Exclusive one-to-one dog care in Bournemouth. Just your dog, and my full attention . Each session is filled with intentional games, training reinforcement, and enriching experiences to boost your dog's day.
I offer exclusive one-to-one dog walks so I can be fully present with your dog, providing the attention they deserve, and the exercise and enrichment that suits their needs.
I work closely with what your dog already knows, reinforcing their training, tuning into their body language, and weaving in games and scent work to make every outing genuinely stimulating — not just a leg stretch.
Whether working with elderly, nervous, overwhelmed or rescue dogs, I bring a calm presence and enriching experiences to their day, offering the quality companionship they crave while you are away.
Learn more about me & my approach
A solo daytime walk with my full attention. No vans, no pack-walks, just door-to-door adventure, tailored to your dog’s needs, for the days when your schedule is too tight for a dog-walk.
A bespoke in-home mood boost. We swap the mid-day monotony for engaging games, light training, and dedicated one-to-one focus to elevate their day until your return.
Taking the pressure off your evening routine. We release the last of the day's energy before winding-down with low-arousal scent trails so your dog settles into the evening at home.
The premium solo experience. A long-form exploration designed for companions who need meaningful exercise and human engagement while you are away for the day.
I'm based in Westbourne and work across BH4, Alum Chine and the surrounding areas. If you're not sure whether you're in range, just drop me a message — I'm always happy to have a chat.
I'm fully insured and experienced with a range of dog breeds. I take time before any new booking to properly get to know your dog, their quirks, their routine, their needs. You'll also receive a post-session update, so you know how they're getting on.
The biggest difference is the one-to-one approach. Your dog is never part of a pack; every session is dedicated entirely to them. I also focus on enrichment rather than just exercise; the goal is to leave your dog mentally stimulated, emotionally content, and genuinely settled — not just tired out.
No — I drive to your door, but your dog never travels in my car. Every walk session is done entirely on foot, door to door from your home, so every minute of the session is spent on exercise and enrichment rather than in transit. It also makes Sand & Settle a great fit for dogs who are anxious about car travel, or who simply don't do well in vehicles.
Yes, where it's safe and right for your dog. Off-lead time isn't something I rush into — I like to have a couple of sessions under our belts first, so I have a genuine feel for your dog's recall and how they carry themselves when they're off lead. Your preferences always guide it, and I'll only ever let them run in areas where it's genuinely safe to do so. It's something we'd talk through as part of getting to know each other.
Each of my sessions has a minimum time to ensure your dog gets a good dose of attention, stimulation and settling down time. Drop-in sessions are a minimum of 30 minutes, and exercise and enrichment sessions are at least 60 minutes. Additional time can be added to all sessions, as required. We will discuss your needs in full, during the intake process.
If your dog needs a shorter walk, I can spend the additional time in your home playing or cuddling, or I can incorporate a sit down, so your dog can rest its legs but still get the mental stimulation of sniffs and sights outdoors.
For full details of what each session entails, see here.
I have experience with anxious, elderly, and rescue dogs and I adapt every session to the needs of your dog, whether that's a slower paced walk for arthritic dogs, or sticking to quiet routes for nervous dogs.
While my sessions can involve basic training and reiterating the commands and behaviours you're working on with your dogs, highly reactive dogs requiring specialist behavioural support may not be accepted.
We will discuss your dog's needs and behaviour as part of the intake process and first meeting.
Yes, where needed and discussed in advance. I've cared for dogs with a range of health needs and am comfortable following medication routines as part of a session. Just let me know upfront so we can make sure everything is properly noted.
Sometimes, yes. Solo is my default — it's where I do my best work, giving my attention and whole heart to one dog at a time — but I'll consider two dogs from the same household where they're bonded and it genuinely suits both of them. There's an additional cost involved, and it's something we'd discuss as part of the intake process.
After your initial enquiry, I'll send over a short questionnaire to get to know your dog on paper first — their personality, routine, any quirks or needs I should know about. If everything looks like a good fit, we'll arrange a free in-person meeting where I get to meet your dog properly. We'll go for a short walk, all together, then I'll take them solo for a few minutes, just to see how they are with me one-to-one. By the end of it, I've got a real sense of your dog, and you've got a real sense of me. If everyone is comfortable, we'll then arrange our first session.
Not at all. Once you're part of the Sand & Settle family — intake done, introductions made — you're on my books for as long as you need. Some clients book regularly every week; others dip in as and when life gets busy — a hectic work period, a last-minute commitment, a day that just needs covering. There's no pressure to lock into a schedule. What matters is that once you're in, you have a trusted, familiar source of care to tap into whenever you need it. Your dog already knows me, I already know them, and that doesn't change whether we see each other every week or every now and then.
Last-minute slots do come up, but I keep them for existing clients. If you're already in the Sand & Settle family, you'll hear about them first via my WhatsApp community. You'll be invited to join the community and be notified of last-minute availability after two completed bookings.
Getting started with Sand & Settle begins with a proper introduction — a chance for me to meet your dog in person, understand their world, and make sure I've got everything I need to care for them well. By the time our first session comes around, we're not strangers. That matters.