We are dog loving souls that offer Fear Free certified small group and private walks in Victoria, BC. We can’t wait to connect with you!
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We are dedicated to offering force-free walks that support your goals, and meet the needs of your dog. Low Key Dog Walks acknowledges that we walk on the unceded, traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples. Certified in Canine Emergency First Aid, Licensed, Bonded and Insured.
Rufus! 🖤 This old mixed breed guy (turning 12 this month) often gets overshadowed by his spicy sister. But he deserves some time to shine. 💫✨️
Welcoming a younger sibling into the house is never easy, but Rufus has been an absolute gentleman.
It doesn't hurt that treat scatters occur on a frequent basis 💁♀️ Rufus makes sure to take full advantage 😋🏆
Big 'ol welcome to new kids, Tierney & Rockford! 👋🏽 From the streets of Mexico to the luxuries of Esquimalt 🤗 these pups are hap-hap-happy as can be. 🐕🐕
Shout out to their trainer , who we love and adore!! 🩷
After a sneaky trip to visit family, the bears and I (Rachelle) are backkk! 🐻❄️🐻❄️
We missed yesterday, but wishing all students, teachers, parents, and support staff a big welcome Back to School! 💛🤓
Our team is looking forward to the Fall with gratitude and anticipation. We would love to connect with you! ✨️
Wilbur... meet Charlie. 💁
Charlie... meet Wilbur. 💁♀️
These two French Bulldogs 🇫🇷 "Bouledogue Français" are basically twins, and although they'll never walk together (25-minute drive, too far for our operations), you best believe they're together in spirit!! 🩶🩶
Hi, Hey, Hello 👋🏽 to our newest ladybug, 1.5yr German Shorthaired Pointer, Scout. 😍
That makes 3 GSP's in our crew! 🐕🐕🐕
This special lady makes the best facial expressions, and is no exception to the pointing family. She ran circles around Loki, and Suki did her best, but genetics weren't exactly in her favour. 😂
We love our Book As Needed pups!
We LOVE our small groups of 2 or 3 (and sometimes 4). In an industry that's so unregulated, it's important to know who, how, and where your dog is being walked. 🩷🤔
What management techniques do the walkers use?
How many dogs transport together in a vehicle?
What credentials (if any) do the walkers have?
What emergency management protocols are in place?
How are dogs introduced, and group combinations made?
Low Key Dog Walks is proud to be setting industry standards in many of these areas. We are growing, and would love to connect with you. ✨️
Have a safe and cozy weekend!
Who doesn't love a pup party?! 😍🎉 Every once in a while, we have 2+ dog walkers overlap at a local park or field, and everyone (including the humans 😝) gets the pup party zoomies! 🏃♀️🕺
While monitoring body language and ensuring healthy play, it's always a hoot when these crossovers happen.
Thanks to Maddie for capturing me (Rachelle) in my happy place 👉🏼 see last photos 🩷
Due to summer break 🏖 our Recurring schedule is much slower than usual. However, we're thankful for the opportunity to still be walking 20 precious pupperonis today!! 🩷🐕
And we've got 3 all-star walkers to do it. 🚶🏼🚶🏽♀️🚶🏼♀️
Happy Monday, y'all!
Welcoming another good boy, 4yr rottweiler Arty! This lovebug is 💯 all about belly rubs, and leaning his body in for snuggles. It took all of 5 minutes for him and Kiefer to be BFFs 🥹
He's also got a snorty brother, 3yr Wilbur. We love him too, of course 😛 🖤🩶
Let's talk Ears!! Did you know 🤔 that dogs can hear x4 better than humans. Their ears are more sensitive to higher frequencies 🔊 which helps them be better hunters 🐾
The vagus nerve (which helps control the central nervous system) is in their ears, making them very sensitive to touch 💁🏼♀️
They can move their ears independently, they're born deaf (and blind), and their ears emit pheromones to help with doggy communication 🐕
They're also pretty dang cute! 🥰
"Corrections" ⚠️ What are they, and why do we choose NOT to use them? 🚫
As dog walkers, it would be relatively easy for us to pop the leash or raise our voice to stop certain "unwanted" behaviours. 🤷🏼♀️💁🏼 But as force-free walkers, we have chosen another way to manage our pups.
