Nathan’s paw blog
Insights and tips for pet business success
Building a Dog Training Business with a Disability: What Service Dogs, Community and Reactive Dogs Taught Penny Beeman
Behind every successful pet business is a story. Sometimes it's a story of passion. Sometimes it's one of resilience. And sometimes, like Penny Beeman's, it's both. In the latest episode of The Pet Business Wellbeing Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Penny,...
From Corporate Banking to Pet Business Mentor: Nathan Dunleavy’s Journey to Building a Sustainable Pet Business
When people discover that I spent more than a decade working in corporate and business banking before becoming a dog walker, they usually look a little surprised. On paper, the two worlds couldn't seem more different. But the truth is, the skills I developed in...
Pet Business Burnout, Boundaries & Why Support Matters More Than Ever
Running a pet business can look wonderful from the outside. The dog walks. The puppy cuddles. The happy client photos. The freedom of being your own boss. But behind the scenes? Many pet professionals are exhausted. In a recent special “podcast takeover” episode...
The Vet Says Rest: Why Dogs Don’t Always Need Walks Every Day with Laura Carter IMDT
As dog professionals, we hear it all the time: “My dog has to be walked twice a day.” But what happens when life suddenly changes? What happens when the vet says: “Your dog needs strict rest.” No walks. No running. No zoomies. No normal routine. For many dog...
From Grief to Growth: The Story Behind Pets2Places with Claire Harris
There are some podcast conversations that stay with you long after you’ve pressed stop on the recording. This was one of them. In the latest episode of The Pet Business Wellbeing Podcast, I sat down with Claire Harris, founder of Pets2Places - the UK’s first pet taxi...
Muzzled and Misunderstood: Breaking the Stigma Around Muzzle Dogs with Diane from Dogs in Focus Photography
For many people, seeing a dog in a muzzle instantly sparks assumptions. Dangerous. Aggressive. Unpredictable. But what if the reality is actually something very different? In this latest episode of The Pet Business Wellbeing Podcast, I sat down with Diane from Dogs in...
One Paw at a Time: Dog Rehabilitation, Trauma and Recovery After a Freak Accident with Jo Sellers
Some podcast conversations stay with you. My conversation with Jo Sellers from Pippin Pets Dog Training is definitely one of them. Jo joined me on The Pet Business Wellbeing Podcast to talk about her book, One Paw at a Time and the incredibly personal story behind it....
Behind the Dog Trainer: Writing, Wellbeing & the Hidden Realities of Pet Work with Melissa McCue-McGrath
Running a pet business can look wonderful from the outside. Dogs, wagging tails, freedom, doing what you love. But as many pet professionals know, there is often far more going on behind the scenes. Emotional labour. Difficult client situations. Compassion fatigue....
The Benefits of Being Your Own Boss: Why Running a Dog Walking Business Is So Rewarding
When we talk about life as a dog walker or pet professional, we often focus on the hard bits. The long days. The admin. The emotional load. The weather. The pressure of doing it all yourself. And yes - those things are real. But there’s another side to running your...
Why Dog Walkers Need a Support Network (And Why It Makes Your Business Stronger)
When people picture a dog walker, they often imagine the joyful part - you, strolling through the woods with happy dogs, fresh air, lots of steps, plenty of tail wags. And yes… it is lovely. But what many people don’t realise is just how isolating the role can be. Dog...