Lead on. Their pace.

We come to your place at the agreed time, let ourselves in the way we agreed, clip the lead on and head out. The route and the pace come from your dog. A young dog with energy to burn might do a brisk loop through the streets and a reserve; an older dog might want a slow wander with plenty of stops and sniffs. We stay on footpaths, tracks and reserves where dogs are allowed, and your dog stays on the lead the whole time.

Every walk has a little work in it. Light obedience is part of the standard walk: sitting at kerbs, waiting at gates, walking nicely on the lead and coming back to us, practised with praise and treats. Depending on your dog's breed and what they enjoy, we add fetch and other exercise on the lead. It's all fully negotiable, so tell us what you'd like more or less of.

When we get back we wipe muddy paws if you've left a towel out, check the water bowl is full, make sure the gate is shut behind us, and send you a short note: how the walk went, anything we noticed, and when we're back next.

A walk is more than a toilet stop. RSPCA Australia recommends a daily walk for dogs, with time to sniff along the way, because exercise and a busy nose keep a dog fit, ease stress and boredom, and help head off the chewing, digging and barking a bored dog gets up to. A walk that's the same every day still helps, but a little variety, a new street, a different reserve, a game of fetch, gives your dog more to think about.

Breeds were made for different jobs, and it shows on the lead. Working dogs like kelpies and border collies were bred to run and think all day, so they usually need more exercise and a job to do: a longer walk, some obedience work and a game to burn off energy. Flat-faced breeds and heavy-set dogs tire sooner and feel the heat more, so they do better with shorter, cooler walks. Puppies need short, frequent outings while they grow, and older dogs often like a gentle wander with plenty of stops. We plan each walk around your dog rather than a stopwatch.

Dogs are social animals. Calm, friendly meetings with people and other dogs help a dog stay confident around the world: the Australian Veterinary Association's Vetvoice says positive social experiences help prevent fear of other dogs, and that older dogs can still learn, even if it takes a little longer. On our walks that means everyday encounters handled well: passing other dogs nicely, meeting people politely, settling around bikes and prams, always on the lead, always rewarded and never forced. If you'd like more socialisation for your dog, tell us and we'll build it into the plan.

Everything we practise on a walk is reward-based, the way RSPCA Australia recommends: we reward what we want to see with praise, treats or play, and we never use punishment or harsh corrections. It makes learning fun for your dog and builds trust with the person on the other end of the lead.

Greater Bendigo is an on-leash area by default: dogs must be on a lead in public places unless they're in a designated off-leash area or one of the fenced dog parks. Castlemaine, Campbells Creek and Chewton have on-lead rules on their streets too. We keep your dog on the lead for the whole walk, wherever we are. It keeps them safe around cars, bikes, kids and other dogs, and it means we always know where they are.

Most walks happen while you're out. We'll agree how we get to your dog before the first walk: a side gate, a lockbox, or a key you leave with us. We close every gate behind us and check it's latched, coming and going. If anything about the house looks wrong when we arrive, we'll text you straight away.

• We don't walk dogs off the lead. Greater Bendigo is an on-leash area by default, and a lead keeps everyone safe.
• We won't walk a dog that seems unwell or hurt. We'll leave them home, let you know, and suggest you call your vet.
• We don't treat aggression or serious fear. If your dog struggles around people or other dogs, ask your vet who they'd suggest.