From One Leash to a Local Legacy: 16 Years of Dog Walking in Monmouth County NJ

Serving Holmdel, Hazlet, Matawan, Aberdeen, Keyport, Union Beach, and Cliffwood Beach since 2010

A New Year, A Big Milestone

As we kick off 2026, Dog Days NJ is proud to celebrate 16 years of providing dog walking in Monmouth County NJ, built on trust, consistency, and a dog-first approach. What started as a simple idea—helping busy pet parents make sure their dogs got the care, exercise, and attention they deserve—has grown into a trusted local dog walking company serving communities throughout Monmouth County.

This post isn’t just about what we do. It’s about why we do it, how it all started, and how staying true to our values has helped Dog Days NJ become a go-to choice for reliable dog walking and pet sitting in Holmdel, Hazlet, Matawan, Aberdeen, Keyport, Union Beach, and Cliffwood Beach.

How Dog Days NJ Began

Dog Days NJ didn’t start with a business plan or big goals of expansion. It started with a belief I picked up early on in the DIY punk music scene: that it’s entirely possible—and absolutely acceptable—to create your own lane in life. In that world you were encouraged to start your own band, your own record label, your own fanzine—whatever you wanted to build, you built yourself. I carried that mindset with me into adulthood.

In 2010, while selling real estate for a friend’s company, I realized the part of the job I enjoyed most wasn’t the houses—it was meeting the dogs and cats during showings. Somewhere between leashes at the door and wagging tails in the hallway, a lightbulb went off. I saw a need in our local communities for dependable, trustworthy dog walking and I decided to take a leap.

Dog Days NJ Dog Walking was born.

Like many small businesses, the early days were hands-on and humbling. I walked dogs myself, learned client routines inside and out, and built relationships one household at a time. Those early experiences shaped the standards Dog Days NJ still operates by today.

The Challenges That Shaped Us

Running a dog walking business isn’t always sunshine and wagging tails. Over the years, we’ve faced:

• Harsh New Jersey weather (snow, heat, and everything in between)

• Managing schedules across multiple towns

• Helping dogs with anxiety, fear, or rescue backgrounds

• And the early financial grind that comes with building something from scratch

In those first dog walking days, I took a job unloading trucks at PetSmart from 4:00–10:00am, waking up at 3:00am to get there on time. After that shift ended, I headed straight out to walk dogs for Dog Days NJ. I did that for three months until I could finally give it a go as a full-time dog walker.

Every challenge taught me something important: consistency matters, communication builds trust, and dogs must always come first.

These lessons are why Dog Days NJ focuses on experienced walkers, clear communication, and routines that work for both dogs and their humans.

Growing Into a Trusted Dog Walking Team in Monmouth County NJ

What began as a one-person operation has grown into a small, dedicated team of dog walkers who share the same values:

• Reliability

• Patience

• Professionalism

• A genuine love for dogs

  
  

We do things a little differently at Dog Days NJ. Our walkers are part-time team members who don’t rely on this work as their sole source of income. That means they’re here because they want to be—because they love dogs and love being around them.

Sure, it can feel like work on a 20-degree February morning or during one of those May stretches where it rains for ten days straight. But the dogs love their walks so much that they keep us smiling, no matter the weather.

Today, Dog Days NJ provides daily dog walking, vacation pet sitting, and midday relief walks throughout Holmdel, Hazlet, Matawan, Aberdeen, Keyport, Union Beach, and Cliffwood Beach.

Why Experience Matters in Dog Walking & Pet Sitting

Sixteen years in business means we’ve walked dogs of every size, age, and personality—from energetic puppies to senior dogs who prefer a slower pace.

Experience allows us to:

• Read canine body language

• Adjust routes and pace based on weather and energy level

• Spot changes in behavior that may signal health concerns

• Provide calm, confident handling for nervous or shy dogs

For our clients, that experience translates to peace of mind. When you book Dog Days NJ, you’re trusting your pet with professionals who have seen it all—and who truly care.

Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond

After 16 years of experience offering dog walking in Monmouth County NJ, our commitment remains the same: put the dogs first, always.

That’s easy to say, but surprisingly easy for companies to lose sight of. We never do. We treat every dog as if they were our own, and we approach every visit with care, patience, and respect for the trust our clients place in us.

We’re excited to continue serving our existing clients while welcoming new dogs and families into the Dog Days NJ community. Whether it’s a midday walk while you’re at work or pet sitting while you’re away, we’re grateful for that trust every single day.

Thank You for 16 Amazing Years

If you’ve been with Dog Days NJ since the early days—or if you’re just discovering us—thank you. This business exists because of the relationships we’ve built with dogs and the people who love them.

Here’s to many more years of walks, wagging tails, and muddy paws.

Ryan Roberts

-Founder, Dog Days NJ

Looking for reliable dog walking or pet sitting in Holmdel, Hazlet, Matawan, Aberdeen, Keyport, Union Beach, or Cliffwood Beach? Dog Days NJ is here to help. Contact us today!