Central Scottish Borders

Dog walking in Lauder, Earlston, Melrose, Galashiels and the surrounding areas

Small groups, big countryside, and a photo from every walk. We give Borders dogs a proper hour out while you are at work. Insured, first aid trained, and never more than 4 dogs at a time.

Dr Doglittle logo: two dogs behind a wooden sign in the Borders countryside
  • Fully insured
  • Canine first aid trained
  • Solo or small-group walks
  • Never more than 4 dogs
  • Photos from every walk

How we walk

Every dog is different, so the walk should be too. All of our walks are offered solo or in a small group, and we will help you find the set-up that fits yours. Prices are per dog, all inclusive, no contract.

Most popular

Adventure walks

£18 / 60 min group · £22 solo

£24 / 90 min group · £30 solo

Countryside, woodland, hills, water, mud and hiking trails. A proper outing, not a lap of the block, anywhere within 15 miles of Lauder.

  • Solo, or a small group of no more than 4
  • Collection and drop-off included
  • Walking time only. Travel is on us
  • Towel-dried before they come home
For dogs who do not want to go home yet

Big adventure walks

£32 / 2 hours group · £40 solo

The same countryside, woodland, hills, water and mud, with time to really get into it. Add extra hours for £10 per dog per hour.

  • Solo, or a small group of no more than 4
  • Within 15 miles of Lauder, pick-up and drop-off included
  • Walking time only. Travel is not on the clock
  • Towel-dried before they come home
Max 2 dogs

Destination bike trail adventure

£55 / 2 hours per dog

A day out at a proper trail, alongside the bike, for fit dogs with the stamina and recall to match. Extra hours are £10 per dog per hour.

  • Never more than 2 dogs
  • Suitability assessment required before the first trip
  • Transport there and back included
For older paws

Senior strolls

£12 / 30 min · £17 for 60

Gentle, unhurried walks where your dog sets the pace. Plenty of time for sniffing and exploring without the pressure of a big adventure.

  • Soft ground and gentle gradients
  • Medication and mobility needs handled
  • Collection and drop-off included
Bespoke · price on enquiry

Wedding day companion

Your dog at your wedding, without anyone in the family having to miss the ceremony to hold the lead. We look after everything from the front door to the last photo.

  • Pre-wedding meet & greet so we are a familiar face on the day
  • Transport to the venue, brush and tidy-up on arrival
  • Ceremony handling and help with the photos
  • Water, treats and toilet breaks throughout
  • Home afterwards to wherever you choose

Additional mileage quoted separately.

Prices are per dog. Regular weekly slots are held for you; one-off walks are subject to availability.

How it works

Three steps, and the first one costs nothing.

Free meet & greet

We come to you and meet your dog on their own ground, with no lead and no pressure. You talk us through the routine, the recall, the harness that works and the one that does not, the neighbour's cat, the thing they are frightened of. All the detail only you know.

Pick your slot

A regular weekly slot that is held for you, or ad-hoc walks when you need them. Same walker every time, because your dog should not have to start again with a stranger each week.

Photos every walk

You get a message after each walk with photos and an honest note on how they got on, including the days they rolled in something regrettable. Towelled off and settled before we leave.

Out on the walk

A few of the regulars, and the kind of photo that lands in your inbox after every walk.

Why small groups matter

A dog walked in a pack of eight is managing eight relationships. A dog walked in a group of three is having a walk.

We cap every group at 4 and match them properly. A bouncing spaniel and a wary rescue collie do not belong on the same lead-out, whatever the diary says. It means fewer dogs per slot and a smaller business than it could be. It also means we can actually watch each dog, spot a limp on day one, and bring everyone home in the state you handed them over.

If your dog would rather not share at all, that is what the solo walk is for. Nobody has to be sociable to get a good walk.

What is included, every time

  • Collection and drop-off from your door
  • Fresh water and a towel-down before they are home
  • Photos and a note on how the walk went
  • Paws and belly checked for ticks, cuts and grass seeds
  • Food, water and litter sorted if you have asked us to
  • Full insurance and first aid kit on every walk

Where we walk

Based in the Central Borders and on the road daily between the four towns, and anywhere within 15 miles of Lauder.

See the full list of areas we cover →

Common questions

The things people ask before they hand over a set of keys.

How much does a dog walker cost in the Scottish Borders?

Our adventure walks are £18 for an hour in a small group or £22 solo, and £24 or £30 for ninety minutes. A two-hour big adventure is £32 in a group or £40 solo, and senior strolls start at £12 for half an hour. Every price is per dog and includes collection, drop-off and a towel-down. The time you pay for is time your dog is actually walking, not time in the van.

No charge for the meet & greet, and no joining fee.

Are you insured?

Yes. We carry full public liability insurance plus care, custody and control cover, which is the part that actually matters when someone else's dog is on your lead. Ask and we will send the certificate over before your first walk. You should ask that of any walker you are considering.

How many dogs do you walk at once?

Never more than 4, and they are matched by size, pace and play style rather than whoever happens to be booked that day. Large packs look impressive on social media and are miserable for a dog who would rather sniff a hedge in peace. If your dog is happier alone, book a solo walk instead.

Do dog walkers need a licence in Scotland?

At present there is no national licence for commercial dog walking in Scotland, though the Scottish Government has consulted on introducing one. What does apply is the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which sets out how dogs should be kept under control around livestock, ground-nesting birds and other people. We follow it, and we are insured and canine first aid trained by choice rather than by requirement.

My dog is reactive around other dogs. Can you still help?

Yes, on a solo walk. Reactivity is common and usually means a dog is frightened rather than aggressive. We will walk at quieter times, keep good distance, and stick to whatever your trainer or behaviourist has already put in place rather than inventing our own method. Tell us the triggers at the meet & greet and we will plan the route around them.

What happens to my keys?

Keys are held under a signed agreement, tagged with a code rather than your name or address, and stored in a locked box. They are never labelled in a way that would help anyone who found them. If you would rather not hand over keys, a key safe by your door works just as well.

Do you walk in bad weather?

This is the Borders, so mostly yes. Dogs need out whatever the sky is doing, and they come home towelled off before they touch your floor. The exceptions are genuine safety calls: ice underfoot, high winds bringing branches down, or heat that makes pavement walking unsafe. In those cases we swap to a shorter, safer walk and let you know.

Which areas do you cover?

Lauder, Earlston, Melrose and Galashiels, plus the surrounding areas: Oxton, Stow, Blainslie, Gordon, Redpath, Tweedbank, Darnick, Gattonside, Newstead, Clovenfords, Newtown St Boswells, St Boswells and Selkirk. From Lauder we cover the surrounding area to about 15 miles. If you are just outside that and on a sensible route, ask anyway.

Let us meet your dog

The meet & greet is free and there is no obligation after it. Worst case, you have had a cup of tea and we have met a nice dog.