A Dog's Life: The Wellington dog walker who handles 16 canines at a time

Mandy Te

14:30, Apr 18 2021

Drivers stop to take photos and after a ruff day, office workers come up to Phil Krieg to ask if they can
pat the group of dogs accompanying him along the footpath.

It's a hard sight to miss in Wellington, Krieg in his bright yellow vest walking a large group of dogs,
moving together as a calm and orderly canine collective.

With Krieg as their leader, the dogs sit when they were told and moved to the side to make way for
runners, other dogs and those walking on the footpath.

In 2008, Krieg’s wife, Penny, came up with their dog walking business, Loose Leash Dog Walking. Penny
said they called it Loose Leash because that was the idea – walking the dogs on a loose leash and
trusting them to behave.

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The pair lead groups of dogs, ranging from 12 to 16, on walks around Wellington.

“We give them a nice, loose lead, and they decide to go behind us or beside us. The dogs we really trust
are on the right-hand side,” Krieg said.

Phil Krieg walks 12 to 16 dogs around Wellington. He's a big believer in being calm, cool and collected.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

Phil Krieg walks 12 to 16 dogs around Wellington. He's a big believer in being calm, cool and collected.

Before they took on any dog, the pair did a meet and greet, and let the dog observe how they operated
with the other dogs, including how they were picked up in the car and how they all got ready for walks.

Krieg said he has looked after some dogs from when they were puppies right up to their last days.

He compared the dogs to children and said they all had their own personalities.

Phil Krieg says it is important for the dogs to trust and respect people, as well as each other.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

Phil Krieg says it is important for the dogs to trust and respect people, as well as each other.
When it came to walks, Krieg said there was an emphasis placed on having boundaries, consequences –
like being put in time out – and respect.

“You have to gain their trust and respect, and they have to respect you and the other dogs,” Krieg said.

“If they're headless chickens, they’re not in that thinking space. It’s important to keep them in a calm
state, so they can deal with situations and think about what they're going to do.”

Dog walker Phil Krieg says the dogs learn how to walk near bus stations, rail stations and near roads.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

Dog walker Phil Krieg says the dogs learn how to walk near bus stations, rail stations and near roads.

Penny said while the dogs learnt from them, they also learnt a lot from the dogs.

Both agreed that it was important to be calm and relaxed when dealing with them.

“You have to be a leader for the dogs, and you have to advocate for them,” Krieg said.

“I can pull all the dogs to the side slowly, and they move over for other dogs and people to pass. I expect
them to sit and stay, and they do.

Phil Krieg, along with his wife Penny, are trying to promote dog walking in a good light.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

Phil Krieg, along with his wife Penny, are trying to promote dog walking in a good light.

“Also having them near bus stations, rail stations and crossing the road allows them to get used to these
areas and gives the dogs life skills so that in the future, these aren't issues."

Many of the dogs had walked together and got along – with one Chihuahua finding friendship with a
Greyhound, he said.

That type of interaction and interacting with the rest of the public was good for their social skills, he
said.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

Loose Leash dog walker Phil Krieg takes 14 dogs for a walk on Wellington’s South Coast near Island Bay.

“What we're trying to promote is dog walking in a good light and be able to show what people can do
with their dogs.”

The pair also believed in leaving places they walked cleaner than they found it – this included picking up
all dog poo they came across, rubbish, and recycling.
For Penny, being a dog walker was a fulfilling job and receiving gratitude from owners was also a
positive feeling, she said.

Krieg was pretty happy too, recalling how he recently fell on his back and 10 dogs came bounding up,
giving him licks.

“I have fun with them. It’s really enjoyable.”