Dog Walking and Training FAQs in Poole, Hamworthy and Upton

Harbour Tails Dog Club offers group walks, day care, private walks and home visits in Hamworthy and Upton, and dog training across Poole and surrounding areas, including Broadstone, Creekmoor and Lilliput.

Not sure if we cover you? Get in touch and we’ll let you know.

Getting started with Harbour Tails takes five steps, and your first meet is always free.

1. Get in touch: tell us a little about your dog and what you’re looking for, using our enquiry form, phone, email or WhatsApp.
2. Have a chat: we’ll have a chat and find out all the details.
3. Complimentary meet and greet: for walking and care services, we’ll come and meet you and your dog.
4. Trial walks: for group walks, trial walks make sure your dog is happy and a good fit for the group.
5. Get started: we’ll get you booked in and your dog settled in with us.

For training services, we start with a complimentary 20 minute phone consultation.

Yes, Harbour Tails Dog Club is a fully insured and qualified dog walker and trainer in Poole.

Our qualifications include dog behaviour, training, and canine first aid.

See our qualifications

Yes, all dogs we walk must be up to date with vaccinations.

Harbour Tails is fully insured, and all staff are trained in dog first aid and handling. This ensures a safe, professional environment for every dog in our care.

Yes, we’re fully insured and DBS checked.

Yes. Harbour Tails offers half day and full day care. A Half Day Group Explorer is two back to back group walks with a rest break in between, and a Full Day Group Explorer is three.

More about group walks and day care

Harbour Tails group walks have a maximum of 5 dogs.

For group walks, Harbour Tails walks 2 - 5 dogs per group. This ensures every dog receives attention, care, and supervision while maintaining safety and welfare.

Group walks have set collection windows:

• Group 1: 08:40 to 09:20
• Group 2: 10:45 to 11:45
• Group 3: 13:20 to 14:15

For solo walks, we aim to arrive within about 30 minutes of your agreed time, give or take.

This flexibility allows us to manage:

• Travel time between clients
• Cleaning dogs after muddy walks
• Traffic and roadworks

This ensures walks remain safe, calm, and unhurried.

Walks take place in green spaces, dog-friendly parks, recreation grounds, and suitable beaches chosen for safety and enrichment. Common areas include:

• Poole
• Hamworthy
• Upton
• Broadstone
• Lilliput
• Creekmoor

Locations are regularly rotated to keep walks interesting. Seasonal restrictions are respected. Here are some of our fave walking spots!

Yes, Harbour Tails offers private walks for nervous dogs in Hamworthy and Upton.

Nervous dogs are offered private or solo walks or can be gradually introduced to suitable dogs if appropriate.

Dogs with a history of aggression are walked on a private basis only to ensure safety for everyone.

Yes, we can walk more than one dog from the same household.

Please get in touch for details.

No. If you provide keys, they are kept securely and confidentially.

Absolutely. Simply provide clear feeding instructions.

Yes, we walk dogs in all weathers.

Walks run rain or shine, but safety always comes first.

During extreme weather, adjustments may include:

• Shortened or cancelled walks
• Extra breaks and shade during hot weather

Yes. Fresh water and portable bowls are carried on walks and in the van for drinking and rinsing muddy paws.

Our group walks are about 1 hour, and your dog is usually out for 1.5 to 2 hours in total.

That includes collection, travel, the walk itself, and cleaning up before drop off.

Yes, we send photos, videos and your dog’s walk route after every walk.

Every new dog has a careful trial process before joining one of our group walks.

This includes:

• Making sure they’re comfortable getting in the van
• A short journey so they get used to travelling
• A walk with my own dog Cali or another well mannered dog
• A trial walk with a suitable group

This helps make sure every new joiner is happy, relaxed and a good fit for the group.

As a guide, dogs can join our group walks from around 10 months old.

It depends on the individual dog. Younger puppies are welcome on home visits or private walks until they’re ready.

Yes, dogs in season are walked on lead, on solo walks.

This keeps them safe and comfortable, avoids unwanted attention from other dogs, and prevents any accidental matings.

Unneutered dogs are considered for our group walks if there are compatible personalities within the group.

Every dog is assessed individually during the trial process.

You’ll need to provide:

• A secure, well-fitting collar and/or harness
• An ID tag
• Any coat you’d like your dog to wear

We usually use our own leads. Please leave equipment in a visible place and ensure it is in good working condition.

For welfare reasons, Harbour Tails does not use correction-based collars or equipment. We are happy to discuss suitable alternatives.

Every off lead Harbour Tails dog wears a Tractive GPS tracker for real time location tracking.

If a dog goes missing, I will:

• Inform you immediately
• Contact the council dog warden: 01202 261700
• Notify local vets, shelters, and rescue centres
• Alert other local dog walkers
• Search the area
• Help create and distribute posters
• Post on missing animal websites and social media

Dogs are only walked off-lead with owner consent and reliable recall.

In an emergency, I will contact you immediately. If you are unreachable, your emergency contact will be called.

If veterinary care is required, your dog will be taken to your preferred vet or the nearest available vet, depending on the situation.