"Corrections" is a term used by many dog professionals. To the best of our knowledge, they can be defined as "anything that interrupts behaviour, either physical or verbal, on-leash or off-leash, with the intention of stopping an unwanted behaviour."
👉🏼 The unwanted behaviours are typically natural and normal to the dog, but unwanted by us humans, as we seek to coexist with them in our human world.
🏢🚘🚴👨🦽🗣
👉🏼 What we've learned, is that all behaviours have emotion attached to them. Simply "correcting" the behaviour by interrupting in the moment, won't actually change the underlying emotion and support the dog in the long run (ie. the dog isn't actively participating in the behaviour change). 🤔
As force-free walkers, we've chosen to avoid corrections altogether, and focus on creating environments for success. 💫
👉🏼 This means curating groups based on individual needs, creating space from known triggers, and supporting our pups when they're feeling stressed or anxious. 🥰🫂
Conditioning new behaviours is also something we like to focus on. 💫
👉🏼 This means offering praise and rewards when the pup chooses to check-in with us, instead of lunging at the dog/bike/scary thing across the street.
👉🏼 This also means offering longer leashes and the freedom to move, so that pups have the ability to self-soothe and navigate these encounters with preferred behaviours that are natural to them (ie. sniffing, creating space, digging, rolling).
We love supporting our pups in this way! ❤️
Hip Hip Hooray 🥳 it's another doggy day! 🐕🐾
Ft the '97 Honda Acty Street 🚐
Happy Long Weekend! Remember, do what you love, and love what you do. 🐾🩷🌼
Signing out for now. 💤
We've officially joined the Chamber of Commerce here in Victoria! Look forward to building connections and continuing to grow in the community 👋🏽🐕
We are excited to welcome our newest Chamber members New Wave Real Estate Group, DermaLight Clinic, Low Key Dog Walks and What's Good YYJ!
🤝 Calling all businesses in Greater Victoria!
🚀 Discover exclusive benefits and resources when joining The Chamber.
Learn more about our newest members and becoming a member on our website >>> https://shorturl.at/sBoED
Sometimes I wonder how we got so lucky ✨️ spending all day, everyday with these fur babes 🤩 But then I remember, oh yeah 🫠 It took 3 years and endless 10-hour days to build brand credibility, momentum, and our name in the community. And we don't take that for granted!! ❤️🩷
To everyone who has chosen us to care for your fur kiddos, thank you. 🐕🐩🐒
We promise to continue learning, growing, and refining our systems/processes to pursue excellence in all areas. We're in this for the long haul!
PS 👉🏼 swipe to the end to see Kona in all her glory 💯
Sometimes dogs need space, and we're A-OK with that. 👍🏼👍🏼
Everyone on our team did an excellent job giving this guy the time and space he needed over the past 3 weeks.
What changed? 🤔
Guardians were away, pet sitters were staying in the home, allergies caused mega itching and discomfort, new meds increased reactivity, cone/collar added.
We listened, and adjusted service as required. We promise to always be your dog's biggest advocate!! ❤️ 🐾
Max + sticks. A series. 🧡✨️
Thanks to our walker Ally, for capturing these beauties!
Warmest regards to our newest private walk pupperoos! 🌸🩷 All 3 have goals of joining a small group one day. Yippee!! 🐾
Keely - 1yr pittie rescue with nonstop springboard energy
Lucy - 1yr shepherd mix rescue, recent hip surgery, nonstop springboard energy
Murphy - 7 month husky mix rescue, floppy ears galore, with... you guessed it... nonstop springboard energy!!
