe.
Even with all the successful work we’ve done with Jetta, she doesn’t take kindly to people she doesn’t know getting all up in her business, which make sense; neither do I!
It doesn’t mean I’m not a competent dog owner, and it doesn’t mean Jetta’s not a good dog. We’re both fine. I’m so glad to see that we’re not alone, and that someone’s giving a voice to what we’ve experienced. Thank you!
Hi Kelly, I’m so glad you found it too!
It’s clear to me how dedicated and responsible you are and you should be proud of all your hard work. And Jetta is lucky to be with you! It sounds like you’re both learning a lot from each other.
If you’re on facebook, you should stop by the DINOS page and say “hi” – you’ll find a lot of support over there and you’ll never feel alone again!
Thanks for reading!
Jessica
I’m so exited I found your blog! The MDIF epidemic is more widespread than you might think – I’m from Germany and I swear, I’ve encountered nearly every single one described here. I’ve had people yell at me their dog “just wants to play” after he pinned my dachshund down until he screamed, then they explained the dogs were “just talking” and I would “know nothing about natural dog behaviour”. I’ve taken detours, been on the lookout for OLDs, been stared at as if I was crazy because I don’t want my dog to rush up to strange dogs. I’ve done nearly everything described, apart from throwing the dachshund in a pick-up, because we don’t have many of those.
I’ll add your blog to my tiny blog-roll and hope to read much more from you!
I’m so glad you found the blog – it’s amazing that there are so many of us (world wide!) that are dealing with these issues. Thanks for reading and sharing my blog. I hope it helps get the word out in Germany that dogs there need space too! ; )
I just wanted to thank you for making people aware of this. My dog has epilepsy and while people’s “dogs are friendly” they can kill my dog. Certain scents cause him to go into cluster seizures that take a dosage of Valium to wake him up. Just smelling the medication put on the back of a dogs neck used for heart worm/fleas can cause a horrible reaction.
I’m sick of having to run away or protect my 100lb dog from these very hyperactive dogs. If we wanted to encounter off leash dogs, we would simply go to a park. It’s so very frustrating. I’m always afraid he’s going to bite back but he never does.
I’ll be printing and posting your forms up.
Thank you again
Oh Mary, that sounds awful and so scary.
How would you feel if I shared what you wrote? I think it’s really important for the public to understand that there are many different reasons why dogs need space, so it’s best that we all act responsibly and with respect while out in public.
Give your big, sweet boy a hug for me,
Jessica
Absolutely you can share, he has a normal life aside from the seizures every couple of months unless we have a bad day.
We’ve joined your FB page and are grateful we’ve found a source for flyers and information to help people understand about DINOS.
Thanks so much for your sweetness. He’s a teddybear
Thank you Mary – I hope the handouts help a bit.
I’m going to write a blog post about your dog’s medical needs to help people understand the importance of leash laws and beng respectful of others.
What’s your big guy’s name? And if you’d like me to use a photo of your dog in the post, I’d love to show him off!
If so, you can email me: info@notesfromadogwalker.com If not, no worries!