Dog Walking & Mindful Enrichment

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Hiring the right dog walker is important. You should look to match the right energy, experience and commitment level that you need for your pet.

This person should be someone who can develop a very special bond not only with your dog, but also with you and your family. You have to be able to trust who is coming into your home and looking after your dog, and he or she should also be knowledgeable about the industry in order to provide helpful advice and recognize any potential problems.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Being a dog walker is a big commitment. It is more than just a casual job or hobby. Your dog is family and is our responsibility!

A good dog walker will recognize the importance of getting to know you, your dog and your family in order to really understand what's best for him or her.

A great dog walker will be passionate about the work. You'll be able to tell that this person loves what they do!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Is your dog walker part of a registered, insured and bonded business? Check to see if your walker is certified in pet first aid and part of a professional entity to continue his or her education about the industry.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Hiring a dog walker to help is a great first step in creating a happy, healthy dog ... but it is not the only step! Fulfilling your pet starts at home with consistent rules and boundaries, a nutritious meal plan and of course lots of attention! Gusto Dogs can also help you implement a beneficial exercise and enrichment program.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. Owner Kristen West ran Sydney Pet Sitters, a dog walking and pet sitting service in Australia, for two years before moving to Austin.

Some of her favorite dogs to walk were also the most challenging. Once they presented a new hurdle for her and her staff to overcome on walks, Kristen was eager to find a solution by researching, getting advice from other professionals and then trying out new techniques — often on her own high-energy dog first!

This passion carried over to create Gusto Dogs, which focuses primarily on exercising and engaging those dogs with the added enthusiasm.

Prior to her life as a business owner and dog-enthusiast (OK she’s always been a little dog-obsessed!), Kristen earned her bachelors degree in journalism from Ohio University and worked in creative positions at Ohio Wildlife Center and then Australian Diabetes Council.

Kristen lives in west Austin with her husband, Dave, and pug cross Jack Russell, Neo, who has been her greatest teacher. “Neo is definitely a Gusto Dog!”