😄👀
👉🏼 Are you looking for high-quality, reliable, force-free dog walks? We customize service to meet the needs of every dog, and would love to connect with you!!
👉🏼 Fill out a contact form on the website: lowkeydogs.ca and a member of our team will be in touch within 24 hours. 💻📲
Happy walking! 🐾
Suki is finally home 🥹🩵
Ever wonder what the difference is between Fear Free, Force-Free and Positive Reinforcement? Because I sure did! 🤓👍🏼
Here at Low Key, we make use of all 3 to manage our pups.
1️⃣ "Fear Free" is actually a registered trademark company developed by an American veterinarian and hundreds of experts in animal behaviour, medicine, and handling.
Founded in 2016, Fear Free provides accessible online education and has become "one of the single most transformative initiatives in the history of companion animal practice."
👉🏼 For more info, check out
www.fearfreepets.com/about/what-is-fear-free
2️⃣ Force-Free is more an overarching philosophy. There is no intentional use of force (aversive tools, physical force, verbal corrections). It supercedes everything we do, and enables us to offer such a high standard of care. ✨️
Force-Free prioritizes a dog's mental, physical and emotional health. We are big fans of dog body language, and curating experiences that meet individual needs.
3️⃣ Positive Reinforcement is the addition of a reinforcer (treats, praise, pets, tug) that make it more likely for a desirable behaviour to occur in the future. We make use of treat scatters, scritches, praise, stick chews, long line sniffs, etc. Whatever motivates Pup 🐕 We never punish or coerce our dogs.
👉🏼 From our website, "Just like us, dogs have feelings and communication tools. Our goal is to listen and build a positive, trusting relationship with your pup: to reinforce their natural instincts and abilities, encourage them to make the right choices, and reward desirable behaviour by creating an environment for success." ❤️
Ever wonder why we get the urge to pinch and squeeze things that are so incredibly cuuuute? 🥹🩷
It's called Cute Aggression!!
👉🏼 According to Psychology Today, cute aggression typically arises "when we become overwhelmed with emotion. Its function, therefore, is one of emotional regulation."
👉🏼 "A biologically driven balancing act, cute aggression kicks in when positive emotions are running so high, that if left unchecked, they could become physiologically damaging." 🥲
So next time you have the desire to squeeze, squish, pinch, eat, crush, and bite cute things... know that it's your body's way of, well, handling the cuteness! 🥰😍🤓
The more you know 💁🏼♀️
BIG welcome back to Miss Sarita for some short-term walks this summer! This beautiful lab, named after the Sarita River, is a joy to be around 🥰 and lives for her stick collection. 💎🐾
We love reconnecting with old frenssss 🐕🐕🐕
Did you know our team works on the weekends!? 🥰🥰 This service is subject to a 20% premium and walker availability.
Amelia and Otis had a blast on their Saturday walkies. 🩷 Remember to offer lots of water and keep hugging that shade! 😎 💦 We got this!
Small Groups, Pairs & Private Walks. Our LKDW pups are viiiibin' on these warm summer days 🩷🧡🤎
We introduce new pups slowly.
Match-ups are always intentional.
Individual stress signals are seen, heard, and respected.
Personalized drop-off requests are always (often) granted. 😉
Dogs get to be their best selves... in a safe and enriching environment.
We love what we do!
Temperatures are climbing these next few days 🌞 and it's super important to take care of our furry friends. And ourselves!
Remember that dogs can't sweat from their skin like us -- they pant and lose heat from their paw pads, belly, and nose. 🐾 Take advantage of the ocean surrounding us! Even a quick dip will do. 🌊
👉🏼 Ensure there is lots of shade and water available
👉🏼 Reduce walking time, and aim for early morning or later evening in cooler temps
👉🏼 Consider making doggy popsicles by freezing bone broth, yogurt, etc. Lots of recipe ideas online for this.
👉🏼 Cooling scarves, booties may help.
👉🏼 Don't leave dogs in the car!! Please consider alternative plans to ensure the well-being of your bff.