Fights are rare, as dogs are carefully matched. Staff constantly monitor body language cues, such as:

• Staring or whale eye
• Showing teeth
• Raised hackles
• Stiff posture
• Growling

Dogs are separated as appropriate to prevent escalation.

Yes. Harbour Tails staff are trained in canine first aid and aware of overheating signs. However, to date we have never had a dog overheat in our care. Signs include:

• Excessive panting
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Red or blue gums

If a dog shows signs of overheating, it is recommended to:

• Move them to a cool, shaded area
• Offer fresh water
• Gently cool them
• Seek veterinary care immediately

The van contains a fully stocked first aid kit, including:

• Absorbent gauze pads
• Bandages and adhesive tape
• Cotton wool
• Disposable gloves
• Scissors and tweezers
• Towels
• Alcohol wipes
• Saline solution

Yes, Harbour Tails walks puppies.

For very young puppies, home visits or private walks are recommended to protect developing joints and focus on early learning.

Older puppies may join group walks after consultation, once they are ready.

Yes. Our Pre Puppy Course helps you get fully prepared before your puppy comes home, and our Puppy Foundation Training in Poole, Hamworthy and Upton covers early socialisation, behaviour and key life skills.

Yes, we run puppy socials in Poole, Hamworthy and Upton.

Get in touch to find out about upcoming dates.

Harbour Tails offers one to one training, group classes and workshops, a Pre Puppy Course, Puppy Foundation Training, and Enrichment and Welfare Coaching across Poole, Hamworthy and Upton, using up to date, science backed methods.

More about our dog training

Yes, Dani at Harbour Tails Dog Club is an IMDT accredited dog trainer in Poole.

Dani holds recognised certifications which are continually updated.

Yes. We run small group classes and workshops in locations around Hamworthy, Upton and Poole, including recall, loose lead walking and settling in busy places.

See upcoming classes

Yes, we include training support on walks.

Harbour Tails incorporates behaviour support into walks where appropriate. This can include:

• Recall reinforcement
• Appropriate socialisation with other dogs
• Reinforcing cues and positive behaviours
• Encouraging calm and confident behaviour in public spaces
• Enrichment and breed specific activities

We can also arrange one-to-one training sessions for more in depth, specific and structured learning.

Every one to one training session includes a written summary, a homework guide and support between sessions.

Training sessions take place wherever suits what we’re working on, across Poole, Hamworthy and Upton.

That might be in your home, out and about on walks, or in busier places, depending on your goals.

It depends on what you and your dog are working on.

Most dogs benefit from several sessions, so we offer a discount on blocks of sessions. We’ll talk through what’s likely to help during your free phone consultation.

Yes, Harbour Tails helps with reactivity, separation anxiety and other behaviour challenges in Poole, Hamworthy and Upton.

Sessions are tailored to you and your dog, using up to date, science backed methods. More about our dog training

Yes, we work with rescue dogs and older dogs as well as puppies.

It’s never too late to learn, and training is always built around your dog’s needs and pace.

Harbour Tails dog walking services start from £16.75.

Dog walking prices in the Poole, Dorset area vary depending on the type of service and level of care provided. Typical local costs are:

• Average price of group walk services in Poole as of 2026: £15 to £25 per hour, with some walkers walking up to 10 dogs in a group (BCP currently does not have a legal limit)
• Average private/one-to-one walk services as of 2026: £22+ per hour

At Harbour Tails, services start from £16.75. The cost of a service is competitive yet fairly reflects investments that improve safety and welfare:

• Use of reliable GPS trackers for real-time dog tracking and safety of off lead dogs
• Specially adapted and temperature-controlled van
• Staff experience, qualifications, and training certifications
• Dogs’ individual needs, including behaviour support
• Walk duration, frequency, and number of dogs from the same household
• Inclusion of training reinforcement, and enrichment activities
• Small groups of dogs with their welfare and happiness prioritised

Professional dog training and behaviour support are reflected in pricing because they require skill, qualifications, and careful supervision, providing a safer and more effective experience for your dog.

Use our price calculator

Yes, we offer ad hoc dog walks.

Requests are accommodated where availability allows.

Yes, we offer weekend dog walks.

Weekend rates apply, please contact us for details.

For regular clients, invoices are sent monthly in arrears, payable by bank transfer or cash.

To avoid a cancellation fee, please give at least 72 hours’ notice. Fees may be waived or swapped if your dog becomes unwell or injured at short notice.

Yes, we offer lower rates for regular bookings, a discount for a second dog from the same home, and a military discount.

Military families, just let us know when you get in touch and we’ll chat about your discount.

Use our price calculator to see what you’d pay.

Yes, regular clients get up to 8 weeks off a year.

Use them however you like, as whole weeks or single days. If your walker takes time off, that doesn’t come out of your allowance. Breaks beyond your allowance are charged at 80% to hold your guaranteed slot.

Yes, we offer bank holiday walks as requested and as available.

Bank holiday bookings are priced differently, which we can discuss before booking you in.