Stay cool, my friends! 😎🐶
Please enjoy these photos of Miss Suki living her best Low Key life!! 🥹🩷 It's been a big week of adjustments for the lady. She met numerous friends, was a rockstar at and an even Bigger Rockstar at the vet 🤘🏼
Super proud of our newest addition! And looking forward to Miss Danika's "not your average puppy class" 🧡🧡 Always learning.
Stay cool this weekend! 🔥
A round of applause for these 3 distinguished gentlemen 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Charlie - 4yr chocolate lab, perfect in every way, despite his propensity to eat 💩
Otis - 1yr cream retriever with a crush on Mama Loki
Beau - 3yr goldendoodle who prefers to be the only dog on the block ⚠️
👉🏼 Are you looking for high-quality, reliable, force-free dog walks? We customize service to meet the needs of every dog, and would love to connect with you!!
👉🏼 Fill out a contact form on the website: lowkeydogs.ca and a member of our team will be in touch within 24 hours. 💻📲
Happy walking! 🐾
📣 Special Announcement 📣 Loki is no longer an "only-child" ...🐻❄🐻❄
Welcoming Suki (right) to the LKDW furever family!! 🥹
She's a 1yr pyrenees maremma, same as Loki. 🤍 She hasn't had the same opportunities for socialization, so loud sounds and strangers are pretty spooky right now. 👻 She does, however, love offering her giant paw in exchange for pets, and is learning to coexist with big sister bear. 🐕🐕
Thanks to for the amazing love and care. Suki looks forward to meeting new friends soon. Happy C-Day! 🇨🇦🧡
Victoria, BC
| Monday | 8am - 4:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 4:30pm |
| Friday | 8am - 4:30pm |
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Did you catch our recent changes? 🧐 Here at Low Key Dog Walks, we are ALWAYS learning how to be better guardians and professionals in this community. ⚠️We have decided to make the change in our terminology from 'pack' services, to 'group', and from 'solo' to 'private' !⚠️ Now, this may seem like a minor change to some, but we want to ensure we are always putting our best paws forward. 🐾 'Pack' terminology is deeply rooted in 'alpha and hierarchy culture' which requires dogs to be disciplined and corrected because they're dominant. #yikes Here at Low Key Dog Walks, we consider ourselves as part of the group, and pride ourselves on building genuine relationships with dogs and their guardians. 👀 We make every effort to be attentive to dogs in their cues and body language. In return, we ask them to listen. 🤝 We value our relationship with them over their obedience. Ultimately, we don't just walk your dog, we walk ✨with✨ them. (And how lucky we are!) If you're looking for a book that'll rock your world 👉 "Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships with Dogs" by Suzanne Clothier #alwayslearning #knowbetterdobetter #forcefree #fearfree #victoriadogwalker #yyjdogs #dogsofvictoria #groupwalks #lowkeygroupwalks #lowkeydogs
❗️"Why are we sleeping in? Let's go!" ❗️ Loki is ready to make some new friends this week. In fact, she insists. 😅 This summer at Low Key will be the best yet, largely because, well, it's not just Rachelle walking every single dog all by herself. 🤪 #teameffort ☀️ If you're in a new groove this summer, and need some experienced, passionate, helping hands - don't wait! Get the peace of mind you need: www.lowkeydogs.ca/contact 👉 ALREADY a Low Key Dog? Refer your friends (you know about our referral program right?) #referafriend #yyjdogs #lowkeydogs #victoriadogwalker
Wiggle wiggle wiggle - cone free, and feeling good! 😋 #rollinginthegrass
Lots of Low Key ❤️ to you and yours! Smooches all around - how cute are these two? #englishamericanlab #englishlab #americanlab #labrador #blacklab #chocolatelab #lablove
🏈SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY🏈 If you know, you’re Ivy. If you don’t, you’re probably here like the rest of us. #SuperBowl #superdog #nfl2